University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill Psychology Programs

Written by Megan Hartley, Last Updated: July 1, 2026

UNC Chapel Hill offers psychology programs at the undergraduate and doctoral levels, including a BA in Psychology and an APA-accredited Ph.D. in School Psychology. The university is accredited by SACSCOC and is a flagship institution of the University of North Carolina system, located in Chapel Hill, NC.

UNC Chapel Hill campus with the Old Well rotunda and a historic brick building, flowering azaleas in the foreground

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the oldest state university in the United States, chartered in 1789 and holding its first classes in 1795. It is a flagship public research university in the UNC system, located in Chapel Hill, NC, serving more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

Accreditation Details

UNC Chapel Hill is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the regional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education that accredits degree-granting institutions throughout the Southern United States. Accreditation is reviewed on a ten-year cycle, with a five-year interim report required. The Ph.D. in School Psychology program holds separate programmatic accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA).

Application Requirements

First-year undergraduate applicants apply through the Common Application and must submit an official high school transcript, a school counselor statement, and at least one teacher recommendation. UNC Chapel Hill currently uses a test-optional admissions policy for first-year applicants. Because admissions policies may change from one application cycle to the next, applicants should verify current standardized testing requirements with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions before applying. Transfer applicants must submit official transcripts from all prior institutions.

Graduate applicants submit unofficial transcripts at the time of application, a statement of purpose, a current résumé or curriculum vitae, and contact information for three recommenders. Official transcripts are required after admission. Standardized test requirements vary by program. For example, the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience’s doctoral programs generally do not require GRE scores, while the Ph.D. in School Psychology lists GRE scores as optional. Applicants should review the specific requirements for their intended program before applying.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Current tuition and fees vary by academic year and residency status. Prospective students should consult UNC Chapel Hill’s published tuition schedules for the most up-to-date costs. Undergraduate and graduate students may qualify for federal grants, loans, work-study, and institutional scholarships. Students seeking need-based institutional aid must submit both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS Profile, along with any additional documentation requested by the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid.

Psychology Programs at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill

UNC Chapel Hill’s Department of Psychology and Neuroscience offers undergraduate and doctoral education across several areas of psychological science. In addition to the undergraduate psychology major and the Ph.D. in School Psychology, the department offers doctoral training in specialties including Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Quantitative Psychology, and Social Psychology. These research-focused programs prepare graduates for careers in academia, research, clinical practice, and related professions.

Undergraduate Psychology

UNC Chapel Hill offers a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology through the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience within the College of Arts and Sciences. The curriculum provides a foundation in psychological theory, research methods, statistics, and behavioral science while allowing students to pursue elective coursework in areas such as clinical, cognitive, developmental, social, and neuroscience-related psychology. The degree prepares graduates for careers in a variety of fields as well as advanced study in psychology and related disciplines.

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Ph.D. in School Psychology

The Ph.D. in School Psychology is a 64-credit-hour, APA-accredited doctoral program that prepares graduates for careers in research, practice, and leadership in school psychology. The program emphasizes psychological assessment, intervention, consultation, research methodology, and child development while preparing graduates for licensure as psychologists. Applicants may enter the program with either a bachelor’s degree (with appropriate psychology preparation) or a master’s degree, depending on their academic background and qualifications.

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Megan Hartley
Megan Hartley, M.S., is a psychology educator and career advisor with more than ten years helping students choose degree and licensure paths. She holds an M.S. in Psychology from a state university.