Montana Psychology Doctorate Programs
As the stigma surrounding treatment for anxiety, depression and other emotional and behavioral health problems continues to recede, the demand for compassionate, qualified professionals who can provide this treatment will keep rising.
The good news for individuals who are drawn to this field is that there are many educational opportunities available that can provide them with the education and experience necessary to earn professional psychologist licensure, which is a requirement in every state (including Montana).
Whether they pursue a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), students should be well-informed about what educational opportunities exist here in Montana, as well as what their legal obligations are when seeking licensure.
What’s On This Page
- Montana PsyD Programs
- Other Montana Doctorate Programs
- Montana Psychologist Requirements
- Montana Doctorate Salary Outlook
List of PsyD Degree Programs in Montana
There currently are no Psy.D. degrees offered within the state of Montana, whether accredited by the American Psychological Association or another organization. However, applicants for licensure in the state may attend non-APA-accredited institutions, though they will face additional hurdles in the licensure application process. There are a couple of online Psy.D. programs that could meet state standards despite not being APA-accredited.
California Southern
CalSouthern’s online Psy.D. was formulated with California’s requirements for licensure in mind, but the 100% online delivery method allows students across the country to benefit. Montana students who choose this program would be advised to include an optional internship as part of their course of study, as it’s strongly recommended by the state licensing board.
- Institution type: Private, for-profit
- Campus: Online, headquartered in California
- Total expected tuition: $42,570
- Degrees offered: PsyD
- Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges
- Visit school: Click here
Other Psychology Doctorates in Montana
Two other psychology doctorates are available in the state of Montana, both at the same university.
University of Montana
The University of Montana’s Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology earned APA accreditation in 1970, while the institution’s Ph.D. in School Psychology is considerably newer, first becoming accredited in 2015. Students benefit from an on-campus training center, the Clinical Psychology Center, and students in the clinical degree track can select from an optional focus area in child, adolescent and family. Between 2014 and 2024, 57 students completed these programs, and their licensure rate is 86%.
- Institution type: Public
- Campus: Missoula
- Annual tuition: Most students receive tuition waivers and teaching or research assistantships; both programs annual cost: $7,451 in-state, $34,451 out-of-state
- Degrees offered: PhD in Clinical Psychology, PhD in School Psychology
- Accreditation: APA
- Visit school: Clinical click here, School click here
How to Become a Practicing Psychologist in Montana
Becoming a psychologist in Montana means meeting several educational requirements, having many hours of experience and passing examinations. But once you earn your license, you still need to maintain it. Let’s take a look at what’s required to earn licensure in the state.
- Earn your bachelor’s in psychology or a closely related field. Majoring in psychology as an undergraduate is generally the fastest and best path to becoming a licensed psychologist in Montana. That said, there are closely related fields that can also be a step on your path, including social work or biology. Remember to pay close attention to all admissions requirements for programs to which you plan to apply, as many doctoral programs will not admit applicants without bachelor’s or master’s degrees in the subject.
- Complete an APA-accredited graduate program. The Montana Board of Psychology requires applicants to have either a clinical psychology doctoral from an APA-accredited institution or a Psy.D. or Ph.D. from a non-APA-accredited school along with completion of an APA-accredited clinical psychology retraining program. It’s also possible to receive your license if you haven’t attended an APA-accredited institution, but those applicants will be required to submit significant additional documentation to verify that the program meets state standards.
- Fulfill all other state requirements. Applicants must complete 3,200 hours of supervised professional experience, half of which may come from doctoral internships. At least half must be postdoctoral, but the time may not include more than six months of supervised research or teaching experience, meaning that no more than six months may be in non-clinical settings. Once they’ve completed the necessary professional experience, they may then take the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology and the state’s oral examination before the psychology board.
- Remain licensed and keep up with requirements. Psychologist licenses in Montana expire every other year, and professionals must complete 40 hours of continuing education each cycle.
Montana Clinical Psychologist Salary and Job Outlook
Clinical and counseling psychologists in Montana earn an average of $80,310 per year, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is quite a bit higher than the overall average full-time wage in the state, which is $55,920.
These jobs are also expected to become much more common in Montana over the next decade or so. In fact, it’s projected that they’ll grow at a rate of 13%, more than triple what’s expected for all U.S. jobs (4%).
2023 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures shown here for Psychologists. Job growth projections are from the US Department of Labor-sponsored resource, CareerOneStop. Figures are based on state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed December 2024.