Best Universities for Psychology in USA: Find Out Psychology Courses in USA

If you are wondering why study Psychology in USA, then here are some intriguing factors you need to consider:

• Prestigious Universities: More than 1000 colleges and universities in the US offer undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate degrees in Psychology. This includes some of the prestigious IVY league colleges such as Harvard University, Columbia University, Yale University & University of Pennsylvania.

• Variety of Specialisations: Taking a course specialisation will help you delve deeper into the fundamentals of Psychology as a subject. For a Master’s degree in Psychology, you can explore specialised approaches in Cognitive Sciences, Health and Development, Neuroscience, etc.
• Research Opportunities: Psychology as a subject deals with more practical work than just bookish learning. As a student, you will get the opportunity to participate in global research programs on human behaviours along with your professors in US universities.

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The universities in the United States offer high-quality Psychology courses with several specialisations to choose from. With the best Psychology programs, students get ample research opportunities and hands-on experience. These universities ensure all-round development of students and prepare them for a successful career in Psychology.  Here is a list of top universities for Psychology in USA:

1. Harvard University
2. Stanford University
3. The University of California, Berkeley (UCB)
4. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
5. Yale University

Let’s have a closer look at these universities offering Psychology courses, their rankings and tuition fees.

1.   Harvard University

Harvard is one of the oldest universities in the US as well as in the world. The Psychology department offers the best psychology courses in USA for Indian students. The domains of research at Harvard are cognition, brain, behaviour, developmental, social psychology and clinical science. If you want to study for a PhD in Psychology in USA, then Harvard University should be your first choice.

2.   Stanford University

Stanford offers top-ranking undergraduate and graduate programs in Psychology in USA. For several years, the Department of Psychology has been leading the top research projects. It is a hub for research opportunities in affective science, neuroscience, and cognitive, social, and developmental psychology. The student acceptance rate is 5% at Stanford.

3.   The University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

UCB offers some of the best psychology programs in USA. The student acceptance rate is 17.5% at the University of California, Berkeley. There are six key areas of research for students at the UCB namely behavioural and systems neuroscience, cognition, clinical science, cognitive neuroscience, developmental, and social personality psychology.

4.   The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

UCLA offers UG, PG and doctorate degrees in the field of Psychology. It is one of the best universities for psychology in USA. The department offers research fields in behavioural neuroscience, change, plasticity, and development, clinical science, cognition, brain, behaviour, and social-personality psychology. The student acceptance rate is 14.3% at UCLA.

5.   Yale University

Yale is one of the most respected IVY League colleges in the US. The department of Psychology offers students countless research projects and internship opportunities. clinical psychology, neuroscience, developmental psychology, cognitive psychology, and social psychology are the primary research areas at Yale. The student acceptance rate is 6.5% in the university.

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Psychology is a part of the STEM programs offered by US universities. The course curriculum for Psychology motivates students to learn both theoretical and practical approaches to the subject. A brief overview of the syllabus is given below:

• Attraction and Relationships Qy1t0
• Introduction to Cognitive Science
• Developmental Psychology
• The Criminal Mind
• Social Psychology
• The Human Brain
• Personality Psychology
• Fundamentals of Neuroscience
• Clinical Psychology

The requirements for admission depend on the degree program you want to study in the US. Different colleges/universities offering Psychology courses have specific admission requirements. Make sure you fulfil all the admission requirements to increase your chances of getting an admit.

1. High School and College transcripts
2. GRE test scores
3. English language proficiency test scores
4. USA Student Visa
5. Additional Requirements

Let us have a closer look at these requirements -

1. High School and College Transcripts

All the good universities for psychology in USA will verify your academic qualification through your educational transcripts. If you want to apply for a bachelor's degree in Psychology, then you must submit your 10th and 12th high school transcripts. On the other hand, if you want to apply for a master’s degree, you need to submit your college transcripts. In both cases, you must have a 3.0 or above GPA to be eligible to apply for a Psychology degree in the USA.

2. GRE Test Scores

Whether you need to appear for standardised tests such as GRE for Psychology courses depends on the university you are applying to. Some universities may waive off these tests, but a majority of the colleges and universities need these test scores to evaluate your candidacy. Your GRE score must be 300-310 or above to be eligible for Psychology courses in the US.

3. English Language Proficiency Test Scores

Taking the English language test is absolutely essential for applying to degree courses in US universities. The widely accepted English language proficiency tests are TOEFL and IELTS. You must score 80 or above in the TOEFL or have at least a 6.0 score in the IELTS to get selected.

4.  USA Student Visa 

Once you receive an offer letter from the university of your choice, you need to apply for the USA student visa to study in the USA. You can complete the visa application process from your nearest US embassy or consulate.

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Submitting the correct documents is an important step in your college/university application. These documents are thoroughly verified by the admission committee before they can send you a letter of acceptance. Here is a list of documents that you need to arrange to complete your application process:

• High School and College transcripts
• GRE test scores (if required)
• English language proficiency test scores (IELTS or TOEFL)
• Curriculum Vitae or Resume
• 2 to 4 Letter of Recommendations
• Statement of Purpose
• Essay of motivation (if required)

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If you want to study psychology in USA, you need to apply to the universities directly through their official websites. Follow this step-by-step guide to complete your application process conveniently.

• Step 1 - Arrange all the documents required by the university
• Step 2 - Appear for IELTS or TOEFL and get the test scores
• Step 3 - Shortlist the course and university you want to study in
• Step 4 - Visit the university website and check the application process
• Step 5 - Complete your application form
• Step 6 - Submit the form along with your documents
• Step 7 - Appear for the interview with the college
• Step 8 - Receive an admission confirmation
• Step 9 - Prepare for US Student Visa and education loans

Studying in the best universities to study psychology in USA is expensive for international students. Different colleges have different course fees - the tuition fees of private psychology colleges in USA are more in comparison to public universities. Here is a breakdown of the cost of studying Psychology courses in USA.

Tuition Fees for Psychology Programs

Living Cost in USA

Apart from the cost of studying Psychology in the US, there are some additional expenses that you need to keep in mind. You will have to spend an additional 20,000 USD to 25,000 USD per annum on food, accommodation and transportation.

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To help students finance their study abroad, several universities in the United States provide scholarships. These scholarships are often fully funded, covering the tuition fees, expenses for books, accommodation and even travel. Some of the popular scholarships for international students are:

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The scope of psychology in USA has considerably increased with the rise of mental health awareness amongst people. In order to be recognised as a practising psychologist in the US by the American Psychological Association (APA), you must hold a PhD. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that there will be a rise of 19% in job vacancies for psychologists in the US by the year 2030. You can earn up to USD 70,000 per annum in the USA as a certified psychologist.

The various job profiles for a degree holder in Psychology are as follows -

• Behavioural therapist
• Child-care worker
• Court consultant
• Mental health counsellor

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Psychology is one of the top-ranking courses to study in USA. The subject is very interesting to study as you get to learn the complete functioning of the human brain along with the behavioural pattern of the society we live in. Studying in one of the top US universities will help you get involved in path-breaking research projects. The quality of job opportunities you will get after you are licensed automatically increases with a good university. And if you want to know which Psychology major will be the best choice for you? Talk to our Yocket Professionals to receive admission guidance on US universities.