Biola University Psychology Programs

Biola University’s Rosemead School of Psychology is a leading institution where faith and psychological science meet. Founded in 1968, Rosemead has managed to keep its commitment to train clinical psychologists from a Christian point of view for more than 50 years. This commitment has made Rosemead a top psychology school. Christians who want to blend their faith with professional practice choose it consistently.

The school sits near Los Angeles in Southern California and draws students worldwide who value its unique approach to psychological education. The school stands out because it combines psychology and theology. This blend brings together scientific, research-based study of human behavior with biblical views on human flourishing.

Students at Rosemead get access to respected, APA-accredited programs that prepare graduates for competitive positions. The supportive Christian environment helps students grow spiritually, emotionally, intellectually and professionally. This all-encompassing approach reflects Biola’s commitment as a Christ-centered community. All students, faculty, and staff share their faith in Jesus Christ.

The school does more than teach psychological theories and techniques. The undergraduate psychology programs focus on:

• Training students well in psychology
• Promoting investigation and integration of psychology and theology
• Encouraging the application of education in ministry and service

Highly trained professionals make up Rosemead’s faculty. They teach both undergraduate and graduate programs. These expert educators prepare students for academic excellence and help them blend faith with daily learning. The faculty aims to ready students for graduate programs or vocational training. They give students tools to integrate faith into their professional practice.

Students who join Rosemead School of Psychology become part of a community that values both academic excellence and spiritual growth. One student shared, “faculty and staff really go out of their way to make sure each student is taken care of; not only in their academic journey but in their personal/spiritual journey as well”.

Programs offered

Rosemead School of Psychology combines Christian faith smoothly with rigorous psychological education through its psychology programs. Students gain both scientific knowledge and spiritual insight through carefully designed curricula, from undergraduate degrees to doctoral programs.

Students can choose between two psychology degrees at the undergraduate level. The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology gives you the foundation to pursue ministry, graduate studies, or careers in business, education, research, health professions, and social services. Students learn to blend theology and biblical knowledge with psychological concepts while developing their understanding of human nature from a Christian perspective.

The Bachelor of Science in Psychology program lets students complete their degree fully online at any stage of their academic experience. Students learn to blend scientific, research-based study of human behavior with biblical understanding. The program develops communication skills, critical thinking abilities, and interpersonal competencies needed at work. This online degree costs just $425 per credit, making it one of California’s most affordable Christian online bachelor’s degrees.

Rosemead features two APA-accredited doctoral programs. The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology program blends quality clinical work with research competencies. This program works especially when you have interests in both clinical skills and research. It has managed to keep APA accreditation since 1980.

The Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology focuses on students who want full-time practice. This practitioner’s degree emphasizes understanding and applying research rather than conducting original studies. Students complete extensive coursework, clinical internship, and dissertation requirements in this doctoral program.

Psychology programs of all types cover these specialized topics:

• Application of Christian thought to psychology
• Statistics and research methodology
• Lifespan development theory
• Cognitive processes and behavior
• Cross-cultural and ethical issues
• Physiological bases of human behavior

Biola graduates excel in psychology-related careers or advanced study at prestigious institutions like Yale University, UCLA, USC, Baylor University, and the University of Edinburgh. Career options include clinical psychology, forensic psychology, industrial-organizational psychology, neuropsychology, data science, education, and social services.

Undergraduate programs need core psychology courses plus electives. The BS degree requires 46 credits, with 24 upper-division credits. Senior students can take certain graduate courses with permission, giving them a head start on advanced studies.

Online options

Biola’s online learning options let students merge their faith with psychology education from anywhere in the world. Their Bachelor of Science in Psychology program gives you flexibility without compromising academic standards or biblical integration.

Students can start the online B.S. program at any stage of their academic trip. You’ll learn scientific, research-based psychology while developing a biblical understanding of human nature. The program helps you make a difference in real-life situations, touching lives in churches, workplaces, and communities.

The program’s popularity lies in its flexible structure:

• Complete your coursework at your own pace with accelerated 7-week courses that don’t require set meeting times
• Choose from three trimester start dates throughout the year
• Study from almost anywhere in the world with the fully online format
• Work with your dedicated success coach from day one until graduation
• Learn from the same expert faculty teaching on-campus

The program has 120 total credits, including core major requirements, general education courses, and biblical studies. You’ll build psychological expertise while developing critical thinking, writing, and interpersonal communication skills needed for career success.

The program’s most important advantage is its affordability. At $425 per credit, it ranks among California’s most affordable Christian online bachelor’s degrees. Students pay about one-third of what traditional undergraduate programs cost.

Biola’s online learning environment builds strong community connections. Students participate in meaningful discussions with professors and classmates about course material. This creates a supportive Christian learning atmosphere even online.

Online instructors bring practical experience and expertly blend psychological science with biblical views on human nature. You’ll get the same quality Christian education as campus students in a format that fits your schedule.

Biola also offers other online degrees, certificates, and credentials that fit students’ lives and career goals. Their WASC accreditation ensures these online programs meet high academic standards.

Accreditation

Biola University’s psychology programs rest on a solid foundation of quality accreditation. The university has managed to keep its institutional accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission since 1961. This regional accreditation will give a guarantee that all degrees, including psychology programs, meet strict educational standards recognized throughout the United States.

The psychology doctoral programs at Rosemead School of Psychology earned specialized recognition from the American Psychological Association (APA) in 1980. This 40-year old accreditation history shows the school’s steadfast dedication to excellence in clinical psychology training. Both the Ph.D. and Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology programs have full APA accreditation status, a vital qualification for students who want to become licensed clinical psychologists.

These accreditations play a pivotal role in the program’s success. APA accreditation confirms that Rosemead’s doctoral programs meet national standards for professional psychology education. Students can trust their education lines up with industry expectations and prepares them well for professional practice.

The WSCUC reaffirmed Biola’s accreditation status in November 2022, and scheduled the next complete review for 2025-2026. This ongoing process helps the university review and enhance its educational offerings. WASC granted Biola the highest level of accreditation (Level VI) through Spring 2026 under President Dr. Barry H. Corey’s leadership, recognizing the university’s high quality standards.

Biola’s dedication to quality education spans disciplines of all types. The university’s affiliation with professional organizations like the American Psychological Association gives students access to broader professional networks. Biola also partners with the Western Association of Graduate Schools and the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities.

These accreditations assure prospective psychology students of their education’s quality standards. Biola’s Christian psychology programs offer training that blends biblical principles with academic rigor and professional recognition. This combination of faith integration and academic excellence helps graduates succeed in licensing exams, internship placements, and career opportunities.

Admission Requirements

Biola’s Christian psychology programs have specific admission requirements that showcase the university’s dedication to academic excellence and spiritual growth. The requirements differ between undergraduate and graduate programs.

Students seeking an undergraduate psychology degree must meet clear standards. You need to be a Christian believer and express this in your application’s personal essay section. This faith requirement lines up with Biola’s role as an evangelical Christian institution where everyone shares faith in Jesus Christ.

Academic requirements state that undergraduate applicants should have at least a 2.5 cumulative college GPA for the Bachelor of Science in Psychology. New college students face higher standards – a minimum 3.0 unweighted high school GPA. The average unweighted high school GPA of incoming freshmen is 3.54, showing the quality of students Biola attracts.

Students should complete this recommended high school curriculum:

• 4 years of English
• 3 years of Mathematics
• 2-4 years of Foreign Language
• 2 years of Science
• 2 years of Social Science

Rosemead’s doctoral programs are much more selective. These programs look for candidates who show scholarly ability, dedication to historic Christian faith, strong character, and positive attitude toward clinical psychology. While each program differs slightly, both typically need:

• A baccalaureate degree with at least a 3.0 GPA
• Prerequisite psychology coursework
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal statement

Ph.D. program applicants usually submit GRE scores. Psy.D. applicants can choose to submit GRE scores to strengthen their application. International students must meet English proficiency standards with minimum scores of 100 on TOEFL iBT, 7.5 on IELTS, or 125 on Duolingo.

Biola looks for students who want to blend psychological science with Christian faith across all programs. The online BS in Applied Psychology program has simpler prerequisites – you should be interested in psychological sciences and helping others in authentic situations.

Getting into Biola’s psychology programs starts a trip where scientific learning and spiritual growth meet. This prepares you to serve meaningfully in psychology fields of all types.

Tuition

A Biola psychology education demands financial investment while opening doors to excellence in faith-integrated practice. The university balances its tuition rates with the specialized nature of psychological training and provides strong financial support options.

Rosemead’s doctoral programs charge $17,607 per semester for full-time students who take 12-16 credits, which adds up to $35,214 annually. Students pay $1,467 per credit hour when taking fewer than 12 or more than 16 credits during regular terms. Summer sessions cost $1,299 per credit. This investment covers intensive clinical training, research opportunities, and specialized coursework in christian psychology programs.

The online Bachelor of Science in Psychology provides great value at $425 per credit. This makes it one of California’s most affordable christian psychology degree online options. The rate is by a lot lower than the traditional undergraduate psychology tuition of $2,121 per credit.

Biola’s commitment to student success shows in its financial support. The university gives more than $70 million in aid each year to help students reach their educational goals. Psychology students can qualify for several aid options:

• The Rosemead School of Psychology Graduate Grant gives up to $3,300 (prorated per enrollment)
• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans up to $33,000 for Rosemead students
• Direct Grad PLUS Loans that cover remaining educational costs
• Private student loans with different terms and interest rates

Doctoral psychology students should consider both tuition and other expenses like professional growth costs, housing, and living expenses. The total yearly cost for Psy.D. or Ph.D. students in regular coursework reaches about $68,422. Students in the dissertation phase see lower costs of around $38,250.

New doctoral psychology students need to plan for tuition deposits and moving costs. In spite of that, most Rosemead students receive financial help through scholarships, loans, or work opportunities.

Financial aid counselors at Biola will help you explore all available options. They make Christian clinical psychology programs available to students whatever their financial situation.

Additional Information

Biola’s Christian psychology programs go beyond regular coursework to give students rich research and hands-on training opportunities. The faculty brings expertise in neuropsychology, cultural psychology, trauma resilience, anxiety, and spiritual formation. Their knowledge adds depth to your learning and provides guidance in various psychology subfields.

The research program runs on specialized labs that focus on key areas like:

• Cultural factors and mental health accessibility
• Identity development in a variety of populations
• Mental health resources for congregations and ministry leaders
• Psychodynamic views on relationships with God and others
• Women’s psychological concerns including work-family balance and gender issues

Students get real-world experience at the Biola Counseling Center, the program’s main training facility. This outpatient center comes equipped with video-recording systems that help with case observation and professional growth. Clinical experience builds up gradually, starting with pre-practicum exercises and leading to supervised work at community agencies.

Doctoral students must complete 86 hours of personal therapy, with at least 50 hours of individual sessions. This hands-on client experience helps develop self-awareness and therapeutic skills—a unique aspect of Biola’s clinical training approach.

The job outlook looks promising. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects above-average growth for psychologists from 2023 to 2033. Biola’s Career Center helps students prepare with resume help, interview practice, and access to Handshake—the top platform to find student jobs and internships.