Arkansas offers numerous psychology graduate programs, designed to prepare students for research, clinical practice, and academic careers. Key universities with popular psychology graduate programs in Arkansas include Arkansas State University, Harding University, University of Central Arkansas, University of Arkansas, Arkansas Tech University, and Purdue Global.
In this guide, we will discuss popular psychology graduate programs offered by these universities, covering various specializations, course formats, and admission requirements.
Best Psychology Graduate Programs in Arkansas
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering psychology graduate programs in Arkansas:
- Arkansas State University
- Harding University
- University of Central Arkansas
- University of Arkansas
- Pepperdine University
- Purdue Global
- Arizona State University Online
- Southern New Hampshire University
To find out how we select colleges and universities, please click here.
Arkansas State University
School Psychology – Specialist in Education (Ed.S.)
The NASP accredited school psychology program at Arkansas State University requires you to complete 67-72 credit hours. This program prepares you to become a professional school psychology specialist or school psychologist who meets the highest standards for providing school psychology services in PreK-12 settings. You will work with students, parents, educators, and other service providers to address students’ educational and mental health needs.
Upon completing the program, you become eligible to take the Praxis II School Psychology Specialty Examination to obtain licensure as a School Psychology Specialist through the Arkansas Department of Education and to seek licensure in other states.
During the program, you will receive education and training in ten NASP 2020 domains, including:
- Data-Based Decision Making
- Consultation & Collaboration
- Academic Interventions and Instructional Supports
- Mental and Behavioral Health Services and Interventions
- School-Wide Practices to Promote Learning
- Services to Promote Safe and Supportive Schools
- Family, School, and Community Collaboration
- Equitable Practices for Diverse Student Populations
- Research and Evidence-Based Practice
- Legal, Ethical, and Professional Practice
You may choose to complete a six-hour thesis in psychology in addition to the minimum 64 semester hours required for the degree. The thesis topic must be approved by your thesis committee.
You must complete a supervised internship of at least 1200 clock hours, with a minimum of 600 hours in a school setting. You are responsible for securing your internship, with assistance and approval from your committee and assigned faculty. A signed Supervised Internship Agreement or Memorandum of Understanding must be finalized before beginning the internship.
You must complete a written comprehensive examination, which includes the Praxis School Psychologist exam, during your final academic year, typically in the fall semester of PSY 782V Supervised Internship. Based on your performance, the committee will recommend graduation, additional coursework, retaking the exam, or dismissal from the program as outlined by Graduate Programs.
To be admitted, you must demonstrate professional qualities appropriate for success in academic and practice settings. Along with Graduate School requirements, you must submit:
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended
- A statement of educational and career goals
- Four letters of recommendation, including two from former professors, using the program’s recommendation form
- If invited, participate in an interview with the degree committee
You must hold an earned bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited institution to apply. Submit your application to Graduate Admissions by February 15 to be considered for fall entry. A $30 non-refundable application fee is required, payable to Arkansas State University. Your application will be held until payment is received.
To be eligible for admission, you must demonstrate professional qualities and academic readiness for advanced study. The admission committee will assess your written statement, recommendations, interview, and academic records.
You may be admitted unconditionally if you meet one of the following academic criteria:
- A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.00, or 3.25 in the last 60 undergraduate credits
- Unconditional admission to Graduate Programs, with a graduate GPA of 3.25 in at least 12 graduate credit hours, with no grade below “B”
Conditional admission may be granted if you meet one of these:
- A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75, or 3.00 in the last 60 undergraduate credits
- Unconditional graduate admission, with a graduate GPA of 3.00 in at least 12 graduate credit hours, with no more than one grade of “C” and no grade below “C”
If admitted conditionally, you must earn a graduate GPA of 3.25 in your next 12 credit hours and receive no grade below “B” to advance to unconditional status. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the program.
You will undergo an annual review to assess your academic performance and professional qualities. Students earning a grade of “C” will receive additional scrutiny. Outcomes of the review may include continued enrollment, conditional continuation, suspension, or removal from the program.
You must obtain approval from your advisor or program committee before registering for practicum and internship courses. To qualify, you must complete all prerequisites and demonstrate readiness for clinical practice.
You become eligible for the comprehensive examination (Praxis School Psychologist exam) when you have a graduate GPA of 3.00 overall, have completed your required coursework with a GPA of 3.00, and are enrolled in PSY 782V Supervised Internship.
You become eligible for graduation after meeting all coursework and GPA requirements, and passing the comprehensive exam.
Harding University
Master of Science in Marriage and Family Counseling
The 60-hour Marriage and Family Counseling degree at Harding University prepares you with advanced knowledge and skills to become a leader and practitioner in the field of marriage, couple, and family counseling/psychotherapy.
During the program, you will practice applying current counseling principles in real-world settings through practicum and internship experiences. You will be equipped with strategies such as systemic, cognitive, affective, or behavioral interventions that focus on wellness, personal growth, crisis, and mental health, including pathology.
This program provides training in marriage, couple, and family counseling with emphasis on advanced family systems, the current DSM, individual and group counseling, relational counseling, addictions, crisis, and trauma. You will gain competency through classroom learning and field experiences in advanced counseling/psychotherapy practice.
The program integrates clinical training with a strong foundation in systemic therapy, preparing you to address relational and emotional issues within families and couples. You will develop expertise in conducting assessments, creating treatment plans, and delivering therapeutic interventions that promote healing and resilience.
This degree can lead you to professional credentialing as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in most states. It can also qualify you for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Arkansas, and prepare you for professional counseling in settings such as school-based mental health, community, clinical mental health, private practice, and ministry.
Upon completion, you will be eligible to take the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AAMFTRB) Exam and the National Counselor Examination (NCE) by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). You can also join professional organizations such as the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), American Counseling Association (ACA), and American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA).
You will complete the following core courses:
- Practical Use of the DSM
- Counseling Theories
- Techniques of Counseling
- Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling
- The Counseling Professional: Identity, Organization, & Orientation
- Career Counseling
- Individual and Group Assessment
- Crisis, Abuse, & Trauma Counseling
- Advanced Human Growth & Development
- Group Counseling
- Multicultural Counseling
- Practicum: Marriage, Family, and Mental Health Counseling
- Research Methods
You will also take the following program specific courses:
- Human Sexuality and Sex Counseling
- General Systems Theories
- Postmodern and Communication Based Models of Counseling
- Relational Counseling
- Modern Models of Counseling
- Internship: Marriage, Family, and Mental Health Counseling
If you seek dual licensure as both LMFT and LPC in Arkansas or other states, you are encouraged to take COUN 6120 – Addictions Counseling as an elective. This course is part of the program, but not required for the Master of Science in Marriage and Family Counseling.
Throughout various counseling settings, this Master of Science program prepares you to excel in mental health roles, offering therapy to individuals, couples, and families in community mental health centers, outpatient clinics, and substance abuse treatment facilities.
To earn this degree, you must complete (1) core coursework, (2) written comprehensive exams, and (3) an oral interview. This 60-hour program meets the core requirements defined by CACREP, and includes courses, practicum, and internship components set by COAMFTE to meet state licensure rules.
Unlike many programs offering online or part-time options, this program is a full-time, cohort-based experience. You will receive all clinical and supervisory hours needed, so you won’t need to arrange your own. Being part of a cohort means you will have peers for support, study partners, and collaborators for case consultation. The program starts once per year in August, where you will join a group of students whom you will get to know through classes and practicum throughout the program.
You will apply your learning directly with real-life clients, receiving weekly supervision on those cases. To complete the program, you must log a minimum of 300 face-to-face client contact hours, including at least 100 hours with family or relational clients.
Admission requirements include:
- Completing the online application.
- Requesting official transcripts be sent directly from previous institutions.
- Providing three letters of recommendation.
- Uploading your Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) immunization record.
- Uploading a current resume.
- Completing a personal interview with mental health and wellness faculty.
- Signing a limitations understanding form.
University of Central Arkansas
Ph.D Counseling Psychology
The APA-accredited Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology program at University of Central Arkansas (UCA) typically requires five years to complete, totaling 120 credit hours. You will spend four years in full-time coursework at UCA, followed by a full-time professional psychology internship in the fifth year. Upon graduation, you will be prepared to provide evidence-based assessment and treatment services and conduct research in clinical and university settings.
The credit hours cover requirements for Arkansas licensure, including coursework in Psychological Foundations, Research Methods and Statistics, and Professional Practice. If you have completed some of these courses in other graduate programs, you may request to waive certain requirements.
This program promotes integration of science and practice in all professional behavior. The core faculty share the belief that research should guide both practice and decision-making. While you will be exposed to various theoretical views, the main focus remains on basing your professional work on research. Required coursework, a dissertation, and practical experiences all emphasize combining theory, practice, and research.
The program aims to prepare you to provide evidence-based psychological services and conduct research in both clinical and academic settings. The curriculum includes foundational psychology courses, specialized counseling psychology courses, professional practice, counseling practicum, independent dissertation research, and a one-year professional internship.
You are expected to:
- Develop a counseling psychology identity grounded in serving others through positive relationships and professional skill
- Acquire generalist skills to practice psychology in diverse settings, considering contextual and multicultural factors
- Become a scientist-practitioner engaging in evidence-based practice and contributing to psychological research
As a counseling psychologist, you will be competent to work in healthcare systems, academia, and other relevant settings. You will respect diversity and integrate science and practice to promote health while serving individuals across various community environments.
The program is designed for full-time study. If you need to enroll part-time, you must submit a written request before the semester to the Counseling Psychology Director of Training and Department Chair.
If you enter the program with a bachelor’s degree, you must pass a master’s comprehensive examination. If you have a master’s degree in a counseling-related field, the Counseling Psychology Committee will decide if you need to take the UCA master’s exam, depending on your case.
Before applying for your internship, you must pass the doctoral qualifying exam. This exam assesses your knowledge in key areas essential for competent counseling psychology practice. While some topics are covered in master’s exams, this exam tests your mastery of counseling psychology concepts and their application. You may take this exam in April of your third year.
You are expected to participate in research throughout your doctoral studies. The faculty view research skill development as a gradual process, starting with basics and advancing to complex methods. The first four-course research sequence begins in your first semester and covers conceptual and practical knowledge of univariate and multivariate analysis across different research designs.
Later, you will take a Doctoral Research Seminar (P7141), a three-semester course where you define your research interests and develop independent projects. As you gain experience, you will progress toward conducting your dissertation.
After starting dissertation enrollment (P9310), you must continue taking this course for a total of nine hours. This sequence leads to your proposal defense and dissertation defense. If your dissertation is not complete after nine hours, you must enroll in P9110 (one-hour course) each semester (Fall, Spring, and once in Summer) until you successfully defend your dissertation.
You are required to successfully defend your dissertation proposal before applying for your internship.
Practicum is a key part of your graduate training. You must also complete practicum requirements before applying for your internship and before earning your degree. There are two introductory practica (C6381 and C6382) and four doctoral practica (P7665). All practicum experiences must take place at approved sites.
You must complete at least 800 hours of supervised practicum, with at least 100 hours for each of C6381 and C6382, and 150 hours for each P7365 practicum. Most students complete more than the minimum required 800 hours.
To apply for the doctoral program, you must meet Graduate School requirements and specific program criteria. Submit all application materials by January 15 for Fall admission.
Required application materials include:
- Online Graduate School Admission Application.
- Official transcripts of all previous college coursework.
- Official GRE General Test scores.
- Three letters of recommendation from professors or professionals who can attest to your academic and professional potential.
- A 500-word essay describing your career path, motivations, strengths, limitations, and intended impact.
- Current resume or curriculum vitae.
For students who have completed some graduate work at other universities, the program may allow the transfer of some graduate credit applicable to the doctoral work at UCA.
University of Arkansas
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
The Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology at the University of Arkansas follows the scientist-practitioner model of training. You will be trained to become a mental health service provider who uses scientific knowledge and also a researcher informed by clinical experience.
Since many graduates seek direct service roles, the program emphasizes developing competent clinicians. At the same time, students with research interests that align with faculty expertise are actively recruited and intensively trained.
Your academic coursework, clinical practica, and research training will develop your skills in both clinical work and scientific research. The goal is to prepare you to apply psychological theories, research methods, and clinical skills to solve complex problems and work effectively with diverse populations.
The program takes a generalist approach to clinical training. You will receive broad instruction covering a wide range of skills, therapeutic methods, settings, and client groups. The curriculum focuses strongly on evidence-based assessment and intervention. During your clinical practica, supervised by experienced faculty, you will gain practical skills while being introduced to various theoretical orientations, all grounded in empirical research.
Your research training will be guided by faculty mentors within their ongoing research programs. This mentor-apprentice model influences student recruitment and training. You will become a critical consumer and contributor to clinical psychology research. Coursework covers diverse research methods, but you will also conduct focused research projects with your faculty advisor.
Scientist-practitioner training is integrated consistently throughout your graduate career. Each semester balances coursework, practicum, and research tasks to develop both your clinical and scientific skills. Faculty encourage this blend and demonstrate how clinical practice and research knowledge inform each other.
You will also benefit from working alongside advanced students in practicum and research teams, where you will learn to conceptualize cases, improve assessment skills, design research, and prepare academic presentations.
This program is highly selective, with 100-200 applications each year but only 4-6 students admitted. Training emphasizes learning about clinical research, conducting research, and applying research in clinical settings. Most students spend 4-5 years on campus plus a one-year predoctoral internship to finish the Ph.D.
Admissions consider several factors: your previous research experience, potential for scholarship, compatibility with faculty mentors, letters of recommendation, quality of your undergraduate institution, GPA, and interpersonal skills for clinical work with diverse clients.
If invited to interview, you will undergo an online background check, including criminal and sex offender registry checks. Any findings of convictions or pending cases will be reviewed by the Clinical Training Committee, department Chair, and university officials. Details are in the department handbook and application materials.
Most admitted students have psychology degrees, but those without one must have taken key psychology courses, including learning, research methods, and statistics. If you hold a Master’s degree, you may apply to waive the thesis requirement if you completed an empirical thesis.
All admitted students must take core clinical courses, and waivers for non-core courses can be requested following department procedures. This ensures the quality of your training.
After submitting your Graduate School application, you will receive an Application Portal to pay fees, upload materials, complete the Department of Psychological Science Application, and manage recommendation letters.
Your Ph.D. application must include:
- Department of Psychological Science Application (available in the portal).
- Unofficial transcripts (upload in the portal).
- Resume/CV with relevant achievements (upload in the portal).
- Statement of Purpose (upload in the portal), including:
• Career goals
• Fit with University of Arkansas training program
• Research interests and goals
• Faculty fit - Three Letters of Recommendation (manage in the portal).
- Writing Sample (optional; upload if available).
- Official GRE scores (optional; unofficial can be uploaded; official sent to university).
Can You Become a Psychologist With a Master’s in Arkansas?
No, in Arkansas, you cannot become a licensed psychologist with only a master’s degree. To practice as a licensed psychologist in Arkansas, you must have a doctoral degree and meet specific professional requirements set by the Arkansas Board of Psychology.
Contact Us
Privacy Policy