Let’s continue our search for mental health training in America’s eighth most densely populated state with 14 more Master’s in Psychology degree programs in Florida.
Placed 15th among the least happy states on WalletHub, Florida has been facing a mental health epidemic with 70 percent of people not receiving the treatment they need. Florida spends just $37.28 per person annually for mental health resources, which ranks 49th in the United States. Psychology grads are extremely in-demand to remove the stigma of mental illness and provide early intervention to Floridians before tragedies like the 2014 FSU shooting by Myron May can take lives.
Joining the 2,720 clinical, counseling, and school psychologists statewide often requires a doctorate, but the following master’s in psychology schools in Florida provide a great career start.
(For the first part of our list, see: Master’s in Psychology Degree Programs in Florida (A-F))
Keiser University-Fort Lauderdale
Graduate School
Sold to Everglades College, Inc., by Arthur Keiser in 2011, Keiser University is an accredited private, nonprofit ICUF member devoted to “Purity, Truth, Wisdom” when educating its over 20,000 students and generating a $3 billion economic impact from its 100-acre residential campus in Fort Lauderdale off the Florida Turnpike. Keiser was ranked America’s 17th best college for Hispanics in Diverse Issues and 272nd college with the best academics on Niche. The Graduate School grants two Master’s in Psychology degree programs in Florida at several campuses or online with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio.
Master of Science in Psychology
Delivered at 17 locations from New Port Richey to Daytona Beach, Keiser’s Master of Science in Psychology is a generalist, STEM-based program directed by Cheri Hansen, PhD, for post-grads to interpret psychological principles on behavior from empirical research data. Transferrable for the PhD in Psychology, the 36-credit degree charges $10,982 per full-time semester in coursework for health psychology, evolutionary biology, psychometrics, and scholarly writing before thesis research. Alums have presented findings in Alzheimer’s Care Today, at the APS Annual Convention, and elsewhere.
MS in Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Requiring a minimum 2.7 GPA and combined New GRE score of 300, the MS in Industrial and Organizational Psychology for Keiser post-grads at 13 Florida locations from Fort Myers to Tallahassee teach to support companies’ human capital by informing senior management of the best practices for spark better relations. Also billing $10,982 each full-time term, the 36-credit program is partially informed by the School of Business for courses like leadership decision-making, career assessment, and systems of psychology. Joining Seahawk Nation gives access to the Online Career Center, Sigma Delta Honor Society, and 24/7 Student Services Department.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
1500 NW 49th St.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
(888) 534-7379
kugradsa@keiseruniversity.edu
Lynn University
College of Arts and Sciences
Named for Christine E. and Eugene M. Lynn since 1991, Lynn University is a private, nonprofit ICUF member endowed for $27.1 million under President Kevin Ross that’s enrolling 2,100 Fighting Knights from 80 nations in the Sunshine State Conference with a 115-acre campus in Boca Raton. Lynn was ranked America’s 276th best university in Washington Monthly with the 83rd best college food on Niche. Providing the 174th best online graduate education according to the USNWR, the College of Arts and Sciences is led by Dean Katrina Carter-Tellison with three master’s options.
M.S. in Psychology Program
Embracing iPad-powered learning with 30+ educational apps, the M.S. in Psychology is one of the online Master’s in Psychology degree programs in Florida costing $725 per credit for Lynn post-grads to study research literature about human behaviors with published faculty. Integrating a built-in Industrial/Organizational Psychology Concentration, the 37-credit degree focuses on the workplace with Web-based courses like personality theory, job appraisal, and social dynamics. During the three-week J-Term, students will contribute to The Citizenship Project with Habitat for Humanity, Global Vision International, and others.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Schmidt College Center, 1st Floor
3601 N. Military Trail
Boca Raton, FL 33431
(800) 994-5966
admission@lynn.edu
Nova Southeastern University
College of Psychology
Occupying 314 acres around the Don Taft University Center in Davie within Forbes’ #2 happiest metro for young professionals, Nova Southeastern University is a private, nonprofit community-engaged ICUF institution that’s serving 24,148 Sharks under Chancellor Ray F. Ferraro’s direction. NSU was crowned America’s 198th top private college on Niche and 234th best university overall by Plexuss. Also ranked 211th nationally for graduate psychology education by the USNWR, the College of Psychology has full-time, PhD-level faculty from UCLA, Dartmouth, Alberta, McMaster, Hawaii-Manoa, and more.
M.S. in General Psychology
Delivered in an interactive online format on Blackboard, the M.S. in General Psychology at NSU develops foundational knowledge about the mind and behavior for non-psych grads to prepare for PhD or PsyD training. Led by Dr. Alex Cruc, the 30-credit, non-licensure program has General Psychology, Applied Health Sciences, and Diversity Studies tracks atop courses like cognitive psychology for $730 per credit. Open for admission until July 7th, December 1st, and March 29th yearly, the program will include thesis work online or in cutting-edge facilities like the Trauma Resolution Integration Lab.
M.S. in Forensic Psychology
Offering some free webinars by industry experts like Toby Weinman, JD, the M.S. in Forensic Psychology costs $730 per credit for Nova Southeastern students to develop the competencies for providing behavioral services in the criminal justice system or military. Available online or in Davie, the 36-credit, non-licensure degree bestows specializations for Legal Psychology, Criminal Mental Health, and Disaster Response after core courses on psychopathology. Majors might also join the Students United for Returning Veterans, earn the Leonard Roth Memorial Scholarship, and intern at the Davie Police Department.
M.S. in Experimental Psychology
Directed by Jonathan Banks, PhD, Nova’s M.S. in Experimental Psychology is another of the Master’s in Psychology degree programs in Florida admitting face-to-face cohorts each August to improve their scientific inquiry skills for doctoral study or research assistant jobs in behavioral science. Involving 33 credits that cost $730 each, the curriculum builds on methodologies courses with specialties like developmental, social, and cognitive psychology. Students also undertake thesis research in the Center for Psychological Studies, join the EMAGS or SOAP clubs, and get graduate assistantships worth $10,984 yearly.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Maltz Psychology Building
3301 College Ave.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314
(954) 262-5701
grosby@nova.edu
Saint Leo University
School of Arts and Sciences
Employing 1,376 qualified faculty instead of TAs, Saint Leo University is a private, Catholic liberal arts school associated with the Holy Name Monastery that has provided distance education since the Vietnam War and grown to enroll 16,207 Lions in 50 states from the Tampa-St. Petersburg Metro. Saint Leo is ranked America’s eighth best for vets school in Military Times and 35th top online college on Niche. Unlocking a median starting salary of $42,600, the School of Arts and Sciences has one of the flexible Master’s in Psychology degree programs in Florida for study from the comfort of home.
M.S. Psychology Online
Featuring virtual club meetings with the Psychology Association, the M.S. Psychology Online admits cohorts of 15 post-grads to take asynchronous courses that build advanced generalist knowledge on behavior and the scientific skills to enter doctoral study. With eight-week session scheduling, the program requires 36 credits costing $650 apiece for courses like cognition, physiological psychology, social psychology, and psychometric testing and the culminating capstone. Saint Leo admission relies upon finishing a B.A./B.S. with a cumulative GPA above 3.0 and writing a 500-word goals statement.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
33701 State Road 52
Saint Leo, FL 33574
(800) 707-8846
grad.admissions@saintleo.edu
Trinity International University-Florida
Graduate School
Affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church in America, Trinity International University is a private, liberal arts school and seminary led by President David S. Dockery since 2014 that’s serving 2,700 Trojans for “Transforming the World Through Christ” at five campuses from Deerfield to Miramar. Given a 2017 Christianity Today Book Award, TIU is ranked America’s 20th best Christian college on Sharefaith and 223rd top research university by Forbes. The Graduate School integrates the Gospel into six programs, including one of the Master’s in Psychology degree programs in Florida, with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio
MA in Counseling Psychology
Offering funding like the Ministry Rebate Scholarship, Trinity’s MA in Counseling Psychology costs $645 per credit for faithful post-grads to refine their counseling skills for delivering appropriate interventions from a Biblical worldview. For two years full-time, the 54-60 credit curriculum tailors courses about counseling theories with tracks in Clinical Mental Health or School Guidance. Organized by Kimberly Oram, PsyD, the program involves 1,000 hours of field-based practicum at placements like Bayview Center Mental Health, Broward Connections, and Sunset Lakes Elementary School.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
3700 Lakeside Dr.
Miramar, FL 33027
(954) 382-6400
koram@tiu.edu
University of Central Florida
College of Education and Human Performance
Leading the NASA Florida Space Grant Consortium, the University of Central Florida has grown since June 1963 into the largest single-campus public, research college nationally that’s serving 64,318 Knights on 1,415 acres surrounded by Gemini Blvd. in Orlando near Disney and Epcot. UCF is crowned America’s 496th best university overall by Times Higher Education and the Southeast’s 48th top value in Washington Monthly. Placed 99th by the USNWR survey, the College of Education and Human Performance has the 112th best psychology degrees with “more selective” admission at 49 percent.
M.A. Program in Clinical Psychology
Compliant with CACREP standards, the M.A. in Clinical Psychology Program at Central Florida accepts around 16 post-grads from 150 applications yearly to train mental health practitioners for LMHC licensing at the Sanford/Lake Mary campus. Taking two years full-time from August to August, the 61-credit degree has Applied Pre-Licensure/Nonthesis and Research/Thesis options. Courses are scheduled for two days per week while the other days are used to complete 1,000 internship hours at nearby sites like Lakeside Behavioral Healthcare.
M.S. Program in Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Chaired by Dr. Barbara Fritzsche, the M.S. Program in Industrial and Organizational Psychology suits UCF post-grads seeking a business emphasis over clinical to positively influence workplace culture and boost employee productivity. Using resources from the Team Training and Workforce Development Lab, the 38-credit curriculum has thesis and non-thesis tracks atop of courses like job analysis. The four-term, full-time degree also includes an applied internship with corporate employers, such as CVS Caremark, Booz Allen Hamilton, Kenexa, and Orlando Utilities Commission.
M.A./Ed.S. Program in School Psychology
Priced at $212 in-state and $748 out-of-state per credit, the M.A./Ed.S. in School Psychology is one of the dual Master’s in Psychology degree programs in Florida that pairs a NASP-approved specialist degree to produce licensed K-12 practitioners who recognize the worth of each child in ethical interventions. The 83-credit, three-year program is directed by Oliver Edwards, PhD, with courses like deviant behavior and special needs assessment. UCF collaborates with Orlando schools like Timber Creek High and Avalon Elementary to complete a 1,200-hour internship after practice in the on-site Psych Clinic.
Accreditation
• Council on Accreditation for Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Psych Building 250
4000 Central Florida Blvd.
Orlando, FL 62816
(407) 823-2219
psychadvising@ucf.edu
University of North Florida
College of Arts and Sciences
Housing one of the first Gold LEED-certified buildings in Jacksonville, the University of North Florida has a 1,300-acre “green” campus to educate 15,839 Ospreys and employ 815 academic staff as a public, co-educational SUSF constituent that proclaims there’s “No Place Like This.” UNF was ranked America’s 131st top master’s university in –Washington Monthly and the South’s 143rd best college on Forbes. Also named the 273rd best psychology college on Niche, the College of Arts and Sciences runs 15 departments and the Florida Blue Center for Ethics.
Master of Science in General Psychology
Admitting 40 post-grads each Fall after the June 1st deadline, UNF’s Master of Science in General Psychology is another of the Master’s in Psychology degree programs in Florida that offers specializations, including Human Factors, Cognitive Science, Social Psychology, Clinical Research, Developmental Psychology, and Behavior Analysis. The 39-credit, two-year degree directed by Dr. Tracy Packiam Alloway offers career and doctoral preparation that strengthens critical thinking skills with a teacher-scholar model. Alums have successfully earned PhDs at Georgia State, North Texas, Illinois-Chicago, Penn State, and other elites.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Building 51, Room 3301
1 University of North Florida Dr.
Jacksonville, FL 32224
(904) 620-2560
msp@unf.edu
University of South Florida-St. Petersburg
College of Arts & Sciences
Adjacent to All Children’s Hospital with 46 bayfront acres in Forbes’ 43rd best city for job growth, the University of South Florida-St. Petersburg is a public, regional SACS-accredited branch created in 1965 that’s now serving 4,702 Bulls under President Sophia Wisniewska with a $19.1 million endowment. USFSP has a Silver STARS Award as America’s 73rd best college location on Niche and 66th top public value in Kiplinger’s. Placed fourth for number of AAAS Fellows worldwide, the College of Arts & Sciences has 18 master’s costing $431 in-state and $877 out-of-state per credit.
M.A. in Psychology
Featuring a built-in Risk, Resilience, and Prevention concentration, the M.A. in Psychology is chaired by Dr. Tiffany Chenneville for St. Petersburg graduates with a combined GRE score of 1050 or equivalent to study the bases of behavior to improve human health. Open for admission until March 1st, the non-licensure program spans 33 credits like atypical development, grant writing, cultural competence, and health psychology. Post-grads might also add the Infant-Family Mental Health Certificate, join the Psychological Service Organization, and study in the HEART Laboratory.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Davis Memorial Hall 113
140 7th Ave. South
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 873-4585
chennevi@mail.usf.edu
University of West Florida
Usha Kundu, MD College of Health
Inspired by The Chambered Nautilus by poet Oliver Wendell Holmes, the University of West Florida was founded in 1964 under Dr. Harold Crosby with over 1,600 preserved acres along Escambia Bay that now accommodate 2,920 post-grads. UWF is a “Purple Heart University” that’s been ranked the 11th best college for future service members by The College Database and 234th top public college on Forbes. Belonging to the CAMPP with a 42 percent acceptance rate, the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health confers one of the Master’s in Psychology degree programs in Florida as America’s 727th best psychology school on Niche.
Master of Psychology, M.A.
Chaired by Dr. Lisa VanWormer, the Master of Psychology, M.A. at UWF currently charges $377 for Floridians and $1,037 for non-residents per credit to build the core behavioral foundation for careers or doctorates. The 36-60 credit curriculum welcomes applications until February 1st for the Applied Experimental, Industrial Organizational, and Counseling (LMHC) concentrations. The latter includes 1,000 internship hours at agencies like Bridgeway Center and Lutheran Services Florida. Majors could also research in the Center on Aging, bring Pensacola to Japan, join Psi Chi, and add the Health Psychology Certificate.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Building 41, Room 250
11000 University Pkwy.
Pensacola, FL 32514
(850) 474-2363
psych@uwf.edu
Whether you’re going for a clinical doctorate, LMHC counseling licensure, or research work with state-of-the-art institutes like the NIMH, attending a regionally accredited psychology college is crucial for degree recognition by employers and grad schools. More baccalaureate holders are advancing their education with first-time master’s enrollment increasing by 4.9 percent since 2013 according to the Council of Graduate Schools. Standing out among the nearly 2 million U.S. applications submitted annually will require investing time in GRE/MAT testing and dedication for a strong GPA.
But getting into these Master’s in Psychology degree programs in Florida will pay off with in-depth behavioral insights about people.
