Home Doctorate in Psychology Psychology Ph.D. and Psy.D. Degree Programs in Iowa

Psychology Ph.D. and Psy.D. Degree Programs in Iowa

Find Doctoral Degree Programs in Iowa

For many students, the next step after a Bachelor’s degree is graduate school. However, in the field of psychology, you may find that you need a doctoral degree to reach your full potential in this industry. With a Master’s degree, you may provide counseling services, but you’ll still be under the supervision and restrictions of a psychologist or psychiatrist. With a doctoral degree, you can provide independent clinical services, run your own practice, and participate in research.

If you plan on earning your degree in Iowa, there are two options to consider. A Ph.D. program may provide training that touches on teaching, research, and clinical work. However, if you know that you want to work exclusively in clinical settings, you may find that a Psy.D. is a better choice for you. This type of program looks specifically at clinical work and how research can make you a better clinician.

Becoming a psychologist can put you in a position to achieve your loftiest career goals. Request information about your options by contacting Psy.D. and Ph.D. in psychology programs in IA below.

Getting Your Doctorate Degree in Psychology in Iowa

Before you begin analyzing different psychology programs in Iowa, note that it is best to enroll in these programs after earning a Bachelor’s degree. If you already have a Master’s degree in psychology, some of your credits may transfer, but the overall process may take longer. With a Bachelor’s degree, you may dedicate between six and eight years to your Ph.D. or Psy.D.

Ph.D. programs in Iowa combine the knowledge and skills needed for clinical work, psychological research, and undergraduate teaching positions. To meet the practical experience requirements of these schools, you may work as a research assistant, work as a teaching assistant, and meet clinical hour requirements.

Iowa Student Studying Online For Psychology Doctorate Degree

Since these programs touch on different areas of psychology, your curriculum may include diverse classes like:

  • Quantitative Methods in Psychology
  • Fundamental Neurobiology
  • Foundations in Behavioral and Counseling Psychology
  • Foundations of Learning, Memory, and Cognition
  • Mixed-Effects Modeling in Psychology
  • Seminar in Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Advanced Statistics in Psychology
  • Psychological Therapies
  • Behavioral Psychopharmacology

Like Ph.D. programs, Psy.D. in psychology programs in IA prepare you for licensure as a psychologist. Some of your coursework may focus on research, but this serves a different purpose. In research courses, you should learn how to use research in your clinical work, rather than focusing on how to conduct research.

Depending on whether you study clinical psychology or another area of practice, your curriculum may include courses like:

  • Psychopathology
  • Clinical Research Seminar
  • Research in Psychological Therapies
  • History and Systems of Psychology
  • Principles of Psychological Assessment
  • Ethics in Psychology
  • Issues in Professional Psychology
  • Advanced Social and Personality Development

In this type of program, your work experience hours come primarily or exclusively from clinical work. After getting general clinical experience at an on-site facility, you may complete clinical placements in a number of local facilities.

Working With Your Doctoral Degree in Psychology in Iowa

Before you can work on your own as a psychologist, you have to meet or exceed the requirements of the Iowa Board of Psychology. This begins with the application process. You must submit a completed application, a $120 fee, official transcripts, and proof of a passing score on the Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology. Upon completing 1500 hours of supervised experience, you can apply to become a fully licensed psychologist.

Average salaries in Iowa are in line with what is reported across the Midwest. Psychologists in clinical, school, and counseling positions earn an average of $75,070 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016). Psychology professors have an average salary of $84,880 annually (BLS, 2016).
Expected job growth rates indicate steady increases through 2022. Between 2012 and 2022, O*Net expects a 10% jump in psychologist positions in Iowa and a 14% jump in psychology professor positions in Iowa (2016).

Your employment options depend on your choice of degree. You may work for a government agency and provide low-cost services, work at an educational institution, start your own clinical practice, or work for a large healthcare organization.

With Ph.D. programs and APA accredited online Psy.D. programs in Iowa, you may be able to start the next phase of your career sooner than you expected. Take the first step now and contact the schools listed below.