Psychology Schools in North Dakota
The following guide to psychology schools in North Dakota, which features profiles of several undergraduate and graduate psychology programs in the state, is designed to make choosing a psychology program less stressful. North Dakota’s colleges and universities confer undergraduate and graduate psychology degrees in general psychology and in concentrations including forensic psychology. Students interested in a viable alternative to traditional learning may want to consider pursuing an online psychology degree.
Quick Facts
- There are 8 not-for-profit colleges and universities with psychology degree programs in North Dakota.1
- No schools offer an associate’s degree in psychology.1
- 8 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in psychology.1
- 4 schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in psychology.1
- No 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
- 1 school ranked in PsychologyDegree411’s Top Schools with Online Psychology Programs.4
- No 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 North Dakota
PsychologyDegree411’s Top Schools with Online Psychology Programs
- University of North Dakota (#13)
Continue reading below to learn more about several of the popular undergraduate and graduate psychology programs offered online and at a few of North Dakota’s leading universities.
Schools in North Dakota with Psychology Programs
Traditional Undergraduate Programs
Valley City State University
Valley City State University’s Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Bachelor of Science in Psychology programs both require 120 credit hours to complete. Typically, students pursuing the Bachelor of Science will take more science and math courses, while students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts will earn proficiency in a foreign language. Courses in the major include Developmental Psychology, Research Methods, Understanding Statistics, and Mental Health. The program also includes 21 credit hours of directed electives in psychology and sociology, allowing students to tailor their study towards personal and career goals. Those interested in graduate study are encouraged to pursue an internship, which requires junior class status and a minimum GPA of 2.5. During the senior year, students will take a culminating capstone course based on an applied learning activity.
Jamestown College
Undergraduates at Jamestown College may pursue a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology or a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology. Students on either track may concentrate in addiction counseling. The Bachelor of Arts program is recommended for those students who plan to enter the workforce upon graduation while the Bachelor of Science caters to students who will move on to graduate studies. All psychology majors will complete such core psychology requirements as general psychology, math statistics, psychology in context, and statistics and experimental design. Students in the addiction counseling concentration, who must complete 1,400 clock hours in clinical experience, will earn the necessary educational credentials to earn licensure as an addictions counselor in the state of North Dakota.
Traditional Graduate Programs
North Dakota State University
North Dakota State University offers three graduate programs in psychology: the PhD in Psychological Clinical Science, the PhD in Health/Social Psychology, and the PhD in Visual and Cognitive Neuroscience. All three programs emphasize advanced research skills to prepare graduates for work in academics as well as applied research settings and follow an apprenticeship model of research training. All three programs also require a minimum of 90 credit hours of graduate study and provide in-depth research and experimental psychology training, as well as courses in teaching. Students will also benefit from the university’s ongoing colloquium series, which provides job assistance as well as presentations from nationally-prominent researchers.
Minot State University
Minot State offers a three-year graduate program in Education Specialist in School Psychology. This rigorous program prepares graduates to become certified as a school psychologist. The program emphasizes a hands-on approach to assessment, intervention, and consultation, and ends with a one-year, 1,200-hour internship. The Education Specialist program is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). The program’s mission covers three major components, including “Scientist-practitioner,” “Do whatever it takes,” and “To make a difference.” A total of 71 credit hours are required to graduate from the program; courses include Behavior Problems of Exceptional Children, Methods Of Teaching the Learning Disabled, Human Growth and Development, Individual Cognitive Assessment, Counseling Skills, Role and Function Of School Psychologist, and an internship.
Online Psychology Programs
University of Mary
The University of Mary offers an online Bachelor of Science in Psychology that emphasizes modern research on human behavior. The degree program is designed for working adults and offers a high degree of flexibility for those with commitments outside of school. Additionally, the accelerated format for the degree can allow students to graduate with a bachelor’s in as few as 22 months, less time than is typical for comparable on-campus programs. Major courses include Cognitive Psychology, Research Methods for Behavioral Sciences, and Clinical Psychology. Students can choose to complete an online minor in complementing areas such as Addiction Counseling, Criminal Justice, or Theology. Many students also declare a second major. Graduates will be prepared to pursue advanced study or begin careers in psychology, counseling, and related fields.
University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota is home to an online Master of Arts (MS) in Forensic Psychology that only requires one on-campus visit through the typical two years of study it takes to complete the degree plan. The Master of Science program consists of 35 credits, which includes a mandatory thesis. Students will complete core courses in foundations of forensic psychology, diversity psychology, behavior pathology, psychology and the law, and readings in psychology. Students will have the opportunity, in addition to core psychology courses, to delve into such topics as bullying, neuropsychology, and child psychopathology. Students will develop their understanding of advanced concepts in psychology while honing their skills in analysis, statistics, and evaluation. Lectures are pre-recorded, which gives students flexibility in planning their time for coursework.
EPPP Pass Rate and Accreditation Information for Psychology Programs in North Dakota
The table below is designed to help you compare not-for-profit psychology schools in North Dakota 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dickinson State University | Yes | No | No | — | 34% | — | — | — | — | $11,502 |
| Mayville State University | Yes | No | No | — | 28% | — | — | — | — | $12,711 |
| Minot State University | Yes | Yes | No | NASP | 46% | — | — | — | — | $10,153 |
| North Dakota State University | Yes | Yes | No | CACREP | 58% | — | — | — | 167^ | $15,472 |
| University of Jamestown | Yes | No | No | — | 43% | — | — | — | — | $19,306 |
| University of Mary | Yes | Yes | Bachelor’s | — | 55% | — | — | — | — | $17,216 |
| University of North Dakota (Clinical PhD) | Yes | Yes | Master’s | APA | 55% | 89% | 18 | — | 167^ | $15,374 |
| University of North Dakota (Counseling PhD) | Yes | Yes | Master’s | APA | 55% | 80% | 10 | — | 167^ | $15,374 |
| Valley City State University | Yes | No | No | — | 41% | — | — | — | — | $12,135 |
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 North Dakota
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.
North Dakota State University
1340 Administration Ave
Fargo, ND 58102
(701) 231-8011
https://www.ndsu.edu/
Student Review: “The psychology program at North Dakota State University was a really great experience for me. The content that I learned in my time studying psychology has been essential to my career. I was given many opportunities throughout my time at North Dakota State University that helped me develop into a great student and a great person. While the coursework was not always easy, and often times challenging, North Dakota State provided a vast support network of TAs and professors who were available and always willing to help you prepare for your career, and a wide range of courses to help you determine where you would like to put your focus within the field of psychology.” – Student at North Dakota State 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