Psychology Schools in West Virginia
The following guide to psychology schools in West Virginia, which includes profiles of specific graduate and undergraduate psychology programs, is designed to help you make an informed decision on the best program for your academic goals. West Virginia’s colleges and universities feature programs in general psychology as well as in clinical psychology, media psychology, and social psychology. Students who want to earn a psychology degree but require additional flexibility may also want to consider a bachelor’s or master’s psychology program as offered partially or fully online.
Quick Facts
- There are 15 not-for-profit colleges and universities with psychology degree programs in West Virginia.1
- No schools offer an associate’s degree in psychology.1
- 15 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in psychology.1
- 2 schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in psychology.1
- No schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best College Values.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
- 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.
Continue reading below to learn more about several of the popular undergraduate and graduate psychology programs offered in West Virginia and online.
Schools in West Virginia with Psychology Programs
Traditional Undergraduate Programs
West Virginia University
West Virginia University awards both the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology and the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology. Approximately 75% of students opt for the BA degree. Both programs require students to complete 128 credits in general college coursework and core and elective psychology courses. In addition to traditional psychology classes, psychology students can gain practical experience through a teaching practicum in which students serve as tutors or complete a field experience at a local clinical facility. Psychology majors may also create and complete an independent study. Eligible students may want to apply for the honors psychology program, which requires students to write a thesis. The program culminates in a capstone project. Students may also join the Psych Club or Psi Chi, the national honor society for psychology students.
Wheeling Jesuit University
Wheeling Jesuit University offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology with concentrations in Mental Health Sciences, Behavioral Psychopharmacology, Cognitive Neuroscience, or Advanced Statistics and Data Management. Graduates of the BS in Psychology program will be prepared to pursue graduate study or enter the field in an entry-level position. Coursework includes General Psychology, Experimental Psychology, History & Systems of Psychology, a selection of electives, and seminars. A minor is also offered in Psychology. Students at Wheeling Jesuit will have access to over $250,000 worth of equipment to support them during the program.
Traditional Graduate Programs
Marshall University
Marshall University features a Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology program with students having the option of specializing in clinical psychology. Students must complete a minimum of 36 credits to fulfill degree requirements, although many students complete more than that. All graduate students create a plan of study in which they identify the courses they will take in accordance with their career goals. Required courses encompass biological bases of behavior, statistics, developmental psychology, ethical and legal issues in psychology, and a research seminar. A thesis and a comprehensive exam are mandatory. Prospective students must fill out an application and provide three letters of recommendation.
West Virginia University
West Virginia University offers several options for graduate programs in psychology, including a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology, with available emphasis areas in Behavior Analysis, Behavioral Neuroscience, Clinical Child Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and Life-Span Developmental Psychology. The Clinical Psychology and Clinical Child Psychology PhDs are based on the scientist-practitioner model, with equal emphasis on research and practice. All students in the program must complete a one-year, full-time, APA-approved internship, which will be completed in year five or six for students who enter with a bachelor’s degree and in year four or five for students who enter with a master’s degree and an approved thesis. Most students take an average of just over five years to complete the program, and 87% of graduates between 2005 and 2015 went on to become licensed psychologists. Courses in the Clinical Psychology program include Research Methods in Clinical Psychology, Child Behavior Therapy, Experimental Analysis of Behavior, Professional Issues in Clinical Psychology, Biological Aspects of Behavior, and Seminar in Life-Span Development.
Online Psychology Programs
University of Charleston
The University of Charleston is home to an online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program that prepares students for the rigors of graduate study in psychology and related fields as well as for professional employment. The undergraduate psychology curriculum is research-intensive and includes 12 credit hours of research methods courses and 24 credit hours of study dedicated to psychology. Courses offered for the major include Life-Span Development, Social Psychology, History of Systems & Theories in Psychology, and Methods for the Behavioral Sciences. Online courses for the program typically follow an eight-week block structure. In total, students will complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to earn the bachelor’s degree.
West Virginia University
West Virginia University offers an online Master of Science in Clinical Rehabilitation & Mental Health Counseling that focuses on practitioner training in diverse populations. The degree requires 60 credit hours to complete and typically qualifies graduates for professional licensure in mental health counseling. Students can typically meet degree requirements within two to three years. Students will take such courses as Medical Aspects of Rehabilitation; Counseling Theories & Techniques; Theories of Human Appraisal; and Addictions Counseling. Each program cohort starts courses in the fall semester, and two week-long residencies in Morgantown at the West Virginia University campus are mandatory. Prospective students with any undergraduate major are invited to apply; all students must provide a statement of purpose as well as GRE or MAT scores for consideration.
EPPP Pass Rate and Accreditation Information for Psychology Programs in West Virginia
The table below is designed to help you compare not-for-profit psychology schools in West Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alderson Broaddus University | Yes | No | No | — | 35% | — | — | — | — | $19,742 |
| Bethany College | Yes | No | No | — | 34% | — | — | — | — | $20,075 |
| Concord University | Yes | No | No | — | 38% | — | — | — | — | $9,073 |
| Davis & Elkins College | Yes | No | No | — | 41% | — | — | — | — | $18,152 |
| Fairmont State University | Yes | No | No | — | 36% | — | — | — | — | $9,244 |
| Marshall University | Yes | Yes | No | APA, CACREP, NASP | 46% | 100% | 17 | — | — | $8,850 |
| Shepherd University | Yes | No | No | — | 48% | — | — | — | — | $9,221 |
| University of Charleston | Yes | No | Bachelor’s | — | 47% | — | — | — | — | $13,643 |
| West Liberty University | Yes | No | No | — | 47% | — | — | — | — | $12,913 |
| West Virginia State University | Yes | No | No | — | 29% | — | — | — | — | $9,860 |
| West Virginia University (Clinical PhD) | Yes | Yes | Master’s | APA, CACREP | 60% | 100% | 19 | — | 131^ | $12,181 |
| West Virginia University (Counseling PhD) | Yes | Yes | Master’s | APA, CACREP | 60% | 64% | 14 | — | 131^ | $12,181 |
| West Virginia University Institute of Technology | Yes | No | No | — | 34% | — | — | — | — | $9,727 |
| West Virginia Wesleyan College | Yes | No | No | — | 49% | — | — | — | — | $19,182 |
| Wheeling Jesuit University | Yes | No | No | — | 56% | — | — | — | — | $17,285 |
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 West Virginia
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.
American Military University
111 W Congress St
Charles Town, WV
(877) 755-2787
https://www.amu.apus.edu/
Student Review: “American Military University is by far one of the best college experiences I’ve ever had. Being in the military and dealing with deployments and permanent change of stations makes it a little bit harder trying to attend a school on campus. Hence, this is why I love American Military University! The psychology program can be demanding at times but when you have great teachers that are willing to accommodate their military students with extra help and flexibility around deployments schedules. Their online courses are easy to navigate throughout the classrooms and the coursework/deadlines are clearly stated throughout the syllabus. Each course is only 8 weeks long but several courses can be extended to 16 weeks. Their online tech support is always up to par and teachers are readily available through email and discussion boards. American Military University also provides forums and conferences to enhance your knowledge on several topics such as career fairs and bring in psychological experts to discuss specialized topics dealing with psychology. The counselors are great and are willing to review your progress and see what exactly your educational goals are to provide you a greater educational path. But overall, being a busy mom, service member and wife, American Military University was the way to go!” – Student at American Military University
West Virginia State University
Institute, WV 25112
(304) 766-3000
https://www.wvstateu.edu/
Student Review: “West Virginia State University is a historically black college; over the years it has become diverse having all ethnicity coming to the school. I decided to pursue my degree in psychology because I always wanted to help individuals with psychological and emotional problems, but I have been very passionate about the scientific part in psychological meaning I always wanted to know what was the root cause of peoples psychological and chemical problem.” -Student at West Virginia State University
West Virginia University Morgantown
PO Box 6201
Morgantown, WV 26506
(304) 293-0111
https://www.wvu.edu/
Student Review: “I attended the master’s degree program at West Virginia University in counseling/guidance, part of the psychology department. It was a three-semester program. Our class was very small, only about 28 students, so we received very individualized attention. All areas of the field were covered; we took “field trips” to different institutions to get a feel for what working would be like in those areas. We also did clinical rotations through various clinics and institutions. All in all, it was a great experience with a lot of one-on-one help and assistance.” -Student at West Virginia University
WV Wesleyan College
59 College Ave
Buckhannon, WV 26201
(304) 473-8000
https://www.wvwc.edu/
Student Review: “Attending the WVWC psychology program was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The small class sizes and department faculty were two of the most important factors to my success. Classes were usually no more than 20 students and the professors really took the time to connect with each individual in order to facilitate the best learning experience. With the option of Track I or Track II, my peers and myself were given the opportunity to gear our learning and classes towards what best suited our individual goals. There was also support from faculty when needed and there seemed to be endless different opportunities that were challenging, but always worth the effort. The Track II thesis project was also a great experience. I was given the opportunity to develop and conduct an experiment using the group of lab rats that the department housed. Overall, my experience with the WVWC psychology department was 5 stars!” – Student at WV Wesleyan College
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