Psychology in Alaska: School Options & Licensing Requirements

Healthcare is one of the fastest growing sectors of Alaska’s economy and there is ample employment opportunity for psychologists in the state. Moreover, with Alaska’s urban population seeing steady growth, the demand for psychology professionals is slated to increase in the coming years. There are three universities that currently offer psychology degrees in Alaska. Each school takes pride in serving its communities through volunteer and student club opportunities.

Prospective students can find schools that offer some of the best psychology schools and programs in Alaska with the easy to use search tool below.

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Total Results:

SCHOOL NAME	CITY, STATE	STUDENT POPULATION	SCHOOL TYPE	TUITION	PROGRAM TYPE	PROGRAMS
University of Phoenix-Online Campus	Phoenix, AZ	307,871	Private, 4-above	$9,216	Both	View Programs
Master’s - ONLINE Master of Science in Psychology with a concentration in Behavioral Health Master of Science in Psychology with a concentration in Industrial-Organizational Psychology Doctorate - ONLINE Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial/Organizational Psychology Master’s Psychology - Other
Ashford University	Clinton, IA	74,596	Private, 4-year	$9,648	Campus	View Programs
Bachelor’s Psychology - General Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions - Other
Arizona State University	Tempe, AZ	72,254	Public, 4-year	$9,208	Campus	View Programs
Bachelor’s Psychology - General Applied Psychology Master’s Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Psychology - General Educational Psychology Applied Psychology Doctorate Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling Educational Psychology Psychology - General Neuroscience Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services
Liberty University	Lynchburg, VA	64,096	Private, 4-above	$18,562	Both	View Programs
Associate - ONLINE Associate of Arts in Psychology - Christian Counseling Bachelor’s - ONLINE Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Criminal Psychology Bachelor of Science in Psychology - Christian Counseling Associate Psychology - General Bachelor’s Psychology - General Master’s Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Counseling Psychology Doctorate Counseling Psychology
Miami Dade College	Miami, FL	63,736	Public, 4-year	$2,483	Campus	View Programs
Associate Psychiatric/Mental Health Services Technician
Houston Community College	Houston, TX	63,015	Public, 2-year	$744	Campus	View Programs
Associate Psychiatric/Mental Health Services Technician
University of Central Florida	Orlando, FL	58,465	Public, 4-year	$4,426	Campus	View Programs
Bachelor’s Psychology - General Master’s Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Psychology - General Clinical Psychology Industrial and Organizational Psychology Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling Doctorate Psychology - General
Ohio State University-Main Campus	Columbus, OH	56,867	Public, 4-year	$9,168	Campus	View Programs
Bachelor’s Psychology - General Master’s Psychology - General Doctorate Neuroscience Psychology - General

Students who eventually wish to practice psychology in the state of Alaska will have to adhere to strict licensing requirements and must hold a doctoral degree in psychology from a regionally accredited institution. After a degree is awarded, the candidate must practice under the supervision of a licensed psychologist and pass certain examinations before a license is issued.

Alaska’s Psychologist Licensing

Licensed psychologists in Alaska are permitted to do the following:

Receive payment for rendering psychological treatment to individuals, groups, and the public
Provide diagnosis and treatment for mental and emotional disorders
Conduct research on human behavior, including learning, motivation, and interpersonal relationships

Alaska’s Licensing Authority

The Alaska Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners is tasked with carrying out laws governing the practice of psychology in Alaska. The Board also makes final licensing decisions and prescribes disciplinary actions against license law violators.

Psychologist licensure candidates in Alaska must have completed the following steps:

Completed a doctoral program at a regionally accredited university. The program must include three years of full-time study, one of which is done in residency

Applied for a temporary license and submitted a supervision plan to the Alaska Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners

Completed at least 1,500 hours of postdoctoral supervised experience

Other Licensing Criteria

The application to the Alaska Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners requires five reference letters. One must be from the applicant’s board committee membership (preferably the chairperson) and at least two must be from licensed psychologists, board-certified psychologists, or APA members. Applicants must also include transcripts from their undergraduate and graduate studies.
There are a number of fees that must be paid for the examination and licensing: a $75 application fee, $100 credential review fee; $50 Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) fee, $600 Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) fee, $150 temporary licensing fee, and a $775 permanent license fee (submitted only after the licensing requirements have been met).
Half or more of the 1,500 hours of postdoctoral supervised experience must have be in direct service, and half of those hours must be patient facing. At least 80% of the experience must be done under the supervision of a psychologist

Alaska’s Psychology Licensing Exams

The Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and the State Law and Ethics Examination are required exams for licensed psychologists in Alaska.

Alaska’s Recognized Psychology Specializations

Clinical Psychology

Counseling Psychology

Other specialties deemed equivalent by the Alaska Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners.

Note: There is a separate credentialing process for school psychologists.

Specialization Requirements

Candidate must meet all other licensure requirements

License Renewal

Psychologists in Alaska are required to renew their license biennially. Renewal requirements depend on the holder’s license number and the current renewal cycle. Some license holders will be required to complete 40 hours of continuing competency, others 20 hours, and some are not required to provide evidence of continuing education that renewal period.

Alaska Licensure Resources

Alaska Administrative Code
This section of the code concerns laws and regulations as they apply to psychologists in Alaska.
Alaska Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners
The governing board for licensed psychologists in Alaska.
The Alaska Legislature
State licensing codes, including those for psychologists.
The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards
Responsible for creating and overseeing the administration of the EPP and other licensing exams.

Alaska’s Salary and Employment Trends for Psychologists

Growth and Employment Rate for Psychologists in Alaska vs Nationwide

Clinical, Counseling & School Psychologists Growth 2012-2022

Nationwide 11%

Alaska 13.1%

Psychologists, Other Growth 2012-2022

Nationwide 11%

Alaska -9.1%

Number psychologists employed 2014 (all types)

Nationwide 115,810

Alaska 350

Earnings for Psychologists in Alaska vs Nationwide

		Clinical, Counseling & School Psychologists	Psychologist , Other
Nationwide	Median Wage Annually	$68,900	$92,110
Alaska	Median Wage Annually	$66,420	N/A
Alaska	Median Wage Hourly	$31.93	N/A
Alaska	Lowest 10% yearly wage	$49,210	N/A
Alaska	Highest 10% yearly wage	$92,730	N/A

To learn more about psychology schools, programs, licensure, salary and job growth in Alaska, please visit the following resources.

Alaska Psychology Resources

Alaska Mental Health Board
The website of the state agencies that plan and coordinate state-funded behavior health services.
Alaska Psychological Association
A state affiliate of the APA. Members include licensed psychologists, academics, non-practitioners, associates and affiliates.
American Psychological Association
The main authoritative body for psychology in the United States.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Psychologists
The Occupational Outlook Handbook and the Occupational Employment Statistics sections contain information on salary and job growth for psychologists in Alaska and nationwide.
Volunteer opportunities from the University of Alaska Psychology Resource Center
Information on the volunteer opportunities for psychology students in Alaska.