Psychology Master’s Degree Programs in Minnesota
The Land of 10,000 Lakes sometimes seems like it has 10,000 different opportunities for trained psychologists. As one of the wealthiest and most highly educated states in the union, you’ll find that people appreciate advanced degrees and seek out highly-trained professionals for their psychological service needs. That offers a wealth of opportunities for psychologists with the right master’s degree hanging on their wall.
From a decidedly rural and industrial history, modern Minnesota has forged one of the strongest and most diverse economies found in the United States today. That translates into a diversity of opportunity for psychologists, with every role in demand, from industrial to school psychology to research.
Minnesotans are rightfully proud of their state and standards are high, both within master’s degree programs and for professionals after graduation. But if you want to practice in one of the best places to live in the country, the best way to get started is to earn your degree there.
Schools Across The State Provide Practical Education In Psychology Principles
Minnesotan’s are a practical bunch and education there follows that same pattern. You’ll find nearly a dozen schools offering no-nonsense, career-focused master’s degree programs in psychology, from St. Cloud to the Twin Cities. The University of Minnesota even makes the Princeton Review’s list of Great Schools for Psychology Majors for 2018.
But with a low cost of living and robust university system, you can find a good fit for your goals anywhere from Duluth to Rochester.
Minnesota Licensing Offers a Narrow Path to Psychology Practice
Minnesota has some of the strictest laws in the nation regarding licensing as a psychology professional. Many of the related fields, such as therapy or social work, require specialized degrees in those fields.
To practice clinical psychology, you’ll need a doctorate if you hope to pursue full-on psychologist licensure in Minnesota. A master’s degree, however, not only gets you part of the way there, but also meets the requirements for licensing as a school psychologist.
It’s also possible to become a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with a master’s in psychology.
Industrial and Organizational Psychology Practice Has an Open Playing Field in Minnesota
With Minnesota’s strict licensure rules, you’ll find it hard to find places to practice your craft without going on to earn a doctorate. But there are some specialties where you can find solid, well-paying, well-respected jobs in the field without entering clinical practice. Industrial and organizational psychology is one of them.
Working with businesses and organizations to put together more effective and productive structures, develop employee training programs, and to find more efficient ways to screen and hire the right staff is an important and lucrative role. With a master’s degree specialized in I/O psychology, like the first-rate program at St. Cloud State, you’re a shoe-in for such positions.
Counseling is a Critical Care Component in Minnesota
Something troubling has been happening at the University of Minnesota in recent years. Twenty years ago, roughly one out of five students reported being diagnosed with a mental health condition. In 2018, it’s two in five overall, and nearly one in two for female students in particular. Visits to the Boynton mental health clinic on campus have jumped 25 percent since 2015 to deal with the increased demand.
The clinic has been staffing up to accommodate the demand, doubling the number of qualified mental health counselors available to help students. It’s a role that is more and more in demand in Minnesota and around the country, and it’s being filled by professional graduating from programs like the one offered right at the Twin Cities campus of the university.
Teaching Psychology is an Opportunity to Give Back to The Field
The stiff educational requirements for teaching at the university level put most students off from the career.
But there is a robust market for high school teachers (including psychology teachers) in many states. O*NET predicts that there will be around 1,400 job openings for high school teachers in Minnesota every year through 2030. Although a master’s is not required to enter the field, most teachers will acquire a master’s degree in some subject over the course of their career to improve their salary and promotion prospects. Starting out with a master’s in psychology gives you a boost from the start, and programs like the one at MSU Mankato, which cater to secondary educators, are the perfect fit.
2022 O*NET (a website sponsored by the US Department of Labor) job market trends and salary figures for high school teachers in Minnesota are based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed August 2023.