Utah Psychology Schools

Guide to Utah Psychology Degree Programs

Psychology studies human behavior and tries to figure out why people do what they do. If this fascinated you, you might want to think of pursuing your degree in Utah. That is especially true if you enjoy the great outdoors. The state is home to five national parks and countless state ones. With hiking, fishing, camping, and snow activities close, living in an urban area is not so bad. And the urban areas boast great opportunities for culture and education. Psychology degrees can be pursued in many areas of the state.

The capital of Salt Lake City is also the largest metropolitan area of the state. Other larger areas include Ogden and Provo, both of which sit within a short distance of the capital. The rest of the state is dotted with smaller cities and towns. This combination attracts many different industries that provide job opportunities for those with psychology degrees. A blossoming education system brings education and job opportunities together all over the state.

Utah Psychology Job Outlook and Salary

According to the Utah Department of Workforce Services, the demand for psychologists is expected to be almost triple the national average over the next decade. With an expected 44% rise in job opportunities, the types of jobs run the gamut of public and private sectors. Social work and mental health clinics provide services to all sectors of the population. Those in private practice will find no end to their clientele. In schools and hospitals, psychologists play critical roles for their clients. Private industry continues growing and the need for private industry psychologists does as well.

Utah has been experiencing double digit growth for the past few decades and that growth is expected to continue. This means that opportunities for psychologists also continue to expand. Most jobs require a doctorate level of education. Utah’s Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing oversees the practice of psychology within the state. Once licensed, a psychologist can find work in clinical, counseling or school psychology. The opportunities for research at universities and in private industry are growing.

For holders of master’s and bachelor’s degrees, the job pool is much more limited. Research and analysis opportunities can be found in some government or university settings. Teaching at the high school level can also be an option. Many people take these types of jobs while they pursue a doctorate level degree.

The median salary for psychologist in Utah is around $62,650 after a couple of years according to Payscale. For those just starting out, it begins around $49,000 and goes up from there. Public salaries are usually lower than those found in private practice and industry. Salt Lake City and other metropolitan areas have a higher availability of jobs than rural communities.

Additional Utah Psychology Schools

Brigham Young University - http://www.byu.edu/
University of Utah - http://www.utah.edu/
Westminster College - http://www.westminstercollege.edu/