How to Become a Psychologist in Connecticut
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To practice as a licensed psychologist in Connecticut you need to gain a doctorate degree in psychology from an approved or accredited school.
The state of Connecticut has strict standards for the licensing of mental healthcare professionals. Below is a specific outline of what to expect when working toward becoming a psychologist in Connecticut.
What Are the Education Requirements to Become a Psychologist in Connecticut?
Completing a Master’s degree is a vital step towards becoming a psychologist in Connecticut, however, at this stage, you must continue studying and gain a doctorate degree in order to meet the necessary requirements for licensure.
In order to receive licensure as a psychologist in Connecticut, you must continue studying beyond a Master’s degree and obtain either a PsyD or a Ph.D. in psychology from an approved or accredited school. Read more about CT psychology schools.
Supervised Work Hours and Examination Requirements
Once you have graduated with either your Ph.D. or PsyD you are then required to complete one year of supervised professional experience. You have the option of completing this on a full-time basis across a year or securing a part-time internship and completing it across two years. The state of Connecticut does enforce some restrictions on the internship process, namely that the supervision must be with a licensed psychologist and the experience gained must be in the applicants' intended area of study.
Once you have your doctorate and have completed the required amount of supervised experience you then need to sit the Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP), you must obtain a score of 500 or more to pass in the state of Connecticut. A secondary exam, the Connecticut Jurisprudence exam must also be sat in order to apply for licensure.
Note: For detailed information about how to earn psychology licensure in Connecticut please see the Connecticut Board of Psychology overview of licensure as a psychologist.
What Can I Do with a PsyD vs a Ph.D. in Connecticut?
The programs of these two degrees differ greatly and which one you choose will significantly impact on your career and career options at a later stage. A PsyD program is tailored towards a clinical career with a lot of patient contact, whereas a Ph.D. program opens up the possibility of becoming a lecturer or researcher.
There is a standard difference between a PsyD and a Ph.D., a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) places a lot more emphasis on clinical work, a PsyD graduate will be able to diagnose and treat mental disorders and will be prepared for a career with high amounts of patient contact. A Ph.D. graduate, however, will also have the option of working as a researcher or lecturer as well as clinical work. These differences in career options all stem back to the different focuses that a Ph.D. and a PsyD have. A Ph.D. is very research intensive, and it is a long course with students expected to include original research in their thesis. A PsyD, however, places a lot more emphasis on patient contact and clinical knowledge, students are required to write a shorter thesis and the course overall isn’t a long as a Ph.D.
Psychology Career Outlook in Connecticut
The annual average salary for a psychologist in Connecticut ranges from $94,050 for school psychologists to $112,280 for clinical and counseling psychologists. While entry-level salaries for psychologists in the state may be lower, the top 10% of clinical psychologists report incomes of $162,770 and higher.
Find information regarding tuition, financial aid, enrollment dates and curriculum by requesting information from the programs below:
Additional Psychology Resources for Connecticut:
- Connecticut Counselor Licensing
- Connecticut Social Work Licensing
- Connecticut Marriage and Family Therapist Licensing
- Explore Additional Psychologist Careers
2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics market trends and salary figures for clinical and counseling psychologists, school psychologists, and psychologists (all other) are based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed July 2023.
