CSU Long Beach Psychology Programs
California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) ranks among Southern California’s leading educational institutions. The campus at 1250 Bellflower Boulevard welcomes over 40,069 students each year. CSULB proudly holds designations as both a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI), showing its dedication to diversity and inclusion.
The university earned the prestigious Seal of Excelencia in 2023, becoming part of an elite group recognized for helping Latine/x students succeed. Programs like the Black Excellence Collegium and El Concilio for Latinx Success at the Beach showcase the university’s commitment to inclusive excellence.
Psychology continues to attract students nationwide, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. CSULB’s program reflects this trend with strong enrollment numbers. The 2021-2022 academic year saw 528 students earn their bachelor’s degrees in psychology. Women made up 77% of undergraduate degree recipients, while men accounted for 23%.
The graduate program awarded 69 master’s degrees during the same period, making CSULB the 92nd most popular choice for psychology master’s students nationally. The program maintained a similar gender distribution, with women representing 78% of graduates.
Students get great support through the Psychology Resource Office. This office helps psychology majors plan their future after graduation by offering guidance about educational opportunities, research projects, internships, graduate school options, and career paths with a Psychology B.A. The PALS (PRO Academic Life Solutions) program takes this support further by matching students with mentors who help them develop academic strategies and plan their careers.
Programs offered
CSULB’s Psychology Department offers several educational paths that align with different career goals. Students can choose programs that match their professional dreams, whether they’re starting college or advancing their careers.
Students can earn a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology that prepares them for careers in education, business, healthcare, sports, and community development. This 4-year-old program builds a strong base for graduate studies and helps students understand behavioral principles. The department also offers a Minor in Psychology that lets students from other majors learn about psychological concepts. Students who need scheduling flexibility can pursue an online B.A. in Psychology through a partnership with the College of Professional and Continuing Education.
The B.A. program needs 50 units of psychology coursework. Lower division requirements take 14 units and cover general psychology, statistics, research methods, and psychobiology. Upper division work requires 36 units where students study psychological processes through specialized courses like cognition, learning, social psychology, and developmental psychology.
Graduate students can choose from three master’s programs:
- Master of Arts in Psychological Research (MAPR) – This program builds foundational graduate education in general psychology and research methods. It prepares students for master’s-level careers or doctoral studies.
- Master of Science in Psychology with Human Factors Option – Students study the connection between human behavior and technological systems.
- Master of Science in Psychology with Industrial/Organizational Psychology Option – This program focuses on workplace psychology applications.
The department’s success shows in its rankings. The National Science Foundation ranks it second in the nation (in its category) for students who complete Ph.D. programs. This highlights the program’s academic quality and research focus.
The department teaches over 2,000 undergraduate psychology majors and more than 100 graduate students. The 2021-2022 academic year saw 528 bachelor’s degrees and 69 master’s degrees awarded. CSULB stands among the top 10% of psychology programs nationwide, ranking #82 out of 991 schools nationally and #12 in California.
Online options
CSULB’s fully online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program gives students a flexible educational path that balances academic rigor with convenient scheduling. The program comes from a partnership between CSULB’s Psychology Department and the College of Professional and Continuing Education (CPaCE).
Students can complete most coursework on their own schedule through the program’s unique teaching approach. The program combines mostly asynchronous learning with some scheduled live sessions. These live sessions happen on weekday mornings and need attendance just like regular in-person classes. Students get at least six months’ notice about these sessions to plan around their commitments.
The program moves quickly with groups of about 35 students learning together. Students take similar courses in the same order, which helps build community and shared learning. The schedule includes regular fall and spring semesters plus an 8-week summer term from late May through mid-July.
Regular undergraduate programs usually have students taking five courses each semester, which needs about 45 hours weekly. This online program lightens the load. Students usually take two courses per 8-week term. The weekly time commitment adds up to about 34 hours, including instruction, studying, reading, homework, and projects.
Transfer students who have finished 60 lower-division units can join this program. The accelerated format helps students complete their degree in two years. The second year includes a 16-week semester that provides field and lab work opportunities.
The program prepares graduates to work in healthcare, human resources, education, counseling, communications, social sciences, and customer service. The courses also meet requirements many master’s and doctoral Psychology programs need, including CSULB’s graduate programs.
Students earn the same degree as campus-based students—it looks the same on the CSULB diploma. The program makes psychology education available to students who can’t attend regular campus classes. The CPaCE partnership ensures students get into specially selected courses.
Accreditation
The success of CSU Long Beach’s psychology graduates stems from detailed accreditation standards that uphold academic excellence. The university’s prestigious credentials are a great way to get proof of its educational quality.
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission has accredited California State University, Long Beach since 1957. This recognition means CSULB meets all required educational standards. The university’s “Accredited” status shows it fully complies with the established criteria. The next review cycle includes an Offsite Review in Spring 2030 and a formal Accreditation Visit in Fall 2030.
CSULB’s psychology programs have earned several specialized credentials. The Board of Behavioral Sciences Examiner has fully approved the Counseling Psychology program. This approval will give students the qualifications they need for California licensure examinations.
The university’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) has earned accreditation from the International Association of Counseling Services (IACS). Yes, it is a mark of excellence that CAPS delivers high-quality mental health services. IACS accreditation helps organizations improve their professional services continuously.
The CAPS doctoral internship in professional psychology holds accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association. The program also belongs to the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC), which creates more opportunities for doctoral candidates.
Students interested in counseling programs benefit from CSULB’s national accreditation by The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This recognition means graduates receive education that meets national counseling professional standards.
The university also holds accreditation from the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES), especially when you have students pursuing the MS in Psychology with Human Factors option.
These detailed accreditations serve two key purposes: they verify educational quality for future students and allow the university to distribute Federal Financial Aid. This is a big deal as it means that CSU Long Beach psychology graduates get an education that meets or exceeds industry standards—a key reason behind their strong employment success.
Admission Requirements
CSU Long Beach psychology programs have specific entry requirements based on your academic level. Your acceptance depends on thorough preparation and attention to detail during the application process.
You must complete major-specific requirements before reaching 60 units as an undergraduate. These include PSY 100 (General Psychology), PSY 110 (Introductory Statistics), and PSY 220 (Research Methods)—all with grades of “C” or better and a minimum 2.5 overall GPA. The actual competitive GPA for transfers ranges from 3.56-3.7, which shows how selective the program is.
Transfer students should have at least 60 transferable semester units. Fall admission requires all coursework and unit minimums completed by the prior spring term. Spring admission needs completion by the previous summer.
International students must prove their English language proficiency through these standardized tests:
- IELTS: Minimum 5.5 (no subsection below 5.5)
- TOEFL: Minimum 61
- Duolingo: Minimum 95
- PTE: Minimum 44
Psychology Honors program requirements are substantially more demanding. Students must maintain a 3.5 GPA in all Psychology courses with a 3.25 overall GPA. You’ll also need a signed contract from a psychology faculty member who agrees to be your Honors Thesis Chair.
The original step starts with submitting your university application through Cal State Apply before the deadline. You must pay a non-refundable $70 application fee. Your application stays incomplete until this fee is processed.
MS in Counseling Psychology applicants need to submit extra materials through the MyCED system. This includes a statement of purpose (3-4 pages) that addresses specific prompts about your background, career views, strengths, and what influences you.
Your résumé should detail relevant experience with position titles, employers, dates, and brief descriptions of responsibilities. You’ll need two professional recommendations from mental health professionals or professors who have seen you interact professionally with others.
Make sure to review all materials carefully. Applications won’t be accepted after the published deadlines.
Tuition
Your education at CSU Long Beach comes with both academic rewards and financial responsibilities. The cost depends on where you live, how many classes you take, and what you study.
California residents who want to study psychology at the undergraduate level pay $6,884, while students from other states pay much more at $18,764. Graduate students face higher rates – $8,898 for in-state and $18,978 for out-of-state students. These rates change each year, and recent data shows they’ve gone up from $8,280 in 2020-2021.
The fees at CSULB depend on how many units you take. Students who take 0-6 units pay $2,815 each semester, while those taking 7 or more units pay $4,171. Students from outside California need to add $444 per credit unit to these base rates. A non-resident taking 12 units would pay about $9,499 per semester ($4,171 plus $5,328 in non-resident fees).
The School Psychology program’s total cost is around $26,406 for California residents. This covers four semesters at “7 units or more” and two semesters at “6 units or less”. CSULB ranks as one of the most affordable options for school psychology in California.
The good news is that financial aid can help reduce these costs. Most freshman students – about 80% – get some form of financial help. About 42% of new freshmen get scholarships that average $5,771, and half receive federal grants averaging $5,176.
Students should also plan for other expenses beyond tuition. Books, supplies, transportation, housing, and personal costs add up. The total yearly cost comes to $26,182 for in-state and $38,062 for out-of-state students.
CSULB’s Net Price Calculator helps create tailored estimates based on your situation. Note that these fees might change when approved by university authorities.
Additional Information
Psychology students at CSU Long Beach can boost their education through hands-on internship experiences. The Psychology 405 – Internships in Psychology course gives students 3 units of credit for completing an undergraduate internship. Students spend about 6 hours each week at their internship site and attend one 75-minute class weekly. The class uses a Credit/No Credit grading system without exams or research papers.
Students need a 3.0 GPA or higher both overall and in Psychology courses and must complete at least 12 upper division units to qualify for PSY 405. The program accepts applications on a rolling basis. Fall semester applications start March 1, while Spring semester begins October 1.
Students can find internship placements in a variety of settings:
- Youth mentoring programs
- School-based programs
- Mental health facilities
- Crisis intervention services
- Medical or criminal justice programs
- Human resources or business settings
CSULB’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers something even more exciting – an APA-accredited doctoral psychology internship program that prepares future health service psychologists. This program focuses on multicultural competence and works to foster a supportive training environment.
Students can find complete career support at the Career Services center in Brotman Hall, Room 250. The center offers drop-in advising Monday through Friday from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Students have excellent job prospects as 14,891 organizations recruit on campus throughout the academic year.
Graduate success stories confirm the program’s value. Many alumni credit their CSULB psychology education for their professional achievements across settings from school systems to private practice.