Psychology Schools in Alabama
The following guide to psychology schools in Alabama is designed to provide you with information to help you make an informed decision on the best psychology program in the state for your academic and career goals. Alabama’s colleges and universities feature a full range of undergraduate and graduate psychology programs with concentrations in psychology and counseling, clinical psychology, and medical psychology. Students who prefer a more flexible approach may opt for an online degree program instead. Many universities offer psychology programs that can be taken partially or fully online.
Quick Facts
- There are 25 not-for-profit colleges and universities with psychology degree programs in Alabama.1
- No schools offer an associate’s degree in psychology.1
- 25 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in psychology.1
- 11 schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in psychology.1
- 5 schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best College Values for 2019.2
- No schools ranked in the Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Psychology Majors for 2018.3
- No schools ranked in PsychologyDegree411’s Top Schools with Online Psychology Programs.4
- 2 schools ranked in Times Higher Education’s Best Universities for Psychology 2019.5
Top-Ranked Schools with Psychology Programs in Alabama
Kiplinger’s Best College Values 2019*
- Samford University (#115)
- Birmingham-Southern College (#162)
- Talladega College (#237)
- Auburn University (#325)
- University of Alabama (#366)
*Institution-wide ranking.
Times Higher Education Best Universities for Psychology 2019
- Auburn University (#151-175)
- University of South Alabama (#176-200)
Keep reading to learn more about several of the popular psychology programs offered at some of Alabama’s leading universities.
Schools in Alabama with Psychology Programs
Traditional Undergraduate Programs
Auburn University
Auburn University’s Department of Psychological Sciences offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Neuroscience, both of which comprise 120 credit hours. The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology is housed within the College of Liberal Arts and is centered around 10 hours of core psychology coursework, including Introduction to Psychology; Analytics for Social and Behavioral Sciences; and Research Methods in Psychology. Once students have completed introductory coursework, they may take electives
such as Developmental Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Cognitive Psychology, and Special Topics in Psychology. The remaining credit hours will consist of humanities, English composition, and foreign language coursework of students’ choosing. The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Neuroscience requires students to take courses in a variety of disciplines, including biology, chemistry, and physics. Regardless of which degree program students choose, faculty will assist them in understanding the latest theories and research while learning the practice of psychology. Additionally, undergraduates are assigned a college advisor, faculty advisor, and peer advisor to support their learning and career goals. Psychology majors have the opportunity to work alongside faculty as undergraduate research assistants or volunteer with community organizations across a variety of specialties. Several competitive scholarships for qualified students are available through the psychology department in addition to scholarships and other financial aid packages offered by the university.
Jacksonville State University
Psychology majors at Jacksonville State University are exposed to a variety of theoretical, methodological, and survey courses in pursuit of the Department of Psychology’s Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree. The major requires a minimum of 55 credit hours in psychology courses to complete, with courses such as Principles of Behavior Analysis; Theories of Personality; Physiological Psychology; and History and Systems of Psychology among those offered. Students may choose to complete a practicum in one of five experience areas: Instructional Practicum; Community Practicum; Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum; Individual Research; or Honors Thesis. The department also offers a minor in Applied Behavior Analysis. The Department of Psychology is home to a chapter of Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in Psychology, as well as a Psychology Club. These student-run organizations provide extracurricular activities and networking events to academically talented students.
Traditional Graduate Programs
University of South Alabama
The University of South Alabama (USA) confers the Master of Science (MS) in Psychology: Behavioral and Brain Sciences (BBS) to students who successfully complete the program, which takes two years for full-time students. Part-time study is also permitted. Students who plan to pursue a doctorate generally complete courses that focus on theory and research design. Graduate students may concentrate in one of several sub-specialties, including social psychology; personality and individual differences; animal cognition; psycholinguistics; developmental psychology; memory; psychophysiology; and scholarship of teaching and learning. Successful applicants to the program must hold a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and have completed a minimum of 21 credits in undergraduate psychology courses. GRE scores are suggested, but not required. An Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s (ABM) program is available to undergraduate students who want to take graduate coursework during their senior year, allowing them to complete a BA and MS in just five years of study.
Alabama A&M University
Graduate students at Alabama A&M University can earn a Master of Science (MS) in Counseling Psychology with an optional concentration in Rehabilitation Counseling. Completing a thesis is optional. However, those students who do not complete a thesis will be required to take a comprehensive examination and must pass with a score of 70% to graduate. Students must wait one semester to retake the exam should the first exam result in a failing score. Internships are mandatory for most concentrations, with students generally required to complete 600 hours of onsite work. Psychology students are encouraged to become involved in the campus community by joining such organizations as the American Psychological Association, the Southeastern Psychological Association, and the American Counseling Association.
Online Psychology Programs
Faulkner University
Faulkner University offers several undergraduate online programs in psychology, including a Bachelor of Science (BS) in General/Clinical Psychology; Counseling Psychology; Forensic Psychology; Health and Rehabilitation Psychology (with either a general or Pre-Occupational Emphasis) Industrial/Organizational Psychology; and Sports Psychology. Strongly rooted in the Christian tradition, all programs teach psychology theory, skills, and methods through the study of human thought and behavior. Students are also prepared to pursue graduate study. Faulkner also offers several graduate degrees in psychology online: a Master of Science (MS) in Psychology (General Track), an MS with a Disability Services Track, and a Graduate Certificate in Disability Services. The MS programs can be completed in one to two years while the certificate can be completed in less than a year.
University of West Alabama
The University of West Alabama (UWA) offers numerous programs for students interested in online advanced study of psychology and related disciplines. These programs include a Master of Science (MS) in Experimental Psychology and a Master of Science (MS) in Adult Continuing Education: Counseling and Psychology. Students who pursue the MS in Experimental Psychology program will acquire knowledge in statistics and research methods that will prepare them for doctoral studies or in-demand careers across social and behavioral sciences, health psychology, medical research, or other domains. The Experimental Psychology program has three options for study: a 36-hour General track, a 39-57-hour Clinical Psychology track, and a 36-hour Health and Sports Psychology track. The MS in Adult Continuing Education in Counseling and Psychology is a program that allows students to tailor a degree plan that best suits their personal interests and career goals. Students accepted to the Adult Continuing Education program take 12 credit hours of professional courses, nine credit hours of base electives, and 12 credit hours of applied concentration electives. Core courses include Techniques of Counseling, Educational Statistics, and Theories of Personality. Courses in the program are offered in an eight-week format, which accelerates the time to completion for most students. Typically students are able to complete the degree in one calendar year.
EPPP Pass Rate and Accreditation Information for Psychology Programs in Alabama
The table below is designed to help prospective graduate students compare not-for-profit psychology schools in Alabama on a variety of factors. Clicking on the arrows in the top row allows you to sort the table. In addition to factors such as focus areas offered and tuition costs, accreditation is an important consideration when researching psychology programs. Depending on the type of program and the ultimate career path you are considering, accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA), the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Education Programs (CACREP), or the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS) can make it easier to become licensed in your desired area of practice. For more information on these accreditations, see our overview of accreditation for psychology programs. You should also ensure that the program you are considering will meet the licensure requirements in the state where you wish to practice. The Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP), a licensing exam administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB), is required in most US states in order to qualify for psychologist licensure. The EPPP results shown below are provided are for the exam period from February 1, 2015 to March 21, 2017.6 Only results from APA-accredited or ASPPB-designated doctoral programs with at least four test-takers during the exam period are included.6
| School | BA/BS Program | Graduate Program | Online Psych Prog. | National Accred.* | Grad Rate** | EPPP Pass Rate6 | Number Taking6 | College Factual Under- grad Rank7 | US News Grad Rank8 | Net Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A & M University | Yes | Yes | No | CACREP | 24% | — | — | — | — | $15,812 |
| Alabama State University | Yes | No | No | CACREP | 28% | — | — | — | — | $12,327 |
| Athens State University | Yes | No | No | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Auburn University (Clinical PhD) | Yes | Yes | No | APA, CACREP | 77% | 92% | 13 | 211 | 98^ | $22,613 |
| Auburn University (Counseling PhD) | Yes | Yes | No | APA, CACREP | 77% | 75% | 8 | 211 | 98^ | $22,613 |
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Yes | Yes | No | CACREP | 28% | — | — | — | — | $15,047 |
| Birmingham Southern College | Yes | No | No | — | 66% | — | — | 237 | — | $23,846 |
| Faulkner University | Yes | No | Bachelor’s | — | 28% | — | — | — | — | $19,337 |
| Huntingdon College | Yes | No | No | — | 37% | — | — | — | — | $19,913 |
| Jacksonville State University | Yes | Yes | No | CACREP | 37% | — | — | — | — | $11,939 |
| Judson College | Yes | No | No | — | 32% | — | — | — | — | $17,034 |
| Oakwood University | Yes | No | No | — | 47% | — | — | — | — | $25,567 |
| Samford University | Yes | No | No | — | 76% | — | — | — | — | $30,017 |
| Spring Hill College | Yes | No | No | — | 53% | — | — | — | — | $21,065 |
| Stillman College | Yes | No | No | — | 28% | — | — | — | — | $18,487 |
| Talladega College | Yes | No | No | — | 50% | — | — | — | — | $15,204 |
| Troy University | Yes | No | Bachelor’s | CACREP | 39% | — | — | — | — | $12,146 |
| Tuskegee University | Yes | No | No | — | 52% | — | — | — | — | $30,847 |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Yes | No | Bachelor’s | APA, CACREP | 53% | 100% | 12 | 184 | 98^ | $17,016 |
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Yes | Yes | No | — | 49% | — | — | — | — | $14,766 |
| University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa | Yes | Yes | Master’s | APA, CACREP, NASP | 68% | 100% | 18 | — | 112^ | $19,993 |
| University of Mobile | Yes | No | Bachelor’s | — | 45% | — | — | — | — | $22,190 |
| University of Montevallo | Yes | No | No | CACREP | 50% | — | — | — | — | $16,075 |
| University of North Alabama | Yes | No | No | CACREP | 45% | — | — | — | — | $12,103 |
| University of South Alabama | Yes | Yes | No | APA, CACREP | 40% | 90% | 10 | — | — | $12,968 |
| University of West Alabama | Yes | Yes | Bachelor’s, Master’s | — | 33% | — | — | — | — | $13,326 |
Schools marked with a caret (^) in US News Best Graduate Psychology Programs ranked in a tie with other programs in their respective positions.
*See our guide to psychology program accreditation for more information on these accrediting bodies.
**The graduation rate is for first-time, full-time undergraduate degree- or certificate-seeking students who began study in Fall 2012 and is calculated based on the percentage of students earning their degree or certificate within 150% of the normal time for program completion.1
Schools with Psychology Degree Programs in Alabama
Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.
Auburn University
Auburn, AL 36849
(334) 844-4000
https://www.auburn.edu/
Student Review: “The Psychology program at Auburn University provided a great foundation for me to pursue career fields within the psychology degree field. I enjoyed the fact that the degree was structured in a way that allowed me to choose the field of study within psychology that I wanted to pursue instead of taking classes that were not applicable to me. I found most professors were knowledgeable and passionate about their field of study, allowing them to teach effectively. If I could improve one thing about the degree field, it would be the loose structure within the major. I would have benefitted from knowing more about my options within the field earlier on and felt that the information could have been made more readily available.” – Student at Auburn University
Troy University, Montgomery Campus
231 Montgomery St
Montgomery, AL 36104
(334) 834-1400
https://www.troy.edu/
Student Review: “My overall experience as a psychology major at Troy University was all around a disappointing one. I was part of the e-campus, which means one hundred percent of my classes were online. Most of my professors were also professors on campus, so their workload was large and they did not have much time for individual aid. Sometimes it would take up to 48 hours to get any response from the professor at all. The classes were not engaging, not interesting, and felt repetitive with each psychology class I enrolled in. It was an overall frustrating, dull experience and am relieved that it is over.” – Student at Troy University, Montgomery Campus
Student Review: “Troy’s overall psychology department is innovative, expanding and all-encompassing. However, the personnel appointed to official positions do not seem to take the students’ eagerness to learn seriously. It is hard to gain insight into certain areas of psychology that are not listed in a book because the program leaders are not aware of the answers themselves. While Troy’s department is expanding, it is still expanding too slowly. The technology integrations are seriously lacking. Troy operates on a pen and paper system and that complicates certain processes that could easily be completed on a computer. Troy is looking for ways to grow as a college and they should look into further enriching their staff in order to help them remain up-to-date on the new practices and lessons that could better benefit students.” – Student at Troy University, Montgomery Campus
Student Review: “I received an associate degree, with a major in psychology, from Troy University. I began my journey with them at their main campus in Troy, Alabama. The campus was beautiful and had all of the amenities needed to allow for an easy transition to a college student. After one semester, I began taking online classes through Troy University. My “eTroy” experience was just as smooth as my onsite classes. The professors had the same high expectations online, but they made sure to provide all of the information needed to be successful in their class. You weren’t just thrown into a virtual world when no assistance. They were always quick to respond to any questions that I had. If I decide to continue on to pursue my bachelor’s degree, then I will definitely go back to Troy University.” – Student at Troy University, Montgomery Campus
University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487
(205) 348-6010
https://www.ua.edu/
Student Review: “The University of Alabama provided me with a great experience as a psychology student. Within the program, I had the opportunity to work as a research assistant in two professors’ labs. One included working with criminals on psychopathy levels and the other was working to provide mental health to rural areas. The labs had close contact with professors and allowed students to build up resumes for graduate school. The program did lack the necessary information for freshman and sophomores that might not understand what it truly means to be a psychologist and the importance of graduate school within the field. This is the major problem in my opinion with the program. The University of Alabama also housed a specific psychology honors program that I was allowed to be a part of. I applied and interviewed for this position and only 15 students were chosen each year. This program allowed you to select a mentor from the professors that worked in the program and do a personal research project of your choice. The program allowed for students to get real research experience similar to what you would be doing in a master’s program in Psychology. The program also allowed these students to have money to travel to present the project.” – Student at University of Alabama
University of South Alabama
307 N University Blvd
Mobile, AL 36688
(251) 460-6101
https://www.southalabama.edu/
Student Review: “The University of South Alabama psychology program was one of the most rewarding things I’ve been able to accomplish in my life thus far. In my four years there, I made both professional and personal social connections that I know will last a lifetime. In my first year in the program, the head of the psychology department sat down with each individual student and listened to their concerns and ideas. In my last year in the program, I once again was given the opportunity to sit down with the head of the psychology department and provide insight into my experience as a student in that program at the school. I left South Alabama with an amazing wealth of knowledge in the psychology field and was more than ready to enter into a professional program. Every teacher I had was helpful beyond belief and went completely out of their way to accommodate me.” – Student at University of South Alabama
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Kiplinger’s Best College Values: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-best-college-values-college-finder/index.php#Table
3. The Princeton Review. The Best 382 Colleges, 2018 Edition. The Princeton Review, 2017.
4. PsychologyDegree411 Top Schools with Online Psychology Programs: https://www.psychologydegree411.com/degrees/online/
5. Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2019 – Psychology: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2019/subject-ranking/psychology
6. The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards, Psychology Licensing Exam Scores by Doctoral Program: https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.asppb.net/resource/resmgr/eppp_/2017_Doctoral_Report.pdf
7. College Factual, Best Colleges Offering Degrees in Psychology (Nationwide): https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/psychology/rankings/top-ranked/#
8. US News & World Report Best Graduate Psychology Programs: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-humanities-schools/psychology-rankings