Explore the many historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) that offer graduate programs in the field of clinical psychology, including both master's and doctoral programs.
Students interested in advanced mental health careers can find strong academic pathways at historically Black colleges and universities. Many of these institutions are recognized among the top HBCUs for their commitment to academic excellence and student support.
Graduate programs in clinical psychology at HBCUs combine rigorous coursework with culturally informed training and research opportunities. These programs prepare students for licensure and careers in counseling, assessment, and mental health services across diverse communities.
Alabama A&M University
The Master of Science in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in clinical psychology program at Alabama A&M University aims to prepare students for careers in family, school, clinical, or vocational counseling and may help them to become professional, licensed counselors in Alabama. Students take courses that cover subjects like group dynamics, personality assessment, and counseling theory, complete a master's thesis, and gain professional experience through clinical internships.
<h2 id="section---FiskUniversity">Fisk University</h2><p>At Fisk University, students can pursue a Master of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in clinical psychology degree, which may help prepare them for future doctoral-level education and/or for Tennessee psychological examiner licensure. With an emphasis on psychological research and practice, this program requires a thesis, clinical practicums, and coursework that explores topics related to personality theory, psychodiagnostics, statistics, and research design.
</p><h2 id="section---NorthCarolinaCentralUniversity">North Carolina Central University</h2><p>North Carolina Central University offers a Master of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in clinical psychology degree program that is designed to aid students in either working in a psychology research setting, teaching at the college level, or going on to earn a doctoral degree in psychology. This is a 2-3-year program that requires a thesis, a clinical research project, a clinical internship, and coursework, which may include the study of abnormal psychology, psychotherapy, and cognitive assessment.
</p><h2 id="section---TexasSouthernUniversity"> Texas Southern University</h2><p>Texas Southern University's Master of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in community-clinical psychology degree program has a special focus on helping to prepare students for psychology careers in mental health, social services, school, college, or business settings, and may help them achieve licensure as a Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA) in Texas. This 48-credit hour program consists of coursework and training in assessment, behavioral and emotional issues, counseling, and also requires a thesis and 450 hours of supervised fieldwork.
</p><h2 id="section---VirginiaStateUniversity">Virginia State University</h2><p>The Master of Science in Psychology program at Virginia State University offers a concentration in clinical psychology, which may prepare students for college-level teaching careers or counseling or social services careers. In this program, students complete coursework that covers topics related to assessment, psychotherapy, ethics, and experimental design and must also submit a thesis and participate in clinical practicums.
</p><h2 id="section---HowardUniversity">Howard University</h2><p>Howard University's Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology with a concentration in clinical psychology program offers tracks in adult psychology, child psychology, or quantitative statistics and is the first and oldest HBCU program to earn accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA). This is a 5-year program where students take coursework on such subjects as psychopathology, social psychology, research methods, neuropsychology, and clinical assessment, complete clinical practicums and an externship, and must participate in a final clinical internship.
</p><h2 id="section---NorfolkStateUniversity"> Norfolk State University</h2><p>Norfolk State University offers a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Clinical Psychology degree program that is part of the Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology (VCPCP), which also includes Eastern Virginia Medical School and Old Dominion University, where students can study on all three campuses. This program has a 4 + 1 format where students complete coursework and practicums for the first 4 years and then partake in a 1-year internship, and they are also required to complete comprehensive exams and a dissertation.
</p><h2 id="section---JacksonStateUniversity">Jackson State University</h2><p>At Jackson State University, students are able to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Clinical Psychology degree, which is a 5-year commitment, including a final year-long internship. Students take classes on a range of subjects, such as cognitive assessment, psychotherapy, psychology of African Americans, and psychometrics, and they must also complete research practicums, externships, and a dissertation.
</p><h2 id="section---PrairieViewAMUniversity"> Prairie View A&M University</h2><p>Prairie View A&M University has a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Clinical Adolescent Psychology degree program that requires classes that range from social psychology to psychological assessment, and has an optional thesis where students can earn a pass-through master's degree. Other program requirements include a dissertation, practicums, and a year-long internship in a clinical setting.
</p><p></p><table border="1"><tr><th>School Name </th><th>Program Offered </th><th> Graduate Tuition (in-state; 2019-2020)</th></tr>
<tr><td>Alabama A&M University </td><td> Master of Science in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in clinical psychology </td><td> $10,128</td></tr>
<tr><td> Fisk University </td><td> Master of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in clinical psychology </td><td>$20,520</td></tr>
<tr><td> North Carolina Central University</td><td> Master of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in clinical psychology </td><td>$4,740</td></tr>
<tr><td> Texas Southern University</td><td> Master of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in community-clinical psychology</td><td> $5,487</td></tr>
<tr><td> Virginia State University</td><td> Master of Science in Psychology with a concentration in clinical psychology </td><td>$8,375</td></tr>
<tr><td> Howard University </td><td> PhD in Psychology with a concentration in clinical psychology</td><td> $31,309</td></tr>
<tr><td> Norfolk State University </td><td>PhD in Clinical Psychology </td><td>$8,820</td></tr>
<tr><td> Jackson State University</td><td> PhD in Clinical Psychology </td><td>$8,270</td></tr>
<tr><td> Prairie View A&M University</td><td> PhD in Clinical Adolescent Psychology</td><td>$4,733</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: National Center for Education Statistics</i>
</p><p>There are several historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) that offer clinical psychology graduate programs. These types of programs can lead to a master's degree or a PhD and usually require coursework and internships and/or practicums.</p>
