Saint Leo University psychology programs span the undergraduate and graduate levels, including a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with Clinical/Counseling, Developmental, Research and Measurement, and General tracks, plus an online Master’s in Psychology. The school is accredited by SACSCOC and teaches on its Florida campus, online, and at Education Centers nationwide.
Founded in 1889, Saint Leo University is a private Catholic institution near Tampa Bay, Florida, with online programs and Education Centers across the country. Its psychology degrees live in the College of Arts, Sciences, and Allied Services. Here’s what the Saint Leo University psychology programs cover, who accredits them, how to apply, and what they cost.
Accreditation Details
Saint Leo University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award degrees from the associate through the doctoral level. That institutional accreditation covers the psychology programs.
One thing students ask about: none of Saint Leo’s psychology degrees is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), and that’s expected. The APA accredits doctoral programs in clinical, counseling, and school psychology, as well as a small number of master’s programs in health service psychology. There are no APA-accredited bachelor’s programs, and a broad, general master’s program like this one sits outside that scope, so the absence here isn’t a gap.
Application Requirements
Application requirements depend on degree level, residency, and whether you’re a first-time or transfer student. Online and on-campus programs follow a similar process.
First-time undergraduates submit an online application, official high school transcripts or GED certification, letters of recommendation, and a written essay. Transfer and graduate applicants send college transcripts or degree verification instead, and graduate applicants add a statement of professional goals. Standardized test scores like the SAT, ACT, GRE, or GMAT are required only when a specific program requests them. International applicants also document English proficiency through the TOEFL, IELTS, or completion of an ESL program.
Graduate applicants pay a non-refundable application fee, and accepted international students submit an enrollment deposit toward their student visa. Confirm the current fee amounts with the university, as they change year to year.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition at Saint Leo is charged per credit hour and varies by degree level and study mode. Undergraduate, graduate, on-campus, and online rates all differ, and the university offers reduced per-credit rates for active-duty military and veterans. Published rates change each academic year, so confirm the current per-credit cost for your specific program on Saint Leo’s tuition page before you budget.
Most students get help paying for it. Saint Leo participates in federal aid, including the FAFSA, the Pell Grant, and other federal grants, work-study, and federal student loans. Florida residents may add state programs like Florida Bright Futures, and military and veterans’ benefits apply where eligible. The university also funds its own scholarships. Start with the FAFSA to see what federal and state aid you qualify for, then ask the financial aid office about institutional scholarships.
Psychology Programs at Saint Leo University
Saint Leo’s psychology degrees run on campus, fully online, and through Education Centers, so you can pick the format that fits your schedule.
| Degree | Level | Focus / Tracks | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts in Psychology | Undergraduate | Clinical/Counseling, Developmental, Research and Measurement, General | On campus, online, Education Centers |
| Master’s in Psychology | Graduate | Broad-based general psychology | Fully online |
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The undergraduate degree is a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, built on the American Psychological Association’s model curriculum. Coursework covers cognitive psychology, personality theory, abnormal psychology, the biological bases of behavior, child and adolescent development, and research methods, and students learn industry-standard tools like SPSS. You can take it on campus, fully online, or at an Education Center. It’s one of many accredited online bachelor’s in psychology options worth weighing.
Saint Leo offers four tracks so you can angle the degree toward where you’re headed: Clinical/Counseling, Developmental, Research and Measurement (the experimental track), and a broad General track. Applied coursework in areas like forensics, counseling, the military, and industrial-organizational psychology lets you test a specialty before committing to graduate school. The general BA runs about 39 credit hours, though your track may change that, so confirm the current requirements with the department.
Master’s in Psychology
The graduate option is an online master’s in psychology, a broad-based degree for students who want advanced training in psychological science without committing to a doctoral clinical track. It’s fully online and asynchronous, built on 8-week terms, and most students finish in 18 to 24 months. The program runs about 36 credit hours and ends with a capstone project that ties together research and analysis. It’s a common stepping stone toward a PhD, a college-teaching path, or roles that lean on data analysis and applied behavioral knowledge. Confirm the current credit count and any available specializations with Saint Leo, since graduate concentrations change.
If forensic work is your specific draw, Saint Leo also offers a Master of Science in Criminal Justice with a forensic psychology specialization. Worth knowing: that’s a criminal justice degree, not a psychology one, so it points toward law enforcement, corrections, and investigative roles rather than licensure as a psychologist. If you want a psychology-focused route into the field instead, see our guide to earning a master’s in forensic psychology.
Saint Leo is one option. Compare accredited psychology programs by degree level, format, and location to find the one that fits your goals.