East Carolina University offers psychology degrees at every level: a BA, an MA with concentrations in clinical, industrial/organizational, and school psychology, a PhD in Health Psychology with three specializations, and a Specialist in School Psychology (SSP) credential. ECU is accredited by SACSCOC and is part of the University of North Carolina system, based in Greenville, NC.
East Carolina University was established in 1907 in Greenville, North Carolina, and joined the University of North Carolina system in 1972. The Department of Psychology sits within ECU’s Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences and offers programs from the bachelor’s through the doctoral level.
East Carolina University Accreditation
East Carolina University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
The PhD in Health Psychology’s clinical health concentration is accredited separately by the American Psychological Association (APA) as a clinical psychology program. At ECU’s most recent APA site visit, the program received accreditation for the maximum ten-year term. The next scheduled review is 2031, based on the most recent site visit.
The MA/SSP program in School Psychology is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
Application Requirements
Undergraduate
Freshman applicants must submit a completed online application, an official high school transcript showing senior year courses and current GPA, and any college transcripts for dual-enrollment coursework. Standardized-test requirements for ECU have changed in recent years — check ECU Undergraduate Admissions for the current policy before applying.
Transfer students must have completed at least 24 credit hours with a minimum 2.5 GPA across all post-secondary institutions attended. Official transcripts from every college or university attended are required. Students who have already earned 24 or more credit hours at the time of application are considered transfer students.
Graduate
Graduate applicants must submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, including one confirming the award of a bachelor’s degree or higher. The GRE General Test is not required for psychology graduate programs at ECU — confirm with the department before applying, as policies can change. Application deadlines vary by concentration: December 1 for Clinical Health Psychology, January 1 for Pediatric School Psychology, and February 1 for Occupational Health Psychology. The MA and SSP programs operate on a separate timeline — contact the department directly for current dates.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition at East Carolina University varies by program, residency status, and delivery format. For the online BA in Psychology, North Carolina residents pay approximately $410 per credit hour, and out-of-state students pay approximately $491 per credit hour. On-campus and graduate tuition rates differ. All figures are subject to change — verify current tuition with ECU’s Office of the Bursar before making enrollment decisions.
Financial aid is available through the Office of Student Financial Aid. Students may qualify for grants, scholarships, federal loans, or work-study based on financial need. Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required to access federal aid programs.
Psychology Programs at East Carolina University
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The BA in Psychology prepares students for entry-level roles in human services, research support, and behavioral health settings — see psychology bachelor’s degree career options for a fuller picture of where the degree leads. It also lays the groundwork for graduate study. Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA in general education before applying. The curriculum covers psychological statistics, research methods, and the biological bases of behavior, along with coursework drawn from developmental, social, and clinical areas of the field.
The BA is available both on-campus and fully online for students who need schedule flexibility.
Master of Arts in Psychology
The MA in Psychology is offered with three concentrations: Clinical Psychology, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and School Psychology. All students complete an internship between their first and second year and must present a thesis to finish the degree.
One distinction worth knowing: the Clinical Psychology concentration is a non-terminal degree. It’s designed as a stepping stone toward the PhD in Health Psychology, not a standalone credential. Students comparing affordable clinical psychology graduate programs should factor in whether they want a terminal master’s or a doctoral track. Admission to the MA program doesn’t guarantee admission to the PhD program — students interested in the PhD must apply separately.
PhD in Health Psychology
The PhD in Health Psychology offers three concentrations: Clinical Health Psychology, Occupational Health Psychology, and Pediatric School Psychology. The clinical health concentration is among a small number of programs in the US focused primarily on health psychology, and holds APA accreditation as a clinical psychology program.
Training combines research and clinical practice, with placements in ECU’s on-site PASS Clinic, primary care settings, and medical subspecialties including cardiology and pediatrics. The program reported a 93% placement rate in APA-accredited internships at its most recent accreditation review.
Specialist in School Psychology (SSP)
The SSP is a 36-credit-hour credential typically pursued alongside the MA in School Psychology as a combined three-year full-time program. NASP, CAEP, and the NC Department of Public Instruction approve it. If you’re weighing cost alongside program quality, our roundup of school psychology programs across the country covers options at multiple price points.
Completing both the MA and SSP meets the educational requirements for licensure by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction as a school psychologist, certification by the National School Psychology Certification Board (NCSP), and the educational requirements for licensure as a licensed psychological associate through the North Carolina Psychology Board.
Use the tool below to compare accredited psychology programs and find schools that match your degree level and area of focus.