As high school comes to an end, you may find yourself at a crossroads, contemplating your next steps. Choosing a college major, let alone the right institution, is no small task, particularly when you are passionate about a specific field like psychology.
Making the wrong choice can lead to unnecessary challenges: from missing out on crucial experiences to not receiving the specialized education necessary for a successful career. Without the right guidance, you might end up in a program that doesn’t align with your career aspirations.
Fortunately, Minnesota is home to a range of traditional and online accredited psychology colleges. This comprehensive guide explores some of the popular psychology colleges in Minnesota.
Psychology Colleges in Minnesota
Listed below are some of the popular psychology colleges in Minnesota:
- Concordia University, St. Paul
- Carleton College
- Macalester College
- University of Minnesota Twin Cities
- St. Catherine University
- Minnesota State University, Mankato
- University of St. Thomas – Minnesota
- St. Olaf College
- Southern New Hampshire University Online
To find out how we select colleges and universities, please click here.
Carleton College
Carleton College, a private liberal arts institution, is situated in Northfield, Minnesota. It was established in the year 1866. The college’s main campus covers an area of 200 acres. It is situated between Northfield and the approximately 800-acre Cowling Arboretum, which became an integral part of the campus during the 1920s.
At Carleton College, students can choose from 33 major or 38 minor programs or even design their own major according to their preferences. Carleton College enjoys a reputation as one of the leading institutions among liberal arts colleges in Minnesota when it comes to the number of undergraduate students who go on to pursue doctoral degrees.
The Goodsell Observatory, located on Carleton’s campus, houses three historic telescopes along with several modern ones available for classes and open houses.
The college has some unique traditions, such as the periodic acquisition and display of a plaster bust of the German poet Friedrich Schiller, dating back to the 1950s. A more recent tradition is the “Silent Dance Party” held during study days before finals, where students wear headphones and dance together in the library.
Carleton’s varsity sports teams actively participate at the NCAA Division III level in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
Carleton College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). It has an acceptance rate of 18% and a graduation rate of 82%. As of 2023, the average annual in-state cost for undergraduate on-campus students before any aid is $84,893.
Notable alumni of Carleton College include Anthony Downs, the author of “An Economic Theory of Democracy,” and former Supreme Court Justice Pierce Butler.
Psychology Programs Offered
Carleton College offers following psychology programs:
- Bachelor or Arts (B.A.) in Psychology
The Psychology department at Carleton College offers a structured approach to the study of human behavior and experiences. The curriculum include topics such as physiological functioning, learning in humans and animals, cognition in humans and animals, cognitive and social development, personality, social influence, and psychopathology.
The department also addresses specific subjects like prejudice, real-life decision-making, and psychopharmacology to showcase the diversity and complexity within psychology. There is a strong emphasis on developing analytical and communication skills necessary for research and evaluation in the field.
The courses in the department are organized into three broad categories:
- Biological and behavioral processes
- Cognitive studies
- Social, developmental, personality, and clinical psychology
Senior psychology majors undertake a comprehensive project, which may include research and teaching. Many majors also engage in independent study projects. Additionally, lab courses provide students with the opportunity to work with various human and animal subjects.
The Psychology department at Carleton College offers a culminating experience for its majors known as the “integrative exercise” or “comps.” This exercise is designed to allow psychology majors to apply and demonstrate their mastery of the content and skills acquired during their psychology coursework, typically during their senior year.
The Psychology department at Carleton College has many labs, including:
- Health Psychology Lab
- Language and Cognition Lab
- Perception Lab
- Social and Personality Psychology Lab
Psychology Department Contact Information
Carleton College Department of Psychology,
One North College St, Northfield, MN 55057.
Phone: (507) 222-4380
Macalester College
Macalester College, located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, is a private liberal arts institution founded in 1874. It operates exclusively as an undergraduate four-year college and, in the fall of 2023, had an enrollment of over 2,000 students. With its Scottish heritage, Macalester College places a strong emphasis on internationalism and multiculturalism.
The primary campus, spanning 60 acres, is bounded by Summit Avenue to the north and St. Clair Avenue to the south. Additionally, the college operates the 300-acre Ordway Field Station, which serves as a nature reserve and research facility, located on the outskirts of the Twin Cities, along the Mississippi River.
Macalester College offers an intimate liberal arts experience. The campus is a short 10-minute drive from both of these cities, known as the Twin Cities, which offer a wealth of cultural and outdoor activities. Freshmen and sophomores are required to reside on the Macalester campus.
The college provides a variety of academic options, including 38 majors, 40 minors, and 10 concentrations. Students also have the opportunity to design their own major. Macalester’s athletic teams compete at the NCAA Division III level as part of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
For students in need of academic support, the on-campus MAX Center offers free individual and group tutoring sessions. Furthermore, Macalester College commits to meeting the full financial need of every student, ensuring access to financial assistance.
Carleton College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). It has an acceptance rate of 28% and a graduation rate of 90%. As of 2023, the average annual in-state cost for undergraduate on-campus students before any aid is $79,890.
Psychology Programs Offered
Carleton College offers following psychology programs:
- Bachelor or Arts (B.A.) in Psychology
- Bachelor or Arts (B.A.) in Neuroscience
Within the psychology program at Macalester College, there is a major in Child Development & Psychology. The curriculum is comprehensive, covering various sub-areas of psychology, along with advanced seminars that provide specialized training.
The psychology department at Macalester College places a strong emphasis on research. They follow a three-course research cycle that equips students to engage in psychological science. Their teaching approach is experiential, with a focus on hands-on learning through lab work and community engagement.
Faculty members in the department actively conduct research, and students play essential roles as research collaborators and assistants. Psychology major students are required to complete an individualized capstone project, with close mentorship from a faculty member. Students also have opportunities for research both on and off-campus.
Psychology is a diverse field, encompassing areas such as neural mechanisms and the study of race and racism. Through coursework, lab experiences, internships, and guidance from faculty, students at Macalester College explore their passions and develop scientific thinking skills to address a wide range of questions.
The Psychology department at Macalester College has many labs, including:
- Behavioral Neuroscience Lab
- Cognition Lab
- Cognitive Neuroscience Lab
- Development of Social Identities Lab
- Morality and Social Cognition Lab
Psychology Department Contact Information
Olin/Rice Halls of Science Room 321,
1600 Grand Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55105-1899.
Phone: (651) 696-6223
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
The University of Minnesota is a public land-grant research institution located in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota. Its Twin Cities campus encompasses areas in Minneapolis and Falcon Heights, a suburb of St. Paul, situated approximately 3 miles apart. This particular campus, the oldest and largest within the University of Minnesota system, boasts the ninth-largest student population among main campuses in the United States, with over 50,000 students. It serves as the flagship entity of the University of Minnesota System.
Presently, it holds the classification of “R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity” and is a member of the Association of American Universities. The university occupies the 10th spot in terms of research activity, boasting research and development expenditures totaling $1.04 billion during the fiscal year 2022. In 2001, it earned recognition as one of the Public Ivy universities.
On the campus, there are over 600 student organizations, representing a wide array of interests, including over 30 fraternities and sororities. The Minnesota Golden Gophers partake in competition at the NCAA Division I level within the Big Ten Conference, with all athletic events held in the Stadium Village neighborhood on the Minneapolis campus.
The university implements the Four-Year Graduation Plan, assuring that all required courses are accessible to students, facilitating timely completion of their degrees. In cases where necessary courses are not available within the standard four years of undergraduate education, the university commits to covering the additional credits.
The University of Minnesota Twin Cities is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). It has an acceptance rate of 73% and a graduation rate of 75%. As of 2023, the average annual in-state cost for undergraduate on-campus students before any aid is $35,632.
Psychology Programs Offered
The University of Minnesota Twin Cities offers following psychology programs:
- Bachelor or Arts (B.A.) in Psychology
- Bachelor or Science (B.S.) in Psychology
- PhD in Psychology (61 Credits)
- Clinical Science and Psychopathology
- Counseling Psychology
- Industrial-Organizational (I-O) Psychology
- Personality, Individual Differences, and Behavior Genetics
- Quantitative/Psychometric Methods
- Social Psychology
- Joint PhD/JD Program
Admission to the PhD program requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Other admission requirements for the PhD program include:
- An online application.
- A diversity statement.
- A personal statement.
- A CV or resume.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- GRE (for I-O Psychology and Quantitative/Psychometric Methods specializations).
The Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities enjoys a reputation as one of the most esteemed psychology departments in the United States. The department’s mission revolves around the advancement of psychological science through rigorous research, community engagement, and effective teaching.
The graduate programs offered by the department consistently ranked among the top in the United States. The department’s pioneering research initiatives are international recognized, particularly in fields such as behavioral genetics, cultural psychology, neuroscience, organizational behavior, counseling interventions, political psychology, and relationship science, among others.
With over 1,500 undergraduate BA/BS majors and minors, along with a roster of 44 full-time faculty members, the Department of Psychology holds the distinction of being the largest department within the College of Liberal Arts. The department’s 140 PhD students engage in independent and collaborative research both within and beyond the department’s confines.
The department’s location within a liberal arts college provides an ideal environment for interdisciplinary innovation. Collaborative efforts extend to colleges in various domains, including the Academic Health Center, the Institute for Child Development, the School of Public Health, and departments such as Computer Science, Kinesiology, and Biomedical Engineering, to name a few.
Within the College of Liberal Arts, faculty and students actively collaborate with peers in disciplines like political science, economics, ethnic studies, sociology, speech-language-hearing science, statistics, and numerous other departments.
Furthermore, select faculty members and graduate students engage in cutting-edge research in specialized facilities, such as the Center for Magnetic Resonance Imaging and several other specialized centers and laboratories throughout the university.
The Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities is home to many specialized labs, including:
- Stress and Trauma Lab
- Health and Eating Lab
- Social Interaction Lab
- Vocational Psychology Research Lab
- Attention, Memory, and Cognition Lab
- Brain and Behavioral Processes Lab
Psychology Department Contact Information
College of Liberal Arts,
N218 Elliott Hall, 75 East River Parkway,
Minneapolis, MN 55455.
Phone: (612) 625-2818
St. Catherine University
St. Catherine University, located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, is a private Catholic institution that was originally established as the College of St. Catherine, primarily dedicated to women’s education in the Midwest. However, in 2009, its name was changed to St. Kate’s. The university offers a range of educational programs, including baccalaureate programs designed for women and graduate and associate programs open to both women and men.
Annually, St. Catherine University welcomes approximately 5,000 students. The institution places a particular emphasis on attracting minority and non-traditional aged students. St. Kate’s Weekend College, now known as the College for Adults, was one of the earliest such programs nationally and the first in the Upper Midwest.
St. Catherine University is the first private college in the United States to launch initiatives aimed at attracting, accommodating, and retaining Hmong students, making it a prominent center for Hmong scholars.
St. Catherine University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). It has an acceptance rate of 75% and a graduation rate of 63%. As of 2023, the average annual in-state cost for undergraduate on-campus students before any aid is $65,148.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A) – Psychology
Within the university, the psychology major is well-regarded for its ability to provide a solid foundation for both graduate studies and careers in various professional fields. The curriculum includes a seminar dedicated to assisting students in exploring their future career options. The psychology major consists of 40 credits.
The psychology major curriculum at St. Catherine’s incorporates courses in psychology, biology, and philosophy, while encouraging students to engage in a broad liberal arts education. Many students also pursue internships available at numerous social service and health agencies.
For upper-division psychology majors who have demonstrated excellence in their coursework, opportunities exist for paid positions as laboratory instructors and scientific writing and statistics tutors. These roles enable students to develop professional skills and share their knowledge with others through teaching.
Furthermore, students have the option to pursue a double major, combining psychology with other fields such as social work, art, education, nursing, or communication studies.
Graduates of this program often pursue graduate studies in fields like counseling, clinical psychology, school psychology, or experimental psychology. Additionally, some opt for professional degrees in areas such as law, industrial relations, medicine, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or public health.
St. Kate’s psychology graduates have also secured positions immediately after graduation in educational settings, working with special needs students, as well as in roles as caseworkers in shelters, group homes, and residential treatment centers.
Others have found employment in the legal system as victim advocates, as researchers in medical and social sciences, in human resources, as child life advocates in pediatric hospital units, and within various non-profit organizations.
Bachelor of Science (B.S) – Applied Psychology
St. Kate’s offers four dual degree programs that allow psychology students to seamlessly transition into graduate studies while completing their undergraduate degrees. These programs include:
- Master of Public Health
- Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy
- Doctor of Occupational Therapy – Entry Level
- Doctor of Physical Therapy
Psychology Department Contact Information
Psychology Department,
Mendel 300, St. Catherine University,
2004 Randolph Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105.
Phone: (651) 690-6203
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Minnesota State University, Mankato (MNSU/Minnesota State) is a public institution located in Mankato, Minnesota. It is Minnesota’s second-largest university and boasts an alumni community of over 145,000 individuals worldwide.
Established in 1868, it holds the distinction of being the second-oldest member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. Its origins trace back to 1858 when it was founded as the Second State Normal School, eventually officially opening its doors as Mankato Normal School ten years later. The university plays a substantial role in the local and state economies, contributing an impressive $827 million annually.
With seven colleges and schools, MNSU offers over 130 undergraduate programs, more than 80 master’s programs, and 4 Ph.D. programs. Athletically, the Minnesota State Mavericks partake in 21 intercollegiate sports, with the majority competing at the NCAA Division II level as part of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
MNSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). It has an acceptance rate of 69% and a graduation rate of 50%. As of 2023, the average annual in-state cost for undergraduate on-campus students before any aid is $24,428.
Psychology Programs Offered
Minnesota State University, Mankato offers following psychology programs:
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Cognitive Science
- Master of Arts (M.A.) in Industrial-Organizational Psychology
- Master of Arts (M.A.) in Clinical Psychology
- School Psychology Doctoral Program
- General Psychology Graduate Certificate
For students pursuing a major in psychology at Minnesota State Mankato, they engage actively in research during their undergraduate years, fostering a scientific understanding of human behavior. This valuable experience, coupled with the program’s diverse specialties and interdisciplinary options, equips them for advanced degrees and careers in fields like business and human resources.
The undergraduate psychology program, leading to a Bachelor of Science degree, attracts students with a variety of aspirations, from those aiming for careers as psychologists or social scientists to individuals seeking a deeper comprehension of human behavior.
The psychology emphasis within the B.S. in Cognitive Science program utilizes a psychological perspective while drawing from the realms of biology, philosophy, and computer science. In addition to the core and elective courses, students choose one of four core areas as their discipline of emphasis and complete 3-4 specialized courses within that chosen area.
The 44-credit MA in Industrial-Organizational Psychology program trains students in applying psychological principles within workplace contexts, emphasizing practicality, engagement, and collaboration. Real-world experiences are highlighted through the Organizational Effectiveness Research Group, an in-house consulting group. The program also prioritizes networking and active mentoring between faculty and students.
The Industrial-Organizational Psychology spans two years and follows a scientist-practitioner model, preparing students for careers in areas such as human resources, organizational effectiveness, management, I-O psychology consulting, or further doctoral study in industrial-organizational psychology or related fields.
Internships form an integral component of the curriculum, with a mandatory three-month internship for all students, often completed during the summer between the first and second years of study.
The MA in Clinical Psychology program provides rigorous academic and applied training that suits students planning to pursue doctoral study. This 50-credit program includes a thesis requirement and the completion of an off-campus clinical practicum. The program focuses on specifying client problems, applying empirically supported therapeutic techniques, and promoting concrete behavioral change.
Psychology Department Contact Information
Department of Psychology,
103 Armstrong Hall, Minnesota State University,
Mankato, MN 56001.
Phone: (507) 389-2724
What Can I Do With a Masters in Psychology in Minnesota?
A master’s degree in psychology in Minnesota can open up various career and professional opportunities. Depending on your specific area of focus within psychology, here’s a list of potential career paths:
- Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
- School Psychologist
- Industrial/Organizational Psychologist
- Forensic Psychologist
- Researcher
- Human Resources or Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Specialist
- Behavioral Analyst
- Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
- Career Counselor
- Consulting
If you are interested in practicing clinically, always be sure to check the licensure requirements specific to Minnesota. Requirements may involve supervised practice hours, examinations, and continuing education.
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