UT Tyler offers undergraduate and graduate psychology programs, including a BA and BS in Psychology and an MS in Clinical Psychology with an optional neuropsychology specialization. A PhD in Clinical Psychology earned initial APA accreditation in 2024. The university is accredited by SACSCOC and is part of the University of Texas System, located in Tyler, Texas.
The University of Texas at Tyler is a public institution that joined the University of Texas System in 1979. The main campus sits on 204 acres in Tyler, Texas, and the College of Education and Psychology houses the psychology and counseling degree programs. UT Tyler enrolls more than 10,000 students and holds a Carnegie R2: Doctoral Universities classification.
Accreditation Details
At the institutional level, UT Tyler is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), one of six regional accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The College of Education and Psychology’s educator preparation programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and approved by the Texas Education Agency. Counseling degree programs meet the standards of the Council on Accreditation for Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The PhD in Clinical Psychology holds initial accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA), granted in 2024.
Application Requirements
UT Tyler considers high school preparation, class rank, and GPA as the primary factors in freshman admissions. Students who rank in the top 25% of their graduating class and complete the Distinguished Level of Achievement high school program qualify for automatic admission. Applicants who do not qualify for automatic admission must meet a minimum GPA of 2.75 regardless of class rank. In addition to the rank and GPA criteria, applicants must satisfy ACT College Readiness Benchmarks or score at least 1090 on the SAT.
The minimum high school curriculum includes four units of English, four of science, four of mathematics (including Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, and advanced math), three of social studies, and two of a single foreign language.
Undergraduate transfer applicants need a minimum of 30 semester credits from a regionally accredited institution and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0. Graduate applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. The Clinical Psychology MS program requires three academic evaluations, a Statement of Purpose, and a background check; successful applicants typically hold a GPA of 3.0 or higher. International applicants must score at least 550 (paper-based) or 79 (internet-based) on the TOEFL, or an equivalent score on the IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo English Test.
Applications for domestic students are submitted through ApplyTexas, with a $60 non-refundable fee ($75 for international applicants). International student application deadlines are May 31 for fall enrollment and October 31 for spring enrollment.
Tuition and Financial Aid
UT Tyler tuition is made up of a statutory rate and a designated rate set by the UT System Board of Regents. For 2024–2025, Texas resident undergraduates pay $234 per credit hour in combined tuition (before mandatory fees). Non-resident undergraduates pay $744 per credit hour in combined tuition. Texas resident graduate students pay $363 per credit hour; out-of-state graduate students pay $861 per credit hour. Mandatory fees — including technology, student services, and athletics fees — are added to these figures. Actual semester totals vary by enrollment load; current cost-of-attendance estimates are available at uttyler.edu/admissions-aid.
Financial aid options at UT Tyler include Federal Direct Loans, Parent and Grad PLUS Loans, Pell Grants, and FSEOG Grants. Texas residents may qualify for the Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG) and the TEXAS Grant program. Federal Work-Study positions are available. Institutional scholarships are offered for transfer students, high academic achievers, and other qualifying criteria.
Psychology Programs at the University of Texas at Tyler
Psychology and counseling programs are offered through the Department of Psychology and Counseling within the College of Education and Psychology. Students complete clinical training hours at the on-campus Psychology and Counseling Training Clinic, which provides supervised practice with a range of clients.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The BA in Psychology is a 120-credit program requiring a minimum of 39 hours of psychology coursework, including 27 hours of core psychology courses covering research methods, statistics, psychopathology, physiological psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology, and cognitive psychology. Students complete at least 12 upper-division psychology elective hours from available course options. In the final term, students may complete an independent research project or a practical internship.
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
UT Tyler also offers a BS in Psychology for students whose goals lean toward research, science, or graduate study. Both the BA and BS are 120-credit programs and prepare graduates for graduate study in psychology or counseling. For help deciding which fits your goals, see our guide to choosing between a BA and BS in psychology.
Master of Science in Clinical Psychology
The MS in Clinical Psychology is a 60-credit graduate program focused on psychological assessment, psychotherapy techniques, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based practices, and research methods in clinical psychology. Students complete a general program of study or may choose the optional neuropsychology specialization. The program includes approved clinical practicums. Graduates qualify to sit for the Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA) exam through the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists; independent practice as an LPA requires an additional 3,000 supervised hours after the initial license, along with passage of the EPPP and the Texas Jurisprudence exam. Students comparing costs can also review our list of affordable MS in clinical psychology programs across the country.
Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology
UT Tyler’s PhD in Clinical Psychology earned initial accreditation from the American Psychological Association in 2024. The program includes four years of on-campus study and an off-site doctoral internship year. Emphasis areas are rural mental health, veterans and active duty military, and care for adults 65 and older. Graduates qualify for doctoral-level licensure as a Licensed Psychologist in Texas.
UT Tyler also offers graduate degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA), School Counseling (MA), and Special Education (MEd).
Compare accredited psychology programs at other Texas schools, including admission requirements, tuition, and program focus areas.