How To Become a Psychologist in West Virginia 2026

The field of psychology is a great subject for employment in many parts of West Virginia. Learn what it takes to begin a rewarding career in this state.

If you want to know how to become a psychologist in West Virginia, the first thing you should do is learn about the role. Once you decide on this profession, explore the educational requirements and how the West Virginia Board of Examiners of Psychologists regulates licensing.

It may take several years, but this process prepares you for a stimulating career as a mental health professional, school psychologist, counseling psychologist, and more. Continue with this article for a step-by-step approach of how to become a psychologist.

What Does a Psychologist Do?

Some psychologists treat patients with mental and behavioral disorders, whereas others conduct original research in the field. The educational requirements to become a psychologist are rigorous and involve completing master's and doctoral-level coursework for jobs that require a licensed psychologist.

The timeframe for how long it takes to get a psychology degree depends on which degree you obtain, but most bachelor's degrees require four years of study, while master's degrees take two years and doctoral programs last between three to six years. Some universities offer ways to finish quicker through accelerated programs and online curricula. There are a growing number of accredited online psychology degrees that let you earn at least a bachelor's degree without attending class in person.

3 Steps To Become a Psychologist in West Virginia

We'll show you the three steps for becoming a psychologist by focusing on getting your degrees, passing the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), and obtaining a psychologist license. We'll also discuss how many years of supervised practice a psychologist must have in the State of West Virginia.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree is the starting point for your path toward a career in professional psychological services. The best way to do this would be to major or at least minor in the field and gain exposure to several topics. At this academic level, you can find several accelerated psychology degree online if you wish to complete your undergraduate coursework one year sooner.

Step 2: Get a Master's Degree or Doctorate

This is an important step because West Virginia requires either a master's degree or doctoral degree for its psychologist licenses. The American Psychological Association (APA) reviews most graduate degree programs, establishing specific requirements for academic accreditation.

The terminal degrees in this field are the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), offering the only way to gain full licensure and the right to do private practice unsupervised. Some universities offer accredited master's programs online, whereas you can also explore several of the best PsyD programs and PhD opportunities through in-person or hybrid learning formats.

Step 3: Pass the EPPP & Other Licensure Requirements

The fastest way to become a psychologist is to know and prepare for the licensure requirements well in advance. West Virginia offers several licenses: two for school psychologists, one for supervised master's degree holders, one for supervised psychologists, and unsupervised psychologists with a doctorate. It also grants license reciprocity for out-of-state psychologists.

If you have your doctorate and wish to obtain the unsupervised license, then you'll have to accrue at least 1,800 hours of supervised experience in post-doctoral roles. It normally takes about one to two years to complete the experience requirements. After that, eligible candidates must undergo an oral examination and pass the EPPP with a score of at least 500.

What Are the Best Degrees for a Psychologist?

West Virginia requires psychologists to hold at least a master's degree to serve as a W-2 employee for other psychologists. Supervised psychologists begin their first two years as employees before becoming independent practitioners. The state requires unsupervised psychologists to hold a PsyD, PhD, or Doctor of Education (EdD) with a school psychology concentration.

Top Psychology Degree Programs

This list of top psychology degree programs features three institutions accredited by the American Psychology Association (APA). They offer various graduate programs, which prepare you to pass the EPPP and earn a psychology license.

1. West Virginia University

West Virginia University offers graduate students four PhD tracks: behavioral analysis, clinical psychology, lifespan development, and behavioral neuroscience. The program is very competitive, with admitted students submitting an average grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher. If you gain admission, then you have a solid chance of funding from resources like graduate research assistantships and teaching assistantships.

Estimated tuition cost: $596 per credit hour (in-state); $1,668 per credit hour (out-of-state)
Accreditation: APA

2. Marshall University

Marshall University offers a PsyD degree, which requires approximately five to six years to complete. However, you can complete the program faster if you hold a master's degree with a clinical focus.

Marshall's website mentions 10 important goals for PsyD students preparing for professional licensure. This includes developing a strong knowledge base in the field, mastering the research methods in psychology, improving communication skills, and building greater technological literacy.

Estimated tuition cost: $440.00 per credit hour (in-state); $521.75 per credit hour (out-of-state)
Accreditation: APA

3. American Public University

American Public University focuses on online delivery for all of its academic programs, including a Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology. This program is fully online, does not charge application fees or for credit transferring, and does not require standardized test scores for admissions eligibility. The program helps master's students develop solid competencies on various psychological topics, including mental health, family therapy, research methods, and organizational functioning.

Estimated tuition cost: $455 per credit hour (in-state); $455 per credit hour (out-of-state)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Other Psychology Degrees

If you don't see a suitable degree program from our West Virginia list, consider one of these other two accredited institutions nearby. These graduate schools offer accredited programs in important psychological fields, such as clinical psychology and school psychology.

University of Virginia

The University of Virginia's PhD program grants its students the chance to specialize in one of seven psychology subfields. Although the tuition costs are higher at this reputable university, Virginia's psychology department claims to offer funding for all admitted students. This includes health insurance and a $36,000 stipend, designed to cover expenses year round.

Estimated tuition cost: $921 per credit hour (in-state); $1,553 per credit hour (out-of-state)
Accreditation: APA

University of Tennessee

The University of Tennessee offers a PhD program with an exclusive focus on clinical psychology. This research-based program admits five students each from an applicant pool of 250, making it essential for aspiring graduate students to get the best undergraduate grades and standardized test scores possible. Tennessee offers full funding for the first four years of the program, whereas fifth-year students typically devote full-time effort to paid internships in psychology.

Estimated tuition cost: $502 per credit hour (in-state); $1,317 per credit hour (out-of-state)
Accreditation: APA

Skills of a Psychologist

There are several important skills and abilities a psychologist must possess to serve patients effectively. These include patience, empathy, attention to detail, active listening, and time management. Psychologists should also dedicate plenty of time to remaining knowledgeable of changes in the field, particularly when they involve laws and regulations.

Careers and Job Outlook for Psychologists

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a growth in job opportunities for the foreseeable future. The psychology profession could see a 7% growth in job volume between 2023 and 2033. This is most prevalent in areas where there is a shortage of clinical psychologists.

What Is the Average Salary of a Psychologist in West Virginia?

According to the BLS, a licensed psychologist can expect an average salary of over $90,000 per year, but this varies by state. Psychologists in urban areas, like Charleston, may enjoy higher earning potential than some rural locations.

This high-paying profession makes the tuition and other college expenses well worth it. Don't forget that you can graduate with less debt by enrolling in the most affordable online psychology degree for at least your undergraduate education.

Explore Psychology Degrees

We invite you to use all of Learn.org's information to find the best psychology degree program for you. Our resources allow you to preview a large volume of online degree opportunities in every field at every academic level.