Psychology Master’s Degree Programs in Kentucky
The $8.5 billion bourbon industry is what the world sees when looking at Kentucky. But with roots growing out from a long history of mining and agriculture, outside the major metro areas the state deals with many of the same problems seen in other parts of rural America: people in outlying areas often missing out on the big waves of economic growth happening in the cities are struggling with the problems of poverty while having little access to the psychological support services that could help them escape the situation.
The disparity seen between some of the state’s rural communities and its thriving cities creates a diverse landscape for psychological professionals. Pursue a career in psychology here and you’ll be deciding on professional opportunities that could include overseeing worker productivity, health, and well-being at one of the state’s auto plants, serving in a clinical position in one of the major healthcare companies in Louisville or the Lexington-Fayette area… or doing outreach and substance abuse counseling as a social worker in an underserved rural enclave.
Whatever your professional goals, earning a master’s in psychology here will get the ball rolling for a career that involves providing much-needed services throughout the state.
It All Starts with a Master’s Degree in Psychology
A doctorate degree is required to practice as a full authority clinical psychologist in Kentucky. However, earn a master’s degree and you’ll not only get a headstart on your doctorate work, you’ll have the education required to practice as a licensed psychological associate through the Board of Examiners of Psychology.
You’ll also meet the educational requirement to practice as a licensed professional counselor through the Board of Professional Counselors or as a credentialed school psychologist through the Education Professional Standards Board.
Outstanding State and Private Universities Offer Master’s Degree Options For Future Counselors and Psychologists
Thanks to a host of attractive options through the state’s leading universities, finding a psychology master’s degree in Kentucky that best matches your professional and personal goals has never been easier.
For example, Eastern Kentucky University offers master’s degrees in both industrial/organizational and general psychology, while Morehead State University offers a master’s in either clinical or counseling psychology.
Murray State University offers master’s programs in both clinical psychology and general experimental psychology, while the University of Louisville offers an MEd in Counseling & Personnel Services, which includes concentration options in art therapy, college student personnel, counseling psychology, and counselor education (clinical mental health counseling or school counseling).
Funding for More Mental Health Workers in Kentucky Schools
In Spring 2018, the Kentucky House of Representatives passed a bill that would increase the number of mental health professionals in Kentucky schools. The bill comes on the heels of a school shooting in Marshall County earlier in January that killed two students and injured many more.
As funds are made available, Kentucky school districts will either employ or contract with mental health professionals like clinical social workers, professional counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists, with the goal of achieving at least one mental health counselor per 1,500 students by the 2019-2020 school year.
Work within the Kentucky school system and you’ll provide services to students, either individually or in group settings, along with support and training to teachers and school staff.
Kentucky’s Massive Health Sector Remains a Top Employer
Consistently holding a position among the state’s top employers, healthcare organizations like Humana and Kindred Healthcare in Louisville, UK Chandler Hospital in Lexington, and Harrodsburg Health & Rehabilitation Center in Harrodsburg are responsible for tens of thousands of jobs in Kentucky.
In addition to the many professional opportunities in clinical and counseling available through the state’s hospitals and healthcare companies, you’ll also find positions in health psychology, community psychology, social work, and more through the state’s many nonprofit organizations like Mental Health America of Kentucky, the Kentucky Association of Health, Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, and the Kentucky Public Health Association.
Industrial/Organizational Psychologists Lend Their Talents to Louisville Business and Industry
Louisville may very well be the epicenter of professional opportunities for industrial/organizational (I/O) psychologists in Kentucky.
In addition to its status as a prime destination for Southern cuisine, craft cocktails, and a trendy arts scene, Louisville is home to some of the state’s biggest operations, including the Louisville Slugger factory, the Ford Motor Company, GE Appliances, and United Parcel Service.
Whether they’re called on to examine workplace productivity, measure job performance, train employees, or develop job performance standards, major corporations and organizations are increasingly relying on I/O psychologists to create and maintain a safe and productive workplace and happy and healthy employees.