How to Become a Psychologist in Idaho
The state of Idaho requires all licensed psychologists to have a doctoral degree in psychology from an accredited or approved school.
The complete education path from start to finish can be daunting. But the rewards often outweigh the time and effort needed to become a psychologist in the state of Idaho.
Below is an explanation of the education track a person must pursue to start a career as a psychologist in Idaho.
What Are the Education Requirements to Become a Psychologist in Idaho?
In order to become a licensed psychologist eligible to practice in Idaho you are required to attain a degree at the doctorate level in psychology or a closely related subject, this must be from an approved or accredited institution. This is a necessary step in order to achieve licensure.
To pass all of the requirements for licensure in the state of Idaho once you have completed your master’s degree you are then required to continue studying and gain a doctorate degree, either a Ph.D. or a PsyD. Look closer at the available ID psychology degrees to find a program that suits your needs.
Psychologist Supervised Work Experience and Examination Process in Idaho
While you are studying for you Ph.D. or PsyD in psychology or a closely related subject such as educational psychology you must also begin gaining hours of supervised work experience. You can start work experience after you have completed one year of your degree program. In order to qualify for licensure, you will need to reach a total of 1000 hours of supervised experience and this must be done within two years of receiving your degree.
Once you have completed your doctorate and gained the necessary 1000 hours of supervised work experience you can then apply for licensure through the Idaho Board of Psychologists. Providing that when the board reviews your application, it becomes approved, you will then be able to sit for the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).
Note: For detailed information about how to earn a psychology license in Idaho, please see the Idaho Board of Psychology overview of licensure as a psychologist.
What Can I Do with a PsyD vs a PhD in the State of Idaho?
After you have achieved your doctorate degree you are then eligible to proceed with your application for licensure and practice as a psychologist. The distinct differences between a PhD and a PsyD mean the degrees graduates will be presented with noticeably differing career options. Typically after graduating a PsyD student will move into a highly clinical career with lots of patient contact. While this career option is also available to a PhD student they also have the additional option of working in research or teaching.
The reason graduates from PhD courses and graduates from PsyD courses end up with different career prospects Is because of the different priorities of their courses. A doctor of Philosophy (PhD) requires a lengthy thesis, which contains original research and findings that then contribute to the field of psychology, whereas a doctorate of Psychology (PsyD) asks for a much shorter thesis. This is because of a significantly reduced emphasis on research and more time spent focusing on clinical work.
Psychologist Career Outlook In Idaho
The median annual salary for a psychologist working in Idaho is about $73,690 according to the May 2011 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. An entry-level individual can expect to earn around $62,710 a year while those in a more senior level can expect a salary of about $100,920.
