Best Psychology Programs in Tennessee for 2027

The BA is Vanderbilt's flexible route: two fundamentals (Quantitative Methods and Principles of Experimental Design), three distribution courses and 15 credit hours of electives. The BS is built for computational and health-science directions. Before the major starts it asks for a calculus, data science or programming course and two natural science courses, and then adds four distribution courses, an advanced quantitative or computational course such as Computational Cognitive Modeling or Models of Human Memory, an advanced methods course such as Directed Study or Laboratory in Experimental Psychology, and nine upper-level elective hours. Every major takes a comprehensive exam at the start of the last semester. An honors program involves a faculty-mentored thesis over junior and senior years.

Fundamentals

Quantitative Methods and Principles of Experimental Design.

BS Extras

Calculus, data science or programming, plus two natural science courses before the major.

Comprehensive Exam

All majors take a 60 to 90 minute exam at the start of the final semester.

Honors

Faculty-mentored research with honors seminars and an original thesis.

Program Sources: Major & Minor | Psychology | Vanderbilt University

Both Memphis psychology degrees, the BA and the BS, can also be completed 100 percent online through the Global program. Each has 39 psychology hours: a core of General Psychology, Careers in Psychology and the two four-credit Research and Statistics courses, one course from each of three areas, and 18 hours to tailor. The BA adds 6 to 12 hours of a world language, which suits work with the public. The BS requires 12 more hours from STEM areas such as biology, chemistry, computer science or math, and it's pitched to students heading toward health programs or a psychology doctorate. Behavioral neuroscience and cognitive science concentrations are available for either degree.

Core Courses

General Psychology, Careers in Psychology, Research and Statistics I and II.

BA Requirement

Six to twelve hours of a world language.

BS Requirement

Twelve hours from STEM areas including biology, chemistry, computer science, math and physics.

Concentrations

Behavioral Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, with either degree.

Program Sources: Degree Options - Department of PsychologyGlobal (Online) Program - Department of Psychology

Thirty-eight hours make up the MTSU psychology major: 24 core hours plus 12 elective hours, with nine of the electives at the upper level. The core runs from General Psychology and Seminar on Careers in Psychology through Basic Statistics and Research Methods with its lab, then asks you to pick between Psychological Disorders or Personality, sensation and perception or behavioral neuroscience, and cognitive psychology or learning theories. Two minors are required, one outside psychology, and the department's specialty minors are neuroscience, lifespan development, mental health services and industrial-organizational psychology. A faculty advisor is assigned around the time you take the Careers seminar, and a separate I-O psychology major is also offered.

Core Courses

24 hours including Basic Statistics, Research Methods with a lab and Seminar on Careers in Psychology.

Electives

12 hours of psychology electives, nine at the 3000 or 4000 level.

Minors

Two required; specialty options include neuroscience, lifespan development and mental health services.

Related Major

Separate Industrial-Organizational Psychology major.

Program Sources: MTSU Psychology Undergraduate Programs 2026-2027

Pick from four concentrations at ETSU: general psychology, clinical psychology, child psychology or health professions, with either the BA or the BS. The BA version of the 38-credit major includes a 32-credit core with Design and Analysis I and II each paired with a lab, Behavioral Neuroscience, Psychopathology and Treatment, and History and Systems, plus a six-credit concentration. The BA also asks for a foreign language through the 2020 level and an 18 to 24 credit minor. No grade of C- or below counts in psychology courses. The department's graduate side offers a PhD with clinical and experimental concentrations, and transfer students are urged to see college advisement early.

Concentrations

General Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Child Psychology and Health Professions.

Methods Sequence

Design and Analysis I and II, each with a one-credit lab.

BA Requirements

Foreign language through the 2020 level and an 18 to 24 credit minor.

Grade Rule

No grade of C- or below counts in PSYC courses in the major.

Program Sources: Program: Psychology Major, B.A. (General Psychology Concentration) - East Tennessee State UniversityUndergraduate Degree in Psychology at ETSU

Memphis offers a 33-credit thesis route and a 36-credit specialty review paper route in General Psychology. All students take research methods and advanced statistics, then select breadth courses and further study with their advisor. Options include human memory, psychopathology, cognition and emotion, and neuropsychopharmacology. Classes meet on campus during the day. Students can adjust how many credits they take each semester, although assistantship holders must enroll full time. Research practicum credits can support laboratory work or work related to a thesis.

Completion Routes

33-credit thesis or 36-credit specialty review paper plan.

Class Schedule

On-campus daytime classes.

Program Sources: MSGP Courses - Department of Psychology - The University of Memphis

Vanderbilt’s psychological sciences doctorate is shared by the psychology department and Peabody College’s department of psychology and human development. Research areas include clinical science, developmental science, cognition and cognitive neuroscience, and quantitative methods and data analytics. You take core methods and subject courses during the first two years while remaining involved in research. One-to-one faculty mentoring and an advisory committee guide that work; area seminars provide regular opportunities to discuss current research with faculty and other doctoral students.

Joint Program

Psychology and Peabody’s Psychology and Human Development departments.

Research Structure

Continuous research with a faculty mentor, advisory committee, and area seminars.

Program Sources: Psychological Sciences PhD

An apprenticeship model drives the experimental psychology doctorate at Memphis: you and your major professor design a training plan around your career goals, with research interest areas in behavioral neuroscience and cognitive psychology. The first year includes research design and methodology, statistics and introductory courses in your specialty, and after that come advanced courses, seminars and individualized research practica. Three milestone projects are required: an empirical master's thesis, a mid-point project with several ways to satisfy it, and an empirical doctoral dissertation. Students affiliate with at least one research group each year and keep active research involvement every semester. The program is an M.S./Ph.D. path aimed at research and teaching careers.

Research Areas

Behavioral Neuroscience and Cognitive Psychology.

First-Year Courses

Research design and methodology, statistics and introductory specialty courses.

Milestones

Empirical master's thesis, mid-point project and empirical doctoral dissertation.

Research Groups

Students affiliate with at least one research group each year.

Program Sources: Experimental Psychology Program - Department of PsychologyGraduate - Department of Psychology

Counseling psychology is the concentration behind Tennessee State's Psychology PhD, built on the scientist-professional model, where problems in practice drive research and research reshapes practice. The curriculum covers foundations in psychology, research methodology and the skills for individual, group and family therapy, and faculty teach from psychodynamic, CBT, systems, interpersonal and integrative orientations. The concentration is APA accredited, with its fall 2018 visit renewing accreditation for ten years and the next visit in the 2028 cycle. Internship placements have included settings such as university counseling centers and VA medical centers. Faculty research spans group processes, couples and families, trauma, eating disorders and career development.

Concentration

Counseling Psychology, based on a scientist-professional training model.

Theoretical Orientations

Psychodynamic, CBT, systems, interpersonal and integrative.

Accreditation Cycle

APA re-accredited after the fall 2018 visit; next site visit in the 2028 cycle.

Internship Settings

University counseling centers and VA medical centers.

Program Sources: Ph.D. in Psychology | Psychology | College of Education - Tennessee State University

Johnson University's two-year Associate of Science in Psychology prepares you for entry-level social service work or for a bachelor's degree. You can take it fully online, or on campus in a mix of face-to-face, online and hybrid courses. The 21-credit professional studies block includes Human Development, Interpersonal and Family Relationships, Statistics, Introduction to Psychology and Interviewing and Counseling Skills. You choose between Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy or Abnormal Psychology and add one psychology elective. The 64-credit degree also carries 28 credits of arts and sciences core and 15 credits of Bible and theology.

Professional Studies

21 credits: Human Development, Interpersonal and Family Relationships, Statistics, Introduction to Psychology, Interviewing and Counseling Skills.

Choice Course

Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy or Abnormal Psychology.

Degree Structure

64 credits including 28 arts and sciences core and 15 Bible and theology credits.

Delivery

On campus mix of face-to-face, online and hybrid, or fully online.

Program Sources: Psychology, Associate - Johnson UniversityJohnson University Undergraduate Academic Catalog 2026-2027

You can finish South College's fully online Associate of Science in Psychology in as little as 18 months. Courses include human growth and development, criminology and organizational psychology, and the program also covers basic research methods and current trends and professional issues in the field. Stated outcomes include applying psychological principles to personal, social and organizational problems, identifying and applying basic research methods and building verbal and written communication. General admission doesn't guarantee a place in the program: you're admitted to it after completing 8 hours in the major curriculum at South College with the minimum grades required. If you keep going, the next step at South College is its Bachelor of Science in Psychology.

Delivery

Fully online, with completion possible in as little as 18 months.

Sample Courses

Human growth and development, criminology and organizational psychology.

Program Admission

After 8 hours in the major curriculum at South College with the required minimum grades.

Next Step

South College Bachelor of Science in Psychology.

Program Sources: Associate of Science in Psychology - South College