Fresno State Psychology Programs

Fresno State’s psychology program focuses on the scientific study of human behavior and consciousness. Students at this school will explore everything from learning and cognition to personality, psychophysiology, sexuality, group processes, cultural factors, and abnormal behavior. The program excels with its evidence-based approach that gives students strong scientific foundations.

Students starting the psychology major at Fresno State must complete core requirements like Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Statistics, and Research Design and Experimental Methods. A grade of C or higher in these courses and an overall GPA of at least 2.0 qualifies students for full major status. Upper-division courses follow this, and students finish with a capstone History and Systems course.

The department has three degree options:

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology
• Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology (with General/Experimental or Applied Behavior Analysis options)
• Educational Specialist (EdS) with a focus on School Psychology

The BA program requires 48 units spread across several areas: Pre-Major Core (13-14 units), Foundation (13-15 units), Engagement (3-4 units), and Psychology Electives (15-19 units). This well-laid-out plan covers psychological principles thoroughly while letting students explore their interests.

Students can enrich their experience through various opportunities. The department has active Psi Chi and Psychology Student Union clubs, a Psychology Honors Program, and options to apply scientific knowledge through supervised community service. These activities complement classroom learning and boost professional readiness.

Psychology graduates have many career options. Bachelor’s degree holders can work as behavior technicians ($38,502), human resources assistants ($45,153), or police officers ($62,100). Master’s graduates earn more in roles like data analyst ($67,477), licensed professional counselor ($70,553), or school psychologist ($95,311). Clinical psychologists with doctoral degrees can earn even higher salaries ($111,587).

Psychology majors gain skills that work in any discipline – critical thinking, clear communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. These abilities serve graduates well whether they continue their education or start their careers after graduation.

School info

The Psychology Department at California State University, Fresno sits within the College of Science and Mathematics. The campus location in California’s Central Valley creates a perfect setting for students pursuing psychology careers.

The department’s faculty brings rich expertise to your educational experience. Most full-time professors hold Ph.D. degrees in Psychology or related fields. Their research interests cover the entire discipline, which lets you explore different psychological subfields during your academic experience. The core team includes an Administrative Support Coordinator, Administrative Support Assistant, and student assistants who keep everything running smoothly.

The campus provides valuable support services that complement your studies. The Student Health and Counseling Center offers medical, wellness, and counseling services from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday during fall semester. This AAAHC-accredited facility sits at the corner of Shaw and Barton, between the Lab School and Student Housing.

Psychology students get access to specialized facilities and resources that improve their learning experience. These resources are especially helpful when graduate students in Master’s programs conduct research and complete thesis projects.

Fresno State makes its programs and activities accessible to all students whatever their race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. The Center for Essential Needs offers additional support by connecting you with mental health and community resources during your studies.

The psychology program emphasizes rigorous, empirically-focused education that builds a strong foundation in the scientific study of human behavior and consciousness. This detailed approach prepares you for various careers or advanced education in specialized psychological fields.

Programs offered

Fresno State’s psychology programs prepare you for many career paths. Each program builds core knowledge and provides specialized training based on your professional goals.

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology program needs 48 units. The complete curriculum has a Pre-Major Core (13-14 units), Foundation courses (13-15 units), an Engagement component (3-4 units), and Psychology Electives (15-19 units). Students learn research methods, statistical analysis, and explore various psychology subfields.

Fresno State offers three graduate programs:

1. The Master of Arts in General/Experimental Psychology (MA-G/E) requires 30 semester hours minimum. Students work closely with faculty members whose research interests match theirs through a mentorship model. The MA-G/E helps you prepare for doctoral programs, research analysis careers, or teaching at community colleges.
2. The Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis (MA-ABA) runs for two years full-time and requires 44 units. The Association for Behavior Analysis International verifies this curriculum for certification examination eligibility. Graduates become skilled practitioners who contribute to behavior analysis science ethically.
3. The Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) in School Psychology spans three years full-time with 71 required units. Students complete two years of coursework with practicum experience and spend the third year in an internship requiring 1,200 hours minimum – half in school settings. The first four semesters include 600 practicum hours.

The Ed.S. program holds prestigious credentials. Both the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing accredits it and the National Association of School Psychologists approves it. Graduates receive the Ed.S. degree and can get institutional recommendation for the Pupil Personnel Services Credential with Advanced Specialization in School Psychology. They also qualify to apply for National Certification in School Psychology.

Each program leads to specific careers. MA graduates often teach at community colleges, work in research, or enter doctoral programs. MA-ABA graduates can apply for Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification. Most Ed.S. graduates become school psychologists working with children from birth to age 21.

Online options

Fresno State offers some online psychology classes but not a complete online program. The psychology department runs select classes in a hybrid format that blends classroom teaching with online learning methods. Students get the best of both worlds – face-to-face interactions and the convenience of online study.

Students who find it hard to commute should look into these hybrid courses. This matters because many students live quite far from campus – some up to 45 minutes away. A fully online psychology degree isn’t available yet, but the hybrid format works well for students who struggle with transportation.

The school’s partnership with West Hills College that’s several years old has made hybrid courses more accessible. Satellite centers now exist at both Coalinga College and Lemoore College campuses. Students can take hybrid psychology classes at these centers instead of traveling to the main Fresno campus all the time.

The program goes beyond just course delivery. It has detailed support services that tackle common roadblocks to student success. Students get hands-on advising and a core team dedicated to guiding them through their learning experience. Teachers undergo special training to help students overcome challenges like Imposter Syndrome that can affect their progress in hybrid learning.

Limited online options match the department’s focus on mentorship, particularly in graduate programs. The MA Psychology program uses a mentorship model where students and faculty work side by side. This makes a fully online format sort of hard to get one’s arms around. Students develop research questions and hypotheses that grow into experimental theses – work that needs regular face-to-face collaboration.

The psychology department at Fresno State may not offer detailed online programs. However, hybrid options and satellite campuses give students who need distance learning some flexibility. These choices stay true to the department’s steadfast dedication to personal, thorough psychology training while meeting diverse student needs.

Accreditation

Quality education at Fresno State’s psychology programs starts with proper accreditation. Western Association of Schools and Colleges has fully accredited California State University, Fresno. This regional accreditation shows that the university delivers quality education effectively.

Your psychology education at Fresno State comes with multiple program-specific credentials. These endorsements from external bodies show the program’s quality and relevance professionally.

The Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) program in School Psychology boasts two important accreditations. The state’s California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) has approved the program. The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) has also given it full approval nationally. Your curriculum meets strict professional standards through these credentials.

Fresno State belongs to several prestigious academic organizations. The university actively participates in the Western Association of Graduate Schools, the Council of Graduate Schools in the United States, and the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. These memberships reflect the university’s dedication to excellence in education.

The Kremen School of Education and Human Development houses select psychology programs with additional national recognition. The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) has certified these programs. This proves the high quality of counseling-related psychology courses.

Students who choose psychology at Fresno State get programs approved by relevant accrediting bodies. These credentials matter significantly because they can affect your job prospects and professional license eligibility.

Admission Requirements

Students must meet specific academic standards and follow detailed application procedures to enter Fresno State’s psychology programs. Each program level has its own requirements.

Psychology majors at the undergraduate level need to apply formally after completing prerequisites. Students must earn C grades or better in PSYCH 10, 42, 63, and 144 while keeping a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA. The department reviews all transcripts before students can enroll in restricted upper-division courses.

Graduate programs assess your ability to complete master’s level work successfully. Graduate applicants must submit:

• Transcripts of all academic work
• Three letters of recommendation (academic or professional references)
• Applications to both Division of Graduate Admissions and Department of Psychology

All three psychology programs share a graduate application deadline of February 1, 2025. The GRE requirement no longer exists, but students need to maintain a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA both overall and in psychology courses.

School Psychology program applicants must pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) before the application deadline. This program accepts about 10-12 students each year through a cohort model.

Faculty members invite selected applicants to campus interviews with at least two professors. School Psychology interviews happen in early March, and admission decisions come within two weeks.

International students must meet extra requirements. These include proof of an equivalent four-year U.S. degree, TOEFL scores of at least 79-80 (paper-based=550), and proof of adequate financial support.

Admitted students must earn A or B grades in PSYCH 244A and pass the department’s Graduate Writing Requirement to advance to candidacy. Some programs require passing the Psychology Department Statistical Proficiency Exam.

Competition remains high due to limited available positions, even though many applicants meet minimum requirements.

Tuition

Money matters a lot when planning your education at Fresno State. Full-time undergraduate students taking 7 or more units pay $4,112.50 each semester in mandatory fees. This amount breaks down into $3,225.00 for tuition and $887.50 in campus fees. Students taking 0-6 units pay $2,756.50, with $1,869.00 going toward tuition.

Students from outside California and international students must pay an extra non-resident tuition fee of $444.00 per unit on top of regular fees. These additional costs significantly impact non-California residents’ budgets.

Graduate psychology students face different fee structures. Their tuition ranges from $431.00 for one unit to $3,042.00 for ten or more units. Campus fees add another $260.00. The total cost per semester runs between $691.00 for one unit and $3,302.00 for ten or more units.

The good news is that Fresno State’s Psychology Department helps students with various financial options. Qualified graduate students can work as teaching and graduate assistants. These roles provide both money and valuable experience in the field.

Psychology graduate students can apply for several fellowships:

• Graduate Equity Fellowship
• Provost’s Scholarship
• President’s Graduate Scholarship Fellowship
• Research Merit Awards
• Travel Awards
• Robert and Norma Craig Graduate Fellowship

The university offers additional support through work-study programs and other financial aid options. Students should contact the Office of Financial Aid to learn more about these opportunities.

New graduate students can use the Grad School Calculator on the psychology department’s website. This tool helps estimate the total cost of your advanced degree.

Additional Information

The Fresno State psychology department goes beyond classroom learning. Students can get ground experience through various organizations that complement their academic work.

Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, welcomes undergraduates after they complete 3 semesters of coursework and 9 psychology units at Fresno State. Students need a 3.3+ cumulative GPA and at least a 3.0 GPA in psychology courses. Graduate students must have a 3.3 GPA in their graduate courses. Students can join by submitting an application with an eligibility form and paying a one-time $60 lifetime membership fee.

The department has clubs for different psychology interests. These include the Applied Behavior Analysis Club, Active Minds, and School Psychology Club. The School Psychology Club works to raise awareness about school psychology and builds stronger connections between the graduate program and local school districts.

The Career Center helps students prepare for their future careers. Students get resume reviews, interview practice, and access to HireFresnoState—an online platform for jobs and internships. This system connects students with part-time work, internships, and career opportunities without any fees.

Students can work on research projects in psychology of all types including applied behavior analysis, biopsychology, clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, quantitative psychology, school psychology, and social/personality psychology. Research work helps students understand specific topics better and learn research methods thoroughly.

The psychology advising website provides detailed guidance about careers and graduate school options.