Yes, several accredited universities have dropped the GRE for their psychology master’s programs entirely. Capella, Walden, Southern New Hampshire University, and National University skip it, no exceptions. Others, like Nova Southeastern, waive it once your GPA clears 3.0. Admissions committees weigh your grades, coursework, and experience instead of a test score.
You’ve decided on a psychology master’s degree. Then you pull up the admissions page, and there it is: GRE scores required. That means a registration fee, weeks of vocabulary flashcards, and a test that has nothing to do with the therapy or research coursework you’re actually about to take.
Here’s the good news. A real, growing list of accredited schools has cut the GRE from psychology master’s admissions entirely. Others waive it once your GPA clears a set bar. Either way, the test that’s been stressing you out might not apply to you at all.
GRE-Optional vs. GRE-Free: What’s the Real Difference
Not every “no GRE” claim means the same thing, and mixing them up can cost you an application fee on a program that still expects a strong score. There are two real categories.
GRE-free programs never ask for a score. Your GPA, resume, and personal statement carry the whole application. Capella and Walden both fall into this group.
GRE-optional (or GRE-waived) programs accept you without the test only if you clear a specific bar, usually a 3.0 GPA across your last 60 undergraduate credits. Fall below that line, and the GRE comes back as a requirement. Nova Southeastern’s general psychology master’s program works this way, so check the exact GPA cutoff on the program’s own admissions page before you decide to skip the test.
5 Psychology Master’s Programs With No GRE Requirement
Here are five accredited universities where you can apply to a psychology master’s without submitting GRE scores, checked against each school’s own admissions pages in 2026. Four skipped the test entirely. One waives it above a GPA threshold, the exact value of which is worth knowing.
| School | GRE Policy | Minimum GPA | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capella University | Not required, no exceptions | 2.3 (2.8 recommended for FlexPath) | 100% online |
| Walden University | Not required, no essay either | 2.5 (bachelor’s) or 3.0 (master’s coursework) | 100% online |
| Southern New Hampshire University | Not required | No minimum stated | 100% online |
| National University | Not required | 2.5 | Online and on-campus |
| Nova Southeastern University | Waived above a GPA threshold | 3.0 to skip the GRE | 100% online |
Capella University
- MS in Psychology
- MS in Clinical Psychology
- MS in School Psychology
Capella waives the GRE and GMAT for all master’s-level psychology tracks, including the MS in Psychology, MS in Clinical Psychology, and MS in School Psychology.
You’ll need a bachelor’s degree and a minimum GPA of 2.3. Most MS Psychology FlexPath options recommend a 2.8 GPA for the self-paced format, though some individual specialization pages still cite 3.0, so confirm the figure on your specific program page. Capella’s MS in Clinical Psychology also holds APA master’s-level accreditation, a rare designation held by only five programs nationwide. Programs run 100% online. See the Capella University profile for tuition and specialization details.
Walden University
- MS in Psychology
- MS in Clinical Psychology
- MS in Applied Behavior Analysis
- MS in Developmental Psychology
- MS in Forensic Psychology
- MS in Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Walden drops both the GRE and the application essay for its online master’s degrees in psychology, including clinical psychology, applied behavior analysis, developmental psychology, forensic psychology, and industrial-organizational psychology.
You’ll need a 2.5 GPA in bachelor’s coursework or a 3.0 GPA with a prior master’s. Get the full breakdown on the Walden University profile.
Southern New Hampshire University
MS in Psychology (Child and Adolescent Development, Forensic Psychology, or Industrial-Organizational Psychology concentrations)
SNHU’s MS in Psychology skips the GRE and GMAT and has no minimum GPA requirement across all three specializations: child and adolescent development, forensic psychology, and industrial-organizational psychology. The 36-credit program runs entirely online and typically takes 18 months to two years. Note that this degree doesn’t lead directly to clinical licensure. Check the Southern New Hampshire University profile for more.
National University
- MA in Psychology (General Psychology, Gender and Sexual Fluidity, or Research and Teaching specializations)
- MS in School Psychology
- MA in Sport and Performance Psychology
National University doesn’t require the GRE for its MA in Psychology (offered with General Psychology, Gender and Sexual Fluidity, and Research and Teaching tracks) or for its MS in School Psychology and MA in Sport and Performance Psychology. You’ll need a minimum GPA of 2.5. Full details are on the National University profile.
Nova Southeastern University (GRE-Optional)
MS in General Psychology
Nova Southeastern’s MS in General Psychology is the clearest example of GRE-optional admissions here. Clear a 3.0 GPA across your last 60 undergraduate credits, or hold 18 graduate credits at a 3.0, and the GRE requirement disappears.
Fall below that, and you’ll need a combined verbal-and-quantitative score around 300. Check the Nova Southeastern University profile before you apply.
What Admissions Committees Weigh Instead
Cutting the GRE doesn’t make admissions easier. It just shifts the weight onto parts of your application that already existed.
- Undergraduate GPA: Most no-GRE programs still set a GPA floor, often 2.3 to 3.0, usually calculated on your last 60 credits rather than your full transcript.
- Prior coursework: Programs that skip a psychology-degree requirement often still expect a course or two in statistics or research methods, completed already or added on before your master’s classes start.
- Professional or volunteer experience: Time in mental health, education, or human services settings tells a committee more than a vocabulary section ever could. See our FAQ on work experience before a master’s in psychology.
- Personal statement: With no test score to lean on, your goals statement carries more weight. Committees read for fit and clarity, not just polish.
- Letters of recommendation: Two or three references who can speak to your performance often replace the numeric snapshot the GRE used to provide.
Does Skipping the GRE Hurt Your Chances Later?
Applicants ask this constantly on forums like Student Doctor Network, and the honest answer is: it depends on what “later” means for you.
If your plan stops at the master’s level, a GRE-free program carries no penalty. Employers and licensing boards care about your accredited degree and supervised hours, not whether you sat for a three-hour standardized test.
If you’re using the master’s as a stepping stone to a PhD or PsyD, check your target doctoral programs now. Some have dropped the GRE, too, following the same trend that’s already reshaped master’s admissions. Others still require it, and a GRE-free master’s program won’t have prepared you for it.
One more thing worth knowing: APA’s primary accreditation work covers doctoral programs, internships, and postdoctoral residencies, but it also accredits master’s programs in rare cases. APA currently accredits only five master’s programs nationwide, and Capella University’s MS in Clinical Psychology is now one of them. The other four schools on this list don’t hold APA master’s accreditation. If a program’s marketing implies APA accreditation, verify which specific track it applies to before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a no-GRE psychology master’s still meet licensure requirements?
A GRE waiver has nothing to do with accreditation or licensure prep. Check state board requirements and the program’s accreditation status separately, since those depend on curriculum and clinical hours, not the admissions test.
Is a GRE waiver the same as a GRE-optional program?
Not quite. A waiver usually means the school drops the requirement once you clear a GPA cutoff. “GRE-optional” can mean the same thing, or it can mean the school reviews scores if submitted, but never requires them. Read the specific policy on the program’s own admissions page.
Will I need the GRE for a doctoral program after a no-GRE master’s?
Maybe. Many PhD and PsyD programs have dropped the GRE,E too, but competitive, funded programs often still require it. Check your target doctoral programs’ current admissions pages before assuming you’re done with standardized tests.
Are no-GRE psychology master’s programs less rigorous?
No. Dropping one test from the application doesn’t change a program’s coursework, faculty, or accreditation. Judge rigor by accreditation status, faculty credentials, and outcomes data, GRE or not.
Key Takeaways
- Four schools drop the GRE outright — Capella, Walden, Southern New Hampshire University, and National University don’t ask for GRE scores under any circumstance for their psychology master’s programs.
- One waives it by GPA — Nova Southeastern skips the GRE once your GPA clears 3.0, a useful example of the GRE-optional category.
- GPA and experience carry more weight without a test score — Admissions committees lean harder on your transcript, coursework, and professional background.
- APA-accredited master’s programs are rare — Only five exist nationwide, and Capella’s MS in Clinical Psychology is one of them. The other four schools here are not.
- A GRE-free master’s doesn’t guarantee a GRE-free doctorate — Check your target PhD or PsyD programs separately before assuming you’re done with the test.
Compare accredited psychology master’s programs by state, including application requirements and program formats, to find the right fit for your next step.