Psychology Programs in Georgia

Georgia colleges for psychology offer a high-quality education at an affordable price, with Georgia’s college tuition ranking amongst the lowest in the nation. Students can find dozens of options for associate’s, bachelor’s and advanced degrees in Georgia. There are fifty-seven private or public non-profit colleges and universities, and forty-four of them offer a bachelor’s of psychology, while six offer an associate’s degree in the field. Additionally, there are fifteen master’s or advanced level programs for psychology in Georgia.

Students who choose to remain in Georgia after graduation can expect a positive economic outlook, as Georgia ranks among the top ten states for fiscal and infrastructure stability. The GDP growth in Georgia will average 3% over the next several years, accompanied by a rise in CPI inflation of approximately 2.4%.

Although the state faces a great need for mental health services—ranking among the top five states in demand— it ranks in the bottom 10 states in terms of mental health resources. Georgia ranks among the top ten states for infrastructure and fiscal stability. However, it ranks low for access to mental health services. Specifically, the state has a higher demand for qualified mental health resources and a lack of psychologists, particularly among children.

Psychologists in Georgia make an average of $90,000, equating to more than $43 per hour. However, there’s a wide range of salaries and entry-level professionals in the field can expect to make around $39,000, while the top 10% of psychology wage earners take home more than $153,000.

While the average salary for psychologists compares well to all wage earners in the state, this salary is significantly higher than the national annual mean for psychologists, which is approximately $82,000 per year. Nationally, entry-level jobs for psychology pay around $46,000 with top wage earners taking home $138,000. These figures indicate that becoming a psychologist in Georgia can lead to a healthy standard of living.

According to Mental Health America, Georgia ranks among the lowest states in the nation when it comes to the prevalence of mental illness compared to access to care. This indicates that more psychologists, mental health counselors and therapists are needed to alleviate the demand. The numbers bear that out, with the BLS reporting .23 workers per 1,000 residents in Georgia (roughly 1 psychologist per 4,000 Georgians). Compare this to 1.23 mental health counselors per 1,000 people in California, which has one of the highest employment rates for psychologists in the country.

To become a psychologist in Georgia, candidates must have a doctoral degree in a related field. During their doctoral program, prospective psychologists will complete an internship or practicum of 2,000 hours or more. In order to obtain their license, candidates complete a 1,500-hour supervised work experience at the doctoral level. The SWE must include 500 hours of patient contact, and a board licensed psychologist must supervise the program. Typically, licensure candidates choose an area of specialization such as industrial psychology, developmental disability or another option. See the GA state rules and regulations for more information on psychology doctoral and post-doctoral internships.

In order to complete an SWE, candidates receive a provisional license by the Georgia State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (the Board). To obtain the provisional license, candidates have to first complete all their written exams. Once candidates complete their postdoctoral SWE, they can apply for their license. The initial application triggers the next stage in the process, completing a PLUS online application processed by the Association of State & Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). Following a thorough review of the application, the ASPPB gives its approval, and the Board sends out instructions for taking the EPPP exam.

There are three exams required to become a psychologist in Georgia, as follows:

• Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) is multiple choice and covers biological, social and cultural impact on behavior, diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders, research, law and ethics.
• Georgia Psychology Jurisprudence (Laws & Rules) Examination, which covers professional relationships, privacy, recordkeeping, licensing, and fees.
• Oral Examination in front of the Board covering diagnostic skills, awareness of limitations, intervention skills, professional ethics, and Georgia law.

Before pursuing the licensing and certification path, ensure that your area specialization requires licensure. For example, you may not need to obtain a license to become a school psychologist. Refer to Georgia Code, section 43, chapter 39-7 for more information.

Psychology licenses in Georgia expire the last day of even-numbered years. Therefore, psychologists have to complete 40 hours of continuing education including six credits of ethics in order to keep their license.

Professional associations provide networking opportunities for students, continuing education opportunities at discounted rates for practitioners, and information that helps members stay up to date in the field. Here are just a few of the many resources available to Georgia psychologists:

• Georgia Addiction Counselors Association – GACA membership is open to associate, professional and student levels. The association offers certification for addiction counseling, discounted training and free webinars among other perks.
• Georgia Association of School Psychologists – GASP focuses on the needs of children who require learning, mental health and behavioral counseling. The association organizes legislative advocacy, workshops and informational material for professionals in this area.
• Georgia Psychological Association – The GPA is the state’s top provider of continuing education. The association also produces newsletters and other information for its members. Members include students and practitioners.
• Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia – LPCA has a large membership of 5,000 professionals. In fact, it’s one of the largest counseling associations in the country. It provides members with access to publications and journals, exam preparation materials and continuing education workshops.
• Georgia State Board of Examiners of Psychologists