Psychology master’s programs in Florida provide students with advanced knowledge in the field of behavioral science and offer opportunities to focus on applied areas of practice. Whether you aspire to work as a licensed clinician, market researcher, or in another profession where comprehension of human behavior is crucial, a Florida psychology master’s program can align with your career goals.
This guide aims to assist you in commencing your college search by highlighting some of the top psychology master’s programs in Florida and addressing essential questions you may have. You’ll also discover various specialization options that can influence your degree and career path, Florida universities that offer flexible online programs, and more. Keep scrolling to discover your ideal college match and the best psychology master’s program in Florida for you.
Best Accredited Psychology Master’s Programs in Florida for 2024
To assist you in finding the best accredited psychology master’s program that aligns with your goals, we’ve identified the leading colleges in Florida offering them. The schools featured below differentiate themselves through a unique combination of affordability, flexibility, accreditation, and professional preparation. These programs are among the top psychology graduate programs in Florida for 2024, providing a preview of our complete ranking set to be released later next year.
1
The University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida (UCF) offers several psychology master’s programs at its main campus in Orlando. These in-person offerings stand out because they extend several specializations in a range of professional applications. Those interested in licensure or practical work in the field can focus on clinical psychology, earning either an MA or an MS. Aspiring professionals interested in research or consulting-based roles can specialize in cognitive psychology or industrial and organizational psychology.
UCF offers affordable tuition rates, and each program requires 38-67 credits that most students can complete in 3-4 years. The clinical-based tracks conclude with internship and practicum experiences that prepare students for professional practice. Other tracks culminate with capstone thesis projects where students undertake original research designed to solve real-world problems in psychology. UCF’s curriculum builds psychology foundations and includes courses in assessment and intervention, research methods, behavior motivation, and techniques in psychotherapy.
Delivery:
- On-Campus
- Part-Time
- Full-Time
Specialization/Concentration Tracks:
- Clinical Psychology
- Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology
- Pre-licensure Non-Thesis Track
- Research Thesis Track
2
Nova Southeastern University
A Fort Lauderdale-based institution, Nova Southeastern University (NSU) offers four pathways to graduate-level attainment in psychology. Each program results in a Master of Science and cultivates broad-based empirical knowledge in psychological sciences. Graduates of NSU’s programs qualify for work as mental health counselors, criminal justice officials, HR analysts, and research consultants, among other professions. Capstone components for most pathways include original research projects or integrative applications that look toward employment and encourage portfolio-building. Counseling students complete supervised work in the field to support licensure eligibility.
Students on the forensic psychology or general psychology tracks can complete all program requirements online. NSU administers most of the curriculum for its other tracks using in-person formats, but it does extend hybrid and weekend or evening options for students needing more flexibility. Students receive rigorous and comprehensive instruction from seasoned experts regardless of learning modality. Course offerings include behavioral neuroscience and cognitive psychology, human growth and development, social psychology, and applied quantitative research methods.
Delivery:
- On-Campus
- Online
- Hybrid
- Part-Time
- Full-Time
Specialization/Concentration Tracks:
- B.A. in Psychology
- Counseling
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- School Counseling
- Substance Abuse Counseling
- Substance Abuse Counseling and Education
- Applied Behavior Analysis
- Forensic Psychology
- Experimental Psychology
- General Psychology
- Applied Health Science
3
Florida International University
The Department of Psychology at Florida International University (FIU) confers a Master of Science in Psychology in three areas: behavior analysis, organizational sciences, and professional counseling psychology. These campus-based programs build skills and knowledge in psychological approaches to human behavior and its methods of diagnosis and management. The behavior analysis and organizational sciences tracks both require 36-45 credits that most students complete in 18 months or four semesters. They prepare students for roles as human resources consultants, clinical analysts, and organizational development specialists.
Like other psychology master’s programs in Florida, the professional counseling track at FIU qualifies you for licensure as a mental health counselor. It entails 60 credits, including core coursework, clinical training, and a capstone case study component where students solve real-world problems in applied psychology. The program uses hybrid or fully online delivery methods and lasts about two years. Like the other tracks, it uses a collaborative cohort model where students move through the program with a networked group of peers and colleagues.
Delivery:
- On-Campus
- Hybrid
- Online
- Part-Time
- Full-Time
Specialization/Concentration Tracks:
- Behavior Analysis
- Organizational Sciences
- Professional Counseling Psychology
Specialization Options for Master’s Psychology Programs in Florida
Many psychology graduate programs in Florida offer concentration tracks or areas of specialization to help you tailor your grad program to fit your career goals. Specializations include applied areas of clinical and professional practice as well as research and theory-based avenues. We’ve detailed these opportunities and the careers they can lead to below.
Clinical Psychology
Graduates specializing in clinical psychology can pursue careers as therapists, mental health counselors, substance abuse specialists, lab researchers, and postsecondary educators. This concentration blends scientific theory and empirical knowledge with clinical reasoning and focuses on intervention strategies designed to treat or modify human behavior. It also often includes hands-on training in applied settings and prepares students for doctoral-level study.
Examples of Florida Colleges with this Psychology Master’s Program
Barry University (On-Campus)
National Louis University (On-Campus)
University of Central Florida (On-Campus)
Industrial/Organizational Psychology
A new and emerging applied psychology subfield, industrial/organizational (I/O) psychology qualifies graduates for work in the corporate sector as trainers, human resources managers, behavior analysts, and independent consultants. I/O psychology produces scholar-practitioners who can analyze organizational structures and identify new ways to advance long-term business goals. Coursework for this specialization looks at employee behavior and motivation, talent acquisition, and leadership development. Some programs also have practicum placements.
Examples of Florida Colleges with this Psychology Master’s Program
Keiser University (On-Campus)
Florida Institute of Technology (On-Campus)
University of Central Florida (On-Campus)
School/Educational Psychology
Most specialists in school or educational psychology find work as licensed counselors in K-12 settings. Psychology master’s programs in Florida with this concentration empower students to identify needs and develop individual education plans that achieve professional and academic goals. Key courses cover school psychology foundations, counseling theory and technique, lifespan development, learning theory, and methods of educational research. Most programs require a field education component in classroom-based settings.
Examples of Florida Colleges with this Psychology Master’s Program
Barry University (On-Campus)
Florida Atlantic University (Online)
Florida State University (Online or On-Campus)
Counseling Psychology
A concentration in counseling psychology equips graduates with applied skills for a range of settings like schools, hospitals, community treatment clinics, and social services agencies. Some programs focus more on applied behavior analysis or case management, while others develop skills in substance abuse, career, or clinical counseling. The best psychology graduate programs in Florida with this specialization qualify you for state licensure.
Examples of Florida Colleges with this Psychology Master’s Program
Florida International University (Online or On-Campus)
University of West Florida (On-Campus)
Nova Southeastern University (On-Campus)
Experimental Psychology
This theory-based specialization prepares students for postgraduate study by cultivating extensive knowledge in experiment design and applied research methods. It also leads to careers in consulting or lab science. Students learn to develop their own research and conduct individual experiments in cognitive neuroscience, health psychology, human factors psychology, and family science. Most programs culminate with a capstone thesis project that synthesizes research findings across the program. They also include electives such as developmental or personality psychology.
Examples of Florida Colleges with this Psychology Master’s Program
Florida Atlantic University (On-Campus)
Nova Southeastern University (On-Campus)
University of West Florida (On-Campus)
Inside Look at Online Psychology Master’s Programs in Florida
Students in online psychology master’s programs in Florida receive the same quality education as their on-campus peers through a blend of structured instruction and self-paced study. Some schools offer fully-online programs with potentially faster graduation timelines, while others come in a hybrid format with all coursework online and in-person attendance for practicum placements or internships. Albizu University, for example, offers on-campus, web-assisted, online, and/or hybrid courses for its Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology program.
Explore this year’s top-rated online psychology master’s programs in Florida below, and see which one best meets your academic and career goals.
2024’s Best Online Psychology Master’s Programs in FL
College Ranking Methodology
Generate List of Eligible Schools and Programs
To be eligible for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on government data provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- At least one program in the subject area offered partially or fully online.
- Career placement and academic counseling services.
Assign Weightings
After generating the list of eligible schools, the STEPS data team then assigned weights and ranked schools based on their performance in a variety of key categories. Affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings, followed by online learning and academic quality metrics (equally weighted).
Online Learning
- Number of online programs in subject area self-reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education.
- Percentage of graduate students at the school taking at least one class online.
Affordability
- Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on in-state tuition for graduate students per academic year.
Academic Quality
- Student-to-faculty ratio: Schools with lower ratios ranked higher.
- Percentage of students admitted. More selective schools ranked higher.
About Our Data
All STEPS rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: August 2023
Accreditation Glossary
ABHE: Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on Accreditation
ABHES: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
ACCJC: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
ACCSC: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
DEAC: Distance Education Accrediting Commission
HLC: Higher Learning Commission
MSCHE: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
NECHE: New England Commission of Higher Education
NWCCU: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
SACSCOC: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
TRACS: Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Accreditation Commission
WSCUC: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
1
Tallahassee, Florida
The Master of Science in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Learning and Cognition at Florida State University is a dual-track program that focuses on how human brains develop, using high-level concepts and theories. Students can choose between the on-campus thesis track and the online coursework track. The coursework track allows students to complete their entire curriculum online including core, research and data, and specialization classes. To apply, interested students must have at least a 3.0 undergraduate GPA and submit GRE test scores that are less than five years old.
Program Highlights:
Master of Science in Educational Psychology
- Credits: 30
- Length: 2 years
- Cost: $444.26/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
2
Saint Leo, Florida
By enrolling in the Master of Science in Psychology program at Saint Leo University, students learn general psychology concepts and gain research and analytical skills. The program is designed as a cohort model, with students progressing at the same pace by taking one eight-week class every term. All classes are online, and students can choose from four specializations: General Psychology, Industrial/Organizational, Health Psychology, and Teaching Psychology. All students complete a capstone research project on a topic of their choice.
Program Highlights:
Master of Science in Psychology
- Credits: 36
- Length: 2 years
- Cost: $760.00/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
3
Boca Raton, Florida
Florida Atlantic University's Master of Education in Educational Psychology will help professionals interested in conducting education-related research or applying psychological principles to teaching practice. Of the required 36 credits, 21 are core classes, six relate to research and statistics, and nine are electives, all offered fully online with no campus visits required. Acceptance into the program is based on the applicant's GRE scores within the last five years and/or undergraduate GPA.
Program Highlights:
Master of Education in Educational Psychology
- Credits: 36
- Length: Varies
- Cost: $371.82/credit (resident); $1,026.81/credit (non-resident)
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
4
Miami Gardens, Florida
5
Boca Raton, Florida
6
Miami, Florida
7
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
8
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Online Florida Psychology Master’s Program Spotlights
1
Lynn University
A private, nonprofit institution located in Boca Raton, Lynn University awards an online Master of Science in Psychology that builds specialized knowledge in a flexible format. The 37-credit course of study administers a comprehensive curriculum based on APA guidelines and develops knowledge in key content areas like human growth and development, social psychology, psychobiology, and testing and assessment. Designed to prepare graduates for work in applied contexts, the program concludes with a practicum component that involves peer collaboration and individual supervision.
Busy learners and working professionals can work at their own pace using the school’s asynchronous online learning environment. Students access material and complete assignments anytime they choose using discussion boards, video conferences, podcasts, and other interactive tools. Full-time students usually take 2 courses per 8-week term and most graduate within a year. Lynn University also provides new students with iPads, which they keep after graduation, to enhance the online learning experience.
Delivery:
- Part-Time
- Full-Time
- Fully Online
Specialization/Concentration Tracks:
- General Psychological Science
- Industrial/Organizational Psychology
2
Saint Leo University
Established in 1889, Saint Leo University maintains affiliation with the Roman Catholic church and a nearby abbey of the same name. It extends a broad-based online Master in Psychology program with a generalist approach to the discipline that develops practical skills in data analysis and research. The course of study involves 36 total credits and, like other psychology graduate programs in Florida, uses a cohort model. Students enter and move through the program with a cohort of up to 15 peers one 8-week term at a time. While the program includes a capstone component, it does not have a clinical internship experience and thus does not qualify students for licensure.
Saint Leo uses asynchronous learning tools to deliver its programming. Courses include lifespan development, learning and cognition, quantitative research methods, testing and assessment, and physiological psychology. The two-part capstone component integrates gained skills and knowledge through research in an area of specialized interest. The school also offers professional development opportunities such as online clubs, academic conferences, and other associations. Graduates work as human resources specialists, research and data analysts, project managers, and market researchers.
Program Delivery:
- Part-Time
- Full-Time
- Fully Online
Specialization/Concentration Tracks:
- Generalist Track
More Schools with Accredited Online Master’s Psychology Programs in Florida
Florida State University
Albizu University
Florida National University
Florida Southern College
Florida Atlantic University
Florida International University
FAQs About Psychology Master’s Programs in Florida
What are the admissions requirements for psychology master’s programs in Florida?
Most psychology graduate programs in Florida follow a similar admission process and require prospective applicants to submit the following items:
- Official academic transcripts with a competitive GPA
- At least two letters of recommendation
- A professional resume outlining relevant experience and work history
- A written personal statement
- Official GRE test scores
Note that the GRE is optional or waivable in some cases, such as at Florida Atlantic University, for instance. In addition, some schools require items not listed above, so check with individual colleges. Also, most colleges, like Keiser University, do not require a bachelor’s degree in psychology for admission to their psychology master’s programs.
How long do psychology master’s programs in Florida take to finish?
Completion timelines vary and depend on both the school itself and your own preferences. Overall, most students graduate from psychology master’s programs in Florida in 2-3 years. Online delivery can expedite the process. Programming at Lynn University, for example, only lasts a single year, while the hybrid program at Florida International University typically takes up to 2 years. Your program may take longer if you pursue a more hands-on course of study, like Barry University’s clinical psychology program that lasts three years, for example.
How much do psychology master’s programs in Florida cost?
Florida residents can significantly cut costs by attending public institutions and taking advantage of in-state tuition rates. Outside of that, most psychology master’s programs in Florida charge similar tuition rates. Additional factors can impact the final bill, however. Enrollment status plays a key role, for instance, and part-time study could cost more in the long run.
University of North Florida
Master of Science in Psychological Science
Total Credits: 51
$494/credit (in-state)
$1,044/credit (out-of-state)
Florida Institute of Technology
Industrial Organizational Psychology, M.S.
Total Credits: 45
$1,241/credit
Financial Aid and Scholarships for Psychology Master’s Students in Florida
Financial aid opportunities like scholarships and grants can help reduce the costs associated with psychology master’s programs in Florida. These awards come from several outlets, but prospective schools of interest are a great place to start since these opportunities see smaller pools than national and state-based awards and are typically open to new and returning students. For example, the University of South Florida and Nova Southeastern both have scholarships specifically for psychology master’s students.
For more information on how to secure funding for your psychology education see the STEPS financial aid guide and our listing of available scholarships.
