West Virginia Psychology Doctorate Programs
As more and more people recognize the need to take care of their mental health as they do their physical health, the U.S. has been impacted by a shortage of trained professionals who can help others deal with their emotional and behavioral problems, including anxiety, addiction and thoughts of suicide.
This is one of the biggest reasons for the development of the Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree in the late 1960s. This doctoral degree is more focused on the clinical and hands-on practice of psychology than the academic research focus of most other doctoral programs, like the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.).
Students in West Virginia have a few opportunities for degree programs that will put them on the path to a career as a licensed psychologist in the state. Let’s take a look at the degrees and licensure requirements in the state of West Virginia.
What’s On This Page
- West Virginia PsyD Programs
- Other West Virginia Doctorate Programs
- West Virginia Psychologist Requirements
- West Virginia Doctorate Salary Outlook
List of PsyD Degree Programs in Virginia
One Psy.D. program that’s been accredited by the American Psychological Association is offered in West Virginia. No other Psy.D. degrees, accredited by the APA or not, are available at any campuses in the state.
Marshall University
The Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology at Marshall has been accredited by the APA since 2006, and today’s students can choose to attend full-time or part-time, which is unique among traditional (as opposed to online) Psy.D. programs. Marshall’s Psy.D. was developed specifically to help bridge the gap in mental healthcare in rural and underserved areas. A total of 73 scholars completed the program between 2012 and 2022, and they earned licensure at an 93% rate.
- Institution type: Public
- Campus: Huntington
- Annual tuition: $11,259 in-state, $29,760 out-of-state
- Degrees offered: PsyD in Clinical Psychology
- Accreditation: APA
- Visit school: Click here
Other Psychology Doctorates in West Virginia
Ph.D. degrees also are accepted in the state of West Virginia for professional psychologist licensure. Two such degrees can be earned here in the state.
West Virginia University
WVU’s Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology earned APA accreditation in 1966. This program uses the scientist-practitioner model of training, also known as the Boulder model. Completing this program means earning at least 79 graduate-level credits and finishing two academic years of practica. 44 students completed the program between 2013 and 2023, with a professional licensure rate of 95%.
- Institution type: Public
- Campus: Morgantown
- Annual tuition: All students can eliminate tuition by choosing a graduate assistantship, in addition to an annual stipend and student health care; $10,368 in-state, $28,332 out-of-state
- Degrees offered: PhD in Clinical Psychology
- Accreditation: APA
- Visit school: Click here
How to Become a Practicing Psychologist in West Virginia
There are several paths to becoming a licensed psychologist in the state of West Virginia, and the requirements vary depending on your educational and professional experience. Let’s take a look at what the state requires before it will issue a psychologist license.
- Get your bachelor’s degree in psychology or a closely related subject. Psychology undergraduate degrees are recommended, though they are not strictly required by the state of West Virginia. Still, the advanced education that is required to get a license in the state means that the most attractive applicants for admission will be those who majored in psychology, biology, social work or something similar or who took a large number of courses in those areas.
- Get an advanced degree, including a Psy.D. or Ph.D. In West Virginia, individuals with master’s degrees can apply for and receive licensure. But before being licensed to practice independently, they must complete five years of supervised professional experience. That means these individuals won’t actually save much, if any, time compared to those who attend doctoral programs. The state also has established three paths for those who complete doctoral programs before applying for licensure based on the nature of their doctoral or postdoctoral internships. Individuals whose predoctoral internships were supervised and lasted more than 1,800 hours will be able to proceed to the formal licensure steps. Those with shorter internships must complete one year of supervised experience, and those without internships must complete two years of supervised experience.
- Fulfill other state requirements. In addition to the educational and internship requirements outlined, West Virginia requires applicants to pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology, as well as completing an oral examination conducted by a state board.
- Remain licensed and keep up with requirements. Once a psychologist becomes successfully licensed in West Virginia, they must ensure their license remains active. This means completing 20 hours of continuing education every two years to renew their license. At half of the hours must be from APA-accredited programs, and three hours must cover ethics.
West Virginia Clinical Psychologist Salary and Job Outlook
On average, clinical and counseling psychologists in West Virginia earn $75,810 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the 90th percentile, where you’d expect to be with a PsyD, salaries start at $118,8250
Relatively high wages translate into good job growth prospects. While West Virginia and the nation are forecast to see a general job growth rate of 4% over the coming decade, clinical and counseling psychologists in the state can look forward to a 12% job growth rate.
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.
