Psychology Schools in Michigan

Michigan Licensure Requirements

Michigan’s colleges and universities offer a full range of undergraduate and graduate psychology programs with concentrations ranging from clinical psychology to behavioral psychology to prepare graduates for a career in the psychology field. The following guide to psychology schools in Michigan provides you with essential information on the many programs available in the state. If you require flexibility and convenience when working toward a degree, you may also want to consider an online psychology program. Many universities now offer undergraduate and graduate psychology degree programs online.

Quick Facts

There are 45 not-for-profit colleges and universities with psychology degree programs in Michigan.¹
9 schools offer an associate’s degree in psychology.¹
38 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in psychology.¹
17 schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in psychology.¹
2 schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best College Values for 2019.²
2 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

For not-for-profit colleges and universities with psychology degree programs.

Top-Ranked Schools with Psychology Programs in Michigan

Kiplinger’s Best College Values 2019*

Michigan State University (#40)
University of Michigan (#4)

*Institution-wide ranking.

Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Psychology Majors for 2018

Albion College
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Times Higher Education Best Universities for Psychology 2019

Michigan State University (#32)
University of Michigan (#11)

Keep reading to learn more about some of the popular undergraduate and graduate psychology programs offered at several of Michigan’s leading universities.

Schools in Michigan with Psychology Programs

Traditional Undergraduate Programs

Michigan State University

Michigan State University affords undergraduates the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology or a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology. The psychology department recommends a BA for students interested in writing, people, and the humanities while those students with a passion for math and science will likely prefer the BS program. Psychology majors may choose a specialization, which requires completion of between 15 and 20 credits, in such areas as cognitive science, women’s studies, and bioethics. Psychology majors are encouraged to complete a departmental internship or practicum, and eligible students may want to apply for the Honors Program in Psychology.

Central Michigan University

Central Michigan University offers undergraduates the flexibility of earning a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology at one of its Michigan locations. In addition to core college coursework, psychology majors must complete such core psychology courses as lifespan development, marriage, and close relationships, and parent-child relations. Elective classes span such topics as developmental psychology, abnormal psychology, group dynamics, and stress. On-campus students may want to join the Industrial/Organizational Psychology Association, the Clinical Student Association or the Multicultural Psychology Student Society. Eligible students may also join Psi Chi, the national honor society for psychology students.

Michigan State University

Traditional Graduate Programs

Michigan School of Professional Psychology

The Michigan School of Professional Psychology confers the Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Psychology to graduate students who successfully complete the 47-credit program. The master’s program runs as a cohort, which means students enter and progress through the program together as a unit. Graduate students undertake a full range of psychology courses encompassing such topics as psychotherapy with children, identity and family transactions, professional and scientific ethics, and foundations of psychopathology. Successful candidates to the program must possess an undergraduate degree in psychology and must have maintained a minimum 2.5 GPA. Interested candidates who do not possess a degree in psychology must first complete three prerequisite courses before being considered for admission to the program.

Eastern Michigan University

Graduate students pursuing a psychology degree at Eastern Michigan University may choose between a Master of Science (MS) in Clinical and Behavioral Psychology, an MS in General Clinical Psychology, or an MS in General Experimental Psychology. The clinical and behavioral psychology program prepares students for a career in assessment and treatment and requires all graduate students to complete a 500-hour practicum. The clinical and behavioral psychology program, which includes a 600-hour practicum, prepares students to move on to doctoral study. The general experimental psychology programs run on a mentor premise, with students becoming mentees to an individual professor. Graduate students may work toward degree requirements on a full-time or a part-time basis with full-time requiring two years to complete. Part-time students generally fulfill degree requirements within four years.

Online Psychology Programs

Cornerstone University

Cornerstone University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Psychology. The 46-credit-hour major can be completed within 22 months once all other bachelor’s degree requirements are met. Classes are accelerated and follow a cohort model that encourages peer interactions, with cohorts starting at multiple points during the calendar year. The program emphasizes the skills and knowledge needed to analyze and meet human service needs. As a degree completion program, students seeking admittance to the online BS in Psychology must have at least 56 transferable college credit hours and two years of full-time work experience. The Cornerstone University curriculum is developed to encourage students to become leaders in work and in service.

Baker College

Baker College’s online Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology equips students with a deeper understanding of how people in the workplace think and behave, enabling those working in management, human resources, and related fields to advance their careers. Graduates are also prepared to pursue careers in organizational development and employee training and coaching as they learn how to apply psychological principles to organizational needs. Courses in the program include Psychology of Training and Learning; Psychology of Personnel Management and Human Resources; Individual and Group Factors in the Workplace; and Organizational Development, Change, and Consultation. An integrative capstone and graduate seminar are also included in the curriculum.

EPPP Pass Rate and Accreditation Information for Psychology Programs in Michigan

The table below is designed to help you compare not-for-profit psychology schools in Michigan 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	Grad Prog.	Online Prog.	Nat’l Accred.*	Grad Rate**	EPPP Pass Rate⁶	# Taking⁶	College Factual Under- grad Rank⁷	US News Grad Rank⁸	Net Price
Adrian College	Yes	No	No	—	45%	—	—	—	—	$26,710
Albion College	Yes	No	No	—	64%	—	—	214	—	$17,633
Alma College	Yes	No	No	—	64%	—	—	—	—	$22,830
Andrews University	Yes	Yes	No	APA, CACREP, NASP	58%	—	—	—	—	$21,820
Aquinas College	Yes	No	No	—	61%	—	—	—	—	$18,513
Baker College	Yes	Yes	Bachelor’s, Master’s	—	19%	—	—	—	—	$12,877
Calvin College	Yes	No	No	—	77%	—	—	—	—	$25,851
Central Michigan University (Clinical PhD)	Yes	Yes	Bachelor’s	APA, NASP	62%	100%	8	—	190^	$14,372
Central Michigan University (School PhD)	Yes	Yes	Bachelor’s	APA, NASP	62%	40%	5	—	190^	$14,372
Concordia University-Ann Arbor	Yes	No	No	—	39%	—	—	—	—	$25,088
Cornerstone University	Yes	No	Bachelor’s	—	55%	—	—	—	—	$20,461
Eastern Michigan University	Yes	Yes	Master’s	APA, CACREP	45%	100%	10	—	202^	$15,687
Ferris State University	Yes	No	No	—	49%	—	—	—	—	$13,351
Finlandia University	Yes	No	No	—	31%	—	—	—	—	$23,394
Grand Valley State University	Yes	Yes	No	NASP	66%	—	—	—	—	$17,184
Great Lakes Christian College	Yes	No	No	—	16%	—	—	—	—	$14,346
Hillsdale College	Yes	No	No	—	87%	—	—	—	—	$21,918
Hope College	Yes	No	No	—	79%	—	—	159	—	$27,812
Kalamazoo College	Yes	No	No	—	79%	—	—	158	—	$25,903
Kuyper College	Yes	No	No	—	56%	—	—	—	—	$18,754
Lake Superior State University	Yes	No	No	—	54%	—	—	—	—	$11,272
Lawrence Technological University	Yes	No	No	—	58%	—	—	—	—	$30,222
Madonna University	Yes	Yes	No	—	61%	—	—	—	—	$16,415
Michigan School of Professional Psychology	No	Yes	No	APA	N/A	57%	23	—	—	N/A
Michigan State University (School PhD)	Yes	Yes	No	APA, CACREP, NASP	80%	80%	5	107	45^	$16,227
Michigan State University (Clinical PhD)	Yes	Yes	No	APA, CACREP, NASP	80%	100%	6	107	45^	$16,227
Michigan Technological University	Yes	No	No	—	68%	—	—	—	—	$17,175
Northern Michigan University	Yes	Yes	Bachelor’s	—	47%	—	—	—	—	$14,243
Oakland University	Yes	Yes	No	CACREP	55%	—	—	—	—	$12,384
Olivet College	Yes	No	No	—	48%	—	—	—	—	$21,979
Rochester University	Yes	No	No	—	37%	—	—	—	—	$16,281
Saginaw Valley State University	Yes	No	No	—	43%	—	—	—	—	$14,669
Siena Heights University	Yes	No	No	—	43%	—	—	—	—	$19,526
Spring Arbor University	Yes	Yes	No	CACREP	57%	—	—	—	—	$20,000
University of Detroit Mercy	Yes	Yes	No	APA, CACREP, NASP	65%	73%	11	—	211^	$22,016
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor	Yes	Yes	No	APA	92%	83%	6	—	—	$16,856
University of Michigan-Dearborn	Yes	Yes	No	—	56%	—	—	—	—	$10,533
University of Michigan-Flint	Yes	No	No	—	46%	—	—	—	—	$12,519
Wayne State University (Clinical PhD)	Yes	Yes	No	APA, CACREP, NASP	47%	82%	11	204	131^	$14,366
Wayne State University (Educational PhD)	Yes	Yes	No	APA, CACREP, NASP	47%	100%	11	204	131^	$14,366
Western Michigan University (Counseling PhD)	Yes	Yes	No	APA, CACREP	53%	50%	12	—	167^	$15,863
Western Michigan University (Clinical PhD)	Yes	Yes	No	APA, CACREP	53%	100%	5	—	167^	$15,863

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 studies 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 Michigan

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.

Grand Valley State University
1 Campus Dr
Allendale, MI 49401
(616) 331-5000
https://www.gvsu.edu/

Student Review: “The psychology program at Grand Valley State University proved to be insightful, yet relatively simple to complete. I was able to easily finish all of my program requirements within four years while also completing enough classes to obtain a minor in business. The program covers a broad range of topics within the science of psychology, but the general trend is a cognitive-behavioral focus rather than a psychodynamic one. My advice for getting the most out of this program is to try and determine early on what general area of psychology one wants to focus on. This will help in deciding what extra courses to pursue once the prerequisites have been met and will make the experience more meaningful. I strongly encourage getting to know a professor that works in the area of psychology one is interested in and taking an active role in their lab. Doing this definitely enhanced my experience there. My only real criticism of the psychology program at GVSU is the lack of opportunity for course and lab work within the industrial and organizational aspects of psychology.” -Student at Grand Valley State University

Jackson Community College
2111 Emmons Rd
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 787-0800
https://www.jccmi.edu/

Student Review: “I transferred from Ohio to Michigan and needed a school that would accept my credits because I did not want to have to retake any courses that I had previously taken. Jackson Community College did that for me. They accepted everything and upon meeting with my adviser, I was informed that I have one full year. They have such amazing staff. They made the entire transition process smooth and did whatever they could to make every resource available to me. I am taking the course Abnormal Psych and the professor is funny, outgoing, and easy to approach. He uses videos from YouTube and other sources from the internet. JCC has wifi for the students to use and access to a large library. This is helpful when writing papers or looking for research. Aside from the ease of registering given the number of locations (they have five that students can attend), the cost, and experience of professors have made this a positive experience that I would recommend to other students.” – Student at Jackson Community College

Oakland University
2200 North Squirrel Rd
Rochester, MI 48309
(248) 370-2100
https://www.oakland.edu/

Student Review: “I attended Oakland University located in Rochester, Michigan. My major was psychology and I loved my college experience while attending OU. OU psychology program was amazing, the professors made learning fun and interesting. The professors didn’t bore you with long lectures that left you confused. If you didn’t understand a piece of information they would help you one-on-one. Even though the psychology program was tough the school’s tutors and staff helped me every step of the way with encouraging words and support. I decided to major in psychology because I love to help people who are going through tough times. In the program, we were introduced to a well known successful psychologist, who gave us motivational speeches to help us get through tough times while in college. The only thing I disliked about the program was that we were given essay questions on different scenarios about five times a week. So that was five 400 word essays a week, but in the end, it was all worth it. I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in June of 2013. I am now working for this small psychology office as a family psychologist, but I am loving every minute of it. My college experience was awesome, I met a lot of cool friends along the way. My encouraging words to you is to hold on and never give up on your dreams.” -Student at Oakland University

Student Review: “To be honest, the psychology program at Oakland University did not stand out to me at all and it was really a “meh” experience. The professors teaching here lacked passion, engagement and knowledge. It almost felt as if they were just trying to get the class over with so that they could get their paychecks. The teaching method for the psychology program here did not have any real or engaging structures to it at all. We would simply be assigned a book and we’d read it and memorized a bunch of things to it then take a test on it and that would be it. It wasn’t engaging, it wasn’t memorable, it wasn’t a real experience. I really did not enjoy my time here at OU as a psychology student. I feel that I could’ve gotten a better education and experience elsewhere for more than half the cost at a community college. I am really disappointed in this college.” -Student at Oakland University

Saginaw Valley State University
7400 Bay Rd
University Center, MI 48604
(989) 964-4000
https://www.svsu.edu/

Student Review: “I went to Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) for a degree in Psychology. The program was great. I first went to SVSU to study political science, but after taking the a few psychology classes I decided to change my major. The program at SVSU was very beneficial with helping to build a career with my degree. The professors were awesome and very well informed and care if the students do well. The classes were offered at morning and night so they fit very well into my schedule and many were offered in the spring and summer. I would recommend this school and program to anyone interested in gaining more knowledge in the psychology field. The campus experience was great too. There are many clubs and activities to get involved in. Overall a very good experience.” – Student at Saginaw Valley State University

University of Michigan
500 S State St
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
(734) 764-1817
https://umich.edu/

Student Review: “When I first began my studies in psychology, I had previously taken pre-med courses and found my new classes to be a breeze. Everything I learned at the University of Michigan taught me how to handle certain situations. Soon, I began to find psychology to be more complex than anything I had learned in pre-med and I found myself doing compulsive research. Thanks to the excellent psychology program, I decided to get my doctorate and I am in the process of obtaining my master’s degree.” – Student at University of Michigan

Student Review: “The psychology program at the University of Michigan is ranked one of the best in the country. I had a great experience while I was attending. The classes were diverse and stimulating. The large number of classes available allowed me to concentrate on the areas of psychology that I wanted to study (Disability and Couples therapy). The professors were some of the best in the country and I frequently found that a professor was frequently the author of the textbook we were using. The classes are large and it is easy to become lost in the crowd. By clustering my classes around my interests and getting involved in programs like Big Siblings, I was able to personalize my experience and not become a number. There are lots of opportunities to become a research assistant if you are looking to enhance your resume for graduate school. I greatly enjoyed the program, and went back to U of M for my Master’s Degree in Counseling.” – Student at University of Michigan

Student Review: “During my time at UM, I not only the general education courses but the pre-requisite programs definitely prepared me for the psychology program. The professors, being that it was a smaller campus, were able to provide a more personal approach to each student, were understanding when life circumstances arose. Office hours, e-mail, and sometimes even phone calls were very accessible and accommodated certain needs or requests I had pertaining to the courses, as well as a great staff of advisers that steered me in the right direction to pursue my area of study within said program. Personally, I dealt with an injury/lawsuit, and made accommodations to hand in assignments by alternate means (within reason) to accomplish certain course goals. As far as internships were concerned necessary for my program, not only did the advisers but personally, some professor gave me directions and made finding the appropriate requirements more easily accessible. I even had a transportation issue (I was a commuter) and classes in my area of residence were not only available online, but at satellite campuses, easily transferable. Financial aid, advising, and faculty all aided me with a personal approach that made overcoming my obstacles along the way a success.” – Student at University of Michigan

Wayne State University
42 W Warren Ave
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 577-2424
https://wayne.edu/

Student Review: “My experience in Wayne State University’s psychology program was challenging at the beginning, to say the least. I found my freshman year to be the most stressful because I was coming from a community college, thinking that all levels of college were the same. The first thing I noticed at Wayne State was that the workload of psychology and behavioral studies were heavier and more intense. The biggest challenge for me was completing the large volume of reading and projects with short deadlines while maintaining a B average throughout the program. Wayne State offers much help within the psychology department, such as tutorial options, referral programs, outside resources and student clubs. Each class was a stepping stone for the next class and level. The more classes I took toward my degree, the more familiar I became with the psychology program and my experience became more delightful and less stressful.” – Student at Wayne State University

Student Review: “I really enjoyed my time spent at Wayne State University in Detroit. The campus was especially close to the downtown area, which really worked well for me since I didn’t have access to a car during my time spent there. There were various options for food, shopping, and entertainment, both within walking distance of the school and on the school’s campus. The campus and the class sizes were VERY large, in my opinion. It was often a challenge to get to classes on time since many of the buildings were spread very far apart. Many places like the library and bookstore were also very crowded. One of the things I most enjoyed about the campus was seeing people from many different cultures. The university hosts many cultural events throughout the year and there are also various student groups to get involved with on campus. I had great professors while attending and teaching assistants that offered group tutoring sessions for students struggling in courses. Overall, it was a great experience and I highly recommend the school to anyone looking for a college to attend.” – Student at Wayne State University

Student Review: “Overall, I enjoyed my educational experience at Wayne State. The variety of psychology courses is superb, and every teacher I encountered was passionate and helpful. Many of the graduates go on to pursue graduate degrees at Wayne State as well. The only thing I would change would be a greater variety of concentrations. I felt that my concentration in health psychology could have encompassed more classes.” – Student at Wayne State University

Western Michigan University
1903 West Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 387-1000
https://wmich.edu/

Student Review: “The Department of Psychology program at Western Michigan University was a great experience for me. There was a small group of us so it felt more personal and family like when going to classes. I could get the one on one attention that I needed and it definitely helped me throughout my college career. My teachers really cared about their students and had a strong passion for psychology. The passion was present and strong. Within the departments, there were so many different types of psychology studies that you could branch off and learn. The hands-on and field experience was nothing less than exceptional.” – Student at Western Michigan University

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