HBCU Graduate Programs in Psychology: A Comprehensive Guide

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have a distinguished legacy of educating Black Americans, predating the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which formally outlawed segregation in schools. Today, HBCUs welcome students of all races and offer a wide array of academic programs. Many HBCUs also feature accredited graduate programs in psychology, providing diverse options for students seeking advanced education in this field.

The Enduring Significance of HBCUs

HBCUs provide unique and culturally sensitive educational experiences. They play a vital role in diversifying the field of psychology. Pamela “Safisha Nzingha” Hill, Ph.D., an Africana scholar and HBCU alum, emphasizes that HBCUs are unique institutions where Black students interact with a majority Black faculty, staff, and administration.

Psychology Degree and HBCU Highlights

Psychology is a versatile field with solid career potential. The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) reported an 81.6% career outcomes rate for 2023 graduates of bachelor’s programs in psychology. In 2022, HBCUs awarded nearly 33,000 bachelor’s degrees, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The average tuition and fees for a psychology degree at an HBCU were 12% lower than those for non-HBCUs in 2020, according to NCES data.

Benefits of Attending an HBCU

Attending an HBCU offers several distinct advantages:

Specialized Environment: HBCUs offer safe, supportive, and culturally responsive learning environments tailored to student success.
Cost Savings: HBCUs often have a lower average net price than non-HBCUs, according to 2020 NCES data.
Social Impact: HBCU graduates often feel a strong sense of pride and determination that extends beyond graduation. Alumni frequently return to their institutions for homecomings and to support the community.

Featured HBCUs with Psychology Graduate Programs

Here are some notable HBCUs offering graduate programs in psychology:

Howard University, Washington, D.C.
Coppin State University, Maryland
Jackson State University, Mississippi
Delaware State University, Delaware
Fayetteville State University, North Carolina
Tennessee State University, Tennessee
Hampton University, Virginia
University of Arkansas, Arkansas
Florida Memorial University, Florida

Howard University

Founded in 1867 in Washington, D.C., shortly after the Civil War, Howard University has grown from a single building to a sprawling campus. As a private, non-profit institution, Howard has earned a reputation as one of the nation's best HBCUs. While renowned for its medical and law schools, Howard offers high-level studies across a dozen schools and colleges, including STEM, finance, social work, and psychology. The dedicated faculty and staff are committed to providing a quality education and preparing students for productive careers.

Psychology Graduate Programs at Howard University

Howard University's Ph.D. in Psychology program offers five concentrations, allowing students to specialize their training. As one of the first HBCUs to establish psychology programs, Howard boasts a long-standing reputation for producing high-quality psychology graduates. The Clinical Psychology PhD program is proud to announce that the American Psychological Association (APA) has granted our program accreditation for 10 years (2025-2035) - the maximum term.

Each concentration requires approximately five years of full-time, in-residence study, involving rigorous coursework, independent research, and real-world experience through practicum and internship opportunities. Remote studies are not an option. Specialization options include:

Clinical Psychology
Developmental Psychology
Neuropsychology
Personality Psychology
School Psychology

The PhD program in Clinical Psychology Specialization is the first and longest standing program at a Historically Black College or University. Accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) since 1987, we are dedicated to bringing well-being and health to diverse groups in globally unserved settings by rigorously grounding psychological science in transcultural contexts.

The graduate program in Developmental Psychology Specialization is designed to train students in all phases of the life cycle from infancy through childhood and adolescence to adulthood and aging, with a special emphasis on development among children and adolescents of color. Upon completion of his/her degree, the student is expected to demonstrate both breadth and depth in their chosen area of specialization, and to have a strong background in seminal theoretical frameworks, research design, and statistical and behavioral assessment.

Our department offers didactic and research training in Neuropsychology Specialization at the doctoral level. This program provides students with a scientific understanding of human behavior as it relates to normal and abnormal functioning of the central nervous system. It also introduces students to a wide range of procedures and techniques used to study the neural bases of cognitive, affective and behavioral processes. This program focuses on the dynamic interplay between the brain and physical health, especially as this relationship is brought to bear on issues related to racial and ethnic health disparities. It is strongly research-oriented, so students are required to initiate a research project in collaboration with a faculty member early in the first year of graduate study. The goal of our program is to equip students for research careers as neuropsychologists in academic and research settings. In the past, our students have been involved in research collaborations in the Departments of Psychiatry, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Pharmacology, Surgery (Bariatric and Transplant), and Human Genetics in the Medical School and Communication Science and Disorders, Biology and Human Performance and Leisure Studies in the Graduate School.

The Howard University Personality Psychology Specialization Program combines multiple training and research goals. First, we believe that training students in culturally responsive theoretical development along with research design and analysis fundamentals is the most effective way to influence progress in expanding understanding of human personality within the field of Psychology. Second, in addition, our training focus also encompasses engagement in diverse methodologies and methods such as: (1) narrative autobiographical and life story methods; (2) measurement of electrodermal, electromyographic, and cardiovascular activity; (3) scale, questionnaire, and survey design; (4) translational research and knowledge transfer.

To begin the admissions process, prospective students must complete an online psychology graduate school application.

Howard places a high emphasis on clinical field training. Students gain supervised training through different placements in the District of Columbia and Maryland areas. A degree in Psychology can prepare you for careers in school psychology, psychiatric or medical social work, guidance and counseling, vocational rehabilitation, clinical psychology, child development, criminal justice, religion, public service, or college teaching and research. The Department of Psychology offers an undergraduate program in general psychology, as well as graduate study leading to both Master’s and Doctoral degrees. Students working toward the Master of Science degree may choose a concentration in either General Psychology or Clinical Psychology. Doctoral students will focus in Clinical Health Psychology or Behavioral and Community Health Sciences (BCHS). The mission of the Psychology Department is to teach students to adopt a scientific approach in their acquisition of knowledge in the major areas of psychology and to prepare them for graduate study and service in culturally diverse communities.

The clinical program is a full-time 5-year PhD program. Students are required to enroll for a minimum of 3-years of full-time graduate study at Howard and complete an off-campus full-time internship in the 5th year. At least two of the three academic training years must be taken at Howard and at least one year of which must be in full-time residence. Core Courses PSYCH 210 Ethics in Professional Psychology. First Year Seminar (3 credits) PSYCH 280 Clinical Assessment IPSYCH 281 Clinical Assessment II PSYCH 294 Individual Psychotherapy IPSYCH 296 Individual Psychotherapy II PSYCH 291 Family Assessment and Therapy PSYCH 220 Psychopathology PSYCH 233 Neuropsychology PSYCH 288 Neuropsychological Assessment PSYCH 207 Statistics IPSYCH 208 Statistics II PSYCH 206 History and Systems PSYCH 205 General Research Methods PSYCH 315 Complex Case Conceptualization, Consultation, and Supervision In order to train students to approach clinical practice and research with multidiscplinary views, students are also required to take Breadth and Minor courses in areas of neuropyschology. developmental, experimental, personality, and social psychology - subdisciplines that intersect with Clinical Psychology Specialization. Child/Adolescent or Adult tracks are also offered to students who are interested in coursework that is more tailored to their research and clinical interests.

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Established in 1930 under the leadership of Dr. Francis Sumner, the Department of Psychology at Howard University hailed influential alumni such as Drs. Kenneth Clark, Mamie Clark, James A. Bayton, and Leslie Hicks. It was in this department where Drs. Kenneth and Mamie Clark conducted their seminal research on children’s awareness of racial differences between “colored” and “whites.” This Doll Experiment (1950) provided the foundation for the Brown v. Full APA Accreditation.

Coppin State University

Founded in 1900 in Baltimore, Maryland, Coppin State University began as a teacher's college for African-American students. While still committed to educating future teachers, Coppin State has expanded its offerings to include numerous programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including psychology. With a student-to-teacher ratio of just 10-to-1, students enjoy small class sizes and plentiful opportunities to connect with classmates and professors, fostering valuable educational and networking experiences.

Psychology Graduate Programs at Coppin State University

Coppin State offers a Master of Science in Addiction Counseling, a specialization in high demand. This 39-credit program can be completed in approximately two years of full-time study. The curriculum includes 27 credits of required core courses and 12 credits of electives, covering topics such as:

Research Methods in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Advanced Individual and Group Counseling, Diagnosis, and Assessment of the Addicted Client
Seminar in Physiological and Psycho-Social Aspects of Alcoholism and Other Addictions
Seminar in Rehabilitation Research

The program also requires fieldwork and an internship, providing specific training in working with clients with alcohol addiction and offering experience in addiction services settings.

Coppin State offers two options for completing the degree requirements: a comprehensive exam and research paper or a master’s thesis track. Both options involve extensive research.

To apply, prospective students must complete an online graduate admissions application and submit three letters of recommendation and official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.

Jackson State University

Founded in 1877 as the Natchez Seminary, Jackson State University moved to Jackson, Mississippi, in 1882 and was renamed Jackson College. Today, Jackson State is a leader among HBCUs in urban education, offering programs in business, health sciences, education, and STEM. With approximately 7,000 students, Jackson State offers small class sizes, low student-to-teacher ratios, and numerous opportunities for student interaction.

Psychology Graduate Programs at Jackson State University

Jackson State offers a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, an APA-accredited program focusing on research design, experimental methodologies, and statistics, combined with theoretical and practical studies in clinical approaches. A unique feature of this program is its emphasis on multicultural issues in clinical courses and field experiences with ethnic minority communities.

Jackson State University (JSU) was approved by the Board of Trustees of Institutions of Higher Learning of the State of Mississippi to begin its Ph.D., program in clinical psychology in 1995 with an inaugural class of six doctoral candidates. The American Psychological Association awarded our program accreditation in 2001, and the first doctoral dissertation defense occurred in 2002. The program was first reaccredited in 2005, and then accredited in 2010. Students in this program immersed into a curriculum anchored in the cumulative body of psychological knowledge, with a firm BSIS in statistics, research design, and experimental methodology. The program develops a comprehensive knowledge base and teaches skills to improve the students' ability to effectively function as an empirically-oriented clinical psychologist in diverse settings.

This full-time, on-campus program requires about five years to complete, including coursework, research, and field experiences. The one-year internship requirement can be fulfilled in various locations, including Alaska, Florida, and Vermont.

Students can also gain clinical experience at Jackson State’s campus-based Applied Psychological Services Clinic, which provides facilities for client meetings, psychological assessments, and group therapy.

Delaware State University

Delaware State University, founded in 1891 as the State College for Colored Students, was one of the nation’s first HBCU land-grant institutions. Today, the school has expanded in size and diversity, with a growing enrollment of students from various racial backgrounds.

Psychology Graduate Programs at Delaware State University

The Master of Science in Psychology program at Delaware State offers part-time and full-time options in two tracks: Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology. The clinical track prepares students for licensure as counselors in Delaware and other states with reciprocity agreements. The neuropsychology track focuses on preparation for a career in psychological research. Both programs are offered online, with periodic visits to Dover required for internship placement discussions. The part-time program takes three years, while the full-time program takes two years.

Sample courses for the clinical track include:

Advanced Psychopathology
Group Therapy
Psychological Assessment
Ethics in Professional Psychology
Developmental Psychology

This track requires an 8-hour practicum and 12 credits of internship experiences.

The neuropsychology track includes courses such as:

Neuroanatomy
Psychopharmacology
Behavioral Neuroscience
Advanced Statistics
Health Psychology

This track requires clinical research in the form of a master’s thesis, with research beginning in the fall semester of the final year and completion of the thesis (including a defense) in the spring semester.

To apply, prospective students must complete an online application and pay a $50 fee.

Fayetteville State University

Founded in 1867 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Fayetteville State University offers a variety of on-campus and online programs. Psychology is one of the university's most popular programs.

Psychology Graduate Programs at Fayetteville State University

The Master of Arts in Psychology from Fayetteville State University is an online program requiring 36 credits for graduation, divided among a 27-credit core curriculum and nine elective courses. The core curriculum includes:

Research Methods
Biological Aspects of Behavior
Psychology of Diversity
Ethical and Professional Issues
Developmental Psychology

Another core course is the capstone seminar, which offers a comprehensive review of critical psychology themes and the creation of a professional portfolio.

Students can pursue one of two certificates with this degree: behavioral research or professional psychology. The behavioral research certificate develops advanced psychological research skills, while the professional psychology certificate focuses on preparing students for careers in professional psychology.

To apply, Fayetteville State requires an online application, a $50 fee, a bachelor’s degree, and GRE scores.

Tennessee State University

The counseling psychology concentration at Tennessee State University is grounded in a scientist-professional model of training.

Choosing the Right HBCU Psychology Program

When selecting the best HBCU for psychology, consider factors such as:

Cost and Financial Aid
Program Length
Application Requirements
Career Opportunities

Cost and Financial Aid

In 2020, the average HBCU psychology undergraduate spent just over $14,000 on tuition and fees, according to the NCES. Financial aid can significantly reduce this cost. HBCUs offer various financial aid options, including scholarships for Black students.

Program Length

The best HBCUs for psychology typically require about four academic years of full-time study to earn a bachelor’s degree, generally involving 120 credits.

Application Requirements

Basic application requirements generally include:

Application form and fee
Transcripts
Letters of recommendation
Standardized test scores (e.g., GRE)

Career Opportunities with a Psychology Degree from an HBCU

A psychology degree from an HBCU can prepare you for a broad array of careers. While you can enter the workforce with a bachelor’s degree, graduate school can help you advance, especially if you aim to become a psychologist.

According to 2022 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 49% of the psychology workforce holds an advanced degree, compared to just 38% of workers in all fields. A doctorate and licensure are required to become a clinical or counseling psychologist. However, you may be able to work as an industrial-organizational psychologist with just a master’s degree.

Common careers with a bachelor’s degree in psychology include:

Social and Community Service Managers
Human Resources Specialists
Training and Development Specialists
Substance Use and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
Social and Human Service Assistants

Is a Psychology Degree from an HBCU Worth It?

Many students, particularly those who identify as Black, find unique value in attending an HBCU. These benefits include an expectation of academic excellence and the unique “Black college bond” among HBCU graduates.

Before applying to an HBCU for your psychology major, consider factors such as cost and potential debt. Minimizing student debt is crucial, as the average starting salary for psychology graduates in 2023 was just over $44,000 per year, according to NACE.

Education Beyond a Bachelor’s in Psychology

While a bachelor’s degree in psychology leads most directly to graduate programs in the same field, you can also pursue advanced degrees in other areas, such as:

Social Work
Education
Counseling

Psychology ranked among the top five fastest-growing fields for online college enrollment from 2020 to 2023, according to BestColleges’ 2024 Online Education Trends Report.

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