Psychology Schools and Programs in The United States

Psychology Studies in The United States

Stanford University has one of the top psychology programs in the US.

In the United States, psychology is studied first as a major within a bachelor's degree. A bachelor's degree does not qualify a graduate to practise as a psychologist: according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), psychologists typically need at least a master's degree, clinical and counseling psychologists typically need a doctorate, and independent practice requires a state licence. Students should therefore plan the whole route, not only the first degree.

SpainExchange lists 217 colleges and universities in the United States under psychology.

How psychology degrees are organised

• Associate degree: a two-year programme, usually at a community college, that can transfer into a bachelor's degree
• Bachelor's degree: usually four years of full-time study. Students take courses in many subjects besides their major and normally declare the major by the end of the second year
• Master's degree: typically two years. Industrial-organizational psychologists typically need a master's degree, and school psychologists at least a master's degree in school psychology
• Doctorate: a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in psychology or a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD). PhD programmes usually emphasise research and end with a dissertation; PsyD programmes focus on applying psychology in work with clients or patients. Both typically include an internship

Stanford University shows what a major looks like. Its Psychology major requires at least 70 units of course work in psychology out of the 180 units needed to graduate. Students take an introduction to psychology and a statistics course, then core courses in areas such as perception, learning and memory, cognitive neuroscience, and developmental, social, cultural and clinical psychology, and finish with a capstone in the senior year.

Admission and language

International students apply directly to each college or university. U.S. universities require an English language proficiency test before admission. Each university reviews the subjects an applicant studied abroad and may ask for a report from a credential evaluation agency.

For graduate study, applicants typically hold a bachelor's degree in psychology, education or a social science. Requirements differ by programme. Stanford's PhD programme in Psychology, which trains students for careers in research and teaching, asks for a U.S. bachelor's degree or its foreign equivalent, a statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, transcripts, and TOEFL or IELTS scores from non-native English speakers. An undergraduate psychology major is not required there, and the application fee for graduate study at Stanford is $125.

Once accepted by a school certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), the student receives a Form I-20 from the school's international student office and uses it to apply for the F student visa.

Costs

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), average tuition and fees at four-year institutions in 2022-23 were $9,800 at public institutions and $40,700 at private non-profit institutions. At public two-year institutions the average was $4,000. The public figures are in-district or in-state rates; international students should check which rate applies to them.

Where to study psychology

Boston has the most schools in this directory (five), followed by Philadelphia and New York (four each). Examples include public universities such as The Ohio State University, the University of Michigan, San Diego State University and the University of Washington; private universities such as Stanford University, Yale University, Duke University, Northwestern University and Vanderbilt University; and community colleges such as Community College of Rhode Island, Pasadena City College and Tacoma Community College.

Accreditation and licensing

The Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA-CoA) accredits master's and doctoral programmes in clinical, counseling and school psychology. It accredits programmes, not institutions or individuals, and accreditation is voluntary. APA reports 440 accredited doctoral programmes. Bachelor's degrees in psychology are not covered by this accreditation; for them, what matters is the accreditation of the institution.

All states and the District of Columbia require psychologists who practise independently to be licensed where they work. Licensure typically requires a master's or doctoral degree and supervised experience, and may require an exam. Licensing laws vary by state and by type of position, so anyone who plans to practise, including psychologists trained abroad, should contact the licensing board of the state concerned.

Careers

Psychologists work in settings such as schools, hospitals and private practice. According to BLS, psychologists held about 209,400 jobs in 2025. Employment is projected to grow 6% from 2025 to 2035, with about 11,300 openings a year. Many graduates with a bachelor's degree do not become psychologists: Stanford notes that psychology courses can also provide a background for careers in business, education, law, medicine and social work.

Frequently asked questions

Can I work as a psychologist in the United States with a bachelor's degree?

Usually not. According to BLS, psychologists typically need at least a master's degree, and clinical and counseling psychologists typically need a PhD or PsyD.

What is the difference between a PhD and a PsyD?

PhD programmes usually emphasise research and end with a dissertation. PsyD programmes focus on applying psychological principles to work with clients or patients.

Do I need a psychology degree to enter a graduate programme?

It depends on the programme. Applicants typically have a bachelor's degree in psychology, education or a social science, but Stanford's PhD programme, for example, does not require an undergraduate psychology major.

Do psychologists need a licence?

Yes, for independent practice. All states and the District of Columbia require it, and the rules vary by state.