Kansas offers many psychology degree options through its 32 colleges with psychology programs. In fact, the University of Kansas hosts a school psychology program that ranks eighth in the country.
Kansas psychologists make an average $98,390, compared to the national average of $102,900, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS). However, major cities, such as Wichita and Overland Park, offer ample employment opportunities.
Job Title | Lowest 10% | Median Annual Salary | Highest 10% |
---|---|---|---|
Clinical and counseling psychologists | $29,350 | $75,410 | N/A |
School psychologists | $49,290 | $63,900 | $94,570 |
Psychologists, all other | $29,350 | $102,380 | $122,150 |
Source: BLS
Online Doctorate Programs in Psychology
Psychologist Licensing in Kansas
Psychologist licensing in Kansas is administered by the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board. Kansas is known for its simplified licensing process, especially since applicants are not required to take a state-specific test. However, post-doctoral hours and a national exam are mandatory steps to psychologist licensing in Kansas.
License reciprocity refers to a state's recognition of another state's licensure privileges. Currently, Kansas does not honor license reciprocity with other states. Yet, out-of-state psychologists are able to obtain a Kansas license by meeting specific application requirements. Applicants must have earned a doctoral degree, possess a psychologist license in good standing, practiced psychology for at least the past five years, and pay a $175 application fee.
License Requirements
Applicants for psychologist licensing in Kansas must:
Graduate from an American Psychological Association (APA)-accredited doctoral psychology program Maintain quality moral standing and community trust Complete 3600 hours of supervised experience, with no more than half of the hours in a doctoral program. The remaining hours must be postdoctoral. An application form with a fee of $175 Pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology(EPPP) with a score of 500 (70%) or higher. The exam fee is $600.
Demand for Psychology in Kansas
Kansas meets less than one-third its population's mental health needs, designating it a health professional shortage area, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Of the 105 Kansas counties, only four have enough psychologists to provide vital mental health services to area residents, including underserved populations.
To help meet this need, Kansas psychologists can collaborate with local justice system staff, substance abuse professionals, and fellow mental health advocates to streamline services.