Which California Schools Offer a Psychology Degree?
Learn about psychology degree programs in California. Get information about degrees available and program requirements to make an informed decision about your education. Schools offering Psychology degrees can also be found in these popular choices.
Studying Psychology in California
Psychology is a broad field with many sub-specialties; as an undergraduate, you can become familiar with this field and begin to develop an area of expertise. While an undergraduate degree alone is not sufficient for a career as a mental health counselor or psychologist, an understanding of psychological drives and dispositions can enrich your perspectives on social life and individual problems. An undergraduate degree can also prepare you to enter graduate programs, which could qualify you to become a mental health counselor, school psychologist or industrial-organizational psychologist. With a doctorate, you can work as a professional psychologist.
Licensure and Career Information for Counselors and Psychologists in California
To become a licensed mental health counselor, you will need to complete a master's degree program in psychology, have approximately two years of supervised clinical practice, and pass two examinations. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), mental health counselors in California made a mean wage of around $48,700 in 2011. Employment in this field could grow 37% between 2010 and 2020, much faster than average among all occupations.
To become a licensed psychologist in California, you will need a doctorate in psychology and two years of supervised professional experience. You will also need to pass two specialized examinations. The BLS reports that in California the mean wage for clinical, counseling and school psychologists was around $84,600 in 2011. Employment in this field could grow 22% between 2010 and 2020, faster than average (www.bls.gov).
Bachelor's Degree Programs in California
California State University, Sacramento
- Program Name: Bachelor of Art in Psychology
- Areas of Concentration: Cognitive, developmental, social, personality, clinical/counseling, industrial/organizational, applied behavior analysis
- Program Length: Four years
- Tuition: $2,985 for residents; nonresidents pay $372 per unit (for the 2012-2013 academic year)
- Prerequisites: High school diploma, GED certificate, or passing score on the California High School Proficiency Examination
- School Type: 4-year, public; around 23,500 undergraduate and 3,500 graduate students
- Address: Department of Psychology, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819-6007
- Phone: (916) 278-6254
In this program you can develop an ample understanding of psychology and take courses that cover topics in cognition, behavior, biological structures, and developmental psychology. You may design your learning experience around an area of specialization, such as social, personality, cognitive or developmental psychology. You could also work closely with a faculty member on a research project. You may also gain experience through fieldwork in such areas as child observation and community psychology. Research and fieldwork experience gained through this program may be especially instrumental for those who wish to attend a graduate program in psychology.
Humboldt State University in Arcata
- Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
- Program Length: Four years
- Tuition: $2,736 per semester for residents; nonresidents pay $372 per unit (as of Spring 2012)
- Prerequisites: High school diploma, GED certificate, or a state high school proficiency test
- School Type: 4-year, public; around 7,300 undergraduate and 600 graduate students
- Address: Department of Psychology, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA 95521
- Phone: (707) 826-3755
The degree program is composed of core courses that cover major areas within the field of psychology, including social psychology, human development, perception, cognitive psychology, and motivation. In addition to the basic required courses, you can explore topics that accord with your academic interests and career goals, such as clinical or experimental psychology. You can also participate in professional research and contribute to publications in professional journals.
Stanford University
- Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
- Areas of Concentration: Cognitive Sciences, neuroscience, health and development, mind, culture and society
- Program Length: Four years
- Tuition: $13,350 per quarter (for the 2011-2012 academic year)
- Prerequisites: High school diploma or equivalent
- School Type: 4-year, private; around 7,000 undergraduate and 12,600 graduate students
- Address: Student Services, Department of Psychology, Jordan Hall, Bldg. 420, Room 100, 450 Serra Mall, Stanford University, Stanford CA 94305-2130
- Phone: (650) 725-2400
Offered through the Department of Psychology, the undergraduate major in psychology includes courses in perception, cognition, and neuroscience, as well as topics related to social, cultural, clinical, abnormal, and developmental psychology from a scientific perspective. You will have the option of choosing one specialty area, such as cognitive science or neuroscience; by choosing a specialty area, you can direct your studies toward a particular end, such as specialized graduate studies or a type of career. While at Stanford, you can become familiar with salient topics in contemporary psychology by attending various featured events and colloquia.
University of San Diego
- Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
- Program Length: Four years
- Tuition: $19,743 per semester (for the 2012-2013 academic year)
- Prerequisites: High school diploma or GED certificate
- School Type: 4-year, private; around 5,400 undergraduate and 2,800 graduate students
- Address: University of San Diego, Psychological Sciences, Serra Hall 105, 5998 Alcalá Park, San Diego, CA 92110
- Phone: (619) 260-4511
This program emphasizes a broad-based learning experience, and you will learn about how topics in psychology interface with social concerns and individual dilemmas. In addition to taking courses within the primary areas of psychology, you can learn to conduct research, assess the theoretical underpinnings of psychological methodology, and utilize data critical to understanding psychological dynamics. To graduate, you must complete a number of required courses, including upper-division courses in cognitive, developmental, social, and biological psychology.
To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below:
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