Best Psychology Programs in North Carolina: Online & On-Campus

Psychology Associate Degrees in North Carolina: Options for Students

If you want to see what the field of psychology is about, but you’re not ready to commit to a four-year degree, consider an associate degree from a North Carolina school. Learn the basics of the field and lay the foundation for a bachelor’s program.

Exploring North Carolina’s Psychology Bachelor’s Degrees

Those who want to take their psychology education to the next level should consider getting a bachelor’s degree. These four-year programs focus on foundations of the field and how to conduct psychology research and offer students a chance to explore different career options within the discipline, such as school, counseling, or organizational psychology.

Master’s Degrees in North Carolina: Psychology Student Programs

If you want to work with patients in North Carolina, a psychology master’s degree is the minimum requirement to become a licensed clinical mental health counselor. A master’s also provides more opportunities for students to specialize in a distinct area, such as industrial psychology or psychotherapy. These programs generally take two years to finish.

North Carolina’s PhD, PsyD, and Graduate Certificates

To be a licensed psychologist in North Carolina, you must have a PhD or PsyD. A PsyD emphasizes clinical training earlier in the program and may be the ideal doctorate for those who want to work as a licensed counselor or psychologist in the state. Those who want to become experts in the theory behind psychology should consider getting their PhD. With this degree, students can become licensed psychologists, researchers, or psychology professors.

If you’re already working as a psychology associate or licensed psychologist, but want to improve your skills, consider graduate certificates. These certificates are often in highly specialized areas and deliver critical training on those topics.

FAQs From North Carolina Psychology Students

Is financial aid available for psychology students in North Carolina?

Yes. There are many financial aid resources to help students, including scholarships, work-study programs, fellowships, assistantships, and student loans. Along with federal aid, there are also some scholarships and financial aid options specifically for North Carolina residents. For example, Eastern Carolina University provides select undergraduate psychology students with scholarships up to $2,000 and UNC-Chapel Hill has scholarships for master’s students pursuing a degree in school psychology. In addition, the North Carolina Psychiatric Association has fellowships for psychology undergraduates interested in earning a doctoral degree in psychiatry.

Should a psychology program be accredited?

Yes. Accreditation is important because organizations that give this stamp of approval have vetted schools for the quality of their curriculum, the access to student services they offer, the robustness of their research, and the qualifications of department instructors. This means as you search for psychology programs, you should look for schools that have been accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). Also, the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) accredits school psychology programs.

Where can I get a job after getting a psychology degree in North Carolina?

One of the reasons that a psychology degree is a good choice is because it opens you up to a variety of job opportunities. There are numerous employers in North Carolina that hire psychologists, such as UNC Health, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, and Global Outreach TeleRehabilitation.

Is a psychology major hard?

Majoring in psychology does come with some challenges, but if you’re earnest about your learning, they can be overcome. One issue you may face is related to the nature of the content you’ll be exposed to throughout your studies. You may be learning about disturbing behaviors that are the cause or result of psychological challenges. Some of these topics may take their toll on students mentally, so it’s important to get support from professors and peers along the way.

Another challenge of psychology programs is the volume of the work. You will be required to do a lot of reading and writing in your program. As a result, you’ll need to pace yourself effectively to keep up. Despite these hurdles, however, you can be successful in a psychology major if you put in the work.

What is the difference between a psychologist and psychiatrist?

While it is true that both psychologists and psychiatrists help people with mental health challenges, the disciplines have some notable differences. You can become a psychologist after earning a graduate-level degree in psychology. However, to become a psychiatrist, you will need to complete a medical degree. Those who want to pursue this route should earn a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) or Doctor of Medicine (MD).

NC Salary & Career Overview for Psychology Graduates

Resources for North Carolina’s Psychology Students & Professionals

This guide has given you a good place to start your research on psychology degrees at every level. But there is always more to learn as you embark on your education and career. The following resources have additional information that you can use to keep up with the latest developments in the field.

• Graduate Association of Students in Psychology
  Housed in North Carolina State University, the Graduate Association of Students in Psychology offers professional development and emotional support for graduate students pursuing a psychology degree. The organization regularly hosts networking events and professional development seminars.
• NC Psychiatric Association
  Let’s say you get an undergraduate degree in psychology, only to realize you’re more interested in exploring psychiatry. Consider joining the NC Psychiatric Association. The organization provides networking events, career development resources, and more to support your professional endeavors. The group also offers a search engine tool to help members find psychiatric residencies.
• North Carolina Association of Professional Psychologists
  Professional psychologists and psychology associates who are licensed in the state of North Carolina should check out this organization. Perks of membership include access to networking events and continuing education resources.
• North Carolina Psychological Association
  The North Carolina Psychological Association has networking opportunities, professional development resources, and more for residents interested in working in the field of psychology. The organization also offers student membership at a reduced price.
• North Carolina Psychology Board
  For information on becoming a licensed psychologist, networking events, and educational seminars hosted by the state, visit the North Carolina Psychology Board’s website. You can also learn more about continuing education requirements for psychologists.

List of the Best Schools for Online Psychology Degrees in North Carolina

You’ve learned a lot about psychology programs on each level, but you still may be unclear about which degree you need to earn for your psychology career. Or maybe you know what degree level to pursue, but you’re not sure which school in North Carolina to choose. To help, we’ve rounded up the best psychology programs in North Carolina. Review the schools below with your goals and needs in mind and be sure to read our methodology to understand how these schools were chosen.