The University of Arizona offers psychology programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including a BA in Psychology, a BS in Psychological Science, and a PhD in Psychology with concentrations in clinical psychology, cognition and neural systems, and social psychology. UA is institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and is located in Tucson, Arizona.
The University of Arizona opened in Tucson in 1891, six years after the territorial legislature chose Prescott as the capital and Phoenix as the site of a proposed asylum, leading territorial leaders to establish the university in Tucson instead. Today, it’s one of the largest public research universities in the Southwest, and its Department of Psychology is part of the College of Science, alongside neuroscience and cognitive science programs. It’s one of several psychology programs in Arizona worth comparing before you commit to a school.
Accreditation Details
The University of Arizona is institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). UA moved to WSCUC after integrating the University of Arizona Global Campus, which had been accredited by WSCUC since its earlier years as Ashford University. Regional accreditation matters for financial aid eligibility and for transferring credits to another school.
Application Requirements
Freshman applicants submit the university’s official admission application and official high school transcripts. Standardized test scores are optional under UA’s current admissions policy. Some programs require additional materials, so students should check with an admissions counselor before applying. Transfer students submit the standard application plus official transcripts from every college or university they’ve attended. Graduate applicants to the PhD program in Psychology apply directly to their concentration of interest and typically need a bachelor’s degree, a competitive GPA, and letters of recommendation from faculty familiar with their research experience.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition varies by residency status, program level, and whether a program is offered online or on campus, and it changes from year to year. For current per-year tuition figures, visit the University of Arizona’s official tuition and fees page rather than relying on a fixed number here. Financial aid options include scholarships, grants, loans, and federal work study. UA also accepts the Montgomery GI Bill, military tuition assistance, and employer tuition reimbursement for students whose employers offer education benefits.
Psychology Programs at the University of Arizona
Undergraduate Programs
UA offers a BA in Psychology and a BS in Psychological Science. If you’re still deciding between the two, our guide to BA or BS in psychology breaks down the difference. The BA offers students flexibility to pair psychology with a minor or double major and covers career-relevant areas such as social psychology and developmental cognition. The BS in Psychological Science is built for students planning to pursue a PhD or another advanced research-focused program, and emphasizes biological, cognitive, behavioral, and quantitative approaches to prepare students for graduate-level study.
Graduate Programs
UA’s PhD in psychology offers three concentrations: clinical psychology, cognition and neural systems, and social and personality psychology. Students are admitted directly into one of the department’s research areas and begin working with faculty mentors immediately, preparing them for careers in research, academia, or clinical practice, depending on their concentration. Graduate students can also add one of two interdisciplinary minors: Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, or Neuropsychology, both of which are open to students from other departments.
Select your state below to find accredited psychology programs, application links, and licensing requirements for your jurisdiction.