Due to the recent opioid epidemic and mental health crises in Wyoming, psychologists are in high demand. The state ranks first in the country for suicides and has a significant number of drug overdose deaths each year. The U.S. Department of Labor projects that job opportunities for psychologists will experience a 20% increase by 2024. As a result, psychology students in Wyoming are well-positioned to find jobs helping those in need.
Earning an online psychology degree in Wyoming has a number of benefits. Online programs are advantageous for students who would be unable to earn a traditional degree, including rural students and working professionals. Students are able to complete coursework on a flexible schedule that fits their obligations. This page outlines all of the relevant information for those interested in an online psychology degree in Wyoming, including licensing requirements, internships, scholarship opportunities, and psychology schools in the state.
Mental Health Initiatives in Wyoming
Wyoming's Department of Health is working to improve the state through evidence-based, outcome-driven care which puts patients first. The Behavioral Health Division provides services to individuals, children, and families in need. Wyoming's mental health initiatives address key issues such as problem gambling, housing, crisis support, and medication assisted treatment. Wyoming's Department of Health also offers training courses in areas such as first episode psychosis. The state provides special assistance to active-duty military members, veterans, and their families.
Students who pursue an online psychology degree in Wyoming have many opportunities to become involved in these mental health initiatives. Students could offer to work directly with the Department of Health or may work with a partner organization such as Portland State University or Wyoming State Hospital. Students may also engage with the training and education opportunities provided by the state.
How Do I Become a Psychologist in Wyoming?
Like in any state, practicing psychology in Wyoming requires a license. Earning an online psychology degree in Wyoming will prepare you for licensing examinations, but you should still study on your own. If you already have a license from another state, you can become licensed to practice in Wyoming without taking another exam, as long as your previous license meets Wyoming's standards.
Choose the Path That's Right for You: There are a variety of degree options available to someone interested in mental health, and choosing the degree for you will depend on what kind of work you want to do. You will need at least a master's degree in order to qualify for a license. Students who want to become a licensed psychologist must earn a Ph.D. Once you decide which career path is right for you, you should research the educational and professional requirements for that position.
Earn Your Degree: Once you know what degree you're looking for, you need to find a school. You may choose to complete an on-campus or online psychology degree in Wyoming or another state. Certain licenses require specific kinds of accreditation. For example, to become a licensed clinical social worker, students must attend a graduate program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Regardless of where you study, you should apply for internships, fellowships, and other opportunities for hands-on experience, especially since all psychology licenses require supervised training in the field.
Earn Your License: Most mental health licenses in Wyoming have a $350 fee attached, which covers the cost of the exam and the license itself. All licenses require students to pass a particular exam. Students and recent graduates must also complete 3,000 hours of supervised field experience. Once these requirements are met, candidates can receive their licenses and apply for jobs in their field.
Psychology Licensing in Wyoming
There are several different license options available for mental health professionals in Wyoming. Most have similar requirements and fee structures. Be sure to choose the correct license so that you can practice in your chosen field.
Licensed Psychologist
Prerequisites:
- Doctoral degree from a program with both regional accreditation and APA accreditation OR a regionally accredited program that meets certain curriculum and residency requirements
- Pay $275 application fee to State of Wyoming
- 3,000 hours supervised training
- Pass Examination for the Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) ($687.50)
- Pay $200 initial license fee
Careers Available With This License:
- Clinical or counseling psychologist
- Mental health counselor
- School psychologist
- Child psychologist
Total Fees: $1,162.50
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Prerequisites:
- Graduate degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program
- No felony convictions
- 3,000 hours supervised training
- Pay $350 application fee to State of Wyoming
- Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) examination at the Advanced Generalist or Clinical level ($260)
- Three professional references
Careers Available With This License:
- Clinical social worker
- Government social worker
- School counselor or social worker
- Intake assessor
- Substance abuse social worker
Total Fees: $610
Marriage & Family Therapist (MFT)
Prerequisites:
- Graduate degree in MFT from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) or Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs- Marriage and Family Counseling (CACREP-MCFC)
- Pay $350 application fee to State of Wyoming
- No felony convictions
- 3,000 hours supervised training
- Pass Association of Marital and Family Therapists Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) examination ($350)
Careers Available With This License:
- Marriage and family therapist
- Child therapist
- School therapist
- Career coach
- Medical family therapist
Total Fees: $700
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Prerequisites:
- Graduate degree in counseling from a program accredited by from a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE)
- No felony convictions
- 3,000 hours supervised training
- Pay $350 application fee to State of Wyoming
- Pass the NBCC's National Counselor Examination (NCE) OR National Clinical Mental Health Examination (NCMHE) ($275)
- OR pass the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor
Certification (CRCC) Certification Exam ($400)
Careers Available With This License:
- Mental health counselor
- Substance abuse counselor
- Behavioral health counselor
- Career or life coach
Total Fees: $750
National Certified Counselor (NCC)
Prerequisites:
- Pass $195 NCE or NCMHCE exam
- Regionally accredited master's degree in counseling. Curriculum must include 48 graduate-level credits in counseling including six credits of supervised field experience and coursework in nine content areas
- Professional recommendation
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Waived for graduates of CACREP accredited programs and state-licensed counselors:
- 100 hours of postgraduate supervised counseling (waived for doctoral-degree holders)
- 3,000 hours of postgraduate work experience
Careers Available With This License:
- Mental health counselor
- School counselor
- Career counselor
- Family therapist
Total Fees: $195
Psychology Internships and Fellowships in Wyoming
The difference between a fellowship and an internship can be hard to distinguish. Both are designed to be hands-on, educational opportunities where students complete professional work while still in school or just after graduation. Fellowships tend to be more academic and are awarded in recognition of specific achievements. Fellows usually receive a stipend or benefits. Internships are more common for undergraduate students. Interns complete entry-level tasks with the supervision of permanent employees. Interns may be paid or unpaid.
- Cheyenne VA Medical Center Internship: This APA-accredited doctoral internship focuses on training future psychologists in psychotherapy. Interns receive a stipend of $24,014. The Cheyenne VA Medical Center serves 71,611 veterans living in Wyoming, Nebraska, and Colorado.
- Clinical Psychology Internship Training Program: Hosted by the Sheridan VA Medical Center, this Veteran Affairs internship is focused on rural psychology. Rural areas have a high number of citizens in the armed forces and are usually underserved by the medical community.
- Elizabeth Munsterberg Koppitz Child Psychology Graduate Student Fellowship: This fellowship provides funding for a graduate student whose dissertation focuses on child psychology.
Psychology Careers in Wyoming
There are a variety of careers available to someone with a degree in psychology. Clinical psychologists, for example, investigate, diagnose, and treat mental illness. Forensic psychologists focus on individuals in the legal system, including victims and criminals. There are many possible careers in Wyoming, especially for those who are interested in working with rural communities. Many mental health professionals carve their own career path, making a name for themselves with their research and writing.
How Much Do Psychologists Make in Wyoming?
Salaries for psychologists vary across the country. Those living in Wyoming tend to make less than the national average due to the low cost of living. Salaries can also vary based on city, education, and years of experience.
| Employment | Hourly Mean Wage | Annual Mean Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | 200 | $34.44 | $71,630 |
| United States | 122,310 | $38.77 | $80,640 |
Source: BLS
Mental Health Service Providers in Wyoming
Investigating mental health service providers in Wyoming is an important part of planning your career, especially if you plan on staying in the state after graduating. An internship or job with one of these organizations could advance your career by providing experience and networking opportunities. Having an idea of what such providers are focusing on can also give you an idea of where to focus your own studies.
- Yellowstone Behavioral Health Center: YBHC offers a wide variety of services for individuals, including suicide treatment, cognitive therapy, and family therapy. The center provides mental health care on a sliding fee scale in order to accommodate patients regardless of finances.
- Northern Wyoming Mental Health: Since 1966, NWMH has been providing mental health care services to individuals and families in Northeastern Wyoming. They offer a wide variety of services, including group therapy, medication management, couples therapy, opioid addiction treatment, and an after school program.
- Central Wyoming Counseling Center: One of the largest centers in Wyoming, CWCC helps thousands of people every year with a variety of services. Their large staff and open access intake process means that new patients can be seen as soon as they come in.
- Curran-Seeley Foundation: CSF has been providing mental health services since 1988, including anger management, interventions, and intensive outpatient treatment. This nonprofit organization focuses on person-centered treatment, even when dealing with groups.
- Southwest Counseling Service: SCS has been operating for over 40 years, providing patients with comprehensive care for both mental health and substance abuse issues. The center focuses on treatment for substance abuse.
Mental Health Research Centers in Wyoming
Research centers are an important part of psychology. Staying informed about the latest research developments can give you insight into the changing needs and directions of the field, as well as give you an idea of what to focus on when working on your own research. Below are three of the mental health research centers in Wyoming.
- UW Addictive Behaviors Lab: This lab focuses on addictive behaviors in college students, especially regarding cannabis, alcohol, and stimulants. Research looks to understand and change the cognitive mechanisms that lead to and sustain addiction.
- UW Trauma and Sexual Assault Prevention Lab: Research focuses on developing better treatment methods for survivors of sexual assault, as well as understanding the social mechanisms which perpetuate and excuse sexual assault.
- UW Psychology and Law Research Lab: Exploring a variety of subjects related to legal processes, this lab focuses on how psychology can inform jurisprudence. Topics include racial bias, constructing and deconstructing alibis, and jury selection.
Professional Organizations for Mental Health Professionals
Professional organizations can give you access to research, networking events, exclusive scholarships, and continuing education opportunities. There are many national organizations for professional health, including the famous American Psychological Association (APA). There are also organizations specific to the state of Wyoming. Below are three professional organizations for students pursuing a master's in psychology online in Wyoming.
- Wyoming Counseling Association: A branch of the American Counseling Association, WCA represents all counselors in the state of Wyoming. Members include psychologists, school counselors, therapists, addiction specialists, and psychiatrists.
- Wyoming Psychological Association: The WPA works to promote psychology as both a profession and a science. The organization provides continuing education opportunities, information on licensing, and conferences.
- National Association of Social Workers: With over 120,000 members, NASW is the largest professional organization for social workers in the world. The organization advocates for policies that promote social health and wellbeing.
Scholarships for Online Psychology Programs in Wyoming
Annette Urso Rickel Foundation Dissertation Award for Public Policy
This scholarship provides research funds for a dissertation topic which has a bearing on public policy. The award is granted to dissertations that could potentially improve services and programs aimed at children and families facing psychological issues.
- Amount Offered: $1,000
- Scholarship Deadline: October 1
- Eligibility Requirements: Applicant must be a psychology student enrolled full time in a doctoral program in the United States or Canada. The dissertation topic must be already approved by committee.
Vantage Point Annual Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to students in need of financial assistance who are studying to become mental health professionals.
- Amount Offered: $1,000
- Scholarship Deadline: March 31
- Eligibility Requirements: Applicants must write an 800 word essay about why mental health is important and what they hope to accomplish as a mental health professional.
NBCCF Rural Scholarship
This scholarship is intended for a graduate student who is committed to pursuing a career as a professional counselor in a rural area for at least two years.
- Amount Offered: $8,000
- Scholarship Deadline: October 31
- Eligibility Requirements: Students must live in a rural area, be enrolled in a CACREP-accredited graduate program, and work in a rural area for two years after graduation.
Benton-Meier Scholarships
Two of these scholarships are awarded each year to doctoral students in neuropsychology who demonstrate excellence in research.
- Amount Offered: $2,500
- Scholarship Deadline: June 1
- Eligibility Requirements: Applicants must have completed doctoral candidacy. Candidates must also have IRB approval if applicable.
F. J. McGuigan Dissertation Award
This scholarship supports dissertation research for one graduate student who is investigating mental functions from both a behavioral and neural perspective. The award is intended to help better our understanding of cognitive psychology.
- Amount Offered: $2,000
- Scholarship Deadline: June 1
- Eligibility Requirements: Applicants must have completed doctoral candidacy at a regionally accredited institution. Candidates must also have IRB approval if applicable.
Scott and Paul Pearsall Grant
This scholarship provides money to help graduate students who are interested in studying the stigma and psychological pain of adults who live with visible disabilities such as cerebral palsy.
- Amount Offered: $10,000
- Scholarship Deadline: October 1
- Eligibility Requirements: Candidates must be full-time graduate students or graduates in their early career. Applicants must receive IRB approval before funding is awarded.
Wayne F. Placek Grants
This scholarship awards funds to graduate students who are investigating topics related to the LGBTQ+ community, with an eye toward reducing the stresses faced by that community.
- Amount Offered: $10,000
- Scholarship Deadline: March 1
- Eligibility Requirements: Candidates must be graduate students, doctoral-level researchers, or early-career professionals studying LGBTQ+ issues.
APF Graduate Student Scholarships
The American Psychology Foundations offers 22 different scholarships for graduate student research in psychology.
- Amount Offered: $1,000 to $5,000
- Scholarship Deadline: June 30
- Eligibility Requirements: Applicants must be graduate or doctoral students enrolled in a COGDOP member institution. Graduate students must show commitment to enrolling in a Ph.D program.
Beth Rom Rymer Scholarships
Granted to students enrolled in psychopharmacology programs, this scholarship supports up to nine students and licensed psychologists per year. Students who demonstrate commitment to helping underserved communities are preferred.
- Amount Offered: $5,000
- Scholarship Deadline: February 1
- Eligibility Requirements: Applicant must be a graduate student enrolled in clinical psychopharmacology program or an early career licensed psychologist.
Henry P. David Grants for Research and International Travel in Human Reproductive Behavior and Population Studies
These scholarships provide support for students who have demonstrated an interest in studying the behavioral side of human reproduction or other population topics. The award is granted to students who either need to complete research or travel to present their research.
- Amount Offered: $1,500
- Scholarship Deadline: February 1
- Eligibility Requirements: Applicants must be graduate students, doctoral students, or early career researchers.
Accreditation for Online Psychology Programs in Wyoming
Accreditation is an important matter for any school, whether online or on campus. Accreditation is granted by national or regional accreditation bodies. Accredited schools must meet certain quality standards relating to academic programs and career preparation. Regional accreditation is considered more rigorous and prestigious. National accreditation is usually granted to vocational schools, trade schools, and religious institutions.
Some organizations offer their own accreditation of individual programs or departments. Psychology accreditation bodies include the APA, Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS), and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Programmatic accreditation may be required to obtain certain licenses. For example, some states only grant counselor licenses to students who complete a program approved by CACREP, CAEP, or CORE.
Explore Psychology Careers
Program Database of Online Psychology Programs in Wyoming
Searching for a psychology program can be daunting, especially for new students. This database contains information on concentrations, enrollment information, and tuition costs. Below are all of the accredited schools offering online psychology degrees in Wyoming.