Becoming a Psychologist in Michigan

In order to achieve full licensure to practice psychology in Michigan, you will need a doctoral degree. Even a limited license requires at least a master’s. It can be a long path. Early planning can help, but with a strong enough foundation, it’s possible to enter the field as a second career.

If You Are a High School Student or Undergraduate

Step 1: Build a strong academic foundation during your high school years. Volunteer work can serve as a form of career exploration. You may want to visit the website of the Michigan Community Service Commission (http://www.michigan.gov/mcsc/0,1607,7-137-6115—,00).

Step 2: Consider majoring in psychology or a related field. Coursework in other disciplines, including the natural sciences, can also support your career goals.

Step 3: Involve yourself in research at the undergraduate level. The University of Michigan notes that there are multiple reasons to do so. The experience will look good to graduate admission committees. It will also allow you to interact with faculty on a closer level. This can mean references – and a chance to have your questions answered.

Your department website may list research projects and contacts. The honors program may provide you with additional opportunities. You can also compete for summer internships at other institutions.

Step 4: Keep your grades up. With a GPA of 3.7, you will be on a par with the average admitted student at competitive doctoral programs. With a GPA below 3.0, you may still be in the running at some professional schools. However, your options will be more limited.

The GRE is one opportunity to display academic aptitude.

If You Have a College Degree

Step 5: Research doctoral programs. Michigan requires that doctoral programs be housed in regionally accredited institutions; 75% of the courses must be “primarily psychological”. Some states require doctoral programs to be APA-accredited or equivalent. Even with this stipulation, there are a lot of choices. Both the process and the selection criteria will vary from school to school. Research-heavy PhD programs may want you to identify potential mentors before application. PsyD programs typically place more emphasis on practice. They may value experience in human services, for example, social work.

Step 6: You may opt for a master’s degree. Some programs simultaneously prepare you for limited licensure and give you a foundation for doctoral level study.

If you are concerned about being accepted to a doctoral program in Psychology after completing your bachelor’s degree due to lower or insufficient academic achievement, you may want to apply to master’s programs first.

Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers several online bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs in psychology including both clinical and non-clinical specializations. Capella University also offers three online CACREP-accredited programs: MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS in School Counseling, and PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, as well as a COAMFTE-accredited program, MS in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Step 7: Begin graduate studies. Some PhD programs utilize a mentorship model. You may receive a stipend in exchange for serving as a research and teaching assistant. You will begin to gain clinical experience through practicum as early as the first year.

Step 8: Prepare for internship year. Students in your program may go through a competitive process to secure APA internships. If this is the case, you will rank your top choices from Michigan and around the nation; they in turn will rank you. Some programs form consortiums to provide local placements.

Step 9: Complete your internship. Michigan expects 2,000 hours of internship. If you apply for a master’s limited license, your pre-degree requirements will be lower: 500 practicum hours. In either case, you will need to have your supervisor provide verification to the Michigan Board.

Step 10: You must accrue 2,000 post-degree hours working under supervision. You will need to apply to the Michigan Board for a limited license. You will have a criminal background check.

If you have a master’s limited license, you will need some supervision on an ongoing basis (unless the agency you work for is exempt).

Step 11: Take the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). You will become eligible when your limited license has been approved.

*Find more detailed psychologist licensure information for Michigan here.

Licensing Agency

Michigan Board of Psychology http://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-35299_63294_27529_27552-59190–,00