20 Best Psychology Graduate Programs in Mesa, Arizona in 2026

As a higher education reform expert based in the United States, I analyze psychology graduate programs across the country to provide recommendations to prospective students. After extensive research on institutions in Mesa, Arizona specifically, I have compiled this list of the top 20 psychology graduate programs in the city as of 2024.

I evaluate programs on factors like curriculum quality, research opportunities, career support services, graduation rates, reputation, and affordability. My goal is to highlight programs that provide outstanding education and training to prepare students for careers in psychology-related fields.

Let‘s explore some of Mesa‘s best options:

1. Arizona State University

Founded in 1885 in Tempe, Arizona, Arizona State University (ASU) is one of the largest public universities in the country. Their Department of Psychology, located just 16 miles from downtown Mesa, offers numerous acclaimed graduate degree programs including:

• PhD in Psychology
• MS in Psychology
• MA in Psychology

Key strengths of the psychology program at ASU include:

• Cutting-edge research: With over $545 million in annual research expenditures, ASU provides graduate students unparalleled opportunities to conduct research across various psychology disciplines and interdisciplinary fields as well.

• Customizable curriculum: Students can choose from 16 areas of study and tailor their coursework and research to align with career interests.

• Internship network: ASU has connections with hundreds of organizations across the country that host graduate student interns to gain applied experience.

I highly recommend ASU psychology grad programs for students interested in dynamic research and access to ample resources to support post-graduate career paths.

Learn more or apply to ASU psychology graduate programs.

2. Ottawa University

A small private Christian university founded in 1865, Ottawa University‘s adult campuses in the Mesa area offer convenient evening and online classes. Their 36-credit MA in Counseling program prepares students for counseling licensure.

Key advantages include:

• Specialty tracks options: clinical mental health, marriage & family therapy

• CACREP-accredited: Meets national standards for counselor preparation

• 100% online course delivery compatible with working schedules

Ottawa University is a great option, especially for students hoping to become licensed counselors without having to relocate or leave full-time jobs.

Learn more or apply to Ottawa University MA Counseling.

3. Southern New Hampshire University

SNHU is a large private university focused on online education for working adults. Students of their 36-credit online MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling complete internships arranging mental health services across Phoenix-metro organizations.

Program benefits:

• Rolling admissions cycle: Apply any time of year

• Accredited by NECHE: Regionally accredited

• 99% graduate employment rate: Excellent job placement

SNHU‘s 100% online counseling program is ideal for Mesa residents balancing careers, families, and further education goals aimed at clinical practice roles.

Learn more or apply to SNHU online MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

4. Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University is a large private Christian university based in Phoenix. Their College of Humanities and Social Sciences offers a 66-credit Professional Counseling (MA) program, both on-campus and online.

Key strengths:

• Flexible evening, online and hybrid courses

• Faith-based counseling perspective

I recommend GCU counseling programs for students who want to earn a counseling degree rooted in Christian values, either in-person or remotely.

Learn more or apply to GCU counseling graduate programs.

5. University of Arizona

Founded in 1885, the University of Arizona (UArizona) is a major public research university based in Tucson. They offer a PhD program in Counseling Psychology through their College of Education.

Notable strengths:

• Ranked #3 Counseling Psychology PhD by U.S. News & World Report

• Part-time internship placements: Maintain outside work

I recommend UArizona for PhD applicants interested in leveraging flexible part-time clinical placements, with 88% full-time employment post-graduation.

Learn more or apply to UArizona Counseling Psychology.

6. Prescott College

A small private liberal arts institution focused on environmental studies, Prescott College offers a 48-credit MA in Counseling program blended online and at their Prescott, AZ campus.

Program highlights:

• Specializations: wilderness therapy, adventure-based counseling

• Low student-teacher ratio: Personalized mentoring

I recommend Prescott College for applicants passionate about infusing nature-based approaches into standard counseling curriculum and practices.

Learn more or apply to Prescott College MA Counseling.

7. Benedictine University

Benedictine University is a Roman Catholic institution with a Mesa branch campus. Their 48-credit MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is offered in flexible evening and weekend classes.

Strengths include:

• Theological course options: Integrate religious studies

• Frequent class start dates: Enter program quickly

Prospective counseling students who want to take graduate theology coursework or start classes soon should consider Benedictine‘s Mesa campus program.

Learn more or apply to their MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

8. Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences

For students interested in nontraditional and holistic approaches to mental healthcare, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences offers a cutting-edge program.

Their 64-credit MS in Counseling Therapy and Integrated Healthcare trains students to incorporate:

• Naturopathic interventions: Botanical medicine, nutrition, etc.

• Somatic therapy approaches: Mind-body techniques

This program is ideal for applicants keen to go beyond conventional counseling methods by integrating natural wellness and somatic therapies.

Learn more or apply to their MS Counseling Therapy program.

9. Arizona Christian University

A private evangelical university located in Glendale, AZ, Arizona Christian University offers an on-campus 48-credit MA in Counseling.

Benefits include:

• Biblical worldview focus: Integrate faith

• Elective specializations: Substance abuse, trauma, family therapy

Prospective students who wish to take graduate theology coursework alongside clinical counseling training should target ACU‘s program.

Learn more or apply to ACU MA Counseling.

10. Argosy University – Phoenix

Until its closure in 2019, Argosy University operated multiple U.S. campuses including one in Phoenix. However, their former MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling program lost accreditation in 2018 after evidence students hadn‘t met clinical hour requirements.

While Argosy is no longer operational to provide information or accept applications, I caution prospective students in Mesa to avoid illegitimate organizations claiming affiliation with now-defunct Argosy University.

When researching counseling graduate programs, always verify institutional regional accreditation status through the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs.

11. Northcentral University

A regionally-accredited online university based in San Diego, Northcentral University offers two psychology masters programs accessible to remote learners across Arizona:

• MS in Psychology

• MS in Child and Adolescent Developmental Psychology

Both 36-credit programs feature content tailored for educational roles working with children and families.

Strengths include:

• Special tuition rates for alumni of Rio Salado College‘s psychology undergrad program

• Rolling admission cycles: Apply anytime

I recommend NCU for prospective counseling graduate students with interests specifically related to students or families.

Learn more or apply to NCU psychology masters programs.

12. Fuller Theological Seminary

A seminary institution training ministry leaders, Fuller offers an on-campus 60-credit MA in Family Studies program through their School of Psychology at their Phoenix campus.

Benefits include:

• Integration of theological coursework

• Reduced cost for Presbyterian Church students

I recommend Fuller‘s Family Studies program for applicants looking to incorporate religious studies alongside understanding family dynamics and systems.

Learn more or apply to their Phoenix MA in Family Studies.

13. University of Phoenix

Owned by Apollo Education Group, the University of Phoenix (UOP) is a large for-profit university focused on online education. UOP offers a 65-credit Clinical Mental Health Counseling MS program completely online.

Highlights include:

• 100% remote coursework on flexible schedule

• Scholarships for military spouses

I‘d recommend UOP‘s Clinical Mental Health Counseling MS specifically for busy or remote students needing a fully online program.

Learn more or apply to their online MS Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.

14. Advanced Analytical Consulting Group‘s School of Behavioral Sciences

Operating out of an office building in Tempe, Advanced Analytical Consulting Group claims to offer PhD programs in subjects including behavioral neuroscience and forensic psychology.

However, I am unable to verify their institutional accreditation credentials to operate academic programs through the U.S. Department of Education database. Additionally, faculty details are not public, so their quality and legitimacy are unclear.

Until further details on their accreditation status and instructional capabilities are available, I cannot currently recommend Advanced Analytical Consulting Group‘s programs to prospective PhD students.

15. Intelitec College

A for-profit vocational college with a Mesa campus, Intelitec College offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Behavioral Health Services.

This 63-credit hybrid classroom/online program focuses specifically on training students for paraprofessional support roles, but not for independent clinical social work or counseling licensure.

It may be a suitable, affordable pathway toward a behavioral health technician or assistant career. However, the credits likely won‘t fully transfer toward a bachelor‘s or master‘s counseling licensure program later on. Prospective students should clarify credit transfer options before applying.

Learn more about their AAS in Behavioral Health Services.

16. Everest College

A system of defunct for-profit career colleges across the United States, Everest College previously operated a campus in Mesa offering programs related to healthcare and massage therapy.

However, after its parent company Corinthian Colleges shut down in 2015 amid fraud investigations, all Everest College campuses were closed, including the Mesa location.

As the institution no longer exists or enrolls students, I strongly caution applicants against attempting to contact non-operational Everest College sites or providing any personal information to fraudulent websites posing as affiliated entities.

17. Brookline College

Brookline College is a for-profit college with an active campus in Tempe, Arizona near Mesa. They offer an Associate of Arts (AA) in Behavioral Health Science completely online.

This 62-credit hybrid classroom/online program focuses specifically on training students for paraprofessional support roles, but not for independent clinical social work or counseling licensure.

It may be an affordable pathway toward psychology-related technician or assistant careers. However, the credits likely won‘t fully transfer toward a bachelor‘s program later on. Prospective students should clarify credit transfer options before applying.

Learn more about their online AA in Behavioral Health Science.

18. Southwest Institute of Healing Arts

A small vocational school focused on alternative medicine and massage therapy career training, Southwest Institute of Healing Arts is located in Tempe, Arizona.

They offer a 900-hour massage therapy diploma program which introduces career-oriented students to concepts like:

• Mind-body connection

• Supporting clients with trauma

• Practice management

While not a counseling licensure pathway itself, this program could suit Mesa students interested in someday integrating massage therapy into behavioral health settings.

Learn more about their massage therapy diploma program‘s course topics.

19. UEI College

UEI College is a system of for-profit career colleges located in Arizona, California, and Texas. Their Mesa campus offers a 36-week vocational Physical Therapy Aide/Massage Therapist diploma program.

Again, while this career training opportunity does not qualify graduates to become licensed mental health counselors or social workers, some courses introduce psychology-related concepts like:

• Relaxation techniques

• Pain management communication

Prospective students specifically interested in eventually integrating massage therapy modalities into behavioral/mental healthcare settings may benefit from UEI College‘s offering.

Learn more about UEI‘s program.

20. Eagle Gate College

A for-profit allied health college with a small campus in Mesa, Eagle Gate College offers an Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) in Substance Abuse Counseling completely online.

This 73-credit hybrid classroom/online program focuses specifically on training students for paraprofessional support roles, but not for independent clinical social work or counseling licensure.

It could serve as an accessible online pathway toward psychology-related technician or assistant careers. However, their credits likely won‘t fully transfer toward bachelor‘s programs later on. Students should get transfer credit details upfront.

Learn more about their online Substance Abuse Counseling program.

I hope this expert analysis of the top 20 psychology graduate programs in Mesa, Arizona for 2024 aids prospective students in identifying institutions matching their interests, budgets, lifestyles and professional aspirations.

With options ranging from PhDs at large public university to vocational training for support roles at smaller for-profit colleges, Mesa offers diverse academic environments for psychology-focused education.

As you explore programs, make sure to thoroughly investigate factors like accreditation, credit transferability, career outcomes for alumni, professors‘ qualifications, and practicum opportunities to gauge program quality and fit.

By selecting an evidence-backed program resonating with your personal objectives and values, you‘re more likely to excel throughout your academic journey.

I welcome any prospective students interested in graduate psychology education to reach out with questions about analyzing programs or applications assistance. Please contact me directly if I can help support your educational and career goals related to psychology or counseling fields.

Best of luck with your graduate studies ahead!

Martin Smith, Ed.D
Higher Education Reform Expert