Claremont Graduate University Psychology Programs

Claremont Graduate University’s Psychology programs have shaped professionals for over sixty years. The graduates of this school now work in research, teaching, and administration roles at academic institutions, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private businesses of all sizes. The programs stand out because they blend social concern with psychological theory and methods. This approach has been CGU’s psychological education cornerstone since 1969, when the program pioneered efforts to develop application-oriented psychology.

Social science knowledge and its ground application to solve problems have become CGU’s psychological education foundation. This practical focus has made the Division of Behavioral & Organizational Sciences (DBOS) a national leader in applied psychological science.

CGU’s psychology programs emphasize three key components:

• Methodological skills to collect and analyze information in field settings
• Scholarly work that centers on psychological and social concepts relevant to social issues and organizations
• Ground experience in government agencies, public interest organizations, human service agencies, or business settings

Students work side by side with faculty to plan their programs and identify specific skills, experiences, and achievements that match their career interests. Students develop more independence in their professional decisions and responsibilities as they advance through graduate education. Faculty members take their advisory roles to heart and maintain regular communication throughout your educational experience. The psychology faculty team up each year to review every student’s progress.

The teaching team consists of CGU faculty and graduate faculty from other Claremont Colleges who bring a variety of interests and specialized skills. This collaborative spirit extends to research facilities too. Students can access undergraduate psychology laboratories from the Claremont Colleges, the Academic Computing Building, and various research labs and centers, beyond CGU’s dedicated space and equipment. The program also supports off-campus research in natural or field settings that match student interests.

The Applied Social Psychology program excels in its dedication to health and social issues. This program has spent decades applying social psychological theory to enhance ground conditions. Faculty members have successfully developed and applied social psychological theories in areas like social identity, minority influence, and health domains such as psychoactive substance use, organ donor registration, and depression. Program graduates have published in leading journals and landed positions at universities worldwide, companies like Google and Hulu, and government agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control.

DBOS also offers master’s and doctoral degrees in several areas of applied psychology. These include Applied Social Psychology, Organizational Behavior, Evaluation & Applied Research Methods, Applied Cognitive Psychology, Positive Psychology, and Health Behavior Research.

Programs offered

Claremont Graduate University runs excellent psychology programs that blend theory with real-life applications. The Division of Behavioral & Organizational Sciences awards both master’s and doctoral degrees with multiple specialized concentrations.

CGU’s master’s programs stand out from the crowd. Students in the MA in Psychology with Applied Social Psychology concentration learn about social psychology that focuses on health behavior and social issues interventions. This STEM-designated program lets international F-1 visa holders apply for up to 36 months of OPT work authorization after graduation. The MA in Positive Health Psychology program, a joint offering with the School of Community and Global Health, takes a closer look at how people stay physically and mentally healthy in challenging conditions. Students need 48 units to graduate.

The university also offers an innovative dual degree: a hybrid MA in Applied Psychology paired with a Master of Public Health. This 76-unit program teaches students to research behavioral risk factors and review health intervention outcomes. Full-time students usually finish this program in 2.5-3.5 years.

The doctoral programs at CGU are highly specialized:

• PhD in Positive Developmental Psychology (72 units): Students learn to design, implement, and review social interventions that promote positive human development throughout life
• PhD in Applied Social Psychology (72 units): The program focuses on research in attitudes, group processes, interpersonal relations, motivation, affect, and cognition
• Doctor of Organizational Psychology (PsyD): This hands-on alternative to traditional research-heavy PhDs offers concentrations in Industrial and Organizational Psychology or Positive Organizational Psychology

Full-time PhD students typically graduate in 5-7 years. Faculty members supervise all doctoral students’ research projects each semester. New students start with Directed Research seminar courses in their first semesters.

CGU’s organizational psychology programs rank among the world’s largest. The university’s positive psychology program was started by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, known as the “grandfather of Positive Psychology”.

Most psychology programs at CGU have core courses, statistics and research methodology, field experience, and transdisciplinary studies. Students create comprehensive portfolios that show their professional growth in their specialized areas.

Online options

Claremont Graduate University brings its academic excellence to students through various online learning options. The university has built a reliable virtual education environment that keeps the intimate, shared learning experience that defines CGU’s on-campus programs.

Students who join CGU’s online program cohorts become part of a dynamic academic community dedicated to scholarship and participation. The online experience delivers the key elements of traditional CGU education – one-on-one faculty interactions, professional network building, and hands-on learning. These elements work together to support graduate-level success.

Online classes at CGU feature:

• Synchronous sessions that give valuable face-to-face time with professors and peers
• Interactive, intimate classes taught by the same faculty who teach on campus
• Shared projects that build meaningful connections with colleagues worldwide

CGU’s online approach stands out through its small class sizes that maximize interaction. This close-knit setting improves the learning environment and helps create strong mentoring relationships lasting well beyond course completion.

Psychology students at CGU can choose flexible learning options. The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program combines online and flex courses designed for working professionals. This setup helps students balance their career and family commitments while experiencing CGU’s unique campus culture. While the program runs mainly on-campus, this hybrid approach gives flexibility to busy professionals pursuing advanced psychology credentials.

CGU reaches beyond formal degree programs through several distance learning initiatives. The university partners with organizations like UNICEF and the Rockefeller Foundation to offer free webinars on topics like development evaluation. These webcasts fill up quickly but remain archived online for those who miss the live sessions.

The university’s online portfolio includes several graduate programs, though most psychology specializations stay predominantly campus-based. Current online degrees include MS in Evaluation & Applied Research, Doctor of Evaluation Practice, Master of Public Health, MS in Applied Biostatistics, and Certificate in Foundations in Public Health.

Prospective students should check CGU’s State Authorization page before enrolling in an online program since availability differs across the United States. International students should also know that these online programs might not meet student visa requirements.

Accreditation

Your graduate education’s quality and credibility depend on institutional accreditation. Claremont Graduate University is 74 years old and holds accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). WSCUC is one of six regional accrediting bodies that both the US Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognize.

CGU earned its first accreditation in 1949 and will maintain its accredited status through June 2030. This follows a thorough reaffirmation process outlined in the Commission Action Letter of July 11, 2022. The university’s steadfast dedication to academic excellence shows through this long-standing accreditation that continues to enhance its psychology programs.

WSCUC oversees educational institutions in California, Hawaii, the Pacific region, and select international locations. The organization makes sure member institutions meet strict quality standards through a detailed evaluation process that focuses on evidence-based assessment. Member schools take part in regular peer-led evaluations that get into institutional effectiveness across all academic programs, including psychology.

Psychology students gain several practical benefits from accreditation. Students become eligible for federal financial aid. Employers recognize and often require degrees from accredited institutions. Other accredited institutions typically accept transfer credits from WSCUC-accredited programs when students want to continue their education elsewhere.

Students should also think over program-specific credentials beyond institutional accreditation. Programs accredited by organizations like the American Psychological Association (APA) or the Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) arrange their curriculum with licensure requirements. These specialized accreditations verify high standards in:

• Coursework design and delivery
• Clinical practicum hour requirements
• Research training methodologies

CGU will welcome its next special visit from WSCUC in Fall 2025. An offsite review will start in Fall 2029, leading to an accreditation visit in Spring 2030.

WSCUC accreditation proves that Claremont Graduate University’s psychology programs meet or surpass established quality standards for higher education. This external validation shows that your educational investment meets recognized measures of academic excellence—a vital factor for graduate-level psychology studies.

Admission Requirements

Students who want to join Claremont Graduate University’s psychology programs must meet both university-wide and program-specific requirements. The university assesses candidates through a complete review that looks at their academic potential and professional experience.

CGU’s psychology programs accept applications throughout the year on a rolling basis. The psychology program’s priority date falls on January 15th, and students should submit their applications by then to get full consideration for fellowships. Meeting this deadline can affect your chances of financial support, especially since 87% of students get some form of fellowship funding.

University-Wide Requirements:

Psychology program applicants need to submit:

• A completed application with the $50 non-refundable application fee
• Official transcripts from every undergraduate and graduate institution attended
• Current resume that shows work experience and relevant accomplishments
• Two letters of recommendation (sealed with the reference writer’s signature over the envelope flap)
• Statement of purpose that explains your academic goals and how they fit with your chosen program

Program-Specific Requirements:

Psychology programs have these extra requirements:

• GRE scores: Some psychology concentrations need them, others make them optional
• Interview: Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) candidates must complete this step
• Prior academic performance: Students typically need a minimum 3.0 GPA (B average) on a 4.0 scale

International Applicant Considerations:

Students who aren’t native English speakers must prove their English skills through:

• TOEFL (minimum score: 80 iBT, 213 CBT, or 550 PBT)
• IELTS (minimum score: 6.5)

International students also need to submit the Affidavit of Financial Support Form with verification to get their Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 or DS2019) for student visas.

Decision Timeline and Process:

CGU promises to give you an admission decision within one month after you submit your complete application. Faculty members from your chosen field of study make these decisions instead of a general admissions committee. This ensures experts in your area assess your application.

CGU takes a personal approach to admissions and looks at many aspects of each application. The university believes in looking at the complete picture of each applicant rather than just focusing on numbers.

Tuition

Your financial investment in graduate studies at Claremont Graduate University needs careful planning. CGU’s standard tuition rate for the 2025-26 academic year stands at $2070 per unit. This rate shows a small increase from $2020 per unit charged during 2023-24 and 2024-25 academic years.

CGU’s specialized programs come with their own tuition structures. The Executive Management PhD program costs $2575 per unit, while the MFA program charges $1700 per unit. Students find the Teacher Education program particularly affordable at $975 per unit.

Your total tuition costs each semester will vary based on enrollment level. Students enrolled full-time can expect to pay between $11,110 and $36,360. The final amount depends on your credit load and program requirements.

CGU shows its steadfast dedication to making graduate education affordable. The university gives out over $16 million in fellowships each year, and more than 85% of students get some fellowship support. This substantial financial help reduces the standard tuition costs for many psychology students.

Students can access many financial aid options to fund their psychology education:

• Federal programs including Direct Loans and Work Study
• External scholarships and fellowship opportunities
• Teaching and research assistantships
• Veterans educational assistance programs
• Dissertation awards, travel grants, and stipends

Students receiving employer tuition assistance can use CGU’s flexible payment arrangements. A Financial Guarantee Letter must go to Student Accounts before registration, stating coverage terms and percentage. Valid documentation lets you delay the employer-sponsored payment portion up to 60 days after term end.

Students who want to spread their payments throughout the term can use installment plans through the MyCGU portal. These plans help manage expenses without financial pressure.

Employer-sponsored payment deadlines follow this schedule:

• Fall semester: February 3
• Spring semester: July 3
• Summer semester: November 3

These tuition rates and financial aid options should factor into your decision about CGU’s psychology programs. The actual cost often ends up much lower than published rates thanks to extensive financial support.

Additional Information

Claremont Graduate University’s psychology programs offer strong support services to help you succeed academically. The university supports your growth through the Center for Writing & Rhetoric, Center for Academic & Faculty Excellence, and Office of Disability Services.

The Career and Professional Development Office helps both students and alumni build their careers. They work with key partners to provide detailed guidance if you have specific career goals. Their goal is to help you make the most of your skills throughout your career.

CGU promotes a vibrant community through student organizations that make the graduate experience better:

• UX Lunches and Annual UX Mixer – monthly events that boost your user experience career skills
• Org Talks – sessions about organizational behavior and psychology
• Positive PsyDays – gatherings that bring positive psychology students together
• Professionals in Human Resource Association – an affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management

Your CGU degree connects you to a distinguished global network of over 23,226 alumni who excel in a variety of fields. The CGU Alumni Association creates lasting professional connections through networking events that continue long after graduation.