Content Navigation
Menu
TABLE OF CONTENTS

With more than ten APA-accredited psychology doctorate programs, two of which rank in the top 50 of U.S. News’s Best Grad Schools 2013, Massachusetts provides ample opportunities for students wishing to study psychology. Furthermore, with average annual wages in the top ten highest in the nation, practicing clinical, counseling & school psychologists can expect to find well-paying employment in the state.

Interested students can find out more about psychology schools and programs in Massachusetts using the search tool below.

Search Tool

State
Degree Level
School Type
Environment

Psychology candidates in Massachusetts must graduate with a doctoral degree, complete an internship and a supervised work experience, and pass the both a state and national exam to be awarded a license.

Psychologist Licensing in Massachusetts

Licensed psychologists in Massachusetts are permitted to do the following:

  • Observe, evaluate, and modify human behavior via the application of psychological principles
  • Diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, including alcohol and substance abuse
  • Render services to individuals, groups, organizations, or the public

Licensing Authority in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Psychologists issues licenses and protects the public health and welfare by regulating psychologists in the state.

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

Graduated with a doctoral degree in psychology

Completed a pre-doctoral internship

Completed a post-doctoral supervised experience

Passed the Examination for the Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP) and the state jurisprudence examination

Other Licensing Criteria

  • The candidate must complete at least three academic years of full-time graduate study, one of which must be completed in residence. Three graduate semester hours must be completed in: biological bases of behavior, cognitive affective bases of behavior, social bases of behavior, individual difference, and racial/ethnic bases of behavior with a focus on people of color.

  • At least 25% of the 1,600-hour internship must be client facing and at least 50% must be completed in service-related activities. The candidate must receive at least two hours a week of individual supervision, and at least one hour of individual or group supervision for every 16 hours of work.

  • At least one hour for every 16 hours of the 1,600 hours of supervised work experience must be supervised, and at least one hour per week must be individually supervised. The experience must be completed in between 10 and 36 months. At least 25% of the work must be client facing if the candidate is seeking the health service certificate. A candidate can work no less than 16 hours a week for no fewer than four months.

  • Candidates who fail either the EPPP or the state jurisprudence exam must wait for at least three months before retaking. Four attempts are permitted per year.

Psychology Licensing Exams in Massachusetts

Psychologist candidates in Massachusetts must pass the national Examination for the Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP) and the state jurisprudence exam.

Recognized Psychology Specializations in Massachusetts

  • Counseling Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology
  • School psychology

Specialization Requirements

  • Candidate must meet all other licensure requirements
  • Candidate’s supervised work experience must be related to his/her area of supervision

License Renewal

  • Licenses must be renewed biennially. Licensed psychologists must complete 20 hours of continuing education every two years.
Massachusetts Licensure Resources

Salary and Employment Trends for Psychologists in Massachusetts

Growth and Employment Rate for Psychologists in Massachusetts vs Nationwide

Clinical, Counseling & School Psychologists Growth 2012-2022

Nationwide 11%

Massachusetts 8.4%

Psychologists, Other Growth 2012-2022

Nationwide 11%

Massachusetts 12.8%

Industrial-Organizational Psychologists Growth 2012-2022

Nationwide N/A

Massachusetts 27.4%

Number clinical, counseling and school psychologist, psychologists, other, and industrial-organizational psychologists employed 2014

Nationwide 115,810

Massachusetts 5,780

Earnings for Psychologists in Massachusetts vs Nationwide

Clinical, Counseling & School Psychologists   Psychologist , Other   Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

Nationwide

 Median Wage Annually

$68,900

  

$92,110

  

$76,950

Massachusetts

Median Wage Annually

$74,070

  

$85,540

  

$74,270

Massachusetts

Median Wage Hourly

$35.61

  

$41.12

  

$35.71

Massachusetts

Lowest 10% yearly wage

$43,920

  

$40,240

  

$50,090

Massachusetts

Highest 10% yearly wage

$115,340

  

$118,410

  

$118,470

To learn more about psychology education programs, licensure, and economic data in Massachusetts, please visit the following resources.

Massachusetts Psychology Resources