Psychology Programs in Texas

They say everything’s big in Texas, starting with the state itself. It should come as no surprise that the second-biggest state in land area and population has a number of universities with psychology programs to choose from. Not only are many of these programs among the top-ranked in the country, but they can also lead to job opportunities in a state with a rapidly growing population.

Texas is clearly growing for a reason. The economy is expanding along with the population, creating all sorts of job openings in a variety of fields. As people come to the Lone Star State, they bring parts of their culture with them. This has made Texas an exciting, dynamic place to study, work, and live.

As the state grows, its biggest cities are becoming increasingly fun and cosmopolitan. Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio have long been buzzing urban centers, but, in recent years, the state capital Austin has grown into a cultural and economic hub of its own. All of these cities boast multiple psychology programs and incredible job opportunities for trained psychologists.

With its rapidly expanding economy, Texas is producing opportunities for job seekers in a number of fields, and psychology is certainly no exception. In 2020, there were approximately 8,930 clinical or school psychologists in the state. There were also 830 psychologists working in other areas of the field. These numbers are likely to grow as the state’s population increases.

While psychologists in Texas earn less than the national average, they still earn more than their colleagues in neighboring states like Oklahoma and Arkansas. On average, counseling, clinical, and school psychologists earn an annual salary of $73,650 in Texas. Other types of psychologists, meanwhile, earn $90,870. These are respectable numbers in a state with a relatively low cost of living.

As decent as job prospects already are in Texas, it’s the state’s promising future that really makes it worth consideration. The growing population and expanding economy suggest that more employment opportunities for psychologists will open up in the years and decades ahead.

In order to practice as a psychologist in Texas, a license is required. This certification, granted by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, sets the standards in the industry and ensures all patients and clients receive adequate care.

The ultimate goal of any aspiring psychologist in Texas is to receive their full psychology license. There are two types of interim license that can put a candidate on the path to receiving the full license: provisional licenses and associate licenses.

Applying for a provisional license is the most common route to full certification. In order to apply for a provisional license, a candidate must have already earned a doctorate degree in psychology. With their provisional license in hand, candidates will then need to log postdoctoral hours of work in order to apply for the full license. Most psychologists will need 1,750 hours of supervised professional experience. School psychologists need 1,200 hours at internships, half of which must take place in a public school.

Associate licenses offer an alternate path to full certification. Before applying to become a licensed psychology associate, a candidate must have completed a master’s degree in psychology with at least six hours of supervised practice. From there, the candidate will need to log 3,000 additional hours in order to apply for the full license.

After completing the necessary hours, provisionally licensed psychologists and licensed associates need to pass two exams in order to receive their full license. School psychologists take the national school psychology examination, while other psychologists take the examination for professional practice in psychology. All psychologists must also pass the jurisprudence examination. Upon successfully passing the two exams that correspond to their field, psychologists become fully licensed to operate in Texas.

To remain certified, Texas psychologists must renew their licenses every two years. Successful renewal requires a candidate to have completed at least 40 hours of recognized professional development since the issuance of their last license. This ensures that licensed psychologists remain on the cutting edge of their profession.

Texas features over 100 accredited colleges and universities which offer psychology degree programs. Whether you’re looking to try out the degree path, or you’re ready to get your doctorate degree, there are numerous choices available.

The University of Texas, Texas Tech, Texas A&M and Baylor University are just a few of the major psychology schools in Texas. Most schools offer at minimum an associate’s degree program, but you can also find bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degree plans as well as certificate training for further specialization.

How many years does it take to earn a license as a psychologist in Texas?

In Texas, it takes 8-10 years to become a certified, licensed psychologist. This includes four years for a bachelor’s degree, two years for a master’s degree, two or three years for a PhD, and one or two years to log the additional supervised hours necessary to earn a full license.

What are the top psychology schools in Texas?

While there are dozens of schools with psychology programs in Texas, a few are renowned for their academic excellence and positive student experience. Rice University in Houston receives consistently high ratings, while students at the University of Texas in Austin rave about the urban lifestyle provided by the vibrant capital city.