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Arkansas State Licensing Requirements

Nicknamed the “Natural State,” Arkansas is known for its stunning backdrops, from the green landscapes of the Delta region to the peaks of the Ozarks and Ouachita mountains.

The state is also a natural at attracting new residents. According to cnnmoney.com, Rogers, a major city in Arkansas, was named one of the best places to live in the U.S.

The rest of the state is following suit, with a competitive cost of living and an abundance of things to do, making Arkansas the perfect setting for your psychology career.

How to Earn Your Psychology Degree in Arkansas

Intent on providing you with a foolproof path to your career goals, several universities offer undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs in psychology. For those needing flexibility and who have schedule and family requirements, there are online as well as traditional classroom settings.

How to Find Psychology Classes Online

If you are interested in earning your psychology degree online, accredited universities Chicago School of Psychology, Capella University and Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center, are known for their progressive approach to education. Not only can you attend classes from the comfort of your own home, you’ll have a host of options for your studies, from Play Therapy to Organizational Effectiveness.

Using Your Psychology Degree in Arkansas

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2023 data, here is what you can expect to earn with a psychology degree in Arkansas:

How to Get Licensed in Arkansas

After obtaining your psychology degree, you will need to get licensed in order to practice in Arkansas. In addition to the requirements outlined below, you must receive a passing score on the national exam specific to your area of specialization.

Psychologist

• A doctoral degree in psychology
• Completion of an internship lasting two years, of which one year may be completed as part of the doctoral program

Professional Counselor

• A master’s degree in counseling or related field
• Documentation showing three of more years of supervised professional experience at the post-master’s level
• Submission of a Statement of Professional Intent, which includes three professional letters of recommendation
• A passing score on the state’s oral examination

Marriage and Family Therapist

• A master’s degree in marriage and family therapy
• Completion of at least three years of a post-master’s practical experience
• Submission of a Statement of Professional Intent with a minimum of three recommendations that support your professional goals
• Passing scores on the state’s written and oral examinations

Social Worker

The state of Arkansas offers three different types of licenses for social workers: licensed social worker (LSW), licensed master social worker (LMSW) or licensed certified social worker (LCSW).

• A bachelor’s degree (for LSW) or master’s degree (for LMSW or LCSW) in social work
• Supervised work experience that includes 4,000 hours of clinical social work within two years (for LCSW only)

How to Make the Most of Your Psychology Degree

As you work towards a psychology degree, you can jump-start your future success by becoming a student member of a professional association. Below, just a few of the statewide associations that provide career-related support:

• Arkansas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
• Arkansas Counseling Association
• Arkansas Mental Health Counselors Association
• Arkansas Psychological Association
• Arkansas School Psychology Association

_{Sources: www.arkansas.gov/swlb/licensing_info.html, www.arpapsych.org, www.aspaonline.net, www.bls.gov/oes/, www.money.cnn.com, www.state.ar.us}