Nova Southeastern University Psychology Programs

Nova Southeastern University offers psychology programs at every level, from a BS in Psychology to a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, including APA-accredited doctoral tracks and a CACREP-accredited counseling master’s. NSU holds regional accreditation through SACSCOC and operates its College of Psychology from its main Davie (Fort Lauderdale) campus, with several programs available fully online.

Nova Southeastern University was founded in 1964 as a graduate institution focused on the physical and social sciences before expanding into undergraduate education and becoming one of Florida’s largest private universities. Its main campus is in Davie (Fort Lauderdale), and the College of Psychology now offers psychology programs from the bachelor’s through the doctoral level, several of which hold national accreditation beyond NSU’s institutional accreditation.

Nova Southeastern University Accreditation Details

NSU holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), which authorizes the university to grant bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Within the College of Psychology, the Ph.D. and Psy.D. programs in Clinical Psychology, and the Psy.S. and Psy.D. programs in School Psychology, are accredited by the American Psychological Association’s Commission on Accreditation, a distinction awarded to programs that meet APA-CoA accreditation standards. The M.S. in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling track, is separately accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Forensic Psychology, Experimental Psychology, and General Psychology master’s programs are accredited by NSU’s SACSCOC but do not have separate programmatic accreditation.

Nova Southeastern University Application Requirements

Application requirements vary by degree level and program, but most NSU psychology programs share a common core. Applicants submit an online application through NSU’s graduate admissions portal, along with official transcripts from all previously attended colleges. Most graduate programs require two letters of recommendation from professors, supervisors, or others familiar with the applicant’s academic or professional work. Doctoral programs typically require a personal statement that addresses career goals and relevant experience, and some master’s programs, including the M.S. in Forensic Psychology, require a short admissions essay. Application fees and specific document deadlines should be confirmed directly with NSU’s graduate admissions office, since they vary by program and change from year to year.

Tuition and Financial Aid

NSU charges psychology graduate programs on a per-credit-hour basis, with the rate varying by degree level and program. Students should confirm current per-credit tuition directly with NSU’s Office of Student Financial Services, as rates are revised annually and figures published on third-party sites may lag the university’s tuition schedule. Most programs also charge a per-semester student services fee and a registration fee, both of which are separate from tuition.

All prospective students can apply for aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which NSU uses to determine eligibility for grants, scholarships, and federal student loans. Students who meet income thresholds may qualify for need-based grants, though most graduate psychology students rely primarily on federal loans. NSU notifies admitted students of their financial aid package before enrollment.

Nova Southeastern University Psychology Programs

NSU’s College of Psychology runs psychology programs at the undergraduate, master’s, specialist, and doctoral levels, with concentrations spanning clinical, counseling, forensic, experimental, general, and school psychology.

Undergraduate and Master’s Programs

At the undergraduate level, NSU offers BS degrees in Psychology and Neuroscience. Graduate master’s options include the M.S. in Counseling with a Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration (CACREP-accredited and designed to prepare students for licensure as a mental health counselor in Florida, subject to all state licensing requirements), the M.S. in Forensic Psychology, the M.S. in Experimental Psychology, and the M.S. in General Psychology. The Forensic Psychology master’s program focuses on the intersection of psychology and the legal and criminal justice systems, preparing graduates for roles in corrections, victim advocacy, law enforcement consulting, and related fields. The General Psychology and Experimental Psychology tracks are non-clinical and commonly serve students preparing for doctoral study or applying psychology training to research, HR, or other non-clinical careers. NSU delivers several of these master’s programs fully online, including the M.S. in Forensic Psychology.

Specialist and Doctoral Programs

NSU offers a Psy.S. in School Psychology for students entering with a bachelor’s degree, typically completed in three years, and accredited as part of NSU’s school psychology sequence. At the doctoral level, NSU offers a Psy.D. in School Psychology, a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology, and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, all of which are accredited by the APA’s Commission on Accreditation. NSU is one of several schools covered in our overview of psychology doctoral programs in Florida. The Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology is a five-year sequence that requires a minimum of 119 credits, a clinical competency examination, and a one-year internship. Doctoral students complete supervised clinical training through NSU’s on-campus psychology clinics, which serve a diverse South Florida patient population across multiple specialty areas, including a forensic psychology concentration available within the doctoral program.