Best Psychology Programs in Utah for 2027

BYU’s 52-credit psychology major builds a research and writing sequence around psychological statistics, research design, and the history of the field. Before graduating, students apply their coursework through an internship, teaching, community service, or mentored research. At least 36 major credits must be upper level, and 23 must be completed at BYU. The experiential requirement gives students a choice of settings while keeping supervised work part of every degree plan.

Major Structure

52 credits, including at least 36 upper-level major credits.

Required Experience

Internship, teaching, community service, or mentored research.

Program Sources: Psychology BS — BYU Catalog

Utah State University offers its psychology bachelor's 100 percent online, on campus in Logan and at USU Eastern in Price. Students can earn a BA or a BS. Coursework starts with an introduction to psychology as a major and profession, then Research Methods and Statistics, an Undergraduate Research Core and a Human Psychology in Context Core, followed by electives and a capstone. The capstone is a three-credit PSY 4950 or PSY 4960 seminar, with topics such as Forensic Psychology, Sensation and Perception, Positive Psychology and Introduction to Counseling, and honors students can use HONR 4900.

Delivery

100 percent online, on campus in Logan, or at USU Eastern in Price.

Coursework

Research Methods, Statistics, an Undergraduate Research Core, a Human Psychology in Context Core and electives.

Capstone

One three-credit PSY 4950 or PSY 4960 course, or HONR 4900 for honors students.

Fall 2026 Capstone Topics

Forensic Psychology, Sensation and Perception, Positive Psychology and Introduction to Counseling.

Program Sources: Undergraduate Program | Psychology | USUCapstone Options | Psychology | USU

Statistics and methods can be completed two ways in the Psychological Science BS at Weber State University, either as a two-semester sequence in the junior year with the same faculty member, or as separate statistics, statistics lab and research methods courses for students whose schedules can't fit the sequence. The core adds one course from each of six areas, covering biopsychology, development, psychopathology, cognition, individual differences and social processes, and diversity. The capstone pairs a one-credit senior course with a three-credit capstone course. The major takes 48 credits within a 120-credit degree with 40 upper-division credits, and a minor is required unless you double major.

Stats and Methods

Psychological Statistics and Methods I and II, or Statistics in Psychology with a lab and Research Methods in Psychology.

Core Areas

Biological, developmental, psychopathology, cognitive, individual differences and social processes, and diversity.

Capstone

A one-credit senior course and one three-credit capstone, after 24 psychology credits.

Credits

48 in the major and 120 for the degree.

Minor

Required unless a student is a double major.

Program Sources: Program: Psychological Science (BS) - Weber State University

Both the BA and the BS in Psychology at Utah Valley University are built around the five pillars of psychology described by the American Psychological Association. Each has a 38-credit core with General Psychology, Psychology as a Science and Profession, Research Methods for Psychology and Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences, nine credits of foundation courses and 15 advanced credits from options such as Health Psychology, Psychopharmacology and Principles of Learning. The BA requires 16 credit hours of one language, including American Sign Language. Both need 120 credits with 40 at the 3000 level or higher, a 2.5 program GPA and a C- or better in every major course.

Psychology Core

General Psychology, Psychology as a Science and Profession, Research Methods for Psychology and Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences.

Foundations

Nine credits from Human Development Life Span, Brain and Behavior, Abnormal Psychology, Cognitive Psychology and Social Psychology.

BA Language

16 credit hours of one language, including American Sign Language.

Credits

120, with 40 at the 3000 level or higher.

Program Sources: Psychology, B.S. | Utah Valley University Academic CatalogPsychology, B.A. | Utah Valley University Academic Catalog

A research-focused route and a clinical/counseling-focused route are both open in Southern Utah University's psychology bachelor's degree, and the courses in the 16-credit Human Services Emphasis can lead to a social work license. The core is General Psychology, Psychology as a Science and Profession, and Statistics in Psychology with its lab, followed by eight credits of paired lecture and lab methods courses such as Experimental Analysis of Behavior, Research Design or Principles of Assessment. You then fill in developmental, abnormal, bio-psychology, cognitive, social or personality, and diversity requirements, including Psychology of Culture or a study abroad course, and finish with an internship capstone or senior project. Undergraduates also present research at regional and national conferences.

Core Courses

General Psychology, Psychology as a Science and Profession, Statistics in Psychology and its lab.

Methods Courses

Eight credits from lecture and lab pairs: Experimental Analysis of Behavior, Research Design, Principles of Assessment or Senior Project: Independent Research I.

Breadth Requirements

Developmental, abnormal, bio-psychology, cognitive, social or personality, and diversity courses.

Capstone

Psychology Internship Capstone or a senior project.

Human Services Emphasis

16 credits including Introduction to Human Services Professions, Professional Roles and Ethics Practicum in Psychology and Introduction to Counseling and Psychotherapy.

Program Sources: Program: Psychology (BA/BS) - Southern Utah University CatalogPsychology Department - Southern Utah University

Utah State’s psychology doctorate offers behavior analysis, brain and cognition, combined clinical and counseling psychology, and school psychology specializations. Your research and practice requirements depend on the specialization. Behavior analysis emphasizes experimental and translational work; brain and cognition includes behavioral, molecular, systems, and computational neuroscience. The combined clinical and counseling path balances research with practice, requires a thesis and dissertation, and uses electives and practica for further specialization.

Doctoral Specializations

Behavior analysis, brain and cognition, clinical/counseling, and school psychology.

Clinical Research

The combined clinical/counseling route requires a thesis and dissertation.

Program Sources: Psychology PhD

Students in the Psychology PhD at Brigham Young University spend the first four semesters on broad coverage of psychology and research skills, then specialize in one of three emphasis areas: Applied Social Psychology, Cognitive and Behavioral Neurosciences, or Developmental Psychology. A Health Psychology sub-specialty is also available. You choose a faculty advisor and dissertation committee in the first semester and complete a second year project with a poster presentation. Research assistantships typically cover four years, and tuition support runs through the first four years, with all students receiving scholarships for at least half the LDS tuition amount. Applications are due December 1 for fall entry, and the GRE is not required.

Emphasis Areas

Applied Social Psychology, Cognitive and Behavioral Neurosciences, and Developmental Psychology.

Milestones

Advisor and committee in semester one, second year project and poster, then dissertation.

Funding

Research assistantships typically cover four years, with tuition scholarships for at least half the LDS tuition.

Timeline

Four to five years from entry.

Application

December 1 deadline for fall entry, bachelor's or master's degree, GRE not required.

Program Sources: Psychology PhD Program Overview | BYU Psychology

Brain and Behavior is a required course in the Psychology AS at Snow College, along with General Psychology and Psychology as a Science and Career. You also choose one of Resilience and Happiness for Self and Others, Human Development, Analysis of Behavior or Introduction to Social Psychology. Electives can be chosen from the Behavioral Health Technician certificate, which gives you a workforce-recognized credential on the way to the degree. The 60 credits cover general education, and a suggested plan of study adds prerequisites a bachelor's program will want. Students who finish the foreign language requirement within their 60 credits can earn an AA in Psychology instead.

Required Psychology

General Psychology, Psychology as a Science and Career and Brain and Behavior.

Choose One

Resilience and Happiness for Self and Others, Human Development, Analysis of Behavior or Introduction to Social Psychology.

Certificate Option

Behavioral Health Technician, earned through elective courses.

AA Alternative

Complete the foreign language requirement within the 60 credits.

Credits

60.

Program Sources: Psychology (AS) | Snow College Academic Catalog

Psychology as a Science and Profession and General Psychology are the two required courses in the 60-credit Psychology AS at Salt Lake Community College. Nine program elective credits come from Lifespan Human Growth and Development, Personality Theory, Abnormal Psychology, Social Psychology and Brain and Behavior. Another 18 credits are general electives from any discipline in courses numbered 1000 or above. Quantitative literacy is met with Quantitative Reasoning or Introduction to Statistics, and a full-time student following the suggested schedule finishes in four semesters.

Required Courses

General Psychology and Psychology as a Science and Profession.

Program Electives

Nine credits from Lifespan Human Growth and Development, Personality Theory, Abnormal Psychology, Social Psychology and Brain and Behavior.

General Electives

18 credits from any discipline at the 1000 level or above.

Math

Quantitative Reasoning or Introduction to Statistics.

Length

Four semesters full time, 60 credits.

Program Sources: Program of Study: Psychology: AS - Salt Lake Community College

Declaring the Psychological Science AS at Weber State University takes no special admission or application. Sixty credits make up the degree, with at least 15 in psychology and four foundational courses: Introductory Psychology, The Psychology of Human Relationships, Science and Profession of Psychology and Biopsychology. At least three more psychology credits come from electives such as Designing Your Life, Mental Health Awareness and Learning and Memory. Every course used for the degree needs at least a C, with an overall 2.50 GPA in psychological science courses, and students plan their requirements with the College of Social Sciences and Education advisers.

Foundational Courses

Introductory Psychology, The Psychology of Human Relationships, Science and Profession of Psychology and Biopsychology.

Electives

At least three credits from Designing Your Life, Mental Health Awareness or Learning and Memory.

Credits

60 total, with at least 15 in psychology.

Grades

C or better in every course, and a 2.50 GPA in psychological science.

Program Sources: Program: Psychological Science (AS) - Weber State University