9 Accredited Psychology Graduate Programs Without GRE

Want to pursue Psychology Graduate programs without taking the GRE? Good news! The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) used to be a standard requirement for most master’s degree and doctoral programs. Those days are gone now.

The field of graduate education has changed dramatically. More institutions now skip the GRE requirement. Online programs lead this trend. Many schools now review your application based on your bachelor’s degree and undergraduate GPA instead of standardized test scores. Masters in Psychology and PhD programs without GRE requirements are now more available. This opens new paths for students who struggle with standardized exams or return to education after working.

Looking to advance your psychology career without GRE stress? This guide highlights nine fully accredited psychology programs that review your potential through academic performance rather than a single test score. These programs show a growing move toward a comprehensive admissions approach. Quality graduate education has become more attainable now than ever before.

1. Pepperdine University – MA in Clinical Psychology

Pepperdine University lets mental health professionals earn an MA in Clinical Psychology without taking the GRE. The program ranks among the best psychology graduate programs no GRE options on the West Coast and provides several paths to professional licensure.

Program overview

The Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology teaches students to help individuals, couples, families, and groups as licensed mental health professionals. The National Center for Education Statistics ranks this program as a top choice for graduate clinical psychology programs. Students don’t need standardized test scores – their dedication and potential matter more.

The program has core psychological theory, research methods, and hands-on clinical practice. Students start their supervised clinical training in the second term. Professors blend teaching with active professional practice, creating a “scholar-practitioner” approach that emphasizes real-life experience.

Accreditation

Quality standards remain high through proper accreditation. The WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) accredits Pepperdine University. The American Psychological Association (APA) also accredits the MA in Clinical Psychology program, proving it right within the field.

Format and duration

The program’s flexibility meets different student needs:

• Daytime Format: Ideal for full-time students
• Evening Format: Perfect for working professionals with daytime commitments
• Online Format: Fully online option with no campus visits required

Students can finish the 62-68 credit curriculum in 2-3 years. Four 11-week sessions run each year, with multiple start dates. This flexible schedule makes it a great choice among Masters in Psychology no GRE programs for busy professionals.

Specializations

Students can choose specialized tracks that match their career goals:

• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT): Focuses on therapeutic techniques for couples and families
• Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC): Emphasizes individual counseling approaches
• Latinx Communities Emphasis (Aliento): Prepares students to serve Latinx individuals, couples, families, and communities

Graduates qualify for roles like child and adolescent therapist, emergency assessment counselor, clinical director, executive coach, academic advisor/counselor/director, case manager, and substance abuse professional.

Admission requirements

Pepperdine makes applying easier than many psychology PhD programs no GRE. You’ll need:

• Application Form: Complete it online in about 15 minutes
• Bachelor’s Degree: Daytime format prefers a psychology degree
• Transcripts: Official records from all colleges or universities
• Letters of Recommendation: Two letters from people who know your academic or professional abilities
• Statement of Purpose: A 2-5 page statement about your background, interests, goals, and reasons for applying

Daytime format students without psychology backgrounds should take courses in abnormal psychology, behavioral principles, introductory psychology, human development, and research methods. Many formats don’t need prerequisites, making this program available to more students.

Pepperdine’s choice to skip GRE requirements shows their comprehensive approach to evaluating candidates. Students can access financial aid and career services throughout their studies.

2. University of Arizona Global Campus – PsyD in Psychology

Want to earn your psychology PhD programs no GRE completely online with schedule flexibility? The University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC) has a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program that fits your needs. This program works great for professionals who want to advance their careers without taking standardized tests.

Program overview

The UAGC PsyD program emphasizes practical psychological application instead of research-focused study. The American Psychological Association points out that this degree suits people who “more interested in providing psychological services rather than conducting disciplinary research”. Students complete 62 credits and end with an applied doctoral project in their final year. This project lets them showcase their expertise in psychological principles and research methods.

Graduates can work in many settings where advanced psychological knowledge makes a difference. The program builds skills in psychological assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning. Keep in mind that this isn’t a licensure program. UAGC can’t guarantee that professional organizations will accept graduates’ applications for certification or licensure purposes.

Accreditation

UAGC holds its own accreditation separate from the University of Arizona. Both institutions are accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). This accreditation shows the program meets high educational quality standards.

UAGC runs as a business unit of the University of Arizona with its own academic programs, faculty, and students. So graduates receive a University of Arizona degree with a UAGC designation that reflects this unique partnership.

Format and duration

The program uses an accelerated online format with these features:

• Each course runs for 6-9 weeks
• You’ll take one course at a time to focus deeply on each subject
• Most students finish in about four years
• Everything happens online – no campus visits needed

This setup works well for UAGC’s student population. Many students are working adults with an average age of 35. The format helps professionals balance their education with work and personal life.

Specializations

You can choose from three specialization tracks:

1. Criminology and Justice Studies – Prepares you for work in criminal justice systems
2. Health and Wellness Psychology – Teaches you to boost employee nutrition, exercise, and work-life balance. You’ll learn to assess, develop, and evaluate wellness models that reshape organizations and promote healthy employee behaviors.
3. Sport and Performance Psychology – Focuses on performance enhancement in sports. You’ll study advanced psychology courses and seminars in human development, coaching, cultural diversity, and mind-body practices.

Admission requirements

Unlike many Psychology Graduate programs with complex requirements, UAGC keeps things simple:

• You need a master’s degree from an accredited institution with at least a 3.0 GPA
• Proof of English language skills (through a BA in English or proficiency test)
• A stable internet connection for online courses

The program accepts applicants with bachelor’s degrees and a minimum 3.0 GPA. Students with master’s degrees might transfer up to 30 credits toward their PsyD.

Start your application by submitting unofficial transcripts. Official versions come after admission. The program accepts about 31% of applicants, and without GRE requirements, qualified candidates have better access to the program.

3. Touro University Worldwide – PsyD in Human & Organizational Psychology

Touro University Worldwide (TUW) is known among psychology PhD programs no GRE by offering complete online flexibility through their Doctor of Psychology in Human and Organizational Psychology program. The program ranked first among the nation’s top nine online PsyD programs in Industrial Organizational Psychology for 2020. Working adults can now pursue advanced credentials without traditional testing barriers.

Program overview

TUW’s Doctor of Psychology program uses the scholar-practitioner model to emphasize professional practice in applied psychology. This work-based doctorate helps professionals develop evidence-based approaches to ground challenges, unlike traditional research-focused PhD programs. Students must complete 66 credits, including a doctoral dissertation. The program aligns with Touro’s mission to serve historically underserved populations and promote intellectual inquiry.

The program doesn’t lead to licensure or certification. All the same, graduates develop valuable skills to create evidence-based solutions in industrial-organizational psychology. Students learn organizational leadership, human resources, and applied research competencies through the curriculum.

Accreditation

The Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) accredits Touro University Worldwide. TUW operates as a non-profit institution within the Touro College and University System, which serves the broader community under Jewish auspices.

Format and duration

TUW’s program offers exceptional flexibility compared to traditional doctoral programs:

• 100% online format with no residency requirements
• Six program starts throughout the year with quick admissions
• Optimized 8-week course sessions
• Three-year completion time for most students

Military students facing deployment or relocation and professionals with outside commitments benefit from this flexible structure.

Specializations

The program offers three specialized tracks:

1. Individual Change and Development: Perfect for therapists and healthcare professionals who want to create evidence-based solutions for behavioral change
2. Organizational Change and Development: Suited for professionals in profit, non-profit, and military settings who tackle organizational design and change
3. Leadership and Innovation: Ideal for business professionals applying psychology principles to leadership and innovation

Graduates work as organizational psychologists, human resources directors, executive coaches, training specialists, senior researchers, or consultants. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows industrial-organizational psychologists earn a median annual salary of $139,280.

Admission requirements

This Psychology Graduate programs no GRE option focuses on academic background rather than standardized testing:

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.4
• Ministry of Education approval for overseas degrees
• No GRE requirement

At $700 per credit, the total program investment comes to approximately $46,200. This pricing makes the program a competitive choice among doctoral psychology options.

The program’s faculty members actively work as scholar-practitioners and bring practical problem-solving experience to classroom lectures. Students receive extensive faculty guidance while developing their research proposals. This preparation helps them succeed in today’s technologically sophisticated, culturally diverse global environment.

4. Meridian University – PsyD in Clinical Psychology

The PsyD in Clinical Psychology at Meridian University is a chance to experience something different among Psychology Graduate programs no GRE. The program reshapes the scene with an integrated approach to psychology education that connects academic excellence with personal growth.

Program overview

Meridian University’s PsyD program helps foster integral clinicians who blend academic proficiency with integrated approaches to healing. The curriculum includes 108 academic credits that combine core, clinical, and research courses. Students with a bachelor’s degree need 133 total credits (including 25 credits of fieldwork). Those with relevant master’s degrees complete 117 credits.

The program concludes with an original clinical case study instead of a traditional dissertation. This approach helps students analyze psychological processes and interventions in ground settings. The program builds on psychological orientations from a variety of areas – somatic psychology, ecopsychology, transpersonal psychology, and depth psychology.

Accreditation

WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) accredits Meridian University – the same regional body that oversees Stanford University, UC Berkeley, and UCLA. The California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education licenses the university. The State of California has approved it since its founding in 1993. Meridian also holds CHEA member institution status.

Format and duration

Students can pick between two flexible learning formats:

• Online Format: Remote students benefit from a mix of video calls and self-paced learning through Meridian’s social learning platform
• Hybrid Format: Students experience both online learning and in-person classes at Meridian’s Los Angeles Campus

Students can finish the accelerated path in 33 months. Standard completion times range from 33-46 months. The academic calendar runs quarterly seven-week online courses with breaks between quarters.

Specializations

Students can choose from several concentrations:

• Clinical Psychology: A social-first approach to psychotherapy practice in clinics, private practice, and forensic settings
• Somatic Psychology: Body-based approaches take center stage
• Depth Psychology: Learning about unconscious processes
• Transpersonal Psychology: Bringing spiritual dimensions together

More concentrations include Collective Trauma and Social Healing, Developmental Coaching, Expressive and Movement Arts, Integral Psychology, Transformative Leadership, and Yoga and Psychology.

Admission requirements

Meridian keeps admission requirements simple compared to other psychology phd programs no GRE:

• Bachelor’s degree in any field
• Online application with $50 non-refundable fee
• Personal statement
• Two letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts
• Zoom interview after application review

Applicants need a minimum 3.0 GPA. International students must show English proficiency through standardized tests. They need minimum scores of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), or 79 (internet-based) on the TOEFL.

The program prepares graduates for licensure as Psychologists, Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT), or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC) in California. The program meets licensure requirements in several other states too – Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

5. Alaska Pacific University – PsyD in Counseling Psychology

Alaska Pacific University (APU) helps address the state’s shortage of mental health professionals by offering a unique PsyD in Counseling Psychology. This program stands out among Psychology Graduate programs no GRE. The 12-year old program started to meet Alaska’s urgent need for doctoral-level psychologists, as most of the state lacks enough mental health professionals.

Program overview

APU’s Doctor of Psychology program takes a strengths-based approach. Students learn practical skills and developmental aspects of psychological functioning. The program is one of only two doctoral psychology training programs in Alaska. Master’s-level professionals can get their educational requirements here to become licensed psychologists in the state. Students need 93 credits to graduate. Advanced doctoral courses cover Adult Clinical Assessment, Adolescent and Child Assessment, Interventions for Trauma, and Professional Practice. The program requires extensive practicum hours, a dissertation project, and an intensive internship.

Accreditation

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) has accredited this program. While not APA-accredited, the curriculum follows the Council on Accreditation’s Standards. The Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education authorizes this regional NWCCU accreditation. Students who complete the program meet all State of Alaska requirements to become Licensed Psychologists.

Format and duration

The program uses a hybrid learning model that works well for professionals across Alaska’s challenging landscape. Here’s how it works:

• Evening classes online in real-time
• On-campus sessions every six weeks each semester
• Three weekend sessions in person during each 15-week semester

Students attend six two-hour live online sessions between face-to-face meetings. This setup lets students from remote areas get quality professional training. Most students finish the program in about 5 years.

Specializations

The program focuses on counseling psychology. Graduates often become Licensed Psychologists in Alaska. Career options include:

• Psychological testing and assessment
• Private practice services
• Clinical directors for Alaskan organizations
• Specialized training in post-doctoral programs
• Professorship

Admission requirements

This psychology phd programs no GRE accepts applications until February 15th. Late applications won’t be considered. You’ll need:

• Official transcripts from your highest degree
• Program-specific application materials
• $35 application fee (or waiver)

Students should have a 3.0 GPA minimum. The Program Director might accept GPAs between 2.75-2.99. Students with GPAs under 3.0 can get provisional admission. They’ll need to maintain a 3.0 GPA in their first semester for full admission.

The program costs less than many doctoral programs nationwide. Its hybrid format makes this Masters in Psychology no GRE path perfect for Alaskan professionals who want to advance their careers while serving their communities.

6. Rivier University – PsyD in Counseling and School Psychology

Rivier University has one of the few combined Psychology Graduate programs no GRE in the nation. The program blends counseling and school psychology traditions. Based in Nashua, New Hampshire, this unique program prepares health service psychologists to work in many professional settings.

Program overview

The PsyD program at Rivier follows the practitioner-scholar model. Students learn clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and consultation skills while mastering psychology’s empirical foundations. The curriculum helps graduates get licensure as professional psychologists ready to work with people from all backgrounds. Students grow into critical thinkers and problem solvers who use psychological theory to deliver evidence-based services. The program builds on Rivier’s existing MA and Ed.S. programs in school and mental health counseling.

Accreditation

The program has full accreditation status from the American Psychological Association (APA) through 2033. Rivier is one of just two institutions in New Hampshire with APA accreditation for doctoral training in psychology. This prestigious credential will give students education that meets the highest professional standards. The curriculum meets New Hampshire state psychologist licensure requirements and lines up with the APA Standards of Accreditation.

Format and duration

The program structure has:

• Minimum five-year completion time
• Three-year academic residency requirement
• One designated weekday on campus to develop professionally and interact with faculty
• Courses typically run weekday late afternoons/evenings
• 2,000-hour internship requirement

Doctoral students must study full-time during all semesters and can work only 20 hours weekly outside the program. This schedule lets students focus on their studies, program activities, practicum placements, research, and faculty mentoring.

Specializations

Thanks to its combined approach, graduates can work in settings of all types including:

• Independent or group practice
• Multidisciplinary clinics
• Counseling centers
• Hospitals
• Schools

Many graduates become clinical directors, consultants, or private practitioners. Dr. Jacquelyn Reinert, who graduated in 2017, now owns a practice offering therapy, parent coaching, and evaluation services.

Admission requirements

This psychology PhD programs no GRE option needs:

• A completed online application through PSYCAS (Centralized Application Service for graduate psychology study)
• Official transcripts from all undergraduate/graduate institutions
• A Statement of Purpose (3-6 pages) covering professional experience, reasons to pursue doctoral study, research goals, career aspirations, and commitment to diversity
• Three reference letters written within six months of application
• An interview (preferably in-person, though alternatives are available)

Credit hours needed depend on previous coursework, with no upper limit on foundation courses counted toward completion.

7. William James College – PsyD in Leadership Psychology

William James College stands out among psychology PhD programs no GRE with its unique leadership-focused option. The program equips professionals to use psychological principles in organizational settings and shapes them into catalysts for organizational and social change.

Program overview

The PsyD in Leadership Psychology program uses a competency-based model that works in real-life applications. Students dive into a 98-credit curriculum that blends concepts from psychology, organizational development, business, sociology, neuroscience, and education. The program connects theory with practical challenges and prepares graduates to lead teams and organizational systems during uncertain times.

Accreditation

The New England Commission of Higher Education (formerly NEASC) renewed William James College’s accreditation in November 2022. The Department of Higher Education of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has also authorized the college to award doctoral degrees. Students can rest assured their credentials come from a fully accredited institution.

Format and duration

The program includes:

• 68 credits at William James College and 30 transfer credits from previous master’s studies
• A timeline of 4 years (full-time) or 6 years (part-time)
• Online courses with three yearly residencies
• Four-day intensive on-campus sessions during each residency
• 900 hours of supervised field training split between a 600-hour practicum and 300-hour internship

Specializations

Students can choose from these program-specific concentrations:

• Educational Leadership
• Inclusive Leadership
• Leading Non-Profits and NGOs
• Neuroscience of Leadership Psychology

The college offers cross-departmental concentrations in African and Caribbean Mental Health, Asian Mental Health, Global Mental Health, Latino Mental Health, and LGBTQIA+ Studies.

Admission requirements

You’ll need to submit:

• Bachelor’s and master’s degrees from accredited institutions
• $60 non-refundable application fee
• One letter of recommendation
• Current curriculum vitae
• Personal essay (700 words or less)
• Complete a faculty interview

The program welcomes career-changers by accepting 30 credits from any master’s degree field.

8. Capella University – PsyD in Clinical Psychology

Psychology Graduate programs no GRE at Capella University offer a PsyD in Clinical Psychology that blends online coursework with in-person requirements. The practitioner-scholar model helps students prepare for clinical psychologist licensure.

Program overview

The PsyD in Clinical Psychology program at Capella needs 145 quarter credits and follows a scholar-practitioner model that emphasizes real-world application of psychological principles. The curriculum has complete clinical training built on theoretical and scientific foundations, psychological assessment, and intervention. Students work on a clinically relevant research project among other site-based clinical experiences. The program prepares graduates to become licensed clinical psychologists in many states.

Accreditation

We learned that Capella University holds institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. The PsyD program lacks American Psychological Association (APA) accreditation, which could limit internship options and job prospects in certain settings. This difference matters when students think over their future career paths, as employers often prefer candidates from APA-accredited programs.

Format and duration

The program employs a blended format with:

• Online coursework
• Year-in-residence requirement
• 1,000 hours of practicum
• 2,000 hours of pre-doctoral internship

Students typically need at least three years of full-time graduate study. The curriculum combines online learning with face-to-face residencies.

Specializations

Graduates of the clinical psychology program can work in a variety of roles such as psychotherapy, psychological testing, mental health consulting, research, and higher education.

Admission requirements

Students must meet these requirements:

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution
• Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
• Official master’s transcripts
• Valid government-issued photo identification
• No GRE or GMAT required

International applicants must meet additional admission criteria.

9. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology – PsyD in Forensic Psychology

The Chicago School’s PsyD in Forensic Psychology emerges as a top choice for professionals seeking specialized Psychology Graduate programs no GRE with judicial system focus. This detailed doctoral pathway combines advanced clinical training with forensic assessment techniques at Los Angeles and Anaheim campuses.

Program overview

The program uniquely blends clinical psychology principles with legal and public policy applications. Students become skilled at forensic assessment and treatment that they can apply in a variety of professional settings. The curriculum combines theory, research, and clinical practice with regular updates reflecting the latest industry developments. Graduates find opportunities in settings that need forensic assessment or clinical treatment expertise.

Accreditation

Since 2011, the Chicago School has maintained its accreditation through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission. The institution’s last successful reaffirmation happened in 2017, and it’s now preparing for the next one in Spring 2027.

Format and duration

The program offers a flexible blended format with:

• Campus instruction combined with asynchronous online learning
• Main classroom sessions at Los Angeles or Anaheim campuses
• Weekend classes that fit around work schedules
• Four-year completion timeline

Students gain extensive supervised clinical experience through 1,200+ practicum hours and a 2,000-hour internship.

Specializations

Students develop practical skills for criminal and civil case evaluations, ready for careers in:

• Mental health facilities
• Correctional institutions
• Private practice settings

Admission requirements

You’ll need to provide:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• 0+ undergraduate or graduate GPA (typically)
• Professional experience after completing your bachelor’s
• Admission essay
• Three recommendation letters
• 15 semester hours of psychology credits
• Complete an admission interview

The admission team takes a full picture approach, valuing real-world experience over test scores.

Choose Your No-GRE Psych Program Today

Nine accredited programs now make advanced psychology education available without GRE requirements. These schools offer specialized tracks ranging from clinical and counseling psychology to forensic and organizational leadership. Your career goals can match with programs that help develop expertise in specific psychological areas.

The programs’ flexibility is a major advantage. Students can choose from various options – Touro University Worldwide’s fully online degrees, William James College’s hybrid models, or The Chicago School’s weekend formats. You can advance your education while keeping your current job.

Most schools look at your academic record, work experience, and personal statements instead of test scores. Your past academic success and dedication to psychology matter more during the application process.

The programs feature different types of accreditation. Some have earned APA accreditation, while others maintain regional accreditation through WSCUC or NWCCU. These nine programs meet established educational standards, and your degree will hold recognized value.

Programs take three to six years to complete, based on whether you start with a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Working professionals can manage their studies through evening classes, weekend sessions, or online learning at their own pace.

Advanced psychological practice doesn’t need GRE scores anymore. These nine programs show how graduate education has changed. Schools now evaluate your potential through many factors beyond test scores. Your choice will depend on what you want to specialize in, how you prefer to learn, where you live, and what you want to achieve in psychology’s diverse field.