Psychology in Mississippi: Learn About Becoming a Psychologist in MS

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Updated August 22, 2022 · 1 Min Read

Explore our guide on psychologist licensing in Mississippi, average psychologist salaries in the state, and options on how to help Mississippi residents access psychological services.

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The average Mississippi psychologist salary of $80,890 is below the national average of $98,010, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS). However, the state has a high demand for child and adolescent psychologists that creates additional professional opportunities for a licensed psychologist in Mississippi and can drive salaries upward.

Keep reading for more on psychologist licensing in Mississippi, the demand for psychology professionals, and expected salary ranges.

Psychologist Salaries in Mississippi
Job Title Lowest 10% Median Annual Salary Highest 10%
Clinical and counseling psychologists $31,140 $64,430 $158,720
School psychologists $47,240 $58,910 $78,220
Psychologists, all other $26,230 $92,120 $119,770

Source: BLS

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Psychologist Licensing in Mississippi

Psychologist licensing in Mississippi is administered by the Mississippi Board of Psychology. Obtaining a psychologist license in Mississippi requires 4000 supervisory hours and passing three exams.

License reciprocity means states recognize other states' licensure benefits. The Mississippi Board of Psychology honors this benefit for applicants currently licensed out of state and relocating to Mississippi or temporarily practicing in the state. Candidates must submit an application with fees and pass Mississippi's jurisprudence and state exams.

License Requirements

Applicants for psychologist licensing in Mississippi must meet the following criteria.

  • Graduate from an American Psychological Association-accredited doctoral psychology program.
  • Complete 4000 hours of supervised experience: 2000 during the internship and 2000 during the postdoctoral experience.
  • Pass the background check.
  • Pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology, the MississippiJurisprudence Exam, and a state oral examination, along with applicable fees.
  • Apply to the Mississippi Board of Psychology with a $300 fee.

Demand for Psychology in Mississippi

Mississippi meets over one-third of its population's mental health needs. However, the state remains designated as a health professional shortage area, per the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Children and adolescents remain an underserved population in Mississippi, even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the United Health Foundation reported a large number of children living in poverty, a contributing factor to the lack of mental health care.

A particularly alarming trend is the teenage suicide rate in Mississippi, which has exponentially increased in the past decade. Between 2012 and 2019, the teenage suicide rate in Mississippi climbed by almost 100%. New licensed psychologists in Mississippi can help bridge gaps in needed mental health care services.

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