Psychology graduate programs in Florida span the master’s and doctoral level, from APA-accredited PhD and PsyD programs in clinical, counseling, and school psychology to master’s degrees in clinical, forensic, and industrial-organizational psychology. Doctoral tracks typically run five to seven years and include a supervised internship. Applicants should confirm current licensure requirements with the Florida Board of Psychology.
Choosing among psychology graduate programs in Florida starts with one decision: whether a master’s degree meets your career goals or you need the doctoral credential required for independent licensure as a psychologist. Florida’s public and private universities offer both tracks, from terminal master’s programs in counseling, forensic, and organizational psychology to APA-accredited PhD and PsyD programs in clinical, counseling, and school psychology. If a doctorate is the goal, the next decision is PhD or PsyD.
Master’s vs. Doctorate: Choosing the Right Path in Florida
A master’s degree in psychology is the fastest route into the field. Florida’s master’s programs last 1 to 2 years and lead to roles in counseling, human resources, applied behavior analysis, and research support. Some master’s degrees, particularly in clinical mental health counseling, can qualify graduates to pursue licensure as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) after completing the state’s supervised experience requirement. A master’s degree alone doesn’t qualify a graduate to use the title “psychologist” in Florida.
To become a licensed psychologist in Florida, the state requires a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) from an APA-accredited program, at least 4,000 hours of supervised experience split between internship and postdoctoral work, and passing scores on the EPPP and the Florida Laws and Rules exam. Doctoral programs typically take five to seven years, including a year-long internship and a dissertation.
Applicants choosing between a PhD and PsyD are choosing between two doctoral models that both lead to licensure. A PhD follows the scientist-practitioner model, weighs research, and often includes assistantship funding. A PsyD follows the practitioner-scholar model, places a greater emphasis on clinical training, and is more often tuition-funded. See PsyD vs. PhD in Psychology: What’s the Difference? for a full comparison.
Florida Psychology Programs at a Glance
All doctoral programs listed below are currently accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation. Master’s programs are accredited through their institution’s regional accreditor, typically the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), unless otherwise noted.
| School | Degree | Focus | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barry University | MS | Clinical Psychology | Miami Shores, FL |
| Bethune-Cookman University | MS | Counseling Psychology | Daytona Beach, FL |
| Carlos Albizu University | PsyD | Clinical Psychology | Miami, FL |
| Florida A&M University | MS | Community Psychology | Tallahassee, FL |
| Florida Institute of Technology | MS, PsyD | I/O & Clinical Psychology | Melbourne, FL |
| Florida International University | MS | Professional Counseling Psychology | Miami, FL |
| Florida State University | MS, PhD | Clinical, Counseling & School Psychology | Tallahassee, FL |
| Keiser University | MS | Organizational & General Psychology | Clearwater, FL |
| Lynn University | MS | Applied Psychology | Boca Raton, FL |
| Nova Southeastern University | MS | Experimental, Forensic & General Psychology | Fort Lauderdale, FL |
| Saint Leo University | MS | Criminal Justice & Forensic Psychology | Saint Leo, FL |
| University of Central Florida | MA/MS, PhD | Clinical & I/O Psychology | Orlando, FL |
| University of Florida | MS/EdS, PhD | Counseling, School & Clinical Health Psychology | Gainesville, FL |
| University of Miami | PhD | Counseling Psychology | Coral Gables, FL |
| University of North Florida | MS | Psychological Science | Jacksonville, FL |
| University of South Florida | PhD | School Psychology | Tampa, FL |
| University of South Florida St. Petersburg | MA | Psychology | St. Petersburg, FL |
| University of West Florida | MA | Psychology | Pensacola, FL |
Barry University
Barry University is a private, Catholic institution in Miami Shores. Its clinical psychology master’s program is built around a heavy research and practicum load.
Master of Science in Clinical Psychology
Coursework opens with advanced psychopathology, then moves through statistical analysis, psychological therapy, aging, and abuse counseling before a series of practicum placements and a capstone seminar in the final semester.
Accreditation: Barry University holds regional accreditation through SACSCOC.
Location: Miami Shores, FL. Program website.
Bethune-Cookman University
Bethune-Cookman University, one of Florida’s oldest historically Black universities, runs its counseling psychology program out of Daytona Beach.
M.S. in Counseling Psychology
The 36-hour program covers counseling theory, diverse-population methods, and substance abuse and family counseling, closing with a 3-hour practicum that places students in a professional counseling setting.
Accreditation: Bethune-Cookman University holds regional accreditation through SACSCOC.
Location: Daytona Beach, FL. Program website.
Carlos Albizu University
Carlos Albizu University in Miami builds multicultural training into every program, drawing heavily from Florida’s Hispanic community.
PsyD in Clinical Psychology
Students choose a concentration in child psychology, clinical neuropsychology, forensic psychology, or general practice, and complete an APA-approved internship serving diverse populations before qualifying to provide diagnostic and therapeutic services.
Accreditation: Accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation.
Location: Miami, FL. Program website.
Florida A&M University
Florida A&M University (FAMU), founded in 1887 as a historically Black institution, offers a community-focused master’s in psychology in Tallahassee.
Master of Science in Community Psychology
The 31-credit core covers psychopathology, community counseling, evaluation, and personality testing, paired with 6 to 12 hours of thesis preparation. The strong thesis component makes this a common stepping stone into doctoral study.
Accreditation: Florida A&M University holds regional accreditation through SACSCOC.
Location: Tallahassee, FL. Program website.
Florida Institute of Technology
Florida Tech in Melbourne offers both a clinical doctoral program and a technology-focused industrial-organizational master’s program.
PsyD in Clinical Psychology
The doctoral program trains students in assessment, intervention, supervision, and research across five sub-areas of psychology. Students complete a one-year internship at an APA-approved site and defend a dissertation before graduating.
Accreditation: Accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation.
Location: Melbourne, FL. Program website.
M.S. in Industrial Organizational Psychology
This program pairs traditional organizational theory and assessment coursework with technology-focused classes in information systems and professional ethics for electronic tools, closing with a practicum or research track and a capstone seminar.
Accreditation: Florida Institute of Technology holds regional accreditation through SACSCOC.
Location: Melbourne, FL. Program website.
Florida International University
Florida International University (FIU) in Miami runs one of the state’s largest master’s programs in counseling psychology.
Professional Counseling Psychology (M.S.)
Students complete a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, often starting a placement in their first semester, and finish with a capstone project instead of a traditional thesis. Core coursework covers statistical analysis, diagnosis, psychopathology, and assessment.
Accreditation: Florida International University holds regional accreditation through SACSCOC.
Location: Miami, FL. Program website.
Florida State University
Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee offers the widest range of psychology graduate options in the state, spanning three master’s tracks and two doctoral programs.
PhD in Clinical Psychology
FSU’s clinical doctoral program trains students in the fundamentals of psychopathology and clinical intervention while building a research record in the field.
Accreditation: Accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation.
Combined Doctorate in Counseling Psychology & School Psychology
Students choose a concentration in counseling or school psychology, or both, preparing for licensure and research careers across a range of professional settings.
Accreditation: Accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation.
Master’s Degree Program in Applied Behavior Analysis
This specialized track suits professionals already working in behavioral psychology, building on core coursework in basic principles and research methods to advance to advanced behavioral analysis and a practicum series.
Sports Psychology M.S.
Students combine standard psychopathology and assessment coursework with sports-specific classes, using FSU’s athletics program for practicum placements.
School Psychology (Combined M.S./Ed.S.)
This competitive program requires a dissertation, thousands of hours of supervised work with a certified school counselor, and roughly 45 hours of coursework, leading to eligibility for school psychologist certification.
Accreditation (master’s programs): Florida State University holds regional accreditation through SACSCOC.
Location: Tallahassee, FL. Program website.
Keiser University
Keiser University offers two psychology master’s tracks across its Florida campuses, with flexible daytime, evening, and hybrid scheduling.
Master of Science in Organizational Psychology
Students work with an organizational development lens, studying workplace stress, productivity, and employee counseling to prepare for corporate culture-change roles. A practicum is required, and a graduate thesis is optional.
Master of Science in Psychology
This generalist track suits students weighing a future doctorate, covering psychopathology, health psychology, and the history of psychology. A graduate thesis is required.
Accreditation: Keiser University holds regional accreditation through SACSCOC.
Location: Clearwater, FL. Program website.
Lynn University
Lynn University in Boca Raton offers a non-clinical, theory-focused master’s in applied psychology.
M.S. in Applied Psychology
Because the program is non-clinical, students skip practicum and certification requirements and focus on classroom theory around human behavior, motivation, and therapy. Students may opt into a thesis to prepare for doctoral study.
Accreditation: Lynn University holds regional accreditation through SACSCOC.
Location: Boca Raton, FL. Program website.
Nova Southeastern University
Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in Fort Lauderdale runs three distinct master’s tracks through its College of Psychology.
Master of Science in Experimental Psychology
This 33-credit, thesis-required program prepares students for doctoral study, research, and teaching roles, with coursework in theoretical and statistical methodology.
Master of Science in Forensic Psychology Online
The fully online, 36-credit program targets careers in law enforcement and the legal system. It doesn’t meet Florida’s current requirements for counselor licensure.
Master of Science in General Psychology Online
This 30-credit, theory-focused online program doesn’t qualify graduates for counseling licensure in Florida, but can serve as a bridge into doctoral study.
Accreditation: Nova Southeastern University is institutionally accredited only by SACSCOC. These master’s programs are not APA-accredited.
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL. Program website.
Saint Leo University
Saint Leo University, a Catholic institution north of Tampa, runs its forensic psychology training through its School of Criminal Justice.
Master of Science in Criminal Justice
This hybrid or online program covers ethics, offender treatment, and the legal aspects of criminal psychology, with hands-on experience through FBI National Academy Associates-approved internship placements.
Master of Science in Criminal Justice, Forensic Psychology Online
This fully online, 36-credit specialization includes 12 required hours of forensic psychology coursework and a 6-credit applied project. It doesn’t qualify graduates for licensure in individual counseling in Florida.
Accreditation: Saint Leo University holds regional accreditation through SACSCOC.
Location: Saint Leo, FL. Program website.
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando pairs a research-heavy clinical doctorate with two applied master’s tracks.
PhD in Clinical Psychology
UCF follows the scientist-practitioner model across a five-year, full-time program that includes an APA-approved internship, a master’s thesis, a dissertation, and qualifying exams, regardless of whether a student enters with a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Accreditation: Accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation.
Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology
This 61-credit program at UCF’s Sanford/Lake Mary campus can qualify graduates for state licensure in mental health counseling after a two-year post-degree internship. Thesis and non-thesis tracks are both available.
Accreditation: Accredited by the Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) through September 2031.
Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology
The 38-credit program covers test theory, statistics, and organizational behavior over four full-time semesters and requires a 3.0 GPA to remain in good standing.
Accreditation: University of Central Florida holds regional accreditation through SACSCOC. This program is not MPCAC -or AAPA-accredited
Location: Orlando, FL. Program website.
University of Florida
The University of Florida (UF) in Gainesville offers three APA-accredited doctoral programs across two colleges, plus master’s-level study that primarily runs alongside doctoral training.
PhD in Counseling Psychology
First-year students typically receive nine-month teaching assistantships, with research assistantships and multi-year fellowship opportunities, including placements at the National Institutes of Health, available as well.
Accreditation: Accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation.
PhD in School Psychology
Housed in the College of Education, this program requires 120 graduate credit hours, including a year-long internship and dissertation research.
Accreditation: Accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation and recognized by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). The Council also accredits the College of Education for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), the successor body to NCATE.
PhD in Clinical and Health Psychology
This program is housed within an independent clinical and health psychology department at UF’s health sciences campus, allowing students to pursue combined interests in health and clinical psychology through an APA-accredited internship.
Accreditation: Accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation.
Master’s-Level Study at UF
UF’s Department of Psychology doesn’t offer a standalone terminal master’s. Instead, a Master of Science in Psychology is earned incidentally while pursuing a doctorate and is overseen by a three-member Supervisory Committee. For a terminal master’s-level credential, UF offers a 72-credit M.Ed./Ed.S. school counseling program through the College of Education, leading to Florida school counseling certification.
Accreditation (School Counseling): The University of Florida holds regional accreditation through SACSCOC, with the College of Education additionally accredited by CAEP, and the program recognized by NASP.
Location: Gainesville, FL. Program website.
University of Miami
The University of Miami’s School of Education & Human Development offers a research-focused counseling psychology doctoral program in Coral Gables.
PhD in Counseling Psychology
The program follows the scientist-practitioner model, with required coursework spanning applied multivariate statistics, adult psychopathology, and cultural diversity in mental health.
Accreditation: Accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation.
Location: Coral Gables, FL. Program website.
University of North Florida
The University of North Florida (UNF) in Jacksonville offers a research-oriented master’s degree in psychological science.
M.S. in Psychological Science
The program requires 12 credit hours of prerequisite research and theory coursework, plus 39 semester hours, including a thesis and supervised practicum experiences. It prepares students for doctoral study or research roles rather than counseling licensure.
Accreditation: University of North Florida holds regional accreditation through SACSCOC.
Location: Jacksonville, FL. Program website.
University of South Florida
The University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa offers a post-master’s doctoral program in school psychology through its College of Education.
PhD in School Psychology
The program requires 84 credit hours of post-master’s study and is designed for students who already hold an Ed.S and school psychologist certification. Students declare one of four areas of emphasis: intervention, organizational consultation, pediatric school psychology, or school-based mental health services.
Accreditation: Accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation and recognized by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).
Location: Tampa, FL. Program website.
University of South Florida St. Petersburg
USF’s St. Petersburg campus offers a flexible master’s in psychology for working adults.
Master of Arts in Psychology
Most coursework runs in the evenings or online, with both thesis and non-thesis options. A concentration in Risk, Resilience, and Prevention focuses on early intervention with at-risk children and teens. The program doesn’t lead to independent counselor licensure in Florida.
Accreditation: University of South Florida holds SACSCOC accreditation. The St. Petersburg campus operates under USF’s single institutional accreditation.
Location: St. Petersburg, FL. Program website.
University of West Florida
The University of West Florida (UWF) in Pensacola offers a three-track master’s in psychology with a rare specialty-level accreditation.
Master of Arts in Psychology
Students choose among an Applied Experimental specialization for research-oriented careers, a Counseling specialization that can qualify graduates for Florida-licensed mental health counselor status, and an Industrial/Organizational specialization for corporate roles. A Health Psychology certificate is available alongside any track.
Accreditation: University of West Florida holds regional accreditation through SACSCOC. The Counseling concentration holds accreditation from the Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) for the period September 2024 to September 2032. The Applied Experimental and Industrial/Organizational concentrations are not MPCAC-accredited.
Location: Pensacola, FL. Program website.
Florida’s psychology programs range from research-heavy doctoral tracks at the state’s flagship universities to focused, career-oriented master’s programs at smaller private schools. The right fit depends on whether the goal is licensure as a psychologist, a counseling credential, or a non-clinical research and business career. For context on where each path leads financially, see what licensed psychologists typically earn at each degree level.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many psychology graduate programs does Florida have?
Florida offers psychology graduate programs at 18 colleges and universities, including APA-accredited doctoral programs in clinical, counseling, and school psychology, as well as master’s programs in counseling, forensic, and organizational psychology.
Can I become a licensed psychologist in Florida with only a master’s degree?
No. Florida requires a doctoral degree from an APA-accredited program to use the title “psychologist.” A master’s degree can lead to licensure as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) or to a similar counseling credential. See how psychologist licensure requirements vary by state for the full breakdown.
What is the difference between a PhD and a PsyD in psychology?
A PhD emphasizes research alongside clinical training and often includes assistantship funding. A PsyD emphasizes clinical practice and is more often tuition-funded. Both lead to licensure and require the EPPP.
Are there online master’s programs in psychology in Florida?
Yes. Several Florida schools, including Nova Southeastern University and Saint Leo University, offer fully online master’s programs in forensic and general psychology. However, some online tracks don’t meet Florida’s counseling licensure requirements.
How long does a psychology doctoral program take to complete in Florida?
Most Florida doctoral programs take five to seven years, including a year-long internship and a dissertation. Applicants should confirm current program length and licensure requirements with the Florida Board of Psychology.
Select your state below to find accredited psychology programs, application links, and licensing requirements for your jurisdiction.