40 Psychology Graduate Programs that Don’t Require the GRE
By Joy Miller
Updated on August 20, 2024
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Check out the latest psychology graduate programs that don’t require the GRE for 2024. Explore in-demand graduate programs offered by schools with no GRE.
How people think directly influences how they act. If you’re fascinated by human thought and behavior, then it may be time to apply to a graduate program in psychology.
Jobs for psychologists are expected to increase 3 percent in the next ten years (Bureau of Labor Statistics), and a grad degree can help prepare you for success in those positions.
Methodology: The following universities are regionally accredited and offer psychology graduate programs online. In addition, the universities either offer a GRE waiver to qualified students or have no GRE requirement at all for admission.
In an on-campus program at Abilene Christian University in Texas, you can earn your master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology or General Psychology. In addition to classroom work that covers topics like statistics, cognition, ethics, assessments, psychotherapy, and research, students in these programs participate in a practicum experience.
ACU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Founded in 1952, Adler strives to develop professionals and practitioners who will better their local communities and the world. Driven by the work of physician and psychotherapist Alfred Adler, the school values fairness, equality and civil rights and helps students learn to put these concepts into practice.
Adler University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Recognized as a top school for minorities by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education Magazine and Best for Vets Colleges by Military Times EDGE magazine, Alliant values diversity in the classroom and the workforce. Students are encouraged to have a global perspective, a desire for community service and a commitment to equality. Believing that hands-on experiences are essential for a well-rounded education, the school connects students to the community throughout its degree programs.
Alliant is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.
On the Massachusetts campus of American International College, you can choose one of four different psychology master’s degree programs: Clinical, Counseling, Forensic or General Psychology. If you opt for Clinical Psychology, you can further refine your focus by choosing a Forensic Psychology or Mental Health concentration.
AIC is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Equal rights, equal pay and equal educational opportunities for minorities and women have long been important at Antioch. In the 1800s, Antioch was one of the first institutions of higher education that admitted both whites and African-Americans, and the school’s list of famous alumni includes Coretta Scott King.
Antioch University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
You can study online with Indiana’s Ball State University to earn a master’s degree in Educational Psychology. Another option is to get your degree in Quantitative Psychology through an online or hybrid course of study. Each program offers further concentrations, such as Neuropsychology, through which you can tailor your studies.
BSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Through online study, you can earn a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from California Baptist University. During this program, you’ll be required to complete a practicum and write a case report. You can select to complete your coursework through a synchronous or asynchronous format, and you’ll be expected to engage with fellow students each week.
California Baptist University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities.
You can take classes on the campus of California Lutheran University to earn an MS in Counseling Psychology or Clinical Psychology. Counseling Psychology students must complete a practicum and are eligible to take a licensing exam after graduation. Clinical Psychology students write a research thesis.
In 2015, WSCUC reaffirmed Cal Lutheran’s accreditation for another 10 years.
Through online coursework, you can earn an MA or an MS in Psychology from California Southern University. The MA program can help prepare you for becoming licensed as a marriage and family therapist. The MS program features specializations like Sports Psychology and Pastoral Counseling and is good preparation for doctoral studies.
California Southern University is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Online master’s degree options from Capella University in Minnesota include Psychology and Clinical Psychology programs. Psychology students can choose among specializations like Educational Psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis, Industrial/Organizational Psychology and Child and Adolescent Development. Clinical Psychology students can study Applied Research, Clinical Counseling or Forensic Psychology.
Capella is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Since 1942, Felician University has been providing educational experiences based on the Catholic Franciscan values of service, compassion and respect. Over 2,000 students take classes from this school each year. The university has a student-faculty ratio of 13:1, and 73 percent of classes have fewer than 20 students.
Felician University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
The MS in Professional Counseling Psychology from Florida International University is designed to prepare you to seek licensure. This is a hybrid psychology program, so you’ll do some coursework online and some on the university’s campus. For hands-on experience, you will also be required to complete a clinical practicum and a clinical internship.
Florida International University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
To help prepare you to work in an educational setting, you can earn an online MS in School Psychology from Fort Hays State University in Kansas. Courses in this program include Appraisal of Children, Curriculum-based Measurement and Advanced Child Psychopathology. Before graduation, you’ll be required to compile a portfolio and take comprehensive examinations.
FHSU is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Virginia’s George Mason University offers a fully online program for earning an MPS in Applied Industrial and Organizational Psychology. To earn your degree, you’ll be required to take core classes like Psychological Research Methods and Personnel Selection as well as a few electives of your choosing. You will also need to complete two practicums.
George Mason is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
From Arizona’s Grand Canyon University, you can earn an MS degree with a concentration like Forensic Psychology, Geropsychology or Health Psychology. A generalist degree is available as well. Classes may include Social and Cultural Psychology and Contemporary and Ethical Issues in Psychology. You’ll be required to finish your studies with a capstone project.
GCU is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Earning an MA in Psychology from Texas’ LeTourneau University can help prepare you to use psychology in ministry settings. Classes include Integrative Theology for Counselors and Lifespan Human Development. Students also participate in fieldwork. This is a non-licensure degree, but credits can be transferred to the university’s MA in Counseling program.
LeTourneau is regionally accredited by: the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Studying online with Liberty University in Virginia allows you to earn an MA in Applied Psychology with a specialization in Developmental Psychology or Industrial/Organizational Psychology. These programs include core courses like Cognitive Psychology and Psychology and Christianity. The Developmental Psychology electives provide insight into various age groups.
Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
You can take online classes from Lynn University in Florida to earn a generalist MS in Psychology or one with a focus on Industrial/Organizational Psychology. All students receive an iPad that they can use for their coursework. During the program, you may get to help faculty members with research.
Lynn University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Earning a psychology master’s degree from Murray State University requires studying on the school’s Kentucky campus, but you’ll have the options of earning an MA or an MS in General Experimental Psychology or Clinical Psychology. Your coursework will include classes like Biological Bases of Behavior, and you’ll be required to complete a thesis.
Murray State is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Headquartered in San Diego, California, National University offers a variety of master’s programs in psychology that can be completed online or on campus at several locations in CA. These programs are designed with busy adults in mind. Fields of study offered include mental health counseling, forensic psychology, marriage and family therapy, and human behavior.
National University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.
If you’re located in Boston, consider attending classes at Northeastern University to earn an MS in Counseling Psychology. For those who can’t attend classes on this Massachusetts campus, an MS in Applied Behavior Analysis is an online option in a related field; this program includes an optional practicum.
Northeastern has maintained its status as a member in good standing of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE) since it was awarded its initial accreditation in 1940.
Northeastern University is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.
Affiliated with the Assemblies of God denomination, Northwest University is a Christian school with a desire to engage students who are committed to both scholarship and service. Graduates go on to work in a variety of fields, including ministry, business, medical and educational settings.
Northwestern University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Florida’s Nova Southeastern University has online master’s programs for Forensic Psychology and General Psychology. These non-licensure programs may be useful as a pathway to a doctoral program, or you may put your education into practice in the workforce. Your coursework may include Cognitive Psychology, Human Growth and Development, and Human Sexuality.
NSU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
By taking a mix of on-campus and online classes, you can earn a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute in California. You’ll be expected to take classes in the humanities, marriage and family therapy, and clinical counseling. In addition, you will be required to complete a practicum and may eligible for MFT or LPC licensure.
In June 2019, Pacifica’s accreditation was re-affirmed by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.
Pacifica Graduate Institute is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
California’s Palo Alto University offers an online master’s program in preparation for earning your doctorate. Although classes are online, you’ll need to make one trip to campus. After earning your degree, you may be able to transfer your MS in Psychology credits toward the school’s PhD in Clinical Psychology program.
PAU is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the WASC Senior College and University Commission.
If you lead employees or other teams, consider pursuing an MPS in the Psychology of Leadership from Penn State World Campus. Your studies from this Pennsylvania school will include classes like Diversity Leadership, Dysfunctional Leadership and Leadership for Creativity and Innovation. You’ll also be required to engage in a culminating experience.
Penn State World Campus is regionally accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
With online classes from Pepperdine University in California, you can earn an MA in Psychology or an MS in Behavioral Psychology. MA students learn about psychotherapy, counseling and interventions. The MS program includes supervised clinical experience, and it can help you prepare for taking the Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam.
Pepperdine is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges—Senior College and University Commission.
You can earn a generalist psychology master’s degree from Purdue University Global, or you can pursue a specialty, such as Addictions or Applied Behavior Analysis. Before graduation, you can choose whether to take a comprehensive exam or write a thesis paper. Your coursework may prepare you to take certification exams.
Purdue University Global is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
While earning your master’s degree through Sacred Heart University’s hybrid format, you’ll take classes like Foundations of Psychological Science and Individual Psychological Assessment and Appraisal. The Connecticut school offers three options for the MS in Applied Psychology: a generalist degree, an Industrial-Organizational Psychology concentration and a Community Psychology concentration.
SHU is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
The concentration options for SNHU’s online psychology master’s program are Child and Adolescent Development Psychology, Forensic Psychology and Industrial Organizational Psychology. This non-licensure program includes courses like Theories of Personality and Ethical Practice in Psychology. You’ll be required to complete your studies with a capstone class.
SNHU is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
The Chicago School, which has campuses around the country, offers a number of online master’s programs for psychology students, including concentrations in International Psychology, Public Health, Child and Adolescent Psychology and Organizational Leadership. Most tracks are non-licensure, but the MA in Forensic Psychology can lead to licensure.
The Chicago School is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
From Touro University Worldwide, you can earn an online MA in Psychology with a concentration in Educational Psychology, Media Psychology or Health Psychology. This New York-based school’s non-licensure programs can help equip you with skills for putting your classroom learning about cognition and personality into real-life practice.
TUW is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.
You can take online or on-campus classes to earn an MS in Organizational Psychology from the University of Hartford in Connecticut. In addition to core classes like Personnel Psychology, you can choose both general psychology and organizational psychology electives. You’ll also be required to complete a capstone project or an internship.
UHart is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
The online no-GRE master’s program from UND includes classes like Behavior Pathology and Diversity Psychology. Earn an MA in Forensic Psychology will give you opportunities to study legal and criminal justice systems. The online class format involves watching recorded lectures, and you can access tutoring and library services.
UND is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since.
You can take online classes from UNC to earn an MA in Educational Psychology with a Teaching Emphasis. Classes include Life Span Developmental Psychology, Brain and Education, Cultural Issues in Education Psychology and Motivation in Education. You’ll be expected to join a cohort and complete a master’s project.
UNC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Tennessee – Knoxville’s Vols Online program offers an MS in Educational Psychology. You can choose a concentration in Adult Education or Applied Educational Psychology. This degree program often attracts professionals or those looking for a stepping stone toward a doctorate.
The University of Tennessee – Knoxville is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The Baptist roots of the University of the Cumberlands date back to 1888. The university reaches over 10,000 learners each year and has a 17:1 ratio of students to faculty. Hands-on learning is highly valued at this school, and all students are expected to engage in service opportunities while attaining their degrees.
The University of the Cumberlands is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Over 57,000 students are studying with Walden University at any given time. The faculty members are leaders in their areas of expertise, and almost 90 percent of them hold doctoral degrees. The university’s status as a certified B Corporation shows its commitment to operating ethically and motivating students to be positive change-makers in their communities.
Walden is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
U.S. News has ranked Western Kentucky University No. 24 in Best Colleges for Veterans and No. 34 in Best Regional Universities South. Both Sierra Club and Princeton Review have applauded this university for its environmental efforts. The school has over 20,000 students, and the average class has around 24 students in it.
Western Kentucky University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
With William James College, you can choose to earn your degree fully online or to report to the school’s Massachusetts campus on select weekends. This program allows you to earn an MA in Organizational Psychology, and you can select an optional concentration in Talent Management.
William James College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
A graduate degree in psychology may help you take your career to the next level. Thanks to the many no-GRE programs that are available, you may be able to get started without delay. Whether you are interested in counseling psychology or another specialty, there may be a no-GRE program that meets your needs.
Click on the field that most interests you to see a list of programs:
Possible specializations outside of a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) include:
Focusing your studies on the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) can help you obtain the skills to help people modify their choices and actions. ABA skills can be useful with many populations, including children, the elderly and people with mental illnesses.
This concentration may help to prepare you for the licensure examination that will allow you to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst; however, at some schools, you may need to take additional classes as well.
If you want to work one-on-one with people who could use direction and guidance, consider pursuing a career in counseling.
During your studies for a Counseling concentration, you may study individual and group therapies, addictions, tests and assessments, mental health disorders and life coaching. Your school’s program may prepare you for certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor in your state.
You may be able to select a concentration like Trauma Intervention or Health Psychology.
A master’s degree with an emphasis in Forensic Psychology can help students develop needed skills in various criminal justice and rehabilitation settings.
You might consider a career in prisons, juvenile homes, schools, rehab centers or courtrooms. The classes that you’ll take may cover mental illnesses, crisis negotiations, correctional systems and communications.
This degree program may prepare you for Licensed Professional Counselor status in your state.
A generalist master’s degree can give you the opportunity to explore many aspects of psychology.
Your studies may cover personality theories, group psychology, human development and mental health. A generalist concentration may allow you to enroll in several different electives so you can tailor your education to your various interests.
This online psychology degree can be useful in fields like human services, education, child development, business leadership, marketing and sales.
For a psychology degree that can help you become a better workplace leader, consider a concentration in Industrial Organizational Psychology.
Students in this concentration study the ways that people think and act in order to become more effective at motivating employees and encouraging exemplary performance. Your classes may cover topics like recruitment, productivity, conflict management and interpersonal relationships.
Many graduates apply their skills in management positions or as leaders in HR departments.
When you pursue a concentration in Cognition and Instruction, you won’t just have the opportunity to gain a comprehensive education in cognitive psychology.
It can also help you learn how to teach others and effectively motivate learners. You might choose to teach college students or become a business trainer.
In preparation, your classes may cover topics like perception, attention, behavior theory, testing, mental health and social cognition.
As a counseling psychologist, you can help people better their own lives and their interpersonal relationships.
Coursework for a doctorate in counseling concentration may encompass family dynamics, lifespan development, diversity and behavioral science. After completing this doctoral degree, you may be eligible to become licensed as a psychologist; your program may need to be licensed by the American Psychological Association.
Some schools require that you hold a master’s degree in this field before you can begin a PhD psychology program.
Becoming experienced or licensed in counseling requires that students spend a good deal of time in supervised practice.
Earning a concentration in Counselor Education can help prepare you to be a professional who supervises others. This specialization may also help you earn a faculty position in a university’s psychology program.
In addition to increasing your knowledge about mental health, diagnostic criteria and various treatments, this concentration can also help you learn more about conducting research and teaching others.
If you want to use your psychology skills in academic setting, then a concentration in Educational Psychology may provide invaluable training.
Your doctoral classes will probably cover topics like memory, motivation, test scores, curriculum and organizational leadership. Educational Psychology programs may equip you to work with young students or adult learners.
You may be able to pursue licensure as a School Psychologist after completing this degree.
To learn about many facets of psychology at the doctoral level, you may want to consider pursuing a generalist Ph.D. in this field.
Your studies can help you learn more about topics like psychology theories, client assessments, counseling ethics, behavior science, research and teaching. A general psychology program may offer you a chance to select multiple electives so you can pursue in-depth study in several areas.
A PhD in Psychology will typically also require a dissertation. However, a Doctor of Psychology may not require a dissertation since it’s a professional doctorate.
An Industrial Organizational Psychology concentration can help prepare you for leadership positions in nonprofit agencies, corporations and other organizations.
The coursework will likely focus heavily on team leadership, group dynamics and organizational improvement. You may serve an internship with a company’s human resources, training or workplace safety team.
In some schools, this concentration may be known as Business Psychology, or I/O Psychology may be a subset of the Business Psychology program.
If helping people improve their closest relationships is important to you, then you might be a successful in the field of family therapy.
Pursuing a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy can give you opportunities to study interpersonal relationships, refine your clinical skills, practice writing grants for family supports and conduct research in the field.
With a clinical internship experience, your degree program may prepare you to become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Although the application process can differ from one university to the next, most schools have a have some common requirements.
You may be required to submit:
When you think of applying to grad school, submitting test scores may be one of the first things that come to mind. However, that’s a less standard requirement than you might think. Some schools do not require any applicants to send in GRE scores for admission to their psychology programs, or they offer waivers.
To be admitted to a master’s-level program in psychology, you must have earned a bachelor’s degree, such as a psychology bachelors degree online. Some schools stipulate that your undergraduate studies must be in psychology or a related field. Others do not have such a requirement.
Previous educational requirements for a doctorate can vary greatly. Most schools expect you to first hold a master’s degree, but others provide fast psychology degree programs in which you can earn your master’s while on your way to completing your doctorate. Don’t let the length of a doctorate in psychology program deter you away as it is normally an extra year or two and can be very rewarding.
Some schools consider only applicants with work experience. The workforce equips students with skills and knowledge beyond what is learned in the classroom, so having held a psychology-related position can help to set grad students up for success.
The exact length of time required can vary greatly among schools, but it’s common for programs to require applicants to have at least a few years of professional experience in the field.
Many universities look at GRE scores during the application process, but they’re willing to make exceptions for students who meet various waiver requirements, such as those listed below. Keep in mind that waivers are granted on a case-by-case basis, so you’ll have to discuss your eligibility with your university’s admissions department.
A strong undergraduate GPA may be enough to exempt you from testing. At some schools, a standard GPA minimum, such as 3.0, applies to all programs. Others set a different standard for each of their grad programs.
If you’ve been working in the field for a certain length of time, some universities believe that is enough to demonstrate your competence and knowledge. Professional certifications may increase the likelihood of an exemption. Military service may also help you earn a waiver.
The GRE is intended to demonstrate your readiness for graduate-level work. If you have already earned another graduate degree, then it’s clear that you can perform at the post-baccalaureate level. Therefore, the GRE may not be necessary when applying for your second or third graduate program.
Some schools want to receive test scores from you, but they may be flexible about which ones. The GMAT is an exam that is typically used for admission to business school. If you’ve taken the GMAT but not the GRE, you may be able to send your GMAT results in place of GRE scores.
Often, a school’s admissions requirements are different for each department. Just because GRE scores are mandatory for some programs, that doesn’t mean that every department will insist on them. Before sending in your application for grad school, look into the psychology department’s specific requirements.
The GRE, officially titled the Graduate Record Examination, is a rigorous test that some schools rely on as a measure of your readiness for grad school. The test covers topics like vocabulary, mathematics, reasoning and critical thinking.
If you take the GRE, you’ll receive three different scores. These three scores reflect the results of your:
Even if a school lists GRE scores as one of its requirements for admission to grad school, there’s a chance that you’ll be able to send in your application without them. If you meet other criteria, the school may be willing to assess your suitability for their graduate programs without GRE requirements.
Waivers may be granted for:
The requirements vary among schools, so yours might grant other exceptions as well.
For years, the GRE was considered the gold standard for grad school admissions. These days, more and more universities are opting not to require GRE scores as part of the application package. The same is true with psychology master’s programs not requiring the GRE.
The trend away from GRE testing is based on a mix of factors:
Each university sets its own admissions requirements, so there isn’t a set list of masters programs that don’t require the GRE. Because there has been a growing movement away from mandatory GRE testing in recent years, there’s a good chance that you will be able to find at least a few no-GRE universities that offer your desired master’s program.
Whether you are interested in psychology or another field, getting into grad school without the GRE may be possible.
There are many fields in which you can earn a doctoral degree without ever sitting for the GRE. Each university or doctoral program makes its own decisions about whether GRE scores are an essential part of the application process. From theology to psychology to mathematics, you may be able to find no-GRE doctoral programs that appeal to your interests, including some online EdD no GRE options.
To learn more about whether your top programs require GRE scores, contact the schools’ admission departments.
No, only some graduate schools ask applicants to submit GRE scores with their applications for master’s or doctoral programs. Business schools often rely on the GMAT, and there are many schools that require no test scores at all.
Instead, they evaluate applicants based on other criteria, such as school transcripts and personal essays.
No, many successful doctoral students have earned their degrees without ever taking the GRE. If you are interested in a doctorate but don’t want to spend time or money on test preparation, you may be able to find programs that don’t require GRE scores as part of the application process.
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