New Mexico Psychology Doctorate Programs

In the guide below, we review doctoral programs in New Mexico that offer a psychology degree. Whether you plan to work in clinical psychology or academia and research, obtaining your doctoral degree in psychology can be a wise move for your future. Keep reading to learn more.

What’s On This Page

• Quick Facts
• New Mexico PsyD Programs
• Other Psychology Doctorates
• New Mexico Psychologist Requirements
• New Mexico Doctorate Salary Outlook

Quick Facts:

• New Mexico is home to fourteen schools offering psychology degree programs, including both not-for-profit colleges, and universities.
• Seven of these schools offer an associate’s in psychology, seven offer a bachelor’s degree, and six offer a master’s or advanced degree.
• New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology is ranked in Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges, 2017, at #21 in-state, and #14 out-of-state.
• New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology holds the highest graduation rate, at 49%.
• University of the Southwest holds the highest transfer-out rate, at 38%.
• University of the Southwest has the highest net price, at $18,063, while NM Highlands University holds the lowest, at $9,783.

List of PsyD Programs in New Mexico

Some of the best psychology programs available in New Mexico can be found at the schools listed below. There are currently no PsyD programs offered in the state of New Mexico.

Other Psychology Doctorates in New Mexico

If you want to earn your Ph.D. in psychology with a focus on academic research, you have options in New Mexico. Read below for more information.

University of New Mexico

The University of New Mexico offers a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology that is dedicated to training highly skilled clinical scientists who will perform research that increases our understanding of the assessment and treatment of behavioral health problems. Also, the program focuses on engaging in the delivery of empirically-supported psychological interventions for many types of behavioral health problems. It also works to disseminate psychological clinical science through publishing, teaching, training and supervising therapists, and program development and evaluation. The program is especially strong in research covering addictions and drug abuse; mechanisms of behavior change in treating eating disorders; cultural adaptation of empirically-based interventions for diverse populations, and sexual victimization.

• Institution type: Public
• Main campus: Albuquerque
• Annual tuition: $328 per credit hour in-state, $1,027 out-of-state
• Degrees offered: Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
• Accreditation: APA
• Visit School: Click here

New Mexico State University

New Mexico State University offers a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology that has been accredited by the APA since 1995. The five-year program is based on the scientist-practitioner model and stresses the integration of research, theory, and practice. Each doctoral student performs a practicum each semester where psychological theories are applied to many counseling modalities. The program centers on a higher level of sensitivity to a culturally diverse society. Students have the chance to teach, counsel, and perform research with a highly diverse student population. Doctoral students have a faculty advisor who assists with their research efforts and chairs their dissertation.

• Institution type: Public
• Main campus: Las Cruces
• Annual tuition: $5,753 in-state, $17,743 out-of-state
• Degrees offered: Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology
• Accreditation: APA
• Visit School: Click here

How to Become a Practicing Clinical Psychologist in New Mexico

You will need to start your journey to your psychologist license with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in psychology. You can start a doctorate program from either of these jumping off points. You do not necessarily need to hold a bachelor’s in psychology before pursuing a master’s in psychology, but it helps. A stand-alone master’s can be a major headstart towards your doctorate, but is not necessary, as your doctoral program can cover everything that would have been learned through a master’s program.

SEE ALSO: 5+ Affordable Online PsyD Programs

Although none of the schools listed above offer doctorate programs, New Mexico has a master’s level psychology license which will allow you to practice psychology without a doctorate. Of course, a doctorate will open up a wider range of options.

A doctorate program will typically take between four and seven years, and will cover a year long internship. Once you have attained your doctorate, it’s time to apply and test for your license:

1. You will need to turn in you application with a $125 application fee, undergraduate and graduate transcripts, three letters of reference, and a background check ($44). You will also need to pass the Board’s jurisprudence exam ($75 fee). New Mexico participates in the PLUS program, or Psychology Licensure Universal SYstem, which you can apply to with a $300 fee.
2. If you do not yet have two years of supervised professional experience, or 3,000 hours, you will need to complete this before passing on to your licensing exam. You only need one year if you have passed an internship, two years if you have not, and you scan skip this step if you passed a one year APA-approved internship.
3. Pass the New Mexico psychology licensing EPPP, a 225 question multiple choice test ($687.50 fee), with a scaled score of 500 or better.
4. Apply for full licensure. After you’ve passed your tests and earned all your qualifications, you’ll still need to apply for full licensure by having your pre and postdoctoral supervisors complete a Verification of Experience form for you, and earn the approval of the board.
5. Receive your license. You are now ready to start practicing without supervision.

New Mexico Clinical Psychologist Salary and Job Outlook

Clinical, counseling and school psychologists in New Mexico earn a median annual salary of $70,990 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with postsecondary teachers earning around $90,750. The industry is smaller in NM than many other states, with only 1,150 employed in clinical, counseling and school roles. A ten year industry growth of 8.4% is expected by 2026. New Mexico needs psychologists, and it shouldn’t be difficult to find work for licensed practitioners in this state.