Prairie View A&M University offers graduate study in psychology-adjacent fields through its College of Juvenile Justice and Psychology, including an online Master of Science in Juvenile Justice. PVAMU holds regional accreditation from SACSCOC and is part of the Texas A&M University System, located in Prairie View, Texas.
Founded in 1876 as Texas’s first state-supported institution for African American students, Prairie View A&M University is part of the Texas A&M University System. The university enrolled more than 10,000 students in fall 2025, its largest class on record, across undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, with online options available for distance learners and working professionals. PVAMU ranks No. 18 among HBCUs on the U.S. News & World Report list of Best HBCUs.
Accreditation Details
PVAMU holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional degrees. Program-level accreditation is held from several bodies covering specific academic areas:
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB)
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Application Requirements
All applicants complete a Texas Common Application online and submit official transcripts from high school, GED, or prior college programs. PVAMU is test-optional — standardized test scores (SAT or ACT) are not required for admission, but are needed for scholarship eligibility. A non-refundable application fee of $40 applies for undergraduate applicants; graduate fees vary by program.
Freshman automatic admission requires a 2.80 GPA on a 4.0 scale, or graduation in the top 50% of your high school class, or qualifying SAT/ACT scores. Transfer applicants need a 2.00 cumulative GPA with at least 15 transferable college-level credits. International students must submit proof of English proficiency through TOEFL scores or equivalent documentation. Graduate requirements vary by degree and may include a professional resume, written essay, or letters of recommendation.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition and fees vary by degree level and residency status. For 2024–2025, estimated annual tuition and fees are:
- Resident undergraduates: approximately $11,299 per year
- Resident graduate students: approximately $7,993 per year
- Non-resident undergraduates: approximately $26,874 per year
- Non-resident graduate students: approximately $17,378 per year
Undergraduate tuition rates are set on a cohort basis and may vary by enrollment year and credit load. Students should confirm current rates at the PVAMU Treasury Services page before enrolling.
PVAMU participates in federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs. Students can apply for aid through FAFSA; eligible Texas residents who don’t qualify for federal aid may apply through TASFA. Available programs include the Federal Pell Grant, TEACH Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Federal Work-Study, Federal Direct Loans, the TEXAS Grant, Texas Public Education Grant, and PVAMU institutional and departmental scholarships.
Psychology Programs at Prairie View A&M University
Online Master of Science in Juvenile Justice
PVAMU’s online MS in Juvenile Justice is administered through the College of Juvenile Justice and Psychology. The program draws from psychology, criminology, sociology, economics, behavioral science, and statistics to prepare advanced practitioners working with youth in the justice system. Graduates who want to continue can pursue doctoral studies in criminal justice, juvenile justice, or forensic psychology.
The program is 36 credits and available in thesis and non-thesis tracks. The non-thesis track is designed for completion in one year for full-time students. Core courses cover Foundations of Juvenile Justice, Delinquency Theories, Research Methods, and Applied Statistics. Students then choose from electives to personalize their degree:
- Foundations of Criminal and Juvenile Justice Systems
- Substance Abuse
- Domestic and Family Violence
- Impact of Economics on Juvenile Crime
- Community Building and Juvenile Crime Prevention
- Conflict Mediation and Resolution Strategies
- Behavioral Counseling
- Juvenile Justice Management for Organizations
- Professional Ethics in the Juvenile Justice System
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