According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, psychologist jobs are projected to grow by 3% over the next decade. And while that growth isn’t especially dramatic, other related careers are projected to increase dramatically. Mental health counseling jobs are expected to expand by 25%, and social worker roles are expected to grow by 13%. To respond to this job growth, there is a corresponding need for psychology graduates.
The following page highlights ten of the best schools for psychology majors in the Lone Star State. In addition to Texas psychology programs, we also look at various academic specializations, financial aid, and scholarships. Keep reading to learn more about psychology schools in Texas.
What is Psychology?
Students studying psychology tackle the complexities of human behavior and mental processes. Taking a scientific approach, learners explore the brain, the intricacies of the human mind, and social interactions.
The best psychology programs typically hold both regional accreditation and programmatic accreditation from the American Psychological Association. When searching for a program, make sure the school offers coursework that mirrors your academic and career goals. There are many different research areas within psychology, so reach out to prospective schools to ensure they meet your needs.
What Different Types of Psychology Are There?
Not all psychology degrees are built the same, and students can choose from various academic specializations and research areas. We’ve highlighted several common psychology specializations below.
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Counseling Psychology
- Forensic Psychology
- Sports Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology
- Behavioral Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Educational Psychology
- Experimental Psychology
- Health Psychology
The 10 Best Psychology Colleges in Texas 2022
Texas is home to more colleges and universities than any other state, so of course, they have many great psychology programs. We’ve done the legwork to highlight the top 10 that offer psychology degrees below, and you can review our full ranking here for all schools in Texas that offer psychology programs.
Rice University
Established in 1912, Houston’s Rice University plays home to a research-focused psychology department. Areas of particular expertise and research interest include industrial and organizational psychology, human-computer interactions, and cognitive and affective neuroscience. Notable Rice alumni include notorious aviator and industrialist Howard Hughes and author Joyce Carol Oates.
One of the most popular undergraduate degrees at Rice, the school’s Bachelor’s in Psychology takes a multidisciplinary academic approach. Core courses include an introduction to psychology, introduction to social psychology, and social sciences statistics. For graduate students, Rice offers an academic path for career researchers and academics rather than clinical professionals.
University of Houston
Established in 1927, the University of Houston is a large public research institution that serves nearly 50,000 students every year. Notable alumni include award-winning singer Lizzo, actor Jim Parsons, and Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren. UH’s psychology department confers graduate and undergraduate degrees, and the organizational psychology program is consistently ranked as one of the best in the country.
Continuously accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association, the University of Houston strives for academic excellence while advancing research in the field. UH offers four academic specialization areas:
- Clinical psychology
- Developmental, cognitive, and behavioral neuroscience
- Industrial organizational psychology
- Social psychology
The University of Texas at Dallas
Part of the University of Texas system, UT Dallas was founded in 1961 and joined the UT system in 1969. UT Dallas is home to nearly 30,000 students, and the school’s behavioral and brain sciences department is recognized as a producer of some of the university’s most cutting-edge research.
UT Dallas’ psychology academic tracks include two doctoral programs, three master’s programs, and three bachelor’s degree tracks. Students tackling a Bachelor’s in Psychology complete classes including statistics for psychology, cognitive psychology, and lifespan development. For high-performing students planning to secure a master’s degree, the school provides a fast-track option where learners can complete up to 15 credits of approved graduate-level coursework.
The University of Texas at Austin
The flagship institution in the University of Texas system, UT Austin was established in 1883 and serves over 50,000 students annually. Conferring degrees to an extensive list of influential individuals, notable alumni include former First Ladies Laura Bush and Lady Bird Johnson, noted astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Academy Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey.
UT Austin’s undergraduate psychology program supplies learners with a solid foundation in psychology, reviewing the contemporary and historical research involving human and animal behavior. The school also offers a psychology PhD program with specializations in behavioral neuroscience, clinical psychology, and social psychology.
Texas A & M University-College Station
With an enrollment of nearly 70,000 students, Texas A&M is one of the largest universities in the United States. TAMU was founded in 1876 and boasts former heads of state, influential CEOs, and award-winning athletes among its over half-million alumni. TAMU’s psychology and brain sciences department offers various undergraduate and graduate-level psychology degrees.
This prominent Texas institution offers a BA/BS in psychology and a behavioral/cognitive neuroscience BS degree. Standard undergraduate psychology courses include Black psychology, psychological aspects of human sexuality, and survey of industrial psychology. Bachelor’s degree students also have access to various internship and study abroad opportunities.
Texas Christian University
Based in Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a private Christian institution that serves over 11,000 students annually. TCU holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC) and offers an extensive roster of rigorous academic tracks, including 117 undergraduate majors and 25 doctoral programs.
TCU’s psychology department offers three undergraduate tracks: a BA or BS in psychology or BS in neuroscience. Standard undergraduate course offerings include topics such as cognitive development, human neuropsychology, and psychopharmacology. Additionally, TCU offers two graduate-level degrees: an MS in developmental trauma and a PhD in experimental psychology.
Texas Tech University
Based in the west Texas city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a large public research university with an enrollment of over 40,000 students. TTU is recognized as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC). Notable alumni include several governors, astronauts, CEOs, and media personalities.
The school’s department of psychological sciences offers multiple graduate-level psychology degrees. All holding programmatic accreditation from the American Psychological Association, areas of concentration include:
- Social psychology
- Hhuman factors psychology
- Ccognitive neuroscience
- Counseling psychology
- Clinical psychology
University of North Texas
The University of North Texas is a public research institution and was established in 1890. Serving over 40,000 students across its multiple campuses, notable UNT grads include TV personality Dr. Phil and various musicians including Meat Loaf, The Eagles’ Don Henley, Norah Jones, and Roy Orbison. The school is also a forerunner in environmental sustainability and plays home to the world’s first PhD in environmental ethics.
UNT’s department of psychology offers undergraduate degrees and graduate-level programs in behavioral sciences, clinical psychology, and counseling psychology. In addition to SACSCOC regional accreditation, the school’s counseling and clinical programs are accredited by the American Psychological Association.
Sam Houston State University
Located in Huntsville, Texas, Sam Houston State University is a public institution serving students since 1879. Home to over 20,000 learners annually, SHSU offers dozens of undergraduate degree and graduate programs. Additionally, SHSU provides flexible and affordable academic options through more than 20 online degrees.
SHSU’s psychology department offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology and a PhD in Clinical Psychology. While graduate-level studies must be completed on campus, the school’s BS in Psychology can also be completed primarily online. Standard undergraduate courses include topics such as abnormal psychology, physiological psychology, and psychopathology and family dynamics.
Southern Methodist University
Located just north of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a private research institution serving more than 10,000 students annually. Whether noted for promoting an entrepreneurial spirit or its ranking as one of the most beautiful campuses in America, SMU consistently ranks as one of the best schools in Texas.
SMU’s department of psychology is home to an undergraduate psychology track, an MS in Organizational Psychology, and a PhD program in Clinical Psychology. For undergraduate learners, upper-division coursework includes psychology of conflict resolution, psychological disorders in children, and advanced quantitative methods in psychology.
If you’re looking for other schools that offer the best Psychology degree programs, check out the Find Your Perfect “U” tool. You can search over 6,000 colleges and universities with 11 different filters to find the perfect school for you!
How Do I Pay For My Psychology Degree?
Earning your psychology degree typically requires a significant investment of both time and money. The good news is that students have access to seemingly countless ways to offset the cost of school. In addition to standard financial aid options like scholarships, grants, and federal loans, you can cut costs by enrolling in an online program, tackling a work-study program, or finding a tuition reimbursement program.
Scholarships for Texas Psychology Students
UT Departmental Scholarships
UT students can apply for a $2,500 annual scholarship for psychology majors in good academic standing. Applicants must submit a resume and have documented volunteer experience.
TAMU The Nation Award
Since 2013, TAMU’s psychology department offers a financial award to the most outstanding graduating senior. Winners typically demonstrate top academic performance and dedication to community service.
UNT Anna Wright Memorial Scholarship
Aimed at high-performing clinical psychology doctoral students, applicants for this $1,000 annual scholarship must submit a short statement outlining accomplishments and curriculum vitae.
James Mielke is a freelance writer currently based in Louisville, Kentucky. In addition to higher education topics, areas of particular interest include food history, dining, and all things golf. James has a history degree from Belmont University and is an unapologetic fan of the Grateful Dead.
