Key universities with popular psychology graduate programs in Utah include Utah State University, Utah Valley University, Brigham Young University, the University of Utah, Southern Utah University, and Weber State University
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 Utah
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering psychology graduate programs in Utah:
- Utah State University
- Utah Valley University
- Brigham Young University
- University of Utah
- Southern Utah University
- Weber State University
- Pepperdine University
- Purdue Global
To find out how we select colleges and universities, please click here.
Utah State University
M.Ed. in School Counseling
At Utah State’s Department of Psychology, you can pursue a nationally recognized master’s degree in school counseling. This program specifically prepares you for obtaining professional licensure as a counselor within K-12 schools.
The program utilizes a flexible hybrid approach combining online live sessions, interactive broadcasts, and asynchronous online formats tailored for optimal student learning.
Throughout the coursework, you will study topics including behavior and educational assessments, intervention strategies, ethical guidelines, individual counseling, group counseling, and career counseling. Practical training through practicums and internships in both public and private K-12 educational settings is an essential component.
The entire program typically lasts six semesters, requiring between 48 to 60 credit hours. Each course is usually three credits. During your first year and a half, you complete fourteen mandatory courses and a 150-hour practicum in your second year’s spring semester.
Courses you will study include:
- Introduction to Theories of Intervention in Psychology
- Evidence-Based Practice: School Intervention
- Comprehensive and Systemic School Counseling Programs
- Consultation in the Schools
- Group Counseling in the Schools
- Developmental Psychology: Lifespan
- Collaborative Classroom Instruction, Leadership, and Professional Topics
- College and Career Readiness for School Counselors
- Legal, Ethical, and Transition Issues in School Counseling
This Master’s in Education (M.Ed.) operates on a part-time schedule with evening classes. The third year involves a mandatory 600-hour internship within a K-12 school, which includes at least 240 hours of direct service. You can maintain full-time employment during your initial two years.
The Practicum offers guidance and supervision to develop your practical counseling skills, enabling you to apply learned theories in real-world scenarios.
The Internship further enhances practical training, allowing you to apply counseling methods extensively within K-12 schools under close supervision.
Both practicum and internship experiences incorporate weekly group supervision meetings, lasting two and a half hours. You must actively participate in these sessions and regularly present detailed case studies.
Program completion requirements include:
- Achieving 48 credits with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Completing a 100-hour practicum supervised by a licensed counselor.
- Undertaking a 600-hour internship supervised by experienced licensed professionals.
- Passing the Praxis: Professional School Counselor Test.
Graduates qualify primarily for K-12 counseling licensure roles but can pursue careers in teaching and advising at higher education institutions. However, this master’s program alone might not sufficiently prepare you for certain advanced roles in higher education or broader mental health positions.
Previous graduates have successfully moved into roles within higher education settings, demonstrating the extensive utility of the skills gained through this program.
To apply, you must:
- Have completed a 2000-level or higher statistics course.
- Complete the USU School of Graduate Studies application.
- Submit official academic transcripts showing all prerequisites.
- Hold a GPA of 3.2 or above in your last 60 credits.
- Provide a Statement of Purpose, three recommendation letters, and a current resume.
- Participate in an interview if selected after initial review.
Utah Valley University
Master in Marriage and Family Therapy
The Master in Marriage and Family Therapy program at Utah Valley University is a systems-focused program that provides you with training in systemic theories, skills, and ethics. Through the coursework you complete, you will learn how to work professionally, behave ethically, and meet the needs of diverse populations. By fulfilling the degree requirements, you will qualify for licensure as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist in Utah.
This program holds accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). Therefore, the curriculum and practical activities required for graduation align with professional standards in this field. As with any COAMFTE-accredited program, you must complete several marriage and family therapy-related courses that cover topics such as:
- Couples Therapy
- Assessment and Diagnosis
- Marriage and Family Therapy Theories
- Professional and Ethical Standards in Marriage and Family Therapy
These core courses will equip you with a broad knowledge base and skills applicable in therapy. For example, the Couples Therapy course helps you identify methods to enhance communication between couples and guide them through challenging moments in their relationship.
Similarly, the Assessment and Diagnosis course teaches you procedures for evaluating new clients, whether individuals, couples, or families. You will gain an understanding of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, become familiar with common mental illnesses, and learn the importance of case consultation in making diagnoses.
The clinical experience is as important as the coursework. During your clinical placement, you will work under supervision at an off-site location, conducting marriage and family therapy services. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Providing counseling to individuals, couples, families, and groups
- Participating in supervisory meetings
- Attending staff meetings
- Taking part in professional development activities
- Managing billing and insurance tasks
- Maintaining case files
To be admitted to the program, you must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (or in your last 60 credits).
- Submit a curriculum vitae outlining your educational and practical experiences related to helping professions.
- Provide a statement explaining the experiences listed on your CV.
- Submit three letters of recommendation, with at least two from individuals who can speak to your academic abilities.
- Write a 2-to-3-page essay discussing your future career plans. In this essay, you must:
- Discuss any potential biases you have that could affect your work with diverse populations.
- Explain how you plan to manage these biases to work effectively with all clients.
- Describe what professional and clinical competence will mean for you as a marriage and family therapist.
- Identify the clinical populations you intend to work with after graduation.
- Discuss any potential biases you have that could affect your work with diverse populations.
Brigham Young University
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
The clinical psychology doctoral program at Brigham Young University (BYU) is a well-established and nationally recognized training program. It has maintained continuous accreditation by the American Psychological Association (APA) since 1971. This program focuses on developing your academic, research, and clinical skills.
Following the scientist-practitioner training model, you will be prepared to pursue careers in academics, research, or clinical practice. You may choose to specialize in one of three Major Areas of Study: (1) Clinical Child, Adolescent, and Family Psychology, (2) Clinical Neuropsychology, or (3) Clinical Health Psychology. Selecting a Major Area of Study is optional.
A master’s degree is included within the Clinical Psychology Ph.D., allowing you to apply for internships requiring a master’s degree.
The program is designed for five years. You will spend four years on coursework, research, and clinical training, followed by a one-year full-time paid internship at an approved site, usually outside Utah. The program aims to develop the full range of skills expected of clinical psychologists.
During your first year, you will:
- Take core classes in general psychopathology and clinical skills.
- Begin training in basic research skills.
- Be introduced to clinical practice.
- Take the assessment comprehensive exam.
In your second year, you will:
- Continue coursework and thesis research.
- Gain more focused clinical practice experience.
- Complete the research comprehensive exam.
- Defend your thesis.
- Fulfill Master’s degree requirements.
In your third year, you will:
- Continue coursework.
- Gain independence in research and begin publishing and presenting your work.
- Further develop clinical skills and broaden your clinical work settings.
- Complete the psychotherapy comprehensive exam.
- Defend your dissertation prospectus.
In your fourth year, you will:
- Complete any remaining coursework.
- Apply for internship.
- Engage in advanced clinical and research opportunities.
- Defend your dissertation.
In your fifth year, you will:
- Complete a full-time internship at an APA-accredited site.
Your coursework covers two main areas: (1) Discipline-Specific Knowledge, which includes the history of psychology and the biological, cognitive, developmental, affective, and social bases of behavior, as well as research methods, statistics, and psychometrics; and (2) Profession-Wide Competencies, which cover research skills, ethical and legal standards, cultural diversity, professional values, communication, assessment, intervention, supervision, consultation, and interdisciplinary skills.
Clinical skills training begins in the first year with assessments conducted at BYU’s Comprehensive Clinic. Training continues during the second and third years through psychotherapy cases at the clinic and assessment work. After the first year, you may also gain clinical experience at over 20 local clinics, hospitals, and other clinical locations.
Following the scientist-practitioner model, you will receive strong training in statistics, research design, and methodology. You will defend a master’s thesis in your second year, earning an M.S. degree embedded in the Ph.D. program (not a terminal degree). Your fourth year will focus on completing your dissertation and advanced clinical and research activities. All academic work should be finished before your fifth-year internship.
Your fifth year requires a 2000-hour APA-approved internship, typically completed outside Utah.
During your first and second years, you will complete a master’s thesis that results in a publication-quality paper defended before a faculty committee. All students present their papers at a department-sponsored poster session.
You will defend your dissertation prospectus orally by the end of your third year, and complete the final dissertation defense before your internship at the end of your fourth year.
The clinical psychology graduate admissions committee includes three faculty members and one graduate student. Each member reviews applications holistically, considering both quantitative and qualitative information.
Prerequisites for admission include:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 (3.5 preferred); median GPA is 3.89; range 3.05-4.00. A psychology degree is preferred but not required.
- Completion of undergraduate courses in General Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Psychological Statistics, and Research Design. Any deficiencies must be completed before the Fall Semester.
- The GRE is required for your application.
You may be admitted if your degree is not in psychology, provided you have completed the prerequisite courses or passed the GRE Psychology Subject Test and submitted your scores before the deadline.
To apply for any graduate program at BYU, complete an online application that includes:
- Application for Admission with personal details, program choice (Psychology-Clinical Ph.D.), educational background, unofficial transcripts, resume/vita/employment history, statement of intent, and a pre-recorded automated interview.
- Three Letters of Recommendation.
- Official Transcripts (only if recommended for admission).
- A $50 application fee.
University of Utah
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
The APA-accredited doctoral program in clinical psychology at the University of Utah follows the clinical science model, emphasizing rigorous training in applying scientific principles to research and clinical practice.
You will receive training in empirical research and clinical work grounded in science. The program draws on the expertise of clinical faculty and other department members, and benefits from numerous excellent training sites on and off campus.
You can customize your course of study and may cross departmental areas. You are expected to select electives, clinical settings, and research topics to build a solid core professional identity.
Besides core training in adult psychopathology, you may follow a specialization in Clinical Child and Family, Clinical Health/Behavioral Medicine, or Clinical Neuropsychology, or join the Human Sexuality interest group.
Clinical Child and Family (CCF)
This specialization integrates clinical and developmental theory and research. You will develop expertise in:
- Theories relevant to clinical research and practice with children, adolescents, and families.
- Research methods applicable to children, adolescents, and families.
- Clinical skills including diagnosis, assessment, relationship-building, and intervention for young populations.
- Interpersonal skills for working with family, school, and community systems affecting youth.
- Cultural competence for providing appropriate clinical services and conducting culturally-sensitive research.
- Ethical and professional issues unique to work with youth and families.
CCF encourages cross-disciplinary study, including cognitive, social, developmental, and neuroscience fields. You may also receive clinical training in adult psychopathology, psychotherapy, neuropsychology, and health psychology.
Clinical Health and Behavioral Medicine
This specialization prepares you to be an expert in health psychology theory, research, and application. You will learn psychological theories and research, integrating biomedical knowledge to work effectively in medical environments. You will gain experience consulting with health professionals, participating in interdisciplinary treatment teams, and conducting psychological interventions with medical patients.
You must complete all APA-approved clinical training requirements, conduct research with health psychology faculty, take health psychology electives, complete a Behavioral Medicine Practicum, and finish a predoctoral internship with clinical health psychology focus.
Clinical Neuropsychology
Clinical neuropsychology is a specialty within clinical psychology. You will receive training in brain-behavior relationships, including theoretical, empirical, and practical aspects. Clinical neuropsychologists typically work in medical centers, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, private practice, or academic settings.
Your work involves evaluating cognitive and emotional functions in patients with brain disorders, providing psychotherapy, developing cognitive rehabilitation programs, and conducting research on brain-behavior links and neuropsychological assessments.
You typically select your area of concentration before admission, but may adjust it later with your advisor’s approval.
You have flexibility to shape your curriculum and may combine courses across department areas. All students receive advanced training in Adult Psychopathology (General Track).
Overall, the program aims to:
- Help you gain an advanced understanding of clinical psychology concepts, including affective, biological, cognitive, developmental, and social influences on behavior, and current clinical psychology issues.
- Equip you with skills to contribute to psychological science through knowledge of research methods, statistics, critical review, and conducting original research.
- Prepare you as a competent clinician using scientific principles and current evidence for assessment, diagnosis, intervention, and clinical supervision.
- Develop your clinical professionalism, communication, respect for diversity, lifelong learning, and adherence to APA ethical guidelines.
The program lasts six years, including five years of study and supervised experience at the University of Utah, plus a one-year full-time predoctoral internship. You must complete at least three full-time academic years (54 credits, with only 6 allowed for prior work) and spend one year in full-time residence at the University.
Typically, you spend five years full-time before internship. You must fulfill all requirements, including dissertation defense and internship completion, before graduation. If your internship finishes after the summer graduation deadline, your degree will be conferred at the end of the fall semester.
To apply, you must submit the following materials online:
- Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose (2-3 pages, double-spaced), summarizing your research and career goals, educational and work background, faculty interests you wish to work with, and reasons for your interest in this program. Include any relevant personal information not covered elsewhere.
- Curriculum Vita.
- Unofficial transcripts from all colleges/universities attended (official transcripts required only if admitted, then sent directly to Graduate Admissions).
- Three Letters of Recommendation (submitted online or by mail to Psychology Department).
- Writing Sample (optional, but encouraged, up to two samples, such as theses, published papers, or conference presentations).
The GRE test is not required for admission.
Can You Become a Psychologist With a Master’s in Utah?
No, in Utah, you cannot become a licensed psychologist with only a master’s degree. To practice as a licensed psychologist in Utah, you must have a doctoral degree and meet specific professional requirements set by the Utah Division of Professional Licensing.
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