Mississippi offers numerous psychology graduate programs, designed to prepare students for research, clinical practice, and academic careers. These programs combine coursework with practical experience, equipping graduates for careers in academia, healthcare, and community settings.
Key universities with popular psychology graduate programs in Mississippi include Mississippi State University, the University of Southern Mississippi, Belhaven University, the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), Jackson State University, Purdue Global, and Arizona State University Online.
In this guide, we will discuss psychology graduate programs offered by these universities, covering various specializations, course formats, and admission requirements.
Best Psychology Graduate Programs in Mississippi
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering psychology graduate programs in Mississippi:
- Mississippi State University
- University of Southern Mississippi
- Belhaven University
- University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)
- Jackson State University
- Purdue Global
- Arizona State University Online
- Grand Canyon University
- The Chicago School
To find out how we select colleges and universities, please click here.
Mississippi State University
Master of Science In Educational Psychology – Applied Behavior Analysis
You can pursue a master’s program in educational psychology with a focus on applied behavior analysis (ABA) at Mississippi State University. This program aims to equip you with the skills to use learning principles for meaningful changes in social behavior. The coursework in this program is approved by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI), qualifying you to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam.
If you wish to improve lives by applying treatment methods based on behavior and learning, supported by data analysis, this program fits your goals. You will receive the necessary coursework, supervised practice, and guidance to prepare for the BCBA certification.
This program offers training opportunities both at the university and in the community, supporting students studying full-time or part-time. You will learn how to apply ABA-based interventions, teaching new skills and reducing problematic behaviors in individuals with disabilities such as autism, Down syndrome, and intellectual disabilities. Additionally, you will gain experience conducting research in ABA.
To earn your Master of Science in Educational Psychology with an ABA concentration, you must:
- Complete at least 40 credit hours, including 10 core educational psychology credits, 24 ABA concentration credits, and 6 credits from practicum courses. Additional practicum options are available each semester, but only 6 credits (two semesters) are required.
- Successfully pass a comprehensive master’s exam.
Your core courses will include:
- Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis
- Applications of Behavior Analysis
- Social-Emotional and Behavioral Assessment
- Experimental Analysis of Behavior
- Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis
- Legal and Ethical Issues in Behavior Analysis
- Single Subject Design
- Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum.
Practicum courses, each worth 3 credit hours, are optional but offer approved clinical experiences in ABA. Faculty will help you find a suitable practicum site near your location if you choose to participate.
After graduation, you will be able to:
- Apply core behavior analysis knowledge.
- Define key aspects of applied behavior analysis.
- Conduct behavior assessments, including functional behavior analysis and skill-based assessments.
- Review behavior analytic research using single-subject experimental designs.
- Implement assessments to promote positive social behavior changes.
- Follow the Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts.
- Use your ABA skills and research abilities in settings such as education, social services, organizations, and health care.
To apply, you must:
- Submit an online application, selecting Educational Psychology as your major and Online Education as your campus.
- Provide a Statement of Purpose.
- Arrange for three letters of recommendation by submitting the names and emails of your references. Once you apply, Mississippi State University will email your recommenders a link to upload their letters by the deadline.
- International students must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.
- Submit one official transcript showing your bachelor’s degree or progress toward it. International students should include both native language and translated copies if necessary.
- Provide one official transcript for all post-bachelor’s work. International students should also provide native language and translated versions if required.
University of Southern Mississippi
Master of Science (MS) in Counseling Psychology
The counseling psychology master’s program at the University of Southern Mississippi aims to give you the knowledge, attitudes, and skills needed to become a skilled professional counselor or to pursue further graduate studies. This program trains you to use psychological science to support accurate diagnosis and evidence-based treatments that align with Counseling Psychology’s principles, helping you serve clients, communities, and the profession well.
The MS. in Counseling Psychology is accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC).
This full-time program requires 60 credit hours over two years. You will start as part of a cohort in the Fall semester only, completing your internship in the second summer semester. Only in rare cases will you follow a different schedule. Part-time enrollment is not offered.
You are expected to attend classes on campus throughout the week, with sessions in both day and evening. In addition to classes, you will take part in research, meetings, clinical work, and other program-related activities scheduled during the week.
Supervised clinical practice and the integration of research into practice are included in every student’s experience, supporting a true scientist-practitioner training model. The master’s program focuses on four main goals:
- You will demonstrate skill in evidence-based treatment and assessment methods.
- You will appreciate how diversity influences the science and practice of counseling.
- You will be competent consumers of psychological science.
- You will show professionalism through your connection to counseling psychology and your mastery of skills necessary for success as a practitioner or doctoral student.
This MPCAC-accredited program offers courses selected to provide you with top-quality training. The curriculum prepares you to seek licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and to build a foundation for doctoral studies. You will study core areas like Neuropsychology, Development, Research and Statistics, and Counseling Theories and Approaches. You will need 60 credit hours total, including about 3-6 elective credits in your chosen focus.
In addition to licensure preparation, this program trains you to understand psychological science deeply. You will take research and statistics courses, and many other courses will include research training. Clinical training involves instruction and applying evidence-based therapy with an emphasis on linking science and practice. Some students may also join faculty research teams when opportunities match their goals.
You will receive clinical training in evidence-based interventions across different populations (children to older adults), settings (inpatient, outpatient, schools), and issues (psychiatric needs, substance misuse, professional growth, sexual addiction). Licensed professionals supervise your training at community sites.
Your clinical training starts in your first semester with pre-practicum experiences built into courses. In your second year, you will be placed at an external behavioral health agency employing licensed mental health professionals. You will complete a 100-hour practicum in your second fall and a 600-hour internship over the following spring and summer semesters. Additional training may be offered to further enhance your clinical skills. These experiences integrate practice and research, supporting the scientist-practitioner model.
Community training sites give you experience working with diverse clients and professionals, preparing you for independent practice. Many sites have offered jobs to program graduates. Internship opportunities change yearly based on supervisor availability, including:
- Pine Belt Mental Health, serving Hattiesburg and nearby areas, with placements focused on adult and residential substance use, and child/adolescent mental health.
- Pine Grove / Forrest General Hospital, providing training in adult inpatient care, women’s residential substance use and eating disorders, men’s residential substance use, treatment for impaired professionals, and sex and love addiction.
- University of Mississippi Medical Center, offering training and supervision focused on children and families.
Applications are due March 1st. Late applications will not be accepted. The university does not require GRE scores for graduate applications.
Along with the standard graduate application, you will need to submit:
- Transcripts
- Three letters of recommendation (preferably from faculty familiar with your academic work)
- A CV or resume
- A personal statement addressing two topics (one page each):
- Professional Goals: Explain your professional goals, any particular interests (such as client groups or settings), and how the Counseling Psychology program will help you reach these goals. (Research interests should only be included if you intend to pursue research during graduate studies.)
- Strengths & Areas for Growth: Describe your professional and academic strengths and areas where you want to improve relevant to Counseling Psychology.
A bachelor’s degree in psychology is preferred but not required. If your degree is in another field, you may want to take some undergraduate psychology courses before starting graduate study. There are no prerequisite classes required to begin the program, but you must show understanding of behavioral statistics before taking graduate courses in that area.
Graduate Assistantship (GA) positions may be available to some master’s students. These are competitive and require separate applications after admission. Successful GA students receive a nine-month stipend, tuition scholarship for Fall and Spring semesters, and graduate student health insurance. Details about available positions and applications are provided to admitted students.
Belhaven University
Online Master of Arts in Counseling
If you are motivated by a desire to help others and interested in mental health challenges, you may find a career in counseling suitable for you. Belhaven University’s online Master of Arts in Counseling is designed for adult learners like yourself, offering flexibility and knowledge to prepare you for a rewarding career in counseling.
You can adjust your studies to meet your career objectives by choosing specializations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, or selecting the General Counseling path for a personalized approach.
The 60-credit hour online master’s program follows the standards of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) as required by the Mississippi LPC Board for Licensure. This curriculum offers the coursework you need to pursue licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Mississippi.
A major benefit of this counseling master’s program is its flexibility. As a graduate, you may specialize in different areas, each offering varied work settings, earning potential, and types of clients. You may focus on Mental Health Counseling, Couples and Family Counseling, Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling, Community Counseling, Trauma Counseling, or Career Counseling.
This online Master of Arts in Counseling degree includes three specializations, each consisting of 20 courses, making a total of 60 credit hours. Each specialization includes 12 credit hours, which count toward the 60 credit hours required for the degree. All three paths qualify you for LPC licensure in Mississippi.
Core courses of the program include:
- Professional Orientation to Counseling and Ethics
- Advanced Ethics and Professional Issues in Counseling
- Abnormal Psychology and Psychopathology
- Human Growth and Development
- Lifestyle and Career Development
- Substance Use Disorders: Diagnosis and Treatment
- Social and Cultural Foundations
- Research and Evaluation
- Counseling and Psychotherapy Skills
- Marriage and Family Counseling
- Theories of Counseling, Psychotherapy, and Personality
- Group Counseling
You will take part in a supervised, planned, and practical advanced experience in a clinical environment. This hands-on training will let you observe and apply the methods, principles, and techniques you learn during your courses and education.
During the Counseling Practicum, you must complete 100 hours, including 40 hours working face-to-face with clients, weekly individual supervision, and weekly group supervision. In the Internship, you will complete 300 hours, which include 120 hours of direct client contact, weekly supervision from an approved or faculty supervisor, and weekly group supervision.
Most coursework is online, and you will attend two brief residencies. This format allows you to pursue your degree while keeping your current job without sacrificing quality. Although internships are essential, this program tries to reduce interruptions to your work life.
You will start with a week-long residency on the Belhaven University campus in Jackson, Mississippi. A second residency happens in your second year, giving you more chances to network, work with classmates, and meet professors. These sessions improve your learning experience.
Besides the annual week-long residency, your coursework will follow a seven-week online or live synchronous format. Occasionally, you can interact with professors via live Zoom sessions, balancing your education and busy schedule.
To apply, you need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college. Your undergraduate GPA must be at least 3.0. Alternatively, you may be admitted if you completed nine graduate credit hours with a grade of “B” or higher in each course. You do not need a degree or minor in psychology or related fields. The GRE is not required for admission to the counseling program.
Mississippi State University
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
Mississippi State University (MSU) offers a Ph.D. degree in Clinical Psychology . This program prepares you for a career in academia or as a clinical practitioner informed by scientific research.
The curriculum focuses on recent theoretical and empirical developments in clinical psychology. Your coursework will include research methods, statistics, theories and assessments of mental disorders, psychological interventions, and the completion of a master’s thesis and doctoral dissertation.
MSU’s Clinical Program emphasizes both research and clinical training. Since your career goals may change during your studies, the program offers opportunities to excel in scientific investigation, clinical practice, and teaching. You will be guided as you make decisions about your career path.
The program holds accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA). The program’s goals meet APA standards:
- Goal 1: You will gain broad knowledge in psychology, including social, biological, developmental, cognitive and affective aspects of behavior, and the history of the field. You will use theory and research literature to guide your studies and clinical work.
- Goal 2: You will be prepared to conduct independent research, have a solid grasp of research methods and statistics, present your findings clearly, write manuscripts as first author, and understand the publishing process.
- Goal 3: You will provide and supervise evidence-based clinical services. You will assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of client issues, use research-based assessments, interpret and write integrated reports, and guide other clinicians through teaching and supervision.
- Goal 4: You will practice ethically, respect diversity, and be self-aware. You will work effectively with clients from diverse backgrounds, follow professional ethics, and maintain your competence through self-care and ongoing learning.
Your coursework will provide a foundation in clinical psychology research and practice that you will apply in lab and clinical placements. The classes cover research, psychopathology, assessment, intervention, and ethics. The program is designed to meet multiple training requirements while allowing you flexibility.
You must spend at least four years in full-time residence at MSU, usually in Starkville, Mississippi, before applying for your internship. This ensures you receive the necessary training, supervision, and evaluation, and complies with APA rules.
The Clinical Program strongly supports your development in clinical science, including:
- Critically evaluating scientific and clinical literature and practices,
- Understanding the scientific method,
- Knowing research on child, family, and adult psychopathology and treatment,
- Using various statistical methods,
- Conducting independent scientific research.
You must complete online training on human subjects, including the HIPAA module, at the start of the program and renew it as required.
Four research tasks are part of your training: continuous research involvement, a Master’s thesis, a Manuscript Submission Examination, and a Dissertation with final oral defense.
You are expected to spend at least 10 hours weekly on research during the academic year. You will work closely with a mentor who will meet with you weekly, evaluate your progress yearly, and provide feedback. This mentor usually supervises your teaching unless you take a teaching practicum.
You must complete a Master’s thesis showing independent research skills within three years. A thesis proposal should be ready by November 10 of your second year, with defense by August 1st of your third year.
The Doctoral Comprehensive Examination includes the Manuscript Exam Paper (MEP). This tests your ability to conduct and publish independent research, preparing you for your dissertation. You must submit an empirical study to a peer-reviewed journal and defend this process before a faculty committee. You should pass the MEP by October 1st of the internship application year.
Your Dissertation requires original empirical research. You must propose it successfully to your Dissertation committee by October 1st of your internship application year. Defending your proposal is required for internship readiness.
You will participate in formal practicum training from your first year. You must enroll in practicum in the summer after your first year and continue practicum, seeing clients, until you complete required hours and assessments.
Later in the program, practicum training will take place at various external sites. You must complete at least one practicum rotation outside the MSU Psychology Clinic.
Required coursework and milestones of the program include:
- Stats/Research Courses
- Quantitative Methods II
- Quantitative Methods III
- Research Methods
- Research in Psychology
- Core Clinical Courses
- Intelligence Testing
- Personality Appraisal
- Psychopathology
- Ethics and Professional Issues
- Systems of Psychotherapy
- Behavior Therapy
- Diversity in Applied Psychology
- Professional Practicum
- Scientist/Practitioner Applications (S&P)
- Internship
- Foundation Courses
- Biological Psychology
- Social Developmental Psychology
- Issues in Cognitive Psychology
- History of Modern Psychology
- Clinical Milestones
- Begin Internal Practicum (First year, Summer)
- Voted Ready for External Practicum (First Year, Spring)
- Reach 400 Therapy hours/100 Assessment Hours/8 Comprehensive Assessments
(internship application year, 10/1 deadline) - Permitted to Apply for Internship
- Match for internship (internship application year, Spring)
- Internship Completed
- Research Milestones
- Thesis Proposal (second year, 11/10 deadline)
- Thesis Defense (end of third year, 8/1 deadline)
- Comprehensive Examination Proposal (MEP) (third year, 10/1 deadline)
- Comprehensive Examination Initial Submission (third year, 01/14 deadline)
- Comprehensive Examination Passed (internship application year, 10/1 deadline)
- Dissertation Proposal (internship application year, 10/1 deadline)
- Admitted to Doctoral Candidacy
- Dissertation Defense
You must register for 13 credits during each fall and spring semester from your first year until the beginning of your internship year. After enrolling in all required courses offered for your current year, you should complete 13 credits by adding thesis or dissertation work, practicum hours, and electives as needed.
You are expected to spend at least 10 hours per week on research throughout the entire program. You are also strongly encouraged to propose and defend your research projects before deadlines, in addition to working on extra research.
You must continuously enroll in practicum courses, taking between 1 and 4 credits each semester, starting after you complete your first year’s spring semester. During your internship year, you must register for Internship in the fall semester and again for two additional semesters—either spring and summer or spring and fall—depending on when you complete your internship.
To earn your Ph.D., you must finish a predoctoral internship and provide proof to the Clinical Program. This internship usually takes place at a site not directly connected to MSU and requires a separate application. Most internships are located remotely.
Admission Requirements
Admission prerequisites include general Graduate School requirements and undergraduate courses such as statistics and experimental psychology. You must have taken abnormal psychology course and are encouraged to complete courses in biological, developmental, social, cognitive psychology, and history and systems of psychology.
You may be admitted without completing all undergraduate courses but must complete any missing requirements quickly.
To apply, you must submit three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. If your GPA is below 3.00, you may be admitted provisionally if other evidence (such as publications, work experience, or recent strong grades) suggests your ability to succeed in graduate studies.
If admitted provisionally, you must earn a 3.00 GPA or higher in your first 9 graduate credit hours at MSU, with no grade below C, to change to regular status. Credits earned with an S grade, transfer credits, or credits earned while in Unclassified status do not count toward this. Failure to meet this standard will result in dismissal.
GRE scores are optional for all applicants. Students with modest GPAs may find it helpful to submit GRE scores.
Because psychologists often work with vulnerable individuals, all doctoral students undergo background checks soon after admission during MSU employment processing. If any issues arise, the Director of Clinical Training will discuss your status and determine if you can continue in the program.
Can You Become a Psychologist With a Master’s in Mississippi?
No, in Mississippi, you cannot become a licensed psychologist with only a master’s degree. To practice as a licensed psychologist in Mississippi, you must have a doctoral degree and meet specific professional requirements set by the Mississippi Board of Psychology.
Contact Us
Privacy Policy