Pursuing an graduate psychology degree from an accredited institution in Arizona ensures you receive quality education that meets national standards, preparing you effectively for licensure and professional roles.
Arizona offers various graduate-level options, including master’s and doctoral programs in clinical, counseling, school, and educational psychology. These accredited programs blend rigorous academics with supervised practical experience, providing you with essential skills to serve diverse populations in healthcare, education, and private practice.
Below are descriptions of some of the popular psychology graduate programs in Arizona worth your consideration!
Best Psychology Graduate Programs in Arizona
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering psychology graduate programs in Arizona:
- Northern Arizona University
- University of Arizona
- Grand Canyon University
- University of Arizona – Global Campus
- Arizona State University
- University of Phoenix
- National University
- American Public University
- Southern New Hampshire University
To find out how we select colleges and universities, please click here.
Northern Arizona University
Master of Arts – Psychological Sciences
You can earn a 36 units Master of Arts degree in Psychological Sciences from Northern Arizona University (NAU. In this program, you will gain skills suitable for further doctoral studies, careers in the growing behavioral health sector, and jobs needing advanced training in research methods and numerical analysis.
When entering the program, you will encounter a thorough and broad curriculum planned for completion within two academic years. Basic courses such as those covering research methods and statistics involve carefully supervised theoretical and practical lab experiences. You will receive guidance on presenting and discussing research proposals and discipline-specific subjects linked to your coursework and research interests.
After finishing core classes, you will show strong skills in research design and moderate-level statistical use. These skills will then be integrated into your 1) research under faculty guidance (including thesis completion or other research projects), 2) supervised practical experiences such as fieldwork or internships at local behavioral and mental health agencies, and 3) professional growth opportunities like teaching or statistical advising that support your job and doctoral study goals.
Based on your interests, you can gain expertise in individual-focused areas (e.g., cognitive, perceptual, physiological), ecological models (e.g., social connections, mental health), or community-level behavioral health (e.g., social epidemiology).
You have the choice of completing either a thesis guided by faculty or a nonthesis practical project such as performing a needs assessment or evaluating a program with a local agency’s director.
Most students who join the program indicate an interest in doctoral studies. Those pursuing doctoral studies complete a thesis supervised by one faculty member and typically collaborate with another faculty member for extra research exposure.
The Department of Psychological Sciences at NAU provides graduate training at the Master’s level in evidence-based science and application. You will be prepared for doctoral study or the workforce through advanced training in research design and statistics, along with developing effective oral and written communication skills. You will have the chance to engage in evidence-based experiences in applied fields (such as research, teaching, field work, program evaluation, and practice), which can be pursued with or without completing a thesis.
Upon completing the Master of Arts in Psychological Sciences at NAU, you will be able to:
- Identify, assess, and combine scientific evidence from peer-reviewed sources. You will show these skills in your advanced coursework in psychological sciences.
- Identify the scope of primary scientific evidence using resources such as PsycINFO and PubMed.
- Evaluate, place in context, and draw conclusions about the quality of evidence.
- Combine evidence across studies to form a clear, systematic argument that supports conclusions regarding evidence strength.
- Show master’s level skills in research design and analysis.
- Demonstrate proficiency with analytic software (such as Excel, SPSS, SAS, NVivo, and other related tools), manage data (including cleaning, screening, handling missing data), and ensure data security.
- Understand, apply, and assess quantitative and qualitative methods for research problems.
- Uphold and promote the highest standards in the field of psychological sciences.
- Include ethical principles in research (e.g., human subjects protection, research integrity) and practice (e.g., teaching, community service, applied work).
- Show professionalism through ongoing conduct (e.g., academic honesty, professional communication) with colleagues, mentors, students, and the public.
- Use the skills gained throughout the program in your professional growth, in settings like research, teaching, field work, program evaluation, and practice.
- Demonstrate continuous professional development.
- Develop, assess, and/or provide services to the broader community (e.g., health promotion, program evaluation).
- Develop and/or apply effective teaching methods.
To apply, you need the following:
- Official school records.
- A completed college degree from a known school with at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
There are extra entry needs for this program beyond general NAU entry.
- Three letters of support. These should be from people who know your personal and school strengths. At least two should be from teachers who can describe how ready you are for strong graduate work.
Before you start the program, you must already have 18 psychology credits that include:
- An Intro to Psychology course
- A Statistics course
- A Research Methods in Psychology course*
You also need to send your resume or academic background summary. You must also write a personal essay no longer than 1000 words (about 3–4 pages) describing:
- What you want from a master’s level program
- How this MA program at NAU helps you reach those aims
- What you expect to gain and finish during the MA at NAU
- How you think this program will help your career and training
University of Arizona
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
The Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at the University of Arizona provides a science-based curriculum that focuses on flexibility, allowing you to tailor your learning experience to your needs and interests. The program is jointly accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS).
The main goal of this program is to help you become an active clinical scientist who can:
- Generate new knowledge investigating the origins, nature, diagnosis, improvement, and prevention of mental and behavioral health issues.
- Share clinical science widely to address these problems.
- Provide the most effective and appropriate evidence-based assessments and interventions for such issues.
The University of Arizona Clinical Program provides opportunities for professional growth and combining science with practice. Throughout the curriculum, you will focus on the empirical basis of intervention and assessment techniques, while practicing critical thinking to analyze all materials. Alongside formal courses in statistics and research methodology, training in research will be an ongoing part of your graduate life.
The curriculum is sequential, cumulative, and increases in complexity, preparing you for a future in conducting clinical science, sharing knowledge in a broad manner, and applying clinical science through interventions and assessments with clients or patients.
The curriculum includes requirements that fulfill both departmental and clinical area standards necessary for earning a PhD in Clinical Psychology, as well as those set by the APA’s Commission on Accreditation (CoA) and the Council of University Directors of Clinical Psychology (CUDCP).
Besides the required courses for your major study area, you will take additional coursework to work effectively as a health service psychologist, gain domain-specific foundational knowledge (e.g., affective, biological, cognitive, developmental, social psychology), and acquire advanced integrative knowledge (e.g., depth across psychological areas). Required coursework includes the following:
- Ethics
- Advanced Psychopathology
- Clinical Research Methods
- Clinical Assessment Methods
- Psychosocial Interventions (e.g., CBT, ACT)
- Consultation & Supervision
In addition to required coursework, you will complete applied clinical training through:
- Two year-long practicums in clinical work at the Behavioral Health Clinic.
- Externships at university and community agencies.
- Predoctoral internship (full-time, 12-month clinical training).
Minors are required for your Ph.D. You can choose a pre-defined minor within psychology, another department, or create an individualized option. Frequently chosen minors include neuropsychology, health psychology, statistics, family psychology, child clinical psychology, and college teaching.
The program offers many clinical training and research opportunities. Though the program follows a generalist model, you can specialize in areas such as:
Clinical Health Psychology
Clinical Health Psychology Major Area of Study offers full training in didactic, research, and clinical aspects. You will complete at least:
- Two didactic courses (including Psych 587: Foundations of Health Psychology, Psych 588: Behavioral Medicine Interventions)
- One health psychology research project.
- Two supervised clinical practica in Clinical Health Psychology.
Clinical Neuropsychology
The Clinical Neuropsychology Major Area of Study focuses on understanding neuropsychological disorders and developing new assessment and treatment methods. You will gain advanced skills in:
- Neuropsychological theory and research methods.
- General clinical psychology, particularly assessment and intervention across the adult lifespan.
Psychophysiology
The program offers opportunities for you to specialize in psychophysiological measures for understanding psychopathology, emotion, and interpersonal interactions.
Intervention Science
You will be involved in clinical intervention research across stages from target identification to efficacy trials and implementation efforts. This includes partnerships with communities to address health disparities. Graduate students interested in intervention science can:
- Take coursework focused on intervention design, clinical psychology science, health psychology interventions, and neuropsychology interventions.
- Tailor their research to focus on intervention science through faculty mentorship.
Upon graduation, you will:
- Hold academic research or teaching positions.
- Share your work in journals, conferences, and other professional outlets.
- Apply evidence-based treatments and train others in clinical setting.
The program no longer requires GRE or GPA scores for admission. The program selects applicants based on:
- Fit with faculty research interests.
- Research experience.
- Fit with the program’s clinical science focus.
- Statement of goals and research interest.
- Letters of recommendation.
- Quality of undergraduate training and GPA.
Grand Canyon University
Online Masters in Industrial Organizational Psychology
By enrolling in the online Master of Science in Psychology with an Emphasis in Industrial and Organizational Psychology degree program at Grand Canyon University (GCU), you will take a significant step towards becoming a specialist in I-O psychology. This program is designed according to the APA standards and recommendations, ensuring that you receive a relevant and meaningful education.
Offered through GCU’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences, this master’s degree in psychology with an emphasis on I-O psychology equips you with a strong understanding of scientific principles, research methodologies, and consulting techniques. You will learn to generate valuable data and apply your insights to improve workplace environments, enhancing productivity and efficiency.
This program requires 36 credits for completion, and is delivered online, offering you the flexibility and convenience to manage your graduate studies alongside personal and professional commitments. Taught by experienced professionals in psychology, business, and research, this program connects you with faculty and peers, ensuring a collaborative learning experience.
The program includes core courses such as:
- Introduction to Graduate Studies in the Liberal Arts: Prepares you for graduate-level learning, focusing on essential skills for success.
- Contemporary and Ethical Issues in Psychology: Covers professional skill development and ethical considerations in psychology.
- Social and Cultural Psychology: Examines the impact of social, group, and multicultural factors on individual behavior.
- Industrial/Organizational Psychology: Applies social and organizational principles to business and industry.
- Organizational Behavior and Development: Explores the theoretical foundations of organizational functioning.
- Strategies for Effective Leadership and Consultation: Looks at methods for achieving goals through effective consulting and management.
- Principles of Personnel and Human Resource Management: Discusses psychological principles related to human resource management in various work environments.
This master’s program focuses on understanding workplace behavior and applying research-based methods to inform management practices. It also emphasizes contemporary and ethical issues in psychology, preparing you for challenges in the field.
Through rigorous coursework and engaging discussions, you will gain foundational knowledge in I-O psychology, focusing on consulting and management strategies, social and organizational methods, and the psychology behind organizational development.
A Professional Capstone is required, where you will develop original research ideas and explore career opportunities within the I-O psychology field. This course is designed to prepare you for your future career and/or further education in psychology, helping you map out a path to success and present your research findings.
Graduates of this program will be well-prepared for roles in:
- Private corporations
- Government agencies
- Universities
- Research facilities
I-O psychologists are essential for organizations that value effective management and interpersonal skills for sustained profitability. Other potential employers include community organizations, healthcare providers, and nonprofit entities.
To be admitted into GCU’s program, graduate applicants should have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or program approved by GCU, with a GPA of 2.8 or higher.
The University of Arizona – Global Campus
Online Master of Arts in Psychology
By earning your online master’s in psychology at the University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC), you will gain a strong understanding of how to apply psychological research to real-life situations. You will learn to understand what motivates people and how to use that knowledge effectively in your work life, setting you apart from others in your field.
After finishing your degree, you will be able to:
- Use ethical principles and standards of psychology in academic and professional actions.
- Clearly communicate psychological concepts using the discipline’s professional standards.
- Break down the key concepts, theories, methodologies, and historical trends in psychology.
- Assess the scientific value of the professional literature in psychology.
- Combine psychological theory and research.
During your online master’s in psychology, you will study different areas of psychology, such as developmental, social, and biological psychology. You will also assess the scientific value of psychological research and literature in your online courses, providing you with a strong foundation of psychological knowledge for your future career. Core courses of the program include:
- Introduction to Graduate Study in Psychology
- Applied Social Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Personality Theories
- Research Design & Methods
- Biological Bases of Behavior
- Psychological Testing & Assessment
Once you graduate with your online UAGC Master of Arts in Psychology, you will be ready for a career where a broad background and specialized knowledge in psychology are valuable. However, it’s important to note that this program does not lead to certification or licensure and does not prepare you to become a licensed psychology professional.
To earn your Master of Arts in Psychology degree, you will need to complete 36 credit hours and maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in all your UAGC coursework.
Upon earning your MA in Psychology, you might consider careers in various industries like:
- Social and Community Service Managers
- Adoption Services Manager
- Community Services Director
- Graduate Research Assistant
- Post-secondary Psychology Teacher
- Human Services
- Education and Business
Arizona State University
Online Master of Science in Psychology
The 36-credit Master of Science degree program in psychology at Arizona State University is available in two options (campus immersion or online) with different culminating experience options (thesis, applied project or capstone).
The curriculum of this program focuses not only on current issues in psychology but also gives you the freedom to choose electives. These options allow you to concentrate on the areas you find most relevant to your professional goals. You will also learn how to conduct research, gaining practical experience that can be useful in many career paths.
By the time you complete this master’s program in psychology, you will have acquired a set of skills that are transferable to various careers within the field. These include:
- Understanding of basic research methods and statistics.
- Problem-solving skills.
- Knowledge of psychological theories.
- Proficiency in written communication.
The campus option is ideal for students who plan to pursue doctoral work or careers that involve psychological research methods such as marketing research, education research analysis, public policy analysis, research project management or program evaluation. The program is intensive and research-oriented, and it culminates in a thesis or applied project.
You will receive training in advanced research methodology and statistical analysis, grant proposal writing, laboratory instrumentation, data collection, and manuscript development. You will gain firsthand exposure to designing and conducting research, analyzing data, and developing presentations and manuscripts. You are encouraged to present research reports at professional meetings and conferences and to publish as co-authors in faculty-guided research.
The online program option gives you and working professionals an understanding of psychological theory and empirical research findings as they relate to human behavior, cognition, emotion and attitudes. The coursework is designed to help you learn about the various roles of psychologists in society today and discover which roles you might like to pursue.
The online curriculum focuses on applications of knowledge rather than research, and you are not provided with hands-on research opportunities. The online program culminates with a capstone course.
Both options offer elective courses in several areas, including abnormal psychology, affective science, behavior analysis, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, health psychology, legal psychology, psychophysiology and social psychology.
Degree requirements include:
- Required Core: 3 credit hours
- Research and Statistics: 6 credit hours
- Additional Coursework for Campus Immersion Students: 21-24 credit hours
- Additional Coursework for Digital Immersion Students: 24 credit hours
- Culminating Experience: 3 or 6 credit hours
This program is not designed to prepare you for clinical practice. Opportunities to prepare for licensure exams are not available through this degree program.
The campus-based MS degree program in psychology is specialized to prepare graduates for admission to doctoral programs in psychology in areas that include clinical or counseling, social, cognitive and developmental specialties. Graduates may pursue professional research careers in education, health care or marketing.
Although some graduates of the online MS degree program have received admission to a doctoral program, the online curriculum is not research-intensive, and most students in the online program are pursuing the MS in psychology to benefit their current or future careers in education, social service, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, or management.
Career examples include:
- Community health worker
- Health educator
- Market research analyst and marketing specialist
- Medical and health services manager
- Mental health counselor
- Psychology teacher, postsecondary
- Social and community service manager
- Social and human services assistant
- Social science research assistant
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. Applicants must have earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = “A”) in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor’s degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = “A”) in an applicable master’s degree program. Priority is given to applicants who have achieved a 3.25 GPA or higher.
All applicants must submit:
- Graduate admission application and application fee
- Official transcripts
- Statement of purpose
- Two letters of recommendation
- Proof of English proficiency
Can You be a Psychologist With a Master’s in Arizona?
No, in Arizona, you cannot become a licensed psychologist with only a master’s degree. To practice as a licensed psychologist in Arizona, you must have a doctoral degree and meet specific professional requirements set by the Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners.
Contact Us
Privacy Policy