Colorado Licensing

The state of Colorado has very specific guidelines for its mental health care professionals.

The licensing process consists of education, supervised hours, and a licensing exam. Upon completing these requirements the state that issues a license that can be used to practice as a psychologist in this state.

For a detailed explanation of the process, see below.

What degree do I need to be a in Colorado psychologist?

The first step to becoming a psychologist in Colorado is obtaining your bachelors degree in a subject related to the counseling field, graduating from a University in Colorado will help you meet the state’s licensure requirements.

After you have graduated from you bachelor’s degree you must then go onto a master’s degree, this is the minimum requirement for psychologists in Colorado. After obtaining a masters degree, you will need to choose to go on and study for either a PhD or a PsyD.

In order to become a licensed psychologist in the state of Colorado you must obtain a Master’s degree, many students then go on to study for a PhD or a PsyD though this is not imperative to gaining licensure. Find a psychology degree in CO.

Required Supervised Hours and Testing For Licensing in Colorado

While studying for either your master’s or doctorate degree you will have 700 hours of supervised experience through compulsory internships. After you have graduated you are required, over a maximum of two years, to receive 2, 300 more hours of supervised experience. Every individual wishing to apply for licensure must have completed 3, 000 supervised hours.

What can I do with a PsyD vs a PHD in Colorado?

If you choose to further your studies into psychology and attain a PsyD or a PhD you will be accelerated along the career path significantly, which of these doctorates you choose however will have a noticeable impact on you career options. A graduate with a PsyD can diagnose and treat mental disorders and practice psychotherapy with patients, however a graduate with a PhD while also qualified for clinical work also has the additional options of becoming a researcher or lecturer.

As in most states there is a standard difference between a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in that the two programs require differing levels of research. A PhD is very much focused on research and requires its students to complete a thesis that contributes original research to the field, whereas a PsyD places more emphasis on clinical contact and requires a shorted thesis than a PhD.

Psychologist Career Outlook In Colorado

The average annual salary for a psychologist working in Colorado is around $74, 960, while working at an entry level position you can expect to earn about $24, 340 moving up to $117, 740 when you progress to a more senior position.