Sandy beaches and tropical weather aren’t the only reason to head South because the Master’s in Psychology degree programs in Florida rank among the best of the best nationally.
Florida’s 41 psychology schools offer extremely versatile degrees that have broad applications in the $883 billion economy. Ranked #1 for growth prospects by Forbes, Florida hires psychologists for rehabilitating criminals at Blackwater River Correctional Facility, treating disorders at Central Florida Behavioral Hospital, improving HR solutions at Siemens Energy, counseling kids in Broward County Public Schools, addressing PTSD at MacDill Air Force Base, and more. Florida employs 84,600 human services professionals across industries with an average yearly salary of $44,310.
Find your ideal master’s-level practice specialty by diving into our first section of accredited graduate psychology programs in Florida (A-F).
Barry University
College of Arts and Sciences
Occupying a 54-building campus in Miami Shores with branches from Orlando to St. Croix, Barry University is one of the Southeast’s largest private, Catholic AACU liberal arts schools offering 110 programs across nine schools to over 7,000 Buccaneers in the Sunshine State Conference. Ranked 44th by Value Colleges Online, Barry is named the 102nd best Southeastern bang for the buck and 224th top national university in Washington Monthly. Placed third in the 2016 LSSF Symposium, Barry’s College of Arts and Sciences has 10 divisions with 50+ student clubs like Psi Chi Honor Society.
Clinical Psychology, MS
In Miami Shores only, Barry’s Clinical Psychology MS has evening courses with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio to prepare graduates for becoming licensed mental health counselors to help Floridians overcome cognitive and behavioral problems for improved daily functioning. With an optional Forensic Psychology Specialization, the 60-credit curriculum spans three years full-time with 1,000 hours of supervised practicum. Thesis research is undertaken and often presented at the Florida Academy of Sciences. Alums have excelled with Heartland Alliance, Cornerstone Neuropsychology, Correct Care Solutions, and more.
Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, MS
Chaired by Kathryn Ludwig, PhD, the Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology MS is another of the Master’s in Psychology degree programs in Florida for Barry students to better understand the neurological mechanisms that affect human movement. For $990 per credit, the 36-69 credit curriculum lets students pick the Applied Track, Thesis Track, Dual Applied/Thesis Track, or Dual SEPP/MBA Degree. Courses like biomechanics and motor development are supplemented with practice in the HPLS Performance Behavior Lab. Graduate assistantships are available in the NCAA Division II Athletics Department.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Barry Memorial Library 149
11300 NE 2nd Avenue
Miami Shores, FL 33161
(800) 756-6000 ext. 4576
Carlos Albizu University-Miami
Degrees in Psychology
Founded by the distinguished Puerto Rican psychologist in 1966, Carlos Albizu University is a private, nonprofit teaching college with a Community Mental Health Clinic that’s serving 2,413 students under President José I. Pons Madera, PhD, from three locations in San Juan, Miami, and Mayagüez. Honored within the top 100 institutions by Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education magazine, CAU was ranked Florida’s fourth best college for online degrees by Great Value Colleges. The Master’s Degrees in Psychology also place in the United States’ top 20 for leading to minority doctorates according to the National Science Foundation.
Master of Science (M.S.) in Psychology Major in Marriage and Family Therapy
Supplying Florida with highly skilled LMFTs, the Master of Science (M.S.) in Psychology Major in Marriage and Family Therapy takes a relational approach to preparing CAU post-grads in Miami for delivering counseling services that resolve dysfunction and aid growth. Integrating 600 practicum hours from Coral Gables to Palm Beach, the 42-credit degree offers evening courses for family systems, couples therapy, and interpersonal awareness. With the 15:1 student-faculty ratio, peers also engage together in the APAGS Chapter, Society for Military Psychology Club, or Gender and Sexual Diversity Organization.
Master of Science (M.S.) in Psychology Major in Mental Health Counseling
Charging an average net price of $25,030 yearly, CAU’s Master of Science (M.S.) in Psychology Major in Mental Health Counseling adheres to NBCC requirements to produce licensed counselors who holistically treat disorders for better client wellbeing. The 61-credit curriculum integrates 10 practicum credits in the public or private sector, such as Jackson Behavioral Health Hospital and Mercy Miami Behavioral Health. Courses are primarily scheduled after 5pm on weekdays with some Saturday and online options to study family therapy, group dynamics, human sexuality, and more.
Master of Science (M.S.) in Psychology Major in School Counseling
Solely delivered in Miami, the Master of Science (M.S.) in Psychology Major in School Counseling is another of the Master’s in Psychology degree programs in Florida at Albizu that uses evening and Saturday courses to develop culturally competent guidance counselors for PreK-12 districts. Selectively admitting 35 percent of applicants, the two-year, full-time degree includes 49 credits like consultative interventions, career development, and exceptional children. Requiring a 3.0 GPA and GRE/MAT scores, the program also integrates 600 practicum hours in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
Master of Science (M.S.) in Psychology Major in School Psychology
Offering an optional Certificate in Autism, the Master of Science (M.S.) in Psychology Major in School Psychology uses the scientist-practitioner-leader model for CAU post-grads to develop the assessment strategies and intervention skills to meet PreK-12 students’ needs. Adhering to NASP standards, the three-year, full-time program unlocks state licensure with courses from youth development to psychopathology in San Juan and Miami. Clinical experience is integrated with 1,200-hour internships at partnering schools, such as Biscayne Elementary, Citrus Grove Middle, and Coral Reef Senior High.
Master of Science (M.S.) in Psychology Major in Industrial-Organizational Psychology
Ranked #3 in America for student ratings of quality by a University of Tulsa study, CAU’s Master of Science (M.S.) in Psychology Major in Industrial-Organizational Psychology is available in Miami or 100% online for Floridians to apply scientific knowledge about the human condition for workplace betterment. Taught by SIOP members, the 42-credit, non-licensure track costs $570 per credit for courses like work motivation, talent development, labor law, and employee relations. Before entering the fast-growing field, I/O majors also undertake six applied research credits and a comprehensive exam.
Master of Science (M.S.) in Psychology Major in Counseling Psychology
Directed by María Paredes-Despradel, PhD, the Master of Science (M.S.) in Psychology Major in Counseling Psychology lets Miami post-grads migrate to San Juan or Mayagüez to develop the dispositions needed to address complex maladaptive behaviors from a human development perspective. Applying the Boulder scientist-practitioner model, the 60-credit degree fulfills state licensing in 2.5 years full-time with didactic courses like psychotherapy, personality, and neuroscience. Graduates also shape their therapeutic techniques with four supervised practica of 500 clock hours and four case study-style seminars.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
2173 NW 99th Avenue
Miami, FL 33172
(305) 593-1223
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities
Affiliated with distinguished alums like Rep. Corrine Brown and John W. Thompson, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University is the Sunshine State’s only public, land-grant historically black school with R2 status and 9,614 Rattlers in Tallahassee. FAMU was named America’s fifth best HBCU in Essence Magazine and 100th best university overall for civic engagement by Washington Monthly. Ranked America’s 719th best college for psychology on Niche, the College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities confers one of the Master’s in Psychology degree programs in Florida with a 91 percent placement rate.
Master of Science Degree in Community Psychology
Chaired by Gwendolyn Singleton, PhD, the Master of Science Degree in Community Psychology at FAMU has a built-in Black Psychology and Multicultural Mental Health Emphasis for minority post-grads to become licensed counselors and serve populations of color. Presently charging $17,251 in-state and $28,345 out-of-state yearly, the 50-credit, four-semester program spans courses from psychoeducational assessment to personality testing and behavior modification. Majors might also intern with Rimland Service NFP, join Psychology Club, engage in Black Psychology Theme Week, and study in the Center for Ethnic Psychological Research.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Colleges (SACS)
Contact
Gore Education Complex 203B
1601 S. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
Tallahassee, FL 32307
(850) 599-3014
Florida Atlantic University
Schmidt College of Science/College of Education
In Conference USA, Florida Atlantic University stands upon 850 acres in Boca Raton, Florida’s second most livable city on Niche, as a public, land-grant R2 school led by President John W. Kelly with 4,670 post-grad Owls. FAU was declared America’s 238th best university for social mobility in Washington Monthly and 208th top research institute by Forbes. The Schmidt College of Science and College of Education share two Master’s in Psychology degree programs in Florida with a 24:1 student-faculty ratio that are ranked 112th nationally by the U.S. News survey.
Master’s Degree (M.A.) in General-Experimental Psychology
Coordinated by Christine Kraft, the Master’s Degree (M.A.) in General-Experimental Psychology has a 95 percent placement rate for post-grads to get accepted into APA-accredited doctoral programs with in-depth knowledge of the human mind and research methods. Using state-of-the-art resources like the FAU Human Imaging Core in Boca Raton, the 31-credit degree studies specialties from behavioral neuroscience to motion perception in just 24 months full-time. Majors may also join the Association of Biological and Biomedical Studies (ABBS), attend the Frontiers in Science Lecture Studies, and pledge Psi Chi.
Master’s Degree (M.Ed.) in Educational Psychology
Redesigned in March 2016, the Master’s Degree (M.Ed.) in Educational Psychology accepts FAU post-grads with minimum GRE scores of 154 verbal and 144 quantitative to complete applied, non-licensure study into how humans learn within various academic settings. Accredited by the CAEP, the 36-credit plan includes evening courses like concepts of self and school assessment before the master’s thesis or independent study project. Graduates could also contribute to the Florida Journal of Teacher Education, teach English abroad in Nepal, and join the Graduate Student Society.
Accreditation
• Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Colleges (SACS)
Contact
Education Building 355
777 Glades Road
Boca Raton, FL 33431
(561) 297-3791
Florida Institute of Technology
College of Psychology and Liberal Arts
Headquartered upon 130 acres in Melbourne with a research campus in Jensen Beach on the Indian River Lagoon, the Florida Institute of Technology is a private, space-grant R2 doctoral institute rooted in engineering that’s enrolling 3,045 post-grad Panthers under President Dwayne McCay with a $66.2 million endowment. FIT was ranked America’s 123rd best Common Application college on Niche and 316th top private university by Forbes. Presently billing $1,241 per credit, the College of Psychology and Liberal Arts was recognized by the USNWR for the 202nd top psychology degrees countrywide.
Master’s Degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Leading to an MS, the Master’s Degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology is a 45-credit, two-year program directed by Dean Mary Beth Kenkel, a licensed APA Fellow, to develop students’ management consulting expertise for modifying employee behaviors in diverse workplaces. Open for admission until January 15th yearly, the scientist-practitioner curriculum includes practicum with courses like personnel selection and industrial training. The Florida Tech Center for Organizational Effectiveness also offers cutting-edge labs for thesis research. Alums have excelled with Disney, Boeing, Marriott International, Google, and others.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Colleges (SACS)
Contact
Harris Commons 208
150 W. University Blvd.
Melbourne, FL 32901
(321) 674-8142
Florida International University
College of Arts, Sciences & Education
Proposed by Ernest Graham to the State Senate in 1943, Florida International University is a public, fast-growing R1 research hub within the ORAU that’s conferring around 280 majors in 23 colleges to 55,112 Panthers, including 8,700 post-grads, from its twin campuses in Miami, Forbes’ 32nd best city for job growth. FIU was ranked America’s 444th best college with an estimated full price of $24,500 in Money magazine and 87th top public university on Niche. The College of Arts, Sciences & Education has the 148th best psychology education according to the USNWR and 84 percent retention.
Master of Science in Psychology
Chaired by Jeremy Pettit, PhD, the Master of Science in Psychology at FIU stands out among Master’s in Psychology degree programs in Florida by offering three tracks: the 36-credit Generalist, 60-credit Professional Counseling, and 93-credit Legal Psychology for the Dual JD/MS. Each trains applied practitioners for using behavioral research to advocate change in diverse field placements, such as Nicklaus Children’s Hospital or Wolfson Law Firm. Students could also join the APA Science Student Council, pledge Chi Sigma Iota, and design studies in the Developmental Psychobiology Lab.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Colleges (SACS)
Contact
Biscayne Bay Campus AC1 384
3000 NE 151st Street
Miami, FL 33181
(305) 919-5867
Florida State University
College of Education
Admitting 41,867 Seminoles from 130+ countries with a 55:45 female-male ratio, Florida State University is a public, sea-grant and space-grant R1 institution within the SUSF system that’s endowed for $652 million under President John E. Thrasher with 1,392 acres in Forbes’ 45th best city for education. Given the Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization, FSU was ranked America’s 69th best national university for the public good on Washington Monthly. The College of Education is crowned the 52nd best education school with the 60th best graduate psychology programs on the USNWR report.
School Psychology – Combined MS/EdS
Nationally approved by the NASP, Florida State’s School Psychology – Combined MS/EdS gives post-grads two degrees concurrently with the intervention skills to help PreK-12 children develop healthily within safe, supportive school communities. Open for admission until December 1st, the three-year, 76-credit curriculum includes practice in the Human Services Center (HSC) on-campus with courses like school-based consultation, ESOL, multicultural counseling, and child psychology. Led by Dr. Frances Prevatt, the program also includes a 1,200-hour internship in Leon and Wakulla County Schools.
Educational Psychology – Learning and Cognition MS
Chaired by Dr. Betsy Becker, FSU’s Educational Psychology – Learning and Cognition MS is another of the CAEP-accredited Master’s in Psychology degree programs in Florida where students prepare for conducting research on how humans or animals process information. The 33-36 credit program follows a Thesis Track or Exam Track after courses like lifespan development, cognition in instruction, parental support, and motivation. Post-grads pay $479 from Florida or $1,110 out-of-state per credit while researching in the Daily Living Skills Lab and Learning Resource Center.
Sport Psychology MS
Accepting applications until January 8th annually, the Sport Psychology MS at Florida State welcomes Fall cohorts of 10-12 post-grads for studying athletic behaviors to help individuals or teams enhance their movements and resolve any performance problems. Directed by Eileen Sirois, the 37-credit curriculum culminates with a thesis defense after face-to-face courses like physical activity, cognitive processes, and human functioning. While working toward the CC-AASP credential, students could also attend the APA Division 47 Conference, earn EPLS graduate assistantships, and practice in the Sport Psychology Lab.
Accreditation
• Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Colleges (SACS)
Contact
Stone Building 3204F
1114 W. Call Street
Tallahassee, FL 32306
(850) 645-2371
Our trek across the “Sunshine State” to find accredited colleges filling students’ brains with knowledge about the brain is only heating up. Make sure you know all of the available options by continuing to our next installment of Master’s in Psychology degree programs in Florida here: Master’s in Psychology Degree Programs in Florida (G-Z)