Best Psychology Programs in Nevada for 2027

The psychology program of the University of Nevada-Reno has three emphases: general psychology (BA), behavior science (BS) and psychological science (BS). The BA major is 27 units built on General Psychology and Introduction to Research Methods, three foundational courses drawn from biological, cognitive and learning, social and abnormal, and developmental areas, six units of depth courses from options like Cognitive Neuroscience, Human Memory and Applied Behavior Analysis, and a capstone-level course such as Psychology of Trauma. The BA also requires foreign language proficiency through a fourth-semester course. The behavior science BS makes students eligible for certification as Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts, and its curriculum meets ABAI standards.

Emphases

General psychology (BA), behavior science (BS) and psychological science (BS).

BA Major

27 units, and no course in the major can be taken pass-fail.

Depth Options

Physiological Psychology, Perception, Human Memory, Personality, Cognitive Neuroscience, Applied Behavior Analysis and others.

BA Language Requirement

Proficiency equal to a fourth-semester college course in a foreign language or American Sign Language.

Behavior Science BS

Eligibility for BCaBA certification and a curriculum meeting ABAI accreditation standards.

Program Sources: Bachelor's Degree in Psychology - University of Nevada, RenoPsychology, B.A. - University of Nevada, Reno Catalog

The University of Nevada-Las Vegas offers its Psychology BA fully online, fully in person or blended, and you pick the format at admission. Majors complete 36 credits made up of General Psychology, Introduction to the Psychology Major, Introduction to Statistical Methods, Research Methods and a Capstone in Psychology, and then complete five of six upper-division core courses: Foundations of Neuroscience, Perception, Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Psychopathology and Social Psychology. Nine more upper-division credits are electives. Learning outcomes include proposing and critiquing research studies and presenting an APA-style research paper and an oral presentation.

Introduction and Methods

General Psychology, Introduction to the Psychology Major, Introduction to Statistical Methods, Research Methods and Capstone in Psychology.

Core Courses

Five of six: Neuroscience, Perception, Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Psychopathology and Social Psychology.

Electives

Nine upper-division (300 to 400 level) credits.

Formats

Fully online, fully in person or blended.

Grade Rule

C- or higher in all psychology coursework.

Program Sources: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology - UNLV

Nevada State University's Psychology BA offers three 18-credit concentrations: clinical and mental health, development, and intergroup dynamics and social equity. The base major (58 to 59 credits) takes General Psychology, Introduction to Statistical Methods and a research methods course, plus two foundations courses from each of two groups, two applied courses such as Drugs and Behavior, Health Psychology or Psychology and the Legal System, and 18 credits of psychology electives. A direct learning course finishes the plan: Advanced Undergraduate Research, Capstone in Psychology or a four-credit Supervised Field Experience. The program is in person, and the methods and direct learning courses are only offered in person.

Methods

Introduction to Statistical Methods and Introduction to Research Methods, offered in person and best finished by the end of sophomore year.

Direct Learning

Advanced Undergraduate Research, Capstone in Psychology or Supervised Field Experience (4 credits).

Clinical and Mental Health

Foundations of Neuroscience, Foundations of Abnormal Psychology and four electives such as Psychology of Trauma or Counseling Skills in Human Services.

Developmental

Lifespan Development, one of two Foundations of Developmental Psychology courses, and four electives.

Intergroup Dynamics and Social Equity

Foundations of Social Psychology, Psychology of Inequality and four electives.

Program Sources: Psychology B.A. - Nevada State UniversityPsychology with a Clinical and Mental Health Concentration B.A. - Nevada State University Catalogs

Students admitted to the University of Nevada-Las Vegas Psychological and Brain Sciences PhD work under a faculty mentor in one of three areas: cognitive, developmental, or quantitative, social and community. The cognitive area trains students with eye tracking, event-related potentials and transcranial magnetic and electrical stimulation alongside behavioral methods. The developmental area emphasizes age-appropriate methods for studying perceptual, cognitive, social and neural development. The quantitative, social and community area offers mentoring in advanced data collection and in qualitative and quantitative analysis. The program trains independent researchers who can pursue academic careers or work in other institutional and applied settings.

Areas

Cognitive, developmental, and quantitative, social and community.

Mentor Model

Students work under an identified faculty mentor, and those with diverse interests can collaborate with more than one faculty member.

Cognitive Methods

Eye tracking, event-related potentials, TMS and TES, plus behavioral memory and reaction time tasks.

Career Aim

Independent research in academia and in institutional and applied settings.

Program Sources: Ph.D. Program - Psychological and Brain Sciences - UNLV

UNLV, UNR and Nevada State University are the three transfer targets of the Psychology AA at the College of Southern Nevada, and the plan lists recommended courses for each. Its 28-credit major block has General Psychology, Introduction to Statistical Methods and a research methods course, six credits of psychology electives, nine program elective credits and a three-credit social science elective. Learning outcomes include using basic statistical techniques, applying research design and report writing, and describing careers in psychology and the education they require. Each destination university has a transfer program with advisers who help CSN students plan the move, and classes meet on the Charleston, Henderson and North Las Vegas campuses.

Core Courses

General Psychology (or the Honors version), Introduction to Statistical Methods and Introduction to Research Methods.

Electives

Six credits of psychology electives, nine program elective credits and one social science elective.

Transfer Programs

NSU/CSN, UNLV/CSN and UNR/CSN, each with its own recommended courses.

Degree Length

60 credits, including 32 credits of general education.

Campuses

Charleston, Henderson and North Las Vegas.

Program Sources: Psychology, AA - College of Southern Nevada Catalog

Truckee Meadows Community College's Psychology AA can be completed online, though some assignments or exams may need to be done in person. The degree substantially meets the first two years of the University of Nevada, Reno's Psychology BA. Required courses are General Psychology, Child Psychology or Introduction to Social Psychology, Introduction to Research Methods and Introduction to Abnormal Psychology, with 10 elective units and a foreign language requirement of up to 14 units. The program is aimed at students who don't expect to pursue graduate study but want to complement a career in human resources, business, law or education.

Required Psychology

General Psychology, Child Psychology or Introduction to Social Psychology, Introduction to Research Methods and Introduction to Abnormal Psychology.

Delivery

Can be completed online, with possible in-person assignments or exams.

Transfer Target

First two years of the BA in Psychology at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Degree Length

60 units, including 10 elective units.

Outcomes

Key concepts and theories, research methods and their trade-offs, diversity and interpersonal challenges, and scholarly communication.

Program Sources: Psychology, AA - Truckee Meadows Community College Catalog