Surrounded by the awe-inspiring natural wonders and scorching heat of the American Wild West, there are numerous psychology degree programs in Arizona for students to choose from at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels.
As one of the Four Corners states sharing a border with Mexico, Arizona is well-known for educating its diverse population with a large number of sprawling multi-site institutions. From massive public research universities top top-ranked small private colleges and convenient online for-profit schools, Arizona has a thriving higher education landscape to accommodate any students' learning needs.
Featured Online Programs
Figuring out where to apply? These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online degrees. Consider one of these accredited programs, and discover their value today.
Below we will introduce the accredited psychology degree programs offered within the "Grand Canyon State."
Arizona Christian University
Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences
Initially founded in 1960 as the Southwestern Conservative Baptist Bible College, Arizona Christian University is a comprehensive private Christian liberal arts institution located on a 35-acre urban campus in Phoenix. Rooted in a non-denominational evangelical Christian faith to encourage the development of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, ACU offers 19 undergraduate degree programs. In the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, students can choose from majors in psychology, family studies, or behavioral health to build the foundation needed to promote ethical living and improve community welfare.
B.S. in Psychology
Adopted from the five major learning objectives of the APA, the B.S. in Psychology program at Arizona Christian is designed to equip undergraduates as practitioners and researchers dedicated to disseminating truth. Formed from a unique Christian biblical worldview, the program prepares students for continuing studies in various psychological fields in graduate school by providing a broad introduction to neuroscience, research methods, abnormal psychology, human development, personality, and cognitive psychology. Before graduation, all students will be mentored by an experienced research to conduct their own original research with real-life psychological applications.
Accreditations
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
2625 East Cactus Road
Phoenix, AZ 85032
(800) 247-2697
Arizona State University-Tempe
Department of Psychology
Boasting a total headcount of over 76,000 students, Arizona State University is a large comprehensive four-year public research institution headquartered on a 630-acre urban campus in downtown Tempe. Ranked 88th in the world by the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), ASU is currently named the 129th best college, 63rd top public school, 34th best university for veterans, and 2nd top up-and-coming school in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report. Furthermore, the Department of Psychology is acclaimed for hosting the 38th best graduate psychology degree programs in the United States.
Bachelor Degree Programs
Leading to a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.), the undergraduate psychology program at ASU is focused on allowing students to study the human mind, brain, and behavior within a collaborative professional environment. Psychology majors are encouraged to view the world from different perspectives while gaining self-awareness, learning research methods, and building solid critical thinking skills. Within the 120-credit program, students will have access to more than 40 state-of-the-art lab facilities for working on engaging research activities. Students planning to pursue a Ph.D. can choose a Psychological Science Concentration to learn in-depth scientific methodologies.
Psychology Honors Program
Advanced academically talented students can also challenge themselves by joining ASU's Psychology Honors Program, which features a smaller number of separate seminar courses limited by instructor permission. Honors students will be immersed in a structured, intensive thesis sequence that spans one calendar year. Using a wide range of methodologies, students will be expected to complete original empirical research that adds to the psychology discipline with the assistance of experienced researchers. The program allows undergraduates to choose an ongoing study that suits their own inquisitive nature, defend their thesis to psychology faculty, and prepare their applications for graduate school.
Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (MS ABA)
Since becoming the first psychology department in America to create a program specialized in behavioral research and applications in the early 1960s, ASU had the pleasure of educating Montrose M. Wolf, who later became widely recognized as the "father of ABA." In his honor, the department has established the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (MS ABA) program to start in Fall 2015 to provide the necessary curriculum for certification as a behavior analyst through the BACB. Students must complete four full-time semesters of scientific coursework, 1,500 supervised practicum hours, a summer internship, and a year-long capstone project.
Doctoral Program
For qualified graduate students, the Doctoral Program is available to receive a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree with a master's in passing for the areas of Behavioral Neuroscience, Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Science, Development Psychology, Quantitative Psychology, or Social Psychology. Although each individual program varies in their core curricula and approach to psychology, the overarching goal of the doctoral program is to offer thorough, personalized training through strong mentoring relationships that prepare graduates as guarantors of the field's future. Graduates of the program often become productive members of research universities, hospitals, medical schools, government agencies, businesses, and private practices.
Accreditations
American Psychological Association (APA)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
651 East University Drive
Tempe, AZ 85287
(480) 965-7598
Grand Canyon University
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Founded in 1949 on a 100-acre urban campus in Phoenix within just four hours from the popular tourist destination its named for, Grand Canyon University is an accredited comprehensive for-profit private inter-denominational Christian institution owned by Grand Canyon Education Inc. to serve over 68,000 worldwide. Best known for being a leader in convenient distance learning options for working professionals, GCU offers over 100 majors in eight distinct colleges at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. Aligned with a Christian worldview, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences is committed to promoting academic inquiry and critical thinking among students seeking to advance our society into the 21st century.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology
At the undergraduate level, the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology program is structured to provide a broad introduction to increase students' understanding of human actions and encourage their application in helping others achieve insight into their own actions. Whether pursued on the main Phoenix campus or online from anywhere, the 120-credit program will give students better awareness of the emotional, social, psychological, and biological factors influencing our mental health with the goal of improving relationships. Graduates can pursue entry-level positions in human or social services, but most use this degree as a stepping stone into graduate school.
Master of Science (M.S.) in Psychology with an Emphasis in General Psychology
As a non-thesis program, the Master of Science (M.S.) in Psychology with an Emphasis in General Psychology is designed for graduate students who desire to receive continued academic exposure to various fields of psychology. With the mission of developing solid critical thinking and leadership skills, the program explores human cognition and behavior for application in numerous different careers. Offered online or in a convenient evening format, the 36-credit program includes courses in liberal arts, ethical issues, learning, motivation, social psychology, human development, statistics, health psychology, research methods, and psychopathology before completing the capstone project.
Master of Science (M.S.) in Psychology with an Emphasis in Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Available with a unique emphasis in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, this Master of Science (M.S.) in Psychology program is focused on preparing graduate students as consultants or academicians for studying how psychological principles can be applied in creating more productive workplaces. With a strong focus on building the research skills to produce data studying workplace performance to give usable recommendations to managers or executives, the program includes a hands-on master's research project. Students can choose to earn the 36-credit program fully online on their own schedule or on-campus in Phoenix in convenient evening courses.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in General Psychology with an Emphasis in Cognition and Instruction
Offered fully online or through evening courses, the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in General Psychology with an Emphasis in Cognition and Instruction program is geared towards qualified graduate students working in school systems, government agencies, and other instructional settings. Based on an empirical research-based approach, the program encourages doctoral students to explore the most effective methods for teaching and training individuals for optimal learning. In the context of formal education, students in the 60-credit program will examine mental processes, interpret psychological tests, study social factors affecting individual behavior, and apply theories of cognitive psychology to learning.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in General Psychology with an Emphasis in Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Whether doctoral students are working to become staff psychologists, consultants, researchers, or professors at the university level, the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in General Psychology with an Emphasis in Industrial and Organizational Psychology program will open various career opportunities in studying human behavior in the workplace. Based on the principles of business, the program examines how methods of psychology can be applied to talent management, coaching, employee training, hiring, performance assessment, organizational development, and work-life balance. Offered in an online or evening format, students must complete at least 60 credits with a dissertation in their quest to better understanding employee-management relationships.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in General Psychology with an Emphasis in Integrating Technology, Learning, and Psychology
With a unique emphasis in Integrating Technology, Learning, and Psychology, this 60-credit Ph.D. program is designed to give doctoral students the chance to examine the psychological principles of applying technology to individuals, organizations, and communities. As a broad research degree, the program appeals to students seeking to inform research and create solutions for building effective social networks through technological advancement. Unlike most other programs where independent research comes last in the curriculum, GCU allows students to begin the dissertation process from their very first course to consecutively develop the abilities needed to conduct research, write their results, and defend their work.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in General Psychology with an Emphasis in Performance Psychology
Within the Ph.D. in General Psychology program, students have the option to select an emphasis in Performance Psychology to apply psychological theories of emotion, cognition, learning, attention, decision-making, and motivation to better understand peak performance. As a broader degree than its industrial/organizational psychology counterpart, the program examines psychomotor performance, behavior modification, information processing factors, emotion regulation, and performance enhancement with the goal of improving performance conditions in various areas. Students can choose to complete the 60-credit program on-campus during evening hours or online for support through the doctoral journey.
Accreditations
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
3300 West Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85017
(602) 639-8301
Northern Arizona University
Department of Psychological Sciences
Standing proudly on a 740-acre rural campus in sunny Flagstaff with a four-season climate on the Colorado Plateau, Northern Arizona University is a comprehensive four-year public institution committed to teaching, research, and individual engagement for over 26,000 students. Named one of the most popular universities in America by PolicyMic based on its 220% percent admissions growth since 2003, NAU is also considered one of the "Best for Vets" schools by Military Times magazine. Within the College of Education, the Department of Psychological Sciences emphasizes the scientific study of the mind, brain, and behavior to advance the helping profession.
Undergraduate Program
Built around the APA's learning goals, the Undergraduate Program at NAU leads to a bachelor's degree for students developing a broad-based understanding of human behavior from several theoretical perspectives in psychological science. Through coursework, associated laboratory experience, and practical application, the 120-credit program develops essential research method skills to produce critical evaluators and producers of the field's knowledge. For the capstone experience, students can choose to participate in fieldwork, conduct advanced research, complete a senior thesis project, or join a seminar exploring health psychology.
M.A. in Psychology
Based on the underlying principle that all inquiry in psychology is structured by the scientific method, the M.A. in Psychology program is focused on testing theoretical explanations to better understand our behavioral, biological, and cognitive processes. The 36-credit program was founded to train scientific professionals with the ability to serve others ethically, respect human diversity, and disseminate evidence-based knowledge. Students can choose to participate in applied opportunities in health and community psychology, or join the international student exchange program with the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. Through a partnership with Coconino Community College, second-year students can gain teaching practice in real-life classrooms too.
Ed.S. in School Psychology
Approved by the NASP through 2021, the Ed.S. in School Psychology program has been designed to prepare well-qualified school psychologists from a scientist-practitioner approach to carefully assess the learning and behavior problems of school children. With the goal of producing effective consultants for school personnel to improve the learning process, the 72-credit specialist program is intended for graduates seeking certification through the Arizona Department of Education (ADE). In the full-time three-year program, students will complete a year-long internship consisting of at least 1,200 clock hours of professional experience in schools.
Ph.D. in Educational Psychology - Counseling Psychology Emphasis
Due to the growing need for qualified psychologists to facilitate effective personal and interpersonal functioning in various settings, the Ph.D. in Educational Psychology program offers an emphasis in Counseling Psychology. Through a sequential 109-credit curriculum, students will integrate theory, research, and practice into a scientific-practitioner model for systematically analyzing human bases of behavior. The program typically requires at least two years of full-time studies post-master's with a one-year internship and doctoral dissertation.
Ph.D. in Educational Psychology - Learning and Instruction Emphasis
Within the Ph.D. in Educational Psychology program, NAU students can also select a Learning and Instruction Emphasis that seeks to provide a strong foundation in the basic content areas of learning, human development, education, applied psychometrics, and statistical research. This formal specialization is focused on preparing doctoral students to assist educational institutions in bridging the gap between knowledge of educational psychology perspectives and application of theories into improving educational endeavors for students of all ages. In the 91-unit program, students will complete at least four years of full-time coursework beyond the baccalaureate level with two consecutive semesters of residency, college-teaching fieldwork, comprehensive exams, an internship, and a doctoral dissertation with an oral defense.
Ph.D. in Educational Psychology - School Psychology Emphasis
As a 109-credit program, the Ph.D. in Educational Psychology program is offered with an emphasis in School Psychology for students seeking to become well-rounded school psychologists, trainers of other school psychologists, university professors, and/or researchers. Thanks to the ethnocultural diversity of Arizona, the program offers a unique specialty area in working with Native American and Hispanic school children and their families. Graduates will understand the biological, cognitive, affective, and social bases of behavior and human development to serve as licensed school psychologists.
Accreditations
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
National Association of School Psychologist
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
5 East McConnell Drive
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
(928) 523-3063
Prescott College
The Graduate School
As a comprehensive private non-sectarian liberal arts institution founded in 1966, Prescott College educates more than 1,200 students annually from its main 13-acre urban campus. Known for being a member of the Eco League for its environmental sustainability, Prescott is currently ranked as the 75th best regional college and 25th top school for veterans in the West by the U.S. News and World Report. In the Graduate School, students can choose from numerous degree programs with limited residency requirements that offer individualized concentrations, convenient online learning, three-day residencies in Prescott, and credit for prior learning experiences.
Limited-Residency Master of Science in Counseling Psychology
At Prescott College, the Limited-Residency Master of Science in Counseling Psychology program was developed to allow graduate students to discover and develop their own therapeutic qualities while building professional skills for practice. Built on a holistic approach to mental health, the program places a strong emphasis on empowering others and recognizing clients' experiential awareness to implement plans for meaningful change. Within the 60-credit program's student-centered learning environment, students can choose to specialize in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Couple and Family Therapy, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, School Counseling, Addiction Counseling, Expressive Art Therapy, Equine-Assisted Mental Health, Ecopsychology, Somatic Psychology, or Adventure-based Psychotherapy.
Accreditations
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
220 Grove Avenue
Prescott, AZ 86301
(877) 350-2100
University of Arizona
School of Mind, Brain, and Behavior
Declared one of the largest comprehensive four-year public research institutions in its state, the University of Arizona is home for over 40,000 students on its 392-acre urban campus in Tucson surrounded by the high Sonoran desert and boasting over 300 days of sunshine annually. Ranked in the top 10 regionally for the highest graduate salary potential by Payscale, UA is currently named the 121st best college, 58th top public school, and 13th best university for veterans in America by the U.S. News and World Report. Even more importantly, the School of Mind, Brain, and Behavior is acclaimed for having the 40th best graduate psychology degrees.
Undergraduate Program
As one of the largest majors at UA, the Undergraduate Program leads to a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in General Psychology for students to develop a broad-based understanding of the mental structures and processes that underlie human behavior. In the 120-credit curriculum, students blend introductory psychology courses with numerous other disciplines, including social sciences, natural sciences, health-related professions, statistics, fine arts, public policy, and communications. Upon graduation, students will have the critical thinking and analytical skills necessary for applying scientific psychological principles in workplaces or gaining admissions into graduate school.
Graduate Programs in Psychology
As a Research I institution, UA offers Graduate Programs in Psychology to qualified students seeking advanced studies in the four distinct areas of Clinical Psychology, Cognition and Neural Systems (CNS), Ethology and Evolutionary Psychology (EEP), or Social Psychology. In addition, there are also sub-programs available for doctoral students wishing to specialize in Program Evaluation and Research Methods (PERM) or Forensic Psychology. Regardless of the concentration chosen, students will be placed on a five or six-year degree plan to complete a master's degree, pass a comprehensive exam, plan dissertation research, and defend their dissertation. Clinical psychology students will also complete a year-long internship for working with clients suffering from mental health disorders.
Accreditations
American Psychological Association (APA)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
1503 East University Blvd.
Tucson, AZ 85721
(520) 621-7447
University of Phoenix-Arizona
College of Social Sciences
Featuring an open enrollment admissions policy to educate over 260,000 people worldwide, the University of Phoenix is an accredited private for-profit institution wholly owned by Apollo Group Inc. with 112 campuses operated from main headquarters in Tempe. Recognized by the U.S. News and World Report for the 82nd best online bachelor's programs in America, UOPX specializes in delivering distance learning options for working adults in over 100 degrees at all undergraduate and graduate levels. Within the College of Social Sciences, students can choose from several programs designed to meet the growing demand for qualified professionals making a difference in other people's lives.
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Ideal for students who enjoy working closely with other people and gaining insight into the complex human mind, the Bachelor of Science in Psychology program at UOPX is focused on delivering a solid foundation in the mental and emotional processes that underlie behaviors for post-graduate study in many professional areas. Within the 120-credit curriculum, courses are structured to develop supervisors, educators, managers, human services workers, and other professionals with enhanced understanding of human psychology. Boasting small average class sizes of just 15 students, the program offers convenient learning options online or on-campus in Phoenix, Tucson, Tempe, and Yuma.
Master of Science in Psychology
Centered on digging into the question of what lies beneath the surface of people's behaviors and social interactions, the Master of Science in Psychology program is designed to promote scientific studies through valuable research to solve our society's biggest problems. Though it does not qualify students for state licensure as psychologists, the program offers a solid general psychology foundation to unlock diverse career opportunities and doctoral degree eligibility. Students take courses in communication, developmental psychology, psychopathology, personality, cognitive psychology, professional ethics, research methods, multiculturalism, statistics, learning, psychometrics, and physiological psychology before an integrative capstone.
Master of Science in Psychology with Concentration in Behavioral Health
With the purpose of providing graduate students with a deeper understanding of the mind-body connection, the Master of Science in Psychology offers a Concentration in Behavioral Health built around the biopsychosocial model of scientific study. Students will focus on examining the interaction between biological, social, behavioral, and psychological factors that affect efforts designed to promote wellness. In the 48-credit curriculum, students are offered the chance to explore links between socioeconomic status and chronic illness, identify effective coping strategies for reducing stress, review health psychology theories, and evaluate current evidence-based intervention strategies for improvement.
Master of Science in Psychology with Concentration in Industrial-Organizational Psychology
In a unique collaboration with the School of Advanced Studies (SAS), the Master of Science in Psychology program at UOPX also provides a Concentration in Industrial-Organizational Psychology for graduate students interested in studying the way group dynamics impacts the productivity and culture of a workplace. Students delve into the psychology of human behavior to examine how employees interact, what inspires employees to perform well, how motivation boosts morale, and what strategies enhance teamwork. Whether on-campus or online, the program will include 48 credits in preparation for applying psychological principles to solving human resources, management, sales, and marketing problems in business.
Accreditations
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
1625 West Fountainhead Parkway
Tempe, AZ 85282
(866) 766-0766
Overall, psychology is a general major that closely explores the scientific research behind individual and collective human behavior. While a sizable portion of psychology majors choose to earn a doctoral degree that allows them to analyze and treat mental health disorders, there are numerous other career opportunities available that you may be unaware of. Psychology degree programs can be used as the basis for entering any industry involving people, including education, criminal justice, counseling, healthcare, advertising, human resources, business, manufacturing, medicine, law, and more. Consider attending one of these top-notch psychology degree programs in Arizona to start unleashing your full potential and making your career dreams become a reality.
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