Fielding Graduate University Psychology Programs

Fielding Graduate University leads psychology education with 47 years of leadership in the field. Three visionaries – Frederic Hudson, Hallock Hoffman, and Renata Tesch – founded this institution in March 1974 in Santa Barbara, California. The university evolved to become a specialized graduate school that caters to mid-career professionals seeking advanced education.

The university breaks from tradition by operating without a typical campus. Administrative buildings in Santa Barbara, California and Washington, DC serve as its base. This setup supports a distributed learning model that has served adult professionals well for more than thirty years. Students can pursue their degrees without relocating – a huge plus for working professionals.

The student body has 1,071 members with 78% women and 22% men. Student ages range from 22 to 81 years, showing the university’s steadfast dedication to adult learners of all backgrounds. A remarkable 10:1 student-faculty ratio ensures each student gets personal attention throughout their learning experience.

The university’s scholars and practitioners bring extensive real-life experience to their teaching. Among the 99 faculty members, 35 work full-time and 64 part-time, with 34 male and 65 female professors. Research at Fielding centers on clinical psychology, media psychology, forensic psychology, and neuropsychology.

Accreditation forms the core of Fielding’s academic credibility. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accredits the university. The Clinical Psychology PhD program stands out as the only distributed learning program with American Psychological Association (APA) accreditation – a status it has managed to keep since 1991.

The university’s mission focuses on lifelong learning, social justice, and growth to help people, organizations, communities, and society. By combining face-to-face and online learning, Fielding creates flexible opportunities for people juggling career, family, and community responsibilities.

Psychology students join a community of scholar-practitioners who shape psychology’s future in clinical practice, media technologies, infant and early childhood development, and applied psychology. This community-centered education approach remains central to Fielding’s identity and sets it apart in higher education.

Programs offered

Fielding Graduate University runs its academic programs through two main divisions: The School of Psychology and the School of Leadership Studies. Both schools award doctoral degrees, master’s programs, and specialized certificates. These programs are perfect for mid-career professionals who want to advance their education.

The School of Psychology features four doctoral paths. The flagship program is the PhD in Psychology with an emphasis in Clinical Psychology – which stands out as the only American Psychological Association accredited clinical psychology doctoral program that uses a distributed delivery model. Students can also choose a PhD in Psychology with an emphasis in Media & Technology, a PhD in Psychology with an emphasis in Applied Psychological Science, or a PhD in Infant & Early Childhood Development.

Students looking to start with a master’s degree have two options in the School of Psychology. The Master of Arts in Applied Media Psychology teaches students to create and use media while understanding how it shapes human behavior. The Master of Arts in Infant, Child, Family Mental Health & Development helps students learn about early developmental psychology.

The school’s certificate programs provide specialized training through:

• Media Psychology Certificate
• Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Clinical Psychology
• Neuropsychology Specialization Training Program
• Postdoctoral Certificate of Respecialization in Clinical Psychology

The School of Leadership Studies rounds out the university’s offerings with its doctoral programs. Students can pursue a PhD in Organizational Development and Change, PhD in Human Development, EdD Leadership for Change, or a PhD Degree Completion Program – a great option for those who have already completed substantial doctoral work elsewhere.

Leadership Studies students can also earn a Master of Arts in Organization Development and Leadership or a Certificate in Evidence Based Coaching. The International Coaching Federation recognizes this certificate as an Accredited Coach Training Program.

These programs stand out because they emphasize practical application. The PhD in Psychology with an emphasis in Applied Psychological Science shows this well. Students take core knowledge from psychology fields and apply it to answer real-world questions. You can complete this program in three years – something rare among psychology doctoral programs.

The clinical psychology doctorate lets students specialize in Forensic Psychology, Health Psychology, Neuropsychology, or Social Justice & Diversity. The Media Psychology doctorate blazed new trails as the first non-clinical PhD degree in a School of Psychology. Students can focus on Brand Psychology and Audience Engagement or Positive Psychology and Media.

Fielding Graduate University stays true to its mission through these academic programs. Working professionals in psychology and leadership fields can get high-quality education that fits their schedule.

Online options

Fielding Graduate University’s distributed learning model makes it different from typical doctoral programs. Students get their psychology education through a mix of online and in-person elements that gives adult learners amazing flexibility.

Your Psychology PhD journey at Fielding combines live video seminars with faculty-guided research. You can attend optional face-to-face academic sessions with the School of Psychology that enhance your learning experience. This mix lets you balance your career, family, and community while pursuing your advanced degree.

Fielding’s Clinical Psychology doctoral program is the only American Psychological Association (APA) accredited clinical psychology program that uses a distributed delivery model. This difference shows the university’s dedication to quality despite its unique format. Many students who have worked in mental health fields benefit from this program’s blend of in-person and digital learning.

The benefits go beyond just convenience. The Psychology PhD program gives you detailed psychology knowledge without requiring a specific specialty. You can still focus on topics that interest you most. This broad education prepares you to apply psychological theories and methods in practical settings like communities, businesses, schools, government agencies, and military organizations.

Students can complete Fielding’s Psychology PhD in just three years. This timeline is much shorter than traditional doctoral programs that often take longer.

The university offers more than just doctoral programs. Both the Applied Media Psychology and Infant, Child, and Family Mental Health master’s programs are available completely online. These programs serve professionals in clinical and educational fields.

The School of Psychology has spent 30 years perfecting this educational model. They’ve built a community of scholar-practitioners who shape psychology’s future through theory, practice, and research. This legacy shows Fielding’s steadfast dedication to making advanced psychology education available to motivated adult learners through distance learning methods.

Accreditation

Fielding Graduate University’s academic quality and program integrity shine through its prestigious accreditations. These credentials ensure graduates meet professional requirements throughout the United States.

Fielding Graduate University proudly holds accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Students benefit directly from this regional accreditation since it enables credit transfers and qualifies them for federal funding, grants, and financial aid programs. WSCUC’s rigorous peer-review process verifies the quality of academic programs, institutional resources, and student support services.

The Clinical Psychology doctoral program stands out with its distinguished APA accreditation, which it has managed to keep since 1991. This program remains unique as the only APA-accredited distributed learning program. A recent 10-year renewal of its APA accreditation in 2023 reaffirms the program’s excellence in meeting professional standards.

Students seeking professional licensure should know that Fielding’s APA-accredited doctoral program in clinical psychology meets educational requirements for psychology licensure in all 50 states. Some states do require additional qualifications beyond program completion. California asks for supplemental educational requirements after graduation. Illinois requires 350 of the 600 residency hours to be completed within 18 months.

The Evidence Based Coaching Certificate program adds to Fielding’s credentials with approval as an Accredited Coach Training Program from the International Coach Federation (ICF).

Fielding Graduate University’s steadfast dedication to educational excellence shows through these accreditations. Students can trust their degrees will earn recognition from employers, licensing boards, and educational institutions throughout their careers—a vital factor to think about when investing in advanced education.

Admission Requirements

The Psychology PhD program at Fielding Graduate University has specific academic and professional requirements. You need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited US college or university or an equivalent international degree. Students with international degrees must submit a formal equivalency report from an approved US evaluation agency.

Your academic record is a vital part of getting accepted. The program requires a minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0. You might also qualify if you have completed one year of full-time graduate study at an accredited US college or university with a 3.0 GPA or higher.

Your application package should include these documents:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Statement of Purpose (prompt provided in application)
• Critical Thinking Sample (prompt provided in application)
• Three Letters of Recommendation
• Official transcripts of all bachelor’s and higher education with a minimum bachelor’s GPA of 3.0

The admissions committee looks for qualities that make your application stand out. We value supervised experience in helper roles, whether as a volunteer or therapist in counseling or clinical settings. Research Methods and Statistics coursework, along with hands-on psychological research experience, can give your application an edge.

The early decision path might be right for candidates with outstanding qualifications. This option needs either an undergraduate degree with a 3.5 or higher GPA, or a psychology post-baccalaureate program with a 3.5+ GPA if your undergraduate GPA is lower. You’ll also need at least four psychology courses and two courses in statistics or research methods at any academic level.

The Respecialization Certificate in Clinical Psychology needs a PhD in non-clinical psychology from an accredited institution. The university might accept applications that don’t meet minimum GPA requirements if you have additional degrees, certifications, relevant training, work experience, or other signs that show you’ll succeed.

The admissions team takes an all-encompassing approach to review each application. They look at both your academic achievements and professional experience to see how well you’ll fit into Fielding’s unique distributed learning environment.

Tuition

Your doctoral education at Fielding Graduate University is a most important investment in your future career. The PhD in Clinical Psychology program costs $10,385 per term ($31,155 annually) starting September 2025. Students pursuing other psychology doctoral programs like the PhD in Psychology with focus on Media & Technology and Applied Psychological Science pay $9,990 per term ($29,970 annually).

Fielding’s academic year runs in three terms. Current students must pay tuition by August 26 for Fall 2025, January 5 for Spring 2026, and April 28 for Summer 2026. New students get some extra time to make their payments.

The total cost of attendance (COA) goes beyond just tuition. Doctoral students should budget $500 per term for books and supplies. Room, board, and personal expenses add up to about $3,000 per month. Clinical Psychology doctoral students need around $400 per month for travel to required activities.

Most students use federal financial aid to pay for their education. Direct Unsubsidized loans and Direct Graduate PLUS loans are common options. Graduate students can receive up to $20,500 each year in Direct Unsubsidized loans. Clinical Psychology PhD students qualify for an extra $16,667 annually.

Students who want flexible payment options can choose an installment plan that costs $45 per term to set up. This plan splits tuition into equal monthly payments during the term.

Fielding has 42 scholarship programs, but none cover full tuition. Award amounts range from $500 to $12,970, with students receiving $1,500 on average as of 2021.

Other costs include a $295 registration fee for residential sessions, a $10 per term student activity fee, and Clinical PhD students pay a $20 annual student governance fee.

Note that tuition and fees change yearly, with new rates announced in summer for the upcoming fall term.

Additional Information

Students at Fielding Graduate University take about 7.24 years on average to complete their doctoral degree. The median completion time stands at 6.74 years. All the same, a fifth of students wrap up their studies in under 5 years. The university’s track record shows that 72% of graduates from the past 2-10 years have become licensed psychologists.

Clinical Psychology PhD students undergo intensive training with a minimum of 1520 clinical practicum hours during their second and third years. The program requires a full-time clinical doctoral internship lasting one year. Students typically secure this through the competitive Association of Postdoctoral Psychology and Internship Centers (APPIC) Match.

The university’s Office of Student Life and Thriving supports students throughout their educational experience. Their programs focus on community building, wellbeing, diversity initiatives, and academic support. The university’s resources extend to students with disabilities, with academic accommodations tailored to individual needs.

Fielding’s graduates become part of a global network of over 7,500 professionals. The university helps alumni with job searches, networking opportunities, and professional development. Graduates often find success in academic settings, research institutions, and various roles across profit and nonprofit organizations.