How To Become a Psychologist in Tennessee 2025

If you want to learn how to become a psychologist, discover what steps are needed to practice psychology in the future. Most psychologists are required to complete qualifying psychology programs and obtain licensure in the state of Tennessee; however, some are exempt from this requirement. Continue reading to learn how to become a psychologist in the Volunteer State.

What Does a Psychologist Do?

Psychologists observe and study human behaviors and apply what they learn to improve those behaviors and mental health. There are a few types of psychologists:

• School psychologists work in educational settings and may counsel and support students.
• Industrial-organizational psychologists work in business/corporate settings, usually working to improve workplace relationships.
• Counseling and clinical psychologists practice psychology through actions such as diagnosing and treating various issues that people face.
• Other types of psychologists can work in forensic psychology, neuropsychology, and other fields.

5 Steps To Become a Psychologist in Tennessee

There are a few steps that you need to take to become a psychologist in the state of Tennessee, such as completing the required educational components and obtaining licensure (if applicable). Industrial-organizational and school psychologists may only need to complete three of the steps listed, while fully licensed psychologists must complete all five steps.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree

Regardless of which type of psychologist you want to become, you need to have a bachelor's degree before entering a graduate psychology program. While some psychology programs are open to students with bachelor's degrees in numerous fields, many students who pursue graduate psychology degrees complete their bachelor's degrees in related fields, such as education, or a subfield of psychology.

Step 2: Choose What Type of Psychologist You Want to Be

The educational requirements to become a psychologist depend on what type of psychologist you want to become. You can become a school psychologist or an industrial-organizational psychologist with a master's degree, while other psychologist roles typically require a doctoral degree. You may also complete a master's program and become a psychology assistant while working toward a doctoral degree and full licensure.

Step 3: Complete a Graduate Degree Program

Your educational background and desired role determine how long it takes to get a psychology degree. A graduate degree in psychology program can take between two and five years of full-time enrollment. Review your options and choose one that best aligns with your career goals.

Step 4: Complete an Internship and Obtain Entry-Level Licensure

Full licensure as a psychologist requires a year of postdoctoral supervised experience. While psychology programs usually integrate practicum experiences, the internship requirement involves a year of supervised professional experience after completing the graduate degree. If you have not already done so, apply for a psychologist assistant license when you begin your internship.

Step 5: Obtain Licensure (If Applicable)

If you plan to be a fully licensed psychologist, you need to obtain a psychology license through the Tennessee Department of Health. Licensure requirements include submitting to a criminal background check and earning a passing score on the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) test. You also need to submit documentation of your graduate program and internship, official transcripts, and other relevant documentation.

What Are the Best Degrees for a Psychologist?

There are a variety of accredited online psychology degrees and different types of career paths for psychology graduates. For example, an industrial-organizational psychologist usually needs a master's degree, while a school psychologist usually completes a master's degree or education specialist (EdS) degree in school psychology. Licensed psychologists need to complete a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) to earn full licensure.

Top Psychology Degree Programs

Nine schools in Tennessee offer graduate programs in psychology, and more than half of those offer accredited doctoral programs that are designed for the pursuit of full licensure. The top five schools with graduate programs for psychologists are discussed below.

1. The University of Tennessee Knoxville

The University of Tennessee Knoxville (UTK) offers several different graduate psychology degrees, including:

• Master of Arts (MA) in experimental psychology
• PhD in clinical psychology
• PhD in counseling psychology
• PhD in experimental psychology
• EdS in school psychology
• PhD in school psychology
• Master of Science (MS) in educational psychology

The MS degree is offered online, while the other psychology programs are campus-based. Students with a bachelor's degree can complete the master's programs in two years or the doctoral programs in five years (full-time).

Estimated tuition cost: $639 per credit (in-state); $1,011 per credit (out-of-state)

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), American Psychological Association (APA), National Association for School Psychologists (NASP)

2. Middle Tennessee State University

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) offers several campus-based psychology graduate programs, including an EdS in School Psychology as well as MA degrees in:

• applied research and methodology (psychology)
• clinical psychology
• industrial-organizational psychology
• quantitative psychology
• school psychology

The master's degree programs can serve as a foundation for future doctoral studies, and the school psychology programs can prepare students for work as school psychologists. MTSU also offers grants, as well as assistantships, to qualifying psychology students.

Estimated tuition cost: $565 per credit (in-state); $1,564 per credit (out-of-state)

Accreditation: SACSCOC, NASP

3. University of Memphis

The University of Memphis (UofM) has two campuses and offers several graduate psychology programs:

• experimental psychology (PhD)
• clinical psychology (PhD0
• school psychology (MA, EdS, PhD)
• general psychology (MS)
• counseling, educational psychology and research (PhD, MS) (online)

The UofM psychology department provides assistantship funding, graduate travel assistance, and research support for graduate psychology students. The clinical psychology program is designed to prepare graduates for full psychologist licensure.

Estimated tuition cost: $646 per credit (in-state); $646 per credit (out-of-state)

Accreditation: SACSCOC, APA, NASP

4. East Tennessee State University

East Tennessee State University (ETSU) offers a PhD in experimental psychology and a PhD in clinical psychology. The experimental concentration focuses on research, while the clinical concentration prepares students for licensure as clinical psychologists.

Students are admitted in the fall semester of each year and can begin the program with a bachelor's degree. Students who already hold a master's degree can transfer in prior coursework and reduce the time of their program.

Estimated tuition cost: $515 per credit (in-state); $773 per credit (out-of-state)

Accreditation: SACSCOC, APA

5. Tennessee State University

Based in Nashville, Tennessee State University offers an on-campus PhD in psychology with a concentration in counseling psychology. The program offers various opportunities for research and professional development for individuals and groups � with recent graduates having nearly 100% internship match rates. The PhD program is accredited by the APA as well as recognized by the Council for the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology and the American Association of State Psychology Boards.

Estimated tuition cost: $605 per credit (in-state); $1,274 per credit (out-of-state)

Accreditation: SACSCOC, APA

Skills of a Psychologist

Some of the key skills that psychologists need to have are communication skills, relationship-building skills, and the ability to observe human behaviors and learn from them. In addition, psychologists are often analytical and compassionate. Patience and the ability to solve problems through critical thinking are also great skills for psychologists.

Careers and Job Outlook for Psychologists

The fastest way to become a psychologist is to complete a master's degree program. Graduates of master's degree programs, such as the fastest psychology degree online, may qualify to work as school, business or assistant psychologists.

Becoming a licensed clinical/counseling psychologist requires completing a doctoral degree program, such as one of the best PsyD programs. The state of Tennessee had around 2,500 psychologists in 2022, while there were just over 200,000 psychologists nationwide.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects around 14,000 psychologist roles will be added to the U.S. job market by 2033. Clinical and counseling psychologist positions are expected to grow the most, with more than 10,000 new positions projected. For the state of Tennessee, BLS projects clinical/counseling positions to increase by 23% and other psychologist positions to increase around 16%.

What Is the Average Salary of a Psychologist in Tennessee?

The average salaries for psychologists in Tennessee are $118,970 (clinical/counseling) and $66,670 (school), and industrial-organizational psychologists make a national average of $109,840. Choosing the most affordable online psychology degree can give you a better return on investment for the cost of your program, regardless of which psychologist role you decide to pursue.

Explore Psychology Degrees

Discover other great psychology programs and helpful resources on Learn.org. Reach out to the schools directly to learn more about their programs.