Best Masters in Psychology Programs in Alabama (2026 Rankings & Costs)

Want to find a Masters in Psychology Program in Alabama that works with your schedule and budget? You can finish a fully online psychology master’s degree in just 17 months without taking the GRE.

Alabama’s psychology schools offer great options that align with your career goals. Faulkner University runs a one-year, fully online M.S. in Psychology and Disability Services priced at $570 per credit hour. The total program cost comes to about $20,595. The University of Alabama’s psychology department, 86 years old, has produced around 700 PhDs and manages close to $3 million in yearly grant funding. On top of that, Auburn University offers specialized master’s degrees in Applied Behavior Analysis and Industrial & Organizational Psychology.

This guide takes a good look at the best psychology master’s programs in Alabama. You’ll find details about their coursework, admission requirements, costs, and career paths to help you choose the right program for your 2026 educational goals.

1. Faulkner University – MS in Psychology and Disability Services

Faulkner University’s Master of Science in Psychology and Disability Services program stands out among Alabama’s psychology schools. This Montgomery-based, faith-based institution blends psychological principles with specialized disability services education to open up many career paths.

Program Overview

The MS in Psychology and Disability Services is a detailed one-year, fully online program that works great if you have a job and want advanced education. This specialized track gives you the knowledge about disability views, support systems, legal frameworks, and assistive technologies to enhance accessibility.

Faulkner’s curriculum sets itself apart from other Alabama Masters in Psychology programs by weaving Christian values into psychological concepts. Students learn to serve and advocate for people with disabilities with compassion, and the flexible learning options make it easier to balance life and studies. You can complete all coursework online while getting quality education from experienced faculty who create engaging virtual learning environments.

Psychology Curriculum

The program 30 credit hours splits into 10 courses that last five weeks each. You can start at the beginning of any five-week period throughout the year. The curriculum has:

Fall Semester:

• PSY 5310: Foundations of Psychological Science
• PSY 6320: Principles of Psychometric Evaluation and Assessment
• PSY 5315: Spiritual Perspectives of Human Development and Behavior

Spring Semester:

• PSY 6371: Neurodiversity and Concepts of Disabilities
• PSY 6373: Legal and Sociocultural Aspects of Disability Services
• PSY 6372: Assistive Technologies in Disability Services
• PSY 6377: Autism, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Summer Semester:

• PSY 6374: Disability Services Administration and Application
• PSY 6310: Principles of Psychopathology
• PSY 5350: Applied Research Methods and Analysis

Research principles, critical thinking, and practical application of psychological concepts form the core curriculum, while examining ethical considerations through a Christian lens.

Psychology Admission Requirements

Regular admission needs:

• A bachelor’s degree with at least one of these: 2.75 cumulative GPA, 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours, 3.0 GPA in major courses, or 3.0 GPA in a graduate degree
• Prerequisite courses completed with a “C” or better: General Psychology, Human Development, Research Methods, and Statistics
• Graduate application with official transcripts from all schools attended
• Short personal essay in APA format that answers specific questions about your goals and university fit

Students who don’t meet these requirements might get conditional admission by providing recommendation letters, standardized test scores (GRE, MAT, LSAT), or a resume showing relevant experience.

Tuition & Costs

Here’s what you’ll pay for the program:

• Tuition: $570 per credit hour ($17,100 total for 30 hours)
• Online fee: $75 per credit hour ($2,250 total)
• General fee: $350 per semester (or $250 if taking less than 6 hours)
• Textbook fee: $195 (some courses might need extra books)
• Total estimated cost: $20,595 plus graduation fees

You can get financial help through Direct Unsubsidized Loans (up to $20,500 yearly) and private education loans from banks, credit unions, or state agencies.

Career Opportunities

Your degree will give you technical and analytical skills useful in:

• Education systems and academic settings
• Public health organizations
• Human resources departments
• Social services agencies
• Consulting firms
• Marketing research
• Medical research institutions

This degree also builds a strong foundation for doctoral programs or other advanced studies. Remember that this program doesn’t meet Alabama’s state licensure requirements, so check certification requirements if you plan to practice in other states.

2. Troy University – MS in Psychology

Troy University offers a flexible Master of Science in Psychology program that you can complete entirely online. Students can earn their advanced degree in just 17 months without GRE requirements. Troy is one of the most available psychology schools in Alabama, with program starts in August (Term 1) and January (Term 3).

Program Overview

The MS in Psychology at Troy University gives students a complete program. Students who want to pursue doctoral studies or seek careers in a variety of sectors will find this program valuable. Troy’s program runs 100% online but maintains the same high academic quality as in-person programs in Alabama.

This non-licensure/non-certification degree gives you advanced skills in critical thinking, interpersonal communication, research design, ethics, and cultural diversity. Graduates can find jobs not just in psychology but in social sciences and human services fields too.

Curriculum Highlights

Students need 33-36 semester hours of coursework, based on their choice of thesis or non-thesis option. The curriculum has:

Required Core Courses (9-12 SH):

• PSY 6617 – Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues
• PSY 6689 – Research Methods/Statistics I
• PSY 6690 – Research Methods/Statistics II
• PSY 6682 – Capstone (for non-thesis option)

Elective Courses (21 SH) may include:

• Applied Behavior Analysis
• Abnormal Psychology
• Psychology of Leadership
• Social Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Developmental Psychology

Students can customize the curriculum to match their interests and career goals. On top of that, the course “Global Identity: Connecting Your International Experience to Your Future” offers valuable global viewpoints in psychology.

Admission Requirements

You can qualify for admission by meeting one of these criteria:

• A master’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution
• A bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.5 overall GPA or 3.0 GPA on the last 30 semester hours

You’ll also need to submit:

• An official Troy University Letter of Recommendation about your potential for success
• A personal statement (750-1000 words) about your education, experience, and reasons to pursue graduate work in psychology

Undergraduate students projected to graduate before the upcoming term can apply for temporary admission.

Tuition & Costs

The program offers competitive rates among masters in psychology programs in Alabama:

• First-year tuition fee: $16,333
• Cost of living (accommodation, groceries, insurance, utilities): approximately $6,528
• Additional expenses include books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses

Career Opportunities

Troy’s MS in Psychology program prepares graduates for various career paths:

• Post-secondary psychology instructor
• Research assistant
• Social service worker
• Academic advisor
• Family services coordinator

The program helps you work effectively with people from different cultures by boosting your global awareness and competency. You’ll be ready to work in nonprofit and for-profit organizations, businesses, government agencies, social and community outreach organizations, and educational institutions. Students interested in academic careers will find this degree excellent preparation for doctoral studies in psychology and related fields.

3. Auburn University – MS in Applied Behavior Analysis

Auburn University’s MS in Applied Behavior Analysis ranks among Alabama’s best Masters in Psychology programs. The program’s track record speaks for itself with a 100% first-time pass rate on the BCBA certification exam for the last five years. Students learn to help people with developmental disabilities through evidence-based behavioral interventions in this ABAI-accredited program.

Program Overview

The Association for Behavior Analysis International Accreditation Board has accredited Auburn University’s MS in Applied Behavior Analysis through December 2028. The non-thesis program’s core team consists of five full-time faculty members who specialize in a variety of research and practice areas. Students learn to blend theory with hands-on experience effectively.

The complete program takes six consecutive semesters (24 months) of full-time study. This degree is distinctive from other Alabama psychology schools with its intensive practicum component. Students gain 1,500 hours of supervised experience in settings of all types. The on-campus only format ensures quality supervision while students complete all BACB certification requirements.

Curriculum Highlights

Students must complete 45 credit hours split between classroom coursework (24 hours) and intensive practicum training (21 hours). The required courses are:

• PSYC 7220: Behavioral Principles
• PSYC 8550: Applied Behavior Analysis
• PSYC 8570: Applied Behavior Analysis 2
• PSYC 7240: Methods for Studying Individual Behavior
• PSYC 7320: Clinical Psychopharmacology
• PSYC 7310: Autism and Intellectual Disabilities
• PSYC 8540: Behaviorism
• PSYC 7260: Ethical & Professional Issues in Behavior Analysis

The program’s unique feature is its thesis-equivalent capstone research project (9 credits). Students start this project in their first year and continue throughout their studies. Practicum training happens in various community settings including the university’s ABA clinic, home-based services, public schools, inclusive preschools, foster care system services, and juvenile correction facilities.

Admission Requirements

The program accepts applications until February 1 for fall admission. Strong candidates should have:

• A bachelor’s degree in any field
• Minimum 3.0 GPA (priority given to applicants meeting this threshold)
• GRE scores of at least 150 Verbal and 145 Quantitative
• Behaviorally oriented coursework
• Practical experience with individuals with disabilities

Promising candidates participate in on-campus interviews shortly after the application deadline. The program accepts about 6 students annually from roughly 47 applications.

Tuition & Costs

The program’s tuition varies substantially between in-state and out-of-state students:

• In-state: approximately $13,306 per year ($6,653 per semester)
• Out-of-state: approximately $35,986 per year ($17,993 per semester)

The program’s Agency Fellowship Program offers financial help by covering tuition and providing a monthly stipend of approximately $160. Fellows must commit to working with the sponsoring agency for one to two years after graduation. About 50-75% of students receive this funding, and all students are automatically considered without a separate application.

Career Opportunities

The program boasts excellent career prospects. All students graduate within two years and pass the BCBA certification exam. The MS in Applied Behavior Analysis meets all educational requirements as a “verified course sequence” for BCBA certification.

Most graduates work as behavior analysts helping individuals with developmental disabilities and autism. The Agency Fellowship Program creates employment connections mainly in Alabama and the Southeast, though some graduates have found positions in Utah and Indiana.

The program aims to prepare students for “socially meaningful research and clinical application” while developing “future behavior analyst practitioners and leaders” in the field. This focus helps graduates succeed in this expanding psychology specialty area.

4. Auburn University – MS in Industrial & Organizational Psychology

Forbes has ranked Auburn University’s Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology as the #1 online program in the country for 2025. This program is distinguished among Alabama’s Masters in Psychology programs by combining academic excellence with workplace flexibility.

Program Overview

Industrial and Organizational (I-O) psychology studies how people think, feel, and behave in workplace settings. Students who want to become skilled practitioners in applied settings rather than researchers will find this program ideal. The program runs entirely online and asynchronously, so you can balance your graduate studies with personal and professional commitments. The curriculum helps improve employee well-being, boost team performance, and solve real-life organizational challenges.

Curriculum Highlights

The MS degree has 30 credit hours without a thesis requirement. Most students complete the program in 2 years (5-6 semesters). Here’s what you’ll study:

Required Core Courses (18 credits):

• PSYC 6690: Advanced Analytics for Social and Behavioral Sciences
• PSYC 7700: Foundations in I-O Psychology
• PSYC 7710: Training and Development in Organizations
• PSYC 7720: Personnel Selection
• PSYC 7730: Research Methods
• PSYC 7750: Ethics and Professional Issues

You’ll also take 9 credits of graduate electives, choosing from courses like Occupational Health Psychology, Coaching in Organizations, and Organizational Change. A 3-credit practicum in Applied Psychology concludes the program.

Admission Requirements

Applications are due March 31 for fall semester start. You’ll need:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA
• Personal statement
• Two letters of recommendation

The program doesn’t require Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores, making it more available to working professionals.

Tuition & Costs

Auburn charges the same tuition rate for in-state and out-of-state students at $850 per credit hour. The total cost comes to $25,500 for 30 credit hours, not including fees. The program doesn’t offer graduate assistantships or tuition waivers.

Career Opportunities

Alumni typically earn median salaries above $65,000. The degree prepares you for I-O practitioner roles that tackle individual, organizational, and team challenges. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows I-O psychologists earn an average of $113,320 annually. The online format and academic rigor make this program valuable especially when you have to advance your career without relocating or leaving your current job.

5. Jacksonville State University – MS in Psychology

Jacksonville State University’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program has earned accreditation from the Association for Behavior Analysis International Accreditation Board. While listed under psychology, this specialized program focuses on behavior analytic techniques to help various populations with behavioral habilitation.

Program Overview

Students learn to implement behavioral assessments and interventions in human service settings of all types. The program provides coursework needed to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst®. Faculty members work with students to build their expertise in experimental analysis and practical application of behavior principles. The department builds its curriculum on scientific principles and encourages students to participate in faculty research programs.

Curriculum Highlights

Students must complete 39 graduate semester hours through thesis or non-thesis options. The core courses are:

• Personnel Supervision and Management
• Conceptual Foundations of Behavior Analysis
• Functional Assessment
• Applied Behavior Analysis I & II
• Single-Subject Research Methods
• Ethics and Professional Development
• Experimental Analysis of Behavior

Classes run Monday through Thursday from 2:00-6:00pm. The program requires nine hours of electives plus six hours of either practicum or thesis work.

Admission Requirements

The program accepts students for fall semester only. Application deadlines are July 1, with priority consideration given to applications received by April 1. Applicants need:

• GRE scores (300+ for unconditional admission)
• 5+ GPA for unconditional admission
• Three graduate reference forms with recommendation letters
• Personal statement about program interest
• Curriculum vitae showing education and relevant experience

The Psychology Graduate Committee looks at each application to get a full picture of the candidate’s potential for success.

Tuition & Costs

The graduate tuition rates are $434 per credit hour for in-state and $706 for out-of-state students. Alabama residents pay about $16,926 for the full program, while non-residents pay $27,534. Students living on campus should budget for housing ($5,730), food ($4,202), and other expenses ($2,222). Top students might qualify for graduate assistantships to help with costs.

Career Opportunities

Many graduates work in human service organizations that provide behavioral services, while others pursue Ph.D. programs. The BCBA certification allows graduates to conduct behavioral assessments in clinical settings, schools, and other behavior analysis environments. Unlike counseling programs, this degree doesn’t provide coursework for Licensed Professional Counselor licensure in Alabama.

6. University of South Alabama – MS in Behavioral and Brain Sciences

The University of South Alabama offers a Master of Science in Behavioral and Brain Sciences that delivers intensive training in experimental psychology methodologies. This research-focused program is known among Alabama’s psychology schools because of its scientific approach to understanding behavior.

Program Overview

The Master of Science program features a core curriculum that gives students deep knowledge of contemporary theories, principles, and methods in experimental psychology. Most full-time students complete their master’s work in two years. Classes run during daytime hours, and evening courses rarely appear on the schedule. The program’s specialties cover personality and individual differences, animal cognition, developmental psychology, memory, psycholinguistics, psychophysiology, and scholarship of teaching and learning.

Curriculum Highlights

Students take specialized courses that build extensive research design knowledge and theoretical background for thesis research. The curriculum develops critical skills needed to excel in research or doctoral studies. Students become experts at collecting and analyzing data—essential abilities that are the foundations of experimental psychology.

Admission Requirements

Regular admission needs:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Minimum 3.0 GPA on all undergraduate coursework
• 21 semester hours of psychology courses including statistics and experimental methods

The program asks for GRE scores but doesn’t require them. Students typically gain admission with combined scores above 300 on verbal and quantitative subtests. Each application receives an all-encompassing approach to evaluation, and strong GRE scores can help offset other application weaknesses. Students who don’t meet regular requirements might qualify for provisional admission.

Behavioral Sciences Career Opportunities

APA’s 2015 survey shows median annual salaries between $85,000 and $125,000 for experimental, social, and IO psychologists. Many graduates work in laboratories or join research teams before pursuing doctoral studies. Career opportunities exist in specialty areas like human factors psychology and industrial-organizational psychology, where research becomes the central focus.

7. Alabama A&M University – MS in Counseling Psychology

Alabama A&M University (AAMU) offers a complete Master of Science in Counseling program with a specialization in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling. Students learn to handle various counseling needs in multiple settings.

Program Overview

The program gives students essential counseling and assessment skills to help people in multicultural environments. This terminal master’s degree prepares graduates for certification, licensure, or doctoral-level training in counseling while seeking CACREP accreditation. The department is one of the largest undergraduate majors on campus.

Curriculum Highlights

The curriculum requires 60 credit hours, a 100-hour practicum, and two 300-hour internships in suitable career settings. Students gain knowledge in human growth, social issues, group dynamics, career development, assessment, research, and disability concerns. The program’s four main objectives encourage ethical responsibility, professional identity development, multicultural competence, and disability-related expertise.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must maintain a minimum 2.75 GPA and provide a detailed statement of purpose with three recommendation letters, including two academic references. Students must obtain professional liability insurance through HPSO before starting field experiences. Background checks remain mandatory at the student’s expense.

Psychology Tuition & Costs

Graduate tuition costs $422 per credit hour for in-state students and $840 for out-of-state students. Students pay an additional $125 information technology fee. The university provides housing options and meal plans starting at $635.

Career Opportunities

The program prepares graduates for roles as licensed professional counselors, school psychologists, mental health specialists, or rehabilitation counselors. Career paths include community organizations, healthcare settings, and private practice. Recent graduates have found success with Bradford Health Services, Wellstone, and Behavioral Health Group.

Start Today

Your choice of a Masters in Psychology program will affect your education and career path by a lot. Nine outstanding programs in Alabama offer specializations, delivery formats, and costs that match different career goals.

Alabama has options for every interest and career path. You can choose Faulkner University’s one-year online MS in Psychology and Disability Services. Auburn University’s Applied Behavior Analysis program boasts a perfect BCBA exam pass rate. On top of that, Troy University lets you earn your degree online in just 17 months without taking the GRE.

Money plays a vital role when you make this decision. Programs cost between $16,333 at Troy University and $35,986 yearly for out-of-state students at Auburn University. The good news is that many programs give financial aid, assistantships, and full funding for doctoral students.

Graduates with advanced psychology degrees find jobs in sectors of all sizes. Your degree opens doors to clinical settings, schools, companies, and research labs. Most programs have strong placement rates, and graduates work in both traditional and new fields.

Take time to assess each program’s focus, accreditation, and how it fits your career goals. The best program combines academic excellence with hands-on experience that matches your schedule, budget, and professional plans. You now have everything you need to choose the right graduate program for your psychology career.