Psychology Schools in Oregon
Learn about psychology degrees in Oregon and find out how you can have a great career in the Beaver State.
Psychology Schools in Oregon
By Kimberly Ross
Comprised of seven schools throughout the state, the Oregon University System has some unique options for earning a psychology degree in Oregon. Portland State University, located in downtown Portland, is the university system's only urban campus. The school includes graduate programs in various areas of psychology, counseling and social work, as well as graduate certificate programs in addictions counseling, infant/toddler mental health, and marriage and family counseling.
Another impressive school offering a psychology degree in Oregon is University of Oregon. This school, which is also part of the Oregon University System, touts an extensive psychology program with specialty areas in clinical psychology, cognitive psychology/neuroscience, developmental psychology and social/personality psychology. For a valuable training experience, students work at the on-site psychology clinic.
Oregon Job Market
If you're wondering how much you can earn with a psychology degree in Oregon, take a look at the average annual salaries* of psychology professionals throughout the state:
| Psychology Career | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Psychologist | $92,390 |
| Counselor | $43,780 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $57,100 |
| Social Worker | $44,080 |
Licensing Requirements in Oregon
In order to practice psychology, you must be approved for licensure after you have obtained a psychology degree in Oregon. Whether you want to become a licensed psychologist, professional counselor, marriage and family therapist or social worker, the state requires a criminal background check and passing scores on both the national examination for your field and the state's laws and rules examination. Below, the additional requirements for licensure with a psychology degree in Oregon:
Psychologist
- A doctoral degree in psychology
- Completion of 3,000 hours of supervised work experience, half of which may be fulfilled during the degree program
Professional Counselor
- A master's degree in counseling
- Completion of a 3-year, full-time work experience under supervision, of which 2,400 hours must include direct client contact
Marriage and Family Therapist
- A master's degree in marriage and family therapy
- Completion of a 3-year, full-time work experience under supervision that consists of 2,000 hours of direct client contact and 1,000 hours of working with couples and families
Social Worker
- A master's degree in social work
- Approved application for Certificate of Clinical Social Work Associate that includes a plan for work experience
- Fulfillment of 3,500 hours of approved work experience under supervision, of which 2,000 hours must consist of direct client contact
Making the Most of Your Psychology Degree
While you are accomplishing your goal of earning a psychology degree in Oregon, find out what steps you should take to ensure a successful career. The best way to accomplish this is through membership in a professional organization in your field of study. You don't even have to stick to just one organization: many fields have more than one relevant association, whether on the national, state or local level. Here is a list of some organizations you might consider joining, depending on your specialty:
- National Association of Social Workers, Oregon Chapter
- Oregon Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
- Oregon Counseling Association
- Oregon School Counselor Association
- Oregon Psychological Association
*Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Salary may vary according to geographic location, years of experience and employer type.
Psychology Degrees USA
Did You Know?
Located in Portland, Oregon Health and Science University (OSHU) is a leader of healthcare, education, research and outreach programs. Some remarkable facts about OSHU:
- With over 12,400 employees, OHSU is Portland's largest and Oregon's fourth largest employer.
- OHSU currently has over 4,000 research projects underway and averages a new breakthrough or innovation every 2.7 days.
- It is the only school in Oregon that offers doctoral degrees in medicine, dentistry and nursing.
- The medical program sends students on rural rotations to experience healthcare education outside of an urban area and undergo training in under-served communities.