As the name indicates, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have traditionally educated black Americans. HBCUs were established prior to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which officially ended segregated schooling in the United States.
Today, HBCUs are a source of education and training not just for black Americans, but students of any race. And while HBCUs are mostly in the deep southern United States, there are options from Arkansas to Washington, D.C., Florida to Kentucky.
Many HBCUs have accredited graduate programs in psychology, too. This gives you a range of options when choosing the school where you’ll get your education.
HBCU Psychology Graduate Programs
Listed below are some of the popular HBCU schools offering psychology graduate programs:
- Howard University, Washington
- Coppin State University, Maryland
- Jackson State University, Mississippi
- Delaware State University, Delaware
- Fayetteville State University, North Carolina
- Tennessee State University, Tennessee
- Hampton University, Virginia
- University of Arkansas, Arkansas
- Florida Memorial University, Florida
Howard University
Howard University was founded in 1867 in Washington, D.C., shortly after the Civil War. Back then, the school consisted of one single-frame building. Today, though, the campus encompasses hundreds of acres between its main campus and satellite campuses. Throughout the years, Howard, which is a private, non-profit school, has built a reputation as one of the best HBCUs in the nation.
While Howard is perhaps best known for its medical and law schools, there are a dozen other schools and colleges, each of which offers high-level studies, including STEM, finance, social work, and of course, psychology. Regardless of your field of study, you’ll find dedicated faculty and staff whose mission is to enhance your ability to get a quality education and prepare for a productive career.
Psychology Graduate Programs
With five different concentrations for its Ph.D. in Psychology, Howard University offers you a wealth of options for specializing your training. And since Howard was among the first HBCUs to establish psychology programs, you’ll benefit from its long-standing reputation for high-quality psychology graduates.
Each of the concentrations requires about five years of study. During that time, you will participate in rigorous coursework, independent research, and you’ll also get real-world experience during practicum and internship opportunities. You can choose from the following specializations:
- Clinical Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Neuropsychology
- Personality Psychology
- School Psychology
In each case, you must study in residence at Howard – remote studies are not an option. What’s more, each of these specializations is a full-time program, so you must commit to full-time studies and cannot work outside of the program.
You can begin the admissions process by filling out an online psychology graduate school application. A
Coppin State University
Founded in 1900 in Baltimore, Maryland, Coppin State is an HBCU that began as a teacher’s college for African-American students. The school has grown significantly since then, and while educating future teachers is still part of Coppin State’s offerings, you can study many other subjects, psychology among them.
In fact, there are dozens of programs available at the undergraduate and graduate levels. As a graduate student, you can explore a degree in biochemistry, criminal justice, or nursing, to name a few options.
Regardless of your course of study, you will enjoy a student-to-teacher ratio that’s just 10-to-1. With class sizes that small, you will have plentiful opportunities to get to know your classmates and your professors. Those connections can help you get more out of your education and can provide fruitful networking opportunities after graduation as well.
Psychology Graduate Programs
Coppin State’s Master of Science in Addiction Counseling is a highly specific specialization, and one that’s in high demand, too. With millions of people struggling with addiction, getting an education in this field is a smart career move. Of course, the knowledge and skills you gain while studying at Coppin State can help you save the lives of people embroiled in addiction.
This 39-credit program can be completed in about two years of full-time studies. Of those 39 credits, 27 are required core courses, and 12 are electives. You will take classes like:
- Research Methods in Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Advanced Individual and Group Counseling, Diagnosis, and Assessment of the Addicted Client
- Seminar in Physiological and Psycho-Social Aspects of Alcoholism and Other Addictions
- Seminar in Rehabilitation Research
- Advanced Group Counseling, Diagnosis, and Assessment of the Addicted Client
This graduate program also requires fieldwork and an internship. You will get specific training in working with clients with an alcohol addiction. You will also work in an addiction services setting where you will provide assistance to people with addictions of all kinds.
Coppin State offers two options for completing the requirements for graduating with this degree: a comprehensive exam and research paper or a master’s thesis track. Both options require copious research, though the exam and research paper option has a smaller research component.
You can apply to this program by filling out a Coppin State online graduate admissions application. General requirements include having three letters of recommendation and submitting official transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended.
Jackson State University
Founded in 1877 as the Natchez Seminary, Jackson State University was originally in Natchez, Mississippi. However, in 1882, the school moved to its present location in Jackson, where it was renamed Jackson College. The move also signified an expansion of the programs available to students.
Today, Jackson State is a leader amongst HBCUs in urban education. Students at Jackson State can choose from many different programs of study with options in business, health sciences, education, and STEM, among others. And since Jackson State has just 7,000 students, you can enjoy small class sizes, low student-to-teacher ratios, and many opportunities to get to know your classmates.
Psychology Graduate Programs
Jackson State offers one graduate-level psychology program – a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. As is typical of APA-accredited programs, this one focuses on research design, experimental methodologies, and statistics, combined with theoretical and practical studies in clinical approaches.
A unique feature of this Jackson State program is that your clinical courses focus heavily on multicultural issues. What’s more, your field experiences will be with ethnic minority communities, where you’ll learn to apply your skills to help your clients solve real-world problems.
This is a full-time, on-campus program that requires about five years to complete. Your time in the program includes coursework, research, and field experiences. The one-year internship requirement does not have to take place locally, though. In fact, students have completed their internships in Alaska, Florida, Vermont, and many points in between.
You can also get clinical experience working in Jackson State’s campus-based Applied Psychological Services Clinic. The clinic has accommodations for meeting with clients, performing psychological assessments, conducting group therapy, and more.
Delaware State University
Delaware State University was founded in 1891. Originally called the State College for Colored Students, Delaware State was one of the nation’s first HBCU land-grant institutions. Today, though, the school has greatly expanded in size and diversity. While more than 60 percent of students are African-American, students from other racial backgrounds increasingly enroll at the university.
With fewer than 6,000 students, Delaware State is a small school. However, this doesn’t mean there aren’t many choices for your academic journey. DSU offers nearly 50 bachelor’s programs and almost two dozen master’s degree options. There are half a dozen doctoral programs available as well.
Psychology Graduate Programs
The Master of Science in Psychology from Delaware State offers part-time and full-time options in two tracks: Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology.
The clinical track prepares you for licensure as a counselor in Delaware (and other states, depending on reciprocity agreements. The neuropsychology track, on the other hand, focuses on preparation for a career in the growing area of psychological research.
While the focus of these specializations is different, they share one thing in common – both programs are offered online. The only campus requirements you have to fill are periodic visits to Dover to discuss your internship placements. As noted above, there are part-time and full-time options for both tracks, with the part-time program taking three years and the full-time program taking two years.
Sample courses for the clinical track include:
- Advanced Psychopathology
- Group Therapy
- Psychological Assessment
- Ethics in Professional Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
This track requires you to complete an 8-hour practicum as well as 12 credits of internship experiences.
The neuropsychology track requires you to take courses like:
- Neuroanatomy
- Psychopharmacology
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Advanced Statistics
- Health Psychology
Clinical research in the form of a master’s thesis is required for this track. You’ll begin your thesis research in the fall semester of your final year and complete the thesis (including a defense) in the spring semester of your final year in the program.
To apply to Delaware State, you must first fill out an online application and submit a $50 fee.
Fayetteville State University
Founded in 1867 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Fayetteville State University is a relatively small school with fewer than 7,000 students. With a student-to-faculty ratio of just 17-to-1, you will enjoy small class sizes as you work toward your degree. Many programs are offered on campus and online, giving you the freedom to pursue your education in whichever way suits you best.
FSU offers a wide range of degrees and programs. This includes nearly three dozen bachelor’s degrees, 18 master’s degrees, and one doctoral program. One of FSU’s most popular programs is psychology, which is joined by nursing and business administration as the three most popular majors at the school.
Psychology Graduate Programs
The Master of Arts in Psychology from Fayetteville State University is an online program that requires 36 credits to graduate. These credits are divided among a 27-credit core curriculum and nine elective courses.
The core curriculum consists of a nice blend of psychology courses, including:
- Research Methods
- Biological Aspects of Behavior
- Psychology of Diversity
- Ethical and Professional Issues
- Developmental Psychology
Another core course is the capstone seminar. This class offers a comprehensive, in-depth review of critical psychology themes taught throughout the program. During this course, you will create a professional portfolio that’s designed to help you focus on your future career and prepare to start your career search upon graduation.
You can pursue one of two certificates with this degree: behavioral research or professional psychology.
The behavioral research certificate helps you develop advanced psychological research skills. This is an optimal specialization if you want to pursue a research-based career or continue your education in a doctoral program.
The professional psychology certificate, on the other hand, is designed for students who want to focus on using their education to start a career in professional psychology. As such, you will explore topics like supervision and consultation, professional ethics, and how to communicate in a professional manner.
To apply, Fayetteville State requires you to fill out an online application. You must also pay a $50 fee. Additionally, you need a bachelor’s degree and you have to submit GRE scores. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended are needed as well.
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