What's the Top School for Psychology Degrees in Virginia Beach, VA?

Are you interested in learning more about which schools in the Virginia Beach, VA, area offer psychology degree programs? This article provides information on four schools in Virginia Beach that offer bachelor's, master's and/or doctoral degree programs.

What You Need to Know

You can earn a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in psychology; the Bachelor of Arts program usually has a foreign language requirement. In some cases, prerequisite courses may be required. The area master's degree program offers thesis and non-thesis tracks. Applicants to this career-oriented program need to have a bachelor's degree in psychology or prerequisite coursework in the field. Ph.D. programs can take at least four years. The minimum education requirement is a bachelor's degree. Programs may require a practicum, research, exams, and production of a dissertation. Keep reading to see if one of these programs is right for you.

Psychology Bachelor's Degree Programs in the Virginia Beach Area

Virginia Wesleyan College

A private, Methodist college, Virginia Wesleyan College offers a BA in Psychology with course topics covering abnormal psychology, developmental psychology, cognition and industrial/organizational psychology, to name a few. As an undergraduate student, you may have the opportunity to receive one-on-one faculty interaction through undergraduate research projects. Your BA program is designed to prepare you for graduate study in psychology.

• Program name: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
• Program length: 4 years (full-time)
• Tuition and Fees: $36,660 (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: High school diploma
• Requirements: SAT 1/ACT scores for students below 3.5 high school grade point average (GPA), optional for students above 3.5 GPA with college preparatory coursework
• School type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; 1,351 undergraduates

Old Dominion University

At Old Dominion University (ODU), you can earn a BS in Psychology through the College of Sciences. Required coursework in your program includes quantitative and experimental psychology. You can then choose courses from the following areas of interest: clinical psychology, applied experimental psychology and industrial/organizational psychology. Your undergraduate program may also include required research participation.

• Program name: Bachelor of Science in Psychology
• Program length: 4 years (full-time)
• Tuition and Fees: $10,560 in-state, $29,460 out-of-state (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: High school diploma, completed undergraduate coursework in introductory psychology and statistics for psychology
• Requirements: SAT/ACT scores required, personal essay and letters of recommendation required for scholarship admissions
• School type: 4-year, public; 19,372 undergraduates and 4,804 graduates

Hampton University

A historically black institution, Hampton University features a diverse student population. Core courses in the program include topics such as social psychology, statistics, developmental psychology and personality. Your BA program will include two laboratory science courses, pre-calculus and a foreign language requirement. Enrollment in the program requires a 2.5 undergraduate GPA and maintenance of a 2.0 GPA throughout the program.

• Program name: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
• Program length: 4 years (full-time)
• Tuition: $26,702 (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: High school diploma, 2.5 undergraduate GPA to enroll
• Requirements: SAT/ACT scores, three letters of recommendation (including one from teacher or guidance counselor), autobiographical or issue topic essay
• School type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; 3,672 undergraduates and 649 graduates

Psychology Master's Degree Programs near Virginia Beach

Norfolk State University

Norfolk State University's (NSU) graduate programs include an MA in Community/Clinical Psychology geared to prepare you for a variety of mental health professions. Your 2-year program will include practicum experience and a comprehensive examination, in addition to course topics covering psychotherapy, psychological disorders and assessment strategies. Your program also includes a master's thesis or six credit hours of additional elective coursework.

• Program name: Master of Arts in Community/Clinical Psychology
• Program length: 2 years (full-time, 4-year limit)
• Tuition: $8,398 in-state, $20,170 out-of-state (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: Undergraduate degree (psychology degree preferred); undergraduate course requirements in abnormal psychology, experimental psychology, psychological testing and statistics in psychology
• Requirements: 2.7 undergraduate GPA, three letters of recommendation, personal statement, no GRE required
• School type: 4-year, public; 4,660 undergraduates and 544 graduates

Psychology Doctoral Degree Programs near Virginia Beach

Norfolk State University

Norfolk State University, through the Virginia Consortium with Old Dominion University and Eastern Virginia Medical School, offers a Psy.D. degree program with extensive practicum requirements. You will be required to complete 20 hours per week in advanced practicum and a clinical dissertation. Program course topics include ethical clinical practice, research methodology, child psychotherapy, human cognition and neuropsychology. You will be required to maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout the program.

• Program name: Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)
• Program length: 4 years (full-time, 7-year maximum)
• Tuition: $8,398 in-state, $20,170 out-of-state (2018-2019)
• Requirements: GRE scores, personal interview, three letters of recommendation
• School type: 4-year, public; 4,660 undergraduates and 544 graduates

Old Dominion University

Old Dominion University's three psychology Ph.D. programs include practicum research opportunities in professional development, gender research in engineering fields, consulting for the city of Norfolk, police department competency assessment and ODU's Office of Registrar customer service evaluation. Your Ph.D. program will include a required master's thesis for those entering from bachelor's degree programs. Advanced coursework in the applied experimental psychology program includes all master's course requirements as well as courses in grant writing. By the end of your program, you will complete a doctoral dissertation, a doctoral candidacy examination and an oral defense of your dissertation.

• Program name: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Applied Experimental Psychology, Industrial/Organizational Psychology or Human Factors Psychology
• Program length: 4 years (full-time, 84 credit hours)
• Tuition: $9,727 in-state, $28,435 out-of-state (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's or master's degree in psychology or related field
• Requirements: GRE, personal statement, three letters of recommendation
• School type: 4-year, public; 19,372 undergraduates and 4,804 graduates

Virginia Wesleyan College, Old Dominion University, Hampton University and Norfolk State University are four schools around Virginia Beach, VA, that offer psychology degree programs.