Neuropsychology Degree Guide

Imagine a career unraveling the relationship between the brain and the nervous system; enter neuropsychology, a subfield of clinical psychology. Neuropsychologists are psychologists with advanced training in the connection between brain disorders and behavior.

If you’re interested in this field, you’ll need to complete a doctorate in neuropsychology or neuroscience followed by postdoctoral field experiences. Neuropsychologists need to pass a licensure exam to practice, though requirements vary by state.

Neuropsychology degrees cover how neuropsychological disorders and other conditions impact an individual’s ability to function, think, and act. Neuropsychologists use assessments to identify conditions such as autism, traumatic brain injuries, brain cancer, or a stroke.

Neuropsychologists typically specialize in cognitive or clinical neuropsychology. Depending on their career path, neuropsychologists perform research exclusively or conduct assessments and provide treatment plans or referrals.

Explores educational requirements, career options, and salary projections in this guide.

While a bachelor’s degree specifically in neuropsychology is uncommon, you can major in biology, psychology, or neuroscience to build a strong foundation for future studies.

The curriculum will vary but typically covers topics such as biology, cognitive psychology, the biological bases of behavior, and behavioral neuroscience. Students supplement classroom lectures with lab work. A capstone requirement may offer the option of a research project or internship.

You can pursue this degree on campus or online, depending on the institution. First-year students can complete the degree in four years. Some schools allow students to finish faster by transferring credits.

Some neuropsychology doctoral programs accept students with a bachelor’s degree. Many programs require a master’s degree in neuropsychology, psychology, neuroscience, or clinical psychology with a concentration in neuropsychology.

You’ll complete 30-60 credits online or on campus in 18-24 months. Neuropsychology graduate programs cover topics such as psychopathology, cognitive psychology, applied counseling, and research design and statistical analysis.

Students complete neuropsychology courses in the major, as a concentration, or through elective credit. A psychology practicum gives you clinical work experience under the supervision of a licensed clinical psychologist. You’ll likely need to pass a comprehensive exam or complete a research project to exit the program.

Neuropsychologists must hold a doctorate in clinical practice or scientific research. According to the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology (ABCN), board certification in clinical neuropsychology requires an APA-accredited Ph.D. or Psy.D.

While the Psy.D. focuses on clinical practice, a Ph.D. can prepare you for academic teaching and research careers. A doctoral program includes courses such as advanced cognitive psychology, psychopharmacology, neuroanatomy and neuroimaging, clinical neuropsychology, and neuropsychological assessment.

In addition to clinical hours and internships, you must complete supervised postdoctoral training for licensure and certification.

You must pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) to qualify for a state license as a psychologist. You’ll need to pursue board certification through ABCN or the American Board of Professional Neuropsychology to practice.

A neuropsychology degree paves the way for careers in clinical practice, research, and academia. Roles such as clinical neuropsychologist, clinical pediatric neuropsychologist, and forensic psychologist will require a doctorate and a license to practice in your state. Here we highlight some careers if you’re considering neuropsychology graduate programs.

Clinical neuropsychologists assess and treat a variety of conditions linked to the brain and nervous systems, including autism, Parkinson’s, stroke, and traumatic brain injury.

Average Salary: $114,706 (Nov. 2024)

These professionals specialize in the relationship between brain health and child development. They assess children’s cognitive, behavioral, and emotional functioning to determine their learning abilities and diagnose neurological disorders and other conditions.

Average Salary: $111,154 (Jan. 2025)

These researchers study the brain and nervous system to identify how brain dysfunction impacts a person’s cognitive functioning, behavior, and emotion.

Average Salary: $89,393 (Jan. 2025)

Often licensed psychologists, forensic psychologists use their expertise in the legal field to perform duties such as criminal profiling and evaluating criminals’ mental competency.

Average Salary: $80,474 (Jan. 2025)

Payscale Data: November 2024-January 2025

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the annual tuition and fees at two and four-year public colleges were $3,598 and $9,750 in 2022-2023, respectively. At private schools, they were $17,408 and $35,248.

Graduate students paid an average of $12,596 annually in tuition and fees at public schools in the 2021-2022 school year, compared to $28,017 at private schools. A number of factors affect how much you will pay in tuition and fees.

State residents pay in-state tuition which tends to be cheaper than out-of-state tuition. Online tuition can also be more affordable at some institutions; plus, online students need not pay for expenses such as transportation and relocation.

Financial aid options such as federal loans, scholarships, and grants can help make neuropsychology graduate programs more affordable.

Admission requirements vary depending on whether you’re applying to an undergraduate or graduate program.

Individuals with a bachelor’s degree can expect to spend approximately 18-24 months earning a master’s degree and 5-7 years earning a doctorate. Neuropsychology students will complete their bachelor’s, graduate education, and internship in about 11 years if they attend school full-time. Those attending college part-time will take longer.

Accreditation ensures that institutions and their programs meet educational standards. Institutional accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education conduct a rigorous review process. Students seeking federal financial aid, such as loans and scholarships, must attend an accredited school to be eligible.

Programmatic accreditation is another layer of oversight conducted by a specialized accreditor. The APA is the specialized accreditor for doctoral programs in psychology, doctoral internships, and postdoctoral fellowships. Some states require that students attend an APA-accredited program or equivalent to become licensed as a psychologist.

Whether a neuropsychology degree is worth it depends on your long-term career and financial goals. Neuropsychology is a high-paying profession with above-average job growth. You must complete a doctorate If you want to become a neuropsychologist.

Payscale data indicates an average annual earnings range of $80,000- $114,000 for neuropsychology careers. Your earnings will also depend on factors such as your career, location, and experience.

Given the high-paying jobs available to neuropsychologists, it may well be worth the investment of time and money to earn a doctoral degree in the field. Plus, in this career, you get to make a big difference in the lives of others.