Psychology Schools and Colleges in Missouri (MO)

All states work to ensure the health and welfare of their citizens, including increased access to safe, effective mental health services. Unfortunately, the United States faces a steep shortage of licensed psychologists, and, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports, Missouri is no exception. Psychology schools in Missouri offer qualified graduates a valuable pathway to both state licensure and, as the numbers suggest, a certain degree of job security. According to data from the BLS, the American Psychological Association (APA) and the National Center for Education Statistics:

• Missouri was home to 1,370 licensed clinical, counseling and school psychologists in May, 2015, which was 14 points below state need.

• Missouri’s licensed psychologists earned an average wage of $87,000r, or about $42 per hour.

• There were 36 psychology colleges in Missouri as of Spring, 2016. Five offered online psychology degrees.

• At least 14 psychology schools offered graduate degrees, including eight APA-accredited doctorates accredited by the APA.

2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov.

While Missouri offers a diversity of psychology degrees, only graduates with master’s and doctoral degrees in psychology are eligible for state licensure. Education, however, is only one of many licensing requirements.

Missouri psychology licensing requirements

All states require psychologists to be licensed to practice. This rigorous process ensures psychologists have the training and experience necessary to provide adequate care, but criteria vary. What separates Missouri from many other states is that it licenses candidates with master’s or doctoral degrees, so long as they meet certain practical requirements. Both pathways result in the same license: those with master’s degrees in psychology do not have a limited scope of practice

The Missouri Committee of Psychologists (MCP) oversees the state’s psychologist licensing process, which requires applicants to meet certain education, experience and assessment standards. Specifically:

• A master’s or doctoral degree in psychology or another MCP-approved specialty. The board will only accept credentials from programs accredited by the APA or a regional accrediting association approved by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation. Master’s candidates must have at least three years of satisfactory professional experience in the field of psychology to be considered.

• 1,500 hours of practical experience under the direction of a licensed psychologist over the course of 12 to 24 months. Half of these hours must be completed post-doctorally and require a provisional license.

• A complete application and supporting documentation and payment of applicable fees.

• A passing score on the national Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology. Prior MCP authorization is required.

• A score of at least 70 percent on a state jurisprudence examination that assesses knowledge of the Missouri Psychology Practice Act and Rules.

• Successful completion of an oral examination conducted by the MCP. Test dates are available on the Board’s official website.

Training does not end with formal licensing. All psychology licenses must be renewed every even-numbered calendar year, which requires professionals to submit a renewal application and proof that they completed least 40 approved continuing education units (CEUs) during the preceding two years. CE courses can be completed through authorized providers and psychology colleges in Missouri.

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