Individuals who want to pursue an online psychology degree in Vermont can consult this page to learn more about the state's options and opportunities. Here, we highlight how online psychology programs work in Vermont, how to become a psychologist in the state, licensing requirements, and salary and job outlook. Prospective students can also explore common courses, specializations, certification opportunities, and internships and fellowships. Uncovering details about psychology programs can help students determine the best program for their goals and needs.
How Do Online Psychology Degree Programs in Vermont Work?
Many psychology students in Vermont appreciate the convenience and flexibility of online opportunities. Since many online programs boast asynchronous formats, degree-seekers can complete their coursework at a time and place of their choosing. Psychology programs in Vermont often highlight fully online programs that do not maintain on-campus requirements. Students can also explore hybrid options that combine on-campus and online components.
Online programs highlight the same rigorous coursework as on-campus counterparts. The same esteemed instructors often teach both on-campus and online courses. Students can often complete online courses in the same amount of time as on-campus options, but some schools offer online courses through accelerated formats.
What Courses are Part of an Online Psychology Degree Program in Vermont?
In Vermont, students can pursue their online psychology degree across a variety of colleges and universities, experiencing different course requirements at each institution. While courses vary, learners can expect to see similarities across programs.
- Organizational Communication
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Students focus on the sociological, communication, and psychological theories related to organizational life. The course allows learners to analyze the importance of cultivating effective communication for organizations. Course topics include management and leadership, diversity, culture and change, and conflict management.
- Statistics for Behavioral and Social Sciences
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Degree-seekers explore the skills needed to summarize, analyze, interpret, and collect behavioral and social science data. Topics include sampling and sampling distributions, descriptive statistics, relationships between variables, statistical inference, regression analysis, and deriving and testing hypotheses.
- Foundations of Psychology
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Learners study the fundamental concepts and principles across the major areas of contemporary scientific psychology. The course exposes the methods and origins of psychology, such as cognition, nature and nurture, neuroscience, development, motivation, learning and memory, and psychological disorders.
- Stress Management
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This course takes a research-experiential approach to analyzing stress and its impact on human psychology and behavior. Students discuss the work of practitioners and researchers in stress management, considering stress from various practice-based, theoretical perspectives. Learners explore how relationships and health can impact stress and how stress can affect personal relationships.
- Human Behavior in the Social Environment
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Degree-seekers work to understand human behavior across situations, contexts, and human systems. The course explores interactions between families, individuals, organizations, communities, and groups while simultaneously focusing on the interrelationship between human behavior and development throughout different life stages.
Becoming a Psychologist in Vermont
To work as a psychologist in Vermont, individuals must meet several requirements, including completing a bachelor's, master's, and doctoral program in psychology. The section below details these requirements, including specialization opportunities, educational requirements, and how to obtain licensure.
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Specialize
By pursuing specialization opportunities, psychology students can tailor their degree toward their personal interests and career goals. Specializations, although not available at every institution, feature topics like child psychology, clinical psychology, and counseling psychology.
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Earn Your Degrees
To work as a psychologist in Vermont, individuals need a bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree in psychology. Bachelor's programs introduce learners to the psychology field and give them a solid foundation in the discipline. Students can usually earn a bachelor's degree in four years. Many psychology students transition into their master's program immediately after completing their bachelor's degree.
During a master's program, psychology students focus on more specialized, advanced coursework. These programs, though sometimes available in accelerated formats, typically take students about two years to complete. Doctoral students complete the field's most advanced coursework and usually finish their program in 2-3 years.
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Obtain Licensure
To become a psychologist in Vermont, individuals must first complete their educational requirements, including earning a bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree in psychology. Aspiring psychologists must then complete their required supervised work experience. For licensure, Vermont requires that individuals complete one year of work experience.
Upon completion of the education and experience requirements, individuals can take their licensing exam. After passing the exam, they can apply for licensure. The entire licensing process often takes up to 10 years due to the three degrees required for licensure.
Other Licenses and Certifications
Graduates who hold a bachelor's or master's degree in psychology can explore other opportunities in Vermont, including seeking licensure as a licensed clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist, or licensed professional counselor.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Graduates who hold a master's degree in psychology, social work, or counseling can pursue licensure as a licensed clinical social worker. These professionals work in a variety of settings to provide mental health evaluations, therapy, and emotional support to patients.
Marriage and Family Therapist
Specializing in working with individuals, families, and couples, these therapists provide counseling and therapy services to clients. They sometimes diagnose mental and emotional disorders.
Licensed Professional Counselor
Mental health professionals can seek licensure as licensed professional counselors, providing substance abuse and mental health care to individuals across a variety of settings. These counselors can work at both the master's and doctoral levels.
Salaries and Job Outlook for Psychologists in Vermont
Graduates of psychology programs in Vermont interested in pursuing careers as psychologists can review data for surrounding states to determine the projected job growth along with the average annual salary estimates. While Vermont does not report figures for salary or job growth, surrounding states including New York, New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts report varying figures.
Both New York and New Hampshire highlight average annual salaries higher than the national average of $95,610, with New York reporting an average annual salary of $99,640 and New Hampshire recording $98,410. Massachusetts and Maine fall below the average at $83,550 and $82,790, respectively.
In terms of job growth, New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont do not report percentages, but the surrounding states of New York and Massachusetts report numbers higher than the national average of 10.3%, with New York showing a projected job growth of 18.2% and Massachusetts recording a figure of 11%.
Vermont at a Glance
Population: 626,299
Population Growth (2010-2018): 0.09%
Population Growth Rank: 48
Source: United States Census Bureau
| Mean Annual Salary | Projected Job Growth (2016-26) | |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont | N/A | N/A |
| New York | $99,640 | 18.2% |
| New Hampshire | $98,410 | N/A |
| Maine | $82,790 | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $83,550 | 11.0% |
| National Average | $95,610 | 10.3% |
Source: BLS, Projections Central
| Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologist Salary | General Unemployment Rate | Education and Health Services 12-Month Employment Growth | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington - South Burlington | $91,930 | 1.9% | 2.2% |
Source: BLS
Psychology Degrees and Careers in Vermont -- Frequently Asked Questions
Students who want to learn more about earning an online psychology degree in Vermont can explore the following section for answers to common questions. The section is also helpful for those who want to pursue a psychology career in Vermont.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Psychologist in Vermont?
The entire process to become a psychologist in Vermont takes about 10 years. Individuals spend most of this time earning a bachelor's, master's, and doctorate to gain licensure. Additionally, learners must complete experience and exam requirements, taking more time.
Are Online Psychology Classes Hard?
Online psychology courses feature the same rigorous content as on-campus counterparts. At the bachelor's level, students complete coursework that provides a foundation of the field. Moving into master's and doctoral programs, learners focus on more advanced, specialized content.
What Skills Are Needed to Be a Psychologist?
Psychologists need strong research skills and abilities since they conduct research across various settings and scenarios. These professionals also need solid problem-solving skills to create effective plans of action for their patients.
What Schools Are Best for Psychology in Vermont?
Learners who want to earn a psychology degree in Vermont can explore online and on-campus opportunities at all degree levels. Some of Vermont's top colleges and universities for psychology include Saint Michael's College, Castleton University, the University of Vermont, and Middlebury College.
Is a BA or a BS in Psychology Better?
A BA in psychology is not better than a BS in psychology and vice versa. Each degree type features a different focus, allowing learners to choose the best one to fit their career goals. Bachelor of arts programs highlight psychology-focused courses while bachelor of science degrees focus on courses that take a scientific, statistical, and mathematical approach to the discipline.
Accreditation for Online Psychology Programs in Vermont
Many licensure requirements include a degree from an accredited program. Accreditation ensures that a particular program or institution holds itself to high academic, research, and practice standards. Accrediting agencies guarantees that schools and individual programs meet or exceed these standards. Both regional and national accrediting bodies accredit schools. The difference between the two accreditation types lies in the ability for students to transfer earned credits and degrees between differently accredited institutions.
Many Vermont colleges and universities are regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. Many licenses require a degree from a program specifically accredited by this agency. Psychology-specific accreditation comes from the American Psychological Association.
Psychology Internships and Fellowships in Vermont
Many psychology programs in Vermont require an internship or fellowship, both during and after completing coursework. Internships offer students valuable work experience, sometimes in exchange for pay or course credit. Fellowships, on the other hand, enable students to research their field and receive payment through a stipend or tuition benefits.
In Vermont, psychology students can look to a variety of professional organizations and companies to explore fellowship and internship opportunities. The section below highlights potential prospects for fellowships and internships, including the University of Vermont Medical Center, Lamoille County Mental Health Services, and Northwestern Counseling and Support Services.
The University of Vermont Medical Center
The university's medical center is home to an extensive list of mental health services, including pediatric psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, and partial psychiatric hospitalization. It includes both in-patient and out-patient services and 24/7 crisis response management.
United Counseling Service
UCS' facilities offer several services to patients, including counseling and therapy to children, teens, and adults, as well as recovery assistance for substance abusers.
Lamoille County Mental Health Services
As a Designated Agency in the state, LCMHS provides outpatient and acute psychological and psychiatric care to patients of all ages. They cooperate with government agencies and other hospitals, including law enforcement.
Northwestern Counseling & Support Services
Based in St. Albans, NCSS works specifically with clients from Franklin and Grand Isle counties. This nonprofit provides counseling services to people of all ages dealing with multiple mental health issues.
Middlebury College Psychology Labs
Middlebury faculty and students work at a few different research labs throughout the department, each emphasizing a different project. Labs include an addiction lab, adolescent identity lab, children's memory lab, and sexuality lab.
Professional Organizations for Psychologists and Mental Health Professionals
Joining a professional organization gives psychology graduates access to many benefits, including seminars, networking events, and job opportunities. See below for some professional organizations for psychologists and mental health professionals.
- Vermont Psychological Association Delivering continuing education courses for psychologists and other mental health professionals, this association allows members to connect with other psychologists, social workers, mental health counselors, and colleagues.
- American Psychological Association The nation's largest professional and scientific organization of psychologists, APA boasts more than 118,000 members of educators, students, scientists, clinicians, and consultants.
- Vermont Mental Health Counselors Association This professional association for clinical mental health counselors licensed in Vermont aims to provide advocacy, support, and education to mental health professionals around the state. The organization promotes community education in mental health treatment options.
- American Mental Health Counselors Association This organization of licensed mental health counselors offers a variety of unique activities focused on setting and enforcing standards in ethics, licensing, and education for mental health counselors.
- Vermont Association of School Psychologists Dedicated to advancing school safety for parents, students, educators, and the general public, this association reviews how to prevent and respond to different crisis situations, preparing educators, counselors, and students for any crisis.
Scholarships for Online Psychology Degree Programs in Vermont
Vermont Student Assistance Corporation Board of Directors Scholarship
Created to honor VSAC board member Virginia Cole-Levesque, this scholarship funds a student pursuing a degree in healthcare or science who shows both academic achievement and financial need.
- Amount Offered: Up to two $1,500 scholarships
- Scholarship Deadline: February 12
- Eligibility Requirements: Applicants must reside in Rutland or Windsor County. They need a minimum 3.0 GPA and must seek a degree in healthcare or science.
Vermont Student Assistance Corporation Sister Elizabeth Candon Scholarship
Adult female students with custody of at least one child under 12 are eligible to apply for this renewable scholarship. The award honors Sister Elizabeth Candon's contributions to higher education.
- Amount Offered: $1,000
- Scholarship Deadline: February 12
- Eligibility Requirements: Must be a single female with primary custody of at least one child age 12 or younger and must demonstrate financial need.
Vermont Student Assistance Corporation Alice C. Coapland Scholarship
Funded by the estate of Alice C. Coapland, this scholarship helps fund college tuition for female students of northeastern Vermont in need of financial support.
- Amount Offered: Two scholarships for up to $3,000 each
- Scholarship Deadline: February 12
- Eligibility Requirements: This award is open to females who reside in a town served by specific high schools in northeastern Vermont. Applicants must demonstrate financial need, academic achievement, and community involvement.
Vermont Student Assistance Corporation G. Jason and Marcia Vance Conway Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship honors the contributions of the Conway family and is intended for adult students facing some kind of significant barrier limiting their access to higher education.
- Amount Offered: One or more scholarships up to $2,000 each
- Scholarship Deadline: February 12
- Eligibility Requirements: Must demonstrate financial need and be facing barriers that limit access to higher education.
Elizabeth J. Davis Scholarship of the VNAs of Vermont
This fund assists students seeking a degree in the health professions, including nursing, physical therapy, speech therapy pathology, occupational therapy, and social work.
- Amount Offered: One or more scholarships up to $3,000 each
- Scholarship Deadline: February 12
- Eligibility Requirements: Must be seeking a degree in a health profession, must plan to work in Vermont for a minimum of two years, and must demonstrate financial need.
Vermont Student Assistance Corporation Hildegard Durfee Scholarship
This scholarship is intended for graduate students who are either currently earning their graduate degree or preparing to do so. Students must demonstrate academic achievement.
- Amount Offered: $500 to $1,500
- Scholarship Deadline: February 12
- Eligibility Requirements: Must be a resident of Windham County and must demonstrate financial need.
Vermont Student Assistance Corporation David A. Hicks Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is open to students who have overcome some kind of hardship, including illness, or who have limited or difficult access to higher education.
- Amount Offered: Up to $1,800
- Scholarship Deadline: February 12
- Eligibility Requirements: Must be a graduate of Mount Anthony Union High School or West Rutland High School, must be seeking a bachelor's degree, and must demonstrate financial need.
Vermont Student Assistance Corporation Franklin H. Isham Memorial Scholarship
Established by Mrs. Olive Wilcox, this scholarship is open to students who have graduated from a high school in Franklin County, Vermont.
- Amount Offered: Up to $1,000
- Scholarship Deadline: February 12
- Eligibility Requirements: Must be a resident of Franklin County, must have graduated from a Franklin County High School, and must demonstrate financial need and academic achievement.
Vermont Student Assistance Corporation Taini Mae Kinney Scholarship
The friends and family of Taini Mae Kinney established this scholarship in memory of Taini's desire to always be kind to others. Residents of Vermont's Northeast Kingdom may apply.
- Amount Offered: Up to $1,000
- Scholarship Deadline: February 12
- Eligibility Requirements: Must reside in Caledonia, Essex, or Orleans County and must be seeking education or training in a healthcare field.
Vermont Student Assistance Corporation Jericho-Underhill Lions Club David Damkot Memorial Scholarship
The Jericho-Underhill Lions Club established this scholarship to help students in the Jericho-Underhill community develop ethical standards and serve their communities through education.
- Amount Offered: One or more scholarships up to $1,500 each
- Scholarship Deadline: February 12
- Eligibility Requirements: Must reside in Bolton, Huntington, Jericho, Richmond, or Underhill and must demonstrate financial need and academic achievement. Applicants must also demonstrate community service and good citizenship.
Find Online Psychology Degree Programs in Vermont
Being well-versed in the kinds of psychology degrees, programs, careers, and licenses available enables students to select a degree program that fits their interests. The database below includes all accredited online psychology programs in Vermont.
Explore Psychology Careers
Mental Health Initiatives in Vermont
Vermont highlights mental health initiatives to promote the well-being and overall mental health of individuals across the state. The Department of Mental Health pursues innovative initiatives to care for people across many backgrounds and situations. Initiatives include changing payment structures, promoting and expanding evidence-based practice, and integrating practices with education and healthcare.
On the Department of Mental Health website, individuals can explore career resources, policy and legislative resources, information about prevention and promotion, and available services. Website visitors can also browse department initiatives, including Vermont CHILD, Mental Health Payment Reform, and 10-Year Planning Process Mental Health Think Tank.
The website highlights the latest news along with upcoming events relevant to the department's mission and goals. The site also offers resources for individuals experiencing crisis situations.