Psychology Degrees at Fresno Pacific University

Fresno Pacific University’s psychology program takes a complete approach to understanding human behavior and mental processes. The program stands out from typical psychology programs by merging scientific, religious, philosophical, physiological, and sociocultural views into its curriculum. Students develop a comprehensive understanding of psychology that prepares them for advanced studies or professional practice.

The program combines rigorous academic training with practical experience. Students at this school get involved in hands-on learning through research projects, field observations, and practicum experiences that extend beyond classroom theories. The program also blends faith with psychological principles, letting students explore how these disciplines can coexist in “healthy tension and harmony”.

Students build strong foundational knowledge and specialized skills through a well-laid-out curriculum. Introduction to Statistics and General Psychology serve as program prerequisites. Admitted students must complete 37-40 units of coursework covering psychological foundations and research methodologies. The program has foundation courses in biopsychology, research methods, statistics, and experimental psychology. Students then take breadth courses in developmental, clinical, sociocultural, and experimental categories.

Students develop these key program outcomes:

• Critical thinking and analytical writing skills needed for graduate school and professional success
• Knowledge of psychology’s history and key theoretical concepts
• Clear thinking and communication abilities
• Understanding of psychology’s connection with Christian faith
• Personal growth within family, community, and cultural contexts

Synthesis courses are a great way to get hands-on experience through practicum work, research projects, or psychological research practicums. These components connect theoretical concepts with real-life applications.

The psychology program reflects values stated in the FPU Idea, creating a learning community where faculty and student wisdom is “discerned, valued, nourished and expanded”. Students learn from experienced faculty who challenge them to look at human nature from multiple views while building professional skills.

Graduates can pursue careers in counseling, human services, law enforcement, program management, child advocacy, and human resources. The program creates a strong foundation for advanced studies in clinical psychology, marriage and family therapy, industrial psychology, or academia.

School info

Fresno Pacific University, 79 years old, started as the Pacific Bible Institute in 1944 and has grown to become the Valley’s only accredited Christian university. The university sits on a beautiful 42-acre main campus in southeastern Fresno, perfectly placed between the Sierra Nevada mountains and Pacific Ocean beaches. The university awarded its first Bachelor’s degree in 1961 and has since evolved into a complete university with impressive credentials.

Students can access education at four additional regional campuses spread across Central California in North Fresno, Visalia, Bakersfield, and Merced. These multiple locations make education accessible to students throughout the region. Each campus provides tailored learning environments that match specific program requirements. Students in the Visalia area benefit from a convenient campus located at 245 N. Plaza Drive.

Small class sizes define the university’s learning environment, with 71% of classes having fewer than 20 students. A 10:1 student-faculty ratio creates close-knit academic relationships between students and professors. Students learn from highly qualified faculty – more than 80% hold doctoral degrees in their fields.

The university’s student population reaches nearly 3,000 across traditional undergraduate, adult degree completion, and graduate programs. 59% of students identify as Hispanic, making it a proud Hispanic Serving Institution where first-generation and Hispanic students graduate at rates equal to the overall student body. 59% of traditional undergraduate students represent the first college attendees in their families.

U.S. News & World Report ranks Fresno Pacific #46 among Regional Universities West and #17 in Best Value Schools. These rankings show the university’s commitment to quality education at reasonable cost. Student success rates prove this commitment – the university has the highest four-year graduation rate in the region at 44%, substantially higher than regional averages.

Students receive complete support through tutoring, health services, and career assistance. The university takes campus safety seriously with 24-hour patrols, emergency telephones, escort services, and controlled dormitory access. Students with learning and physical disabilities get specialized support that creates an inclusive learning environment.

Programs offered

Fresno Pacific University’s psychology education programs cater to students with different career goals and life situations. Students can choose from undergraduate or advanced specialization tracks that blend theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience.

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology is the foundation of undergraduate programs and comes with multiple study options. The traditional four-year program needs 37-40 units of coursework that covers psychological science basics and research methods. Students learn biopsychology, research methods, statistics, and experimental psychology to build a strong theoretical base. Students with an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) can move smoothly into the program while getting credit for their previous work.

The Degree Completion (DC) option works great for professionals who want to finish their degree in two years with 39 units of focused psychology courses. This faster-paced format teaches psychological statistics, research methods, behavioral psychology, counseling theories, and gives practical experience. Students can earn their degree while keeping their job.

The university’s Master of Arts in School Psychology comes with a California Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential. This 62-unit program helps students become school psychology professionals. The program ranks among America’s best and most affordable online master’s degrees. Students learn assessment, intervention, mental health services, and applied behavior analysis before completing supervised internships.

Every program path covers four key areas:

• Developmental Psychology: Child development, adolescent development, lifespan development
• Clinical Psychology: Abnormal psychology, counseling, assessment
• Sociocultural Psychology: Social psychology, cross-cultural psychology, personality
• Experimental Psychology: Cognitive psychology, behavioral psychology

Students in each path take synthesis courses that connect theory with practice through research projects, psychology research practicums, or field work. Graduate programs focus heavily on evidence-based practice in their research courses.

Fresno Pacific’s psychology programs offer clear paths to professional practice. This works especially well for students who want clinical training at the university’s Visalia campus and other locations in the region.

Online options

The basis of Fresno Pacific University’s psychology education lies in its flexibility. Students can balance their professional commitments and geographic constraints through quality virtual learning pathways without needing to be present on campus all the time.

Students can choose between two delivery formats for the psychology Bachelor of Arts program: traditional face-to-face classes or a fully online curriculum. This setup lets you pick the learning environment that matches your personal needs. The online option gives you access to the same complete curriculum. You’ll study psychological theories, research methods, and practical applications with the added convenience of remote learning.

The School Psychology program at the graduate level offers both synchronous online and traditional campus-based options. You can join virtual classes in real-time and interact with professors and peers in a structured environment. The School Psychology master’s degree with PPS credential maintains high standards in all formats. This approach will give a solid foundation for professional practice to online students.

Program directors and admissions representatives hold virtual information meetings to explain course structures, career outcomes, and application processes. These online sessions give an explanation of the programs without the need to visit campus.

The university’s online education goes beyond just the psychology bachelor’s program. Fresno Pacific offers many more online graduate programs including:

• Master of Arts in School Psychology with PPS Credential
• School Psychology/School Counseling Dual Program
• Applied Behavior Analysis MA

In fact, Fresno Pacific has built strong expertise in online education. They offer general education courses in either 6 or 12-week formats. Degree completion students with existing college credits find this scheduling flexibility particularly valuable.

Students throughout Central California can benefit from this approach. The synchronous online options work well with physical campus locations in North Fresno, Visalia, Merced, and Bakersfield. You can study psychology from any location with reliable internet access and still connect with regional academic communities when needed.

New cohorts start in Fall or Spring semesters. This gives you multiple entry points throughout the academic year. The scheduled approach helps you progress with a consistent peer group and encourages professional connections in the virtual environment.

Accreditation

Fresno Pacific University takes pride in its academic credentials backed by strict external validation. The university holds full accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), a status that’s since 1961. This accreditation covers all FPU locations – Fresno, Merced, Visalia, and Bakersfield.

WSCUC granted FPU an eight-year reaccreditation in June 2022 after a detailed evaluation. The peer-review process included self-analysis and campus visits by experts from other institutions. These experts highlighted the university’s strengths and suggested areas of improvement. This long-standing accreditation shows FPU’s steadfast dedication to academic excellence.

Psychology students get real benefits from this accreditation. Your credentials will be recognized by graduate programs and employers. The university meets high academic standards that support your educational and career goals. Most graduates from accredited schools find their degrees are accepted more easily by master’s and doctoral programs.

The university’s psychology programs have earned additional specialized credentials. The State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing accredits the School Psychology MA program with PPS credential. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board verifies the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) coursework.

Many other FPU programs have national professional accreditations. The Biblical Seminary (ATS), nursing programs (CCNE), education credentials (California Commission on Teacher Credentialing), social work program (Council on Social Work Education), and the School of Business (candidacy status with ACBSP) all maintain high standards.

Your psychology degree from Fresno Pacific University meets strict quality standards set by respected accrediting bodies. This validation will boost your education’s value and help advance your clinical practice career.

Admission Requirements

Students looking to join Fresno Pacific University’s psychology programs should know about several key admission criteria. The university wants to see official transcripts from all colleges and high schools you’ve attended. Your GPA should be between 3.2-3.6 on a 4.0 scale to qualify for the traditional undergraduate psychology program.

Make sure you complete these prerequisite courses before you apply:

• General Psychology
• Introduction to Statistics
• Research Methods

The School Psychology master’s program has tougher requirements. You’ll need to submit two current reference forms and official transcripts that show you’ve completed your bachelor’s degree. Students with GPAs lower than 3.0 must write a letter explaining their academic performance.

Graduate school psychology candidates also need to show they’ve applied for a Certificate of Clearance or have a valid California Teaching Commission credential. You should have completed Child Development, Educational Statistics and Research Design, and Introduction to Psychology with grades of “C” or better.

The graduate admissions process includes a crucial interview component. You’ll meet with the program director and write a one-page impromptu sample. This helps them evaluate your ability to communicate at the graduate level.

Some students might get conditional acceptance if their writing needs improvement. These students will need to take a professional writing class. The admission counselors can help you figure out if you qualify and answer questions about the program.

International students have extra requirements. They need TOEFL scores (minimum 61 for undergraduate, 79-80 for graduate programs) or IELTS scores (6.0 for undergraduate, 6.5 for graduate programs). After acceptance, they’ll receive I-20 forms to apply for F-1 visas.

The psychology programs at Fresno Pacific University’s Visalia campus follow the same admission standards as the main campus. Starting your application early gives you the best chance of getting accepted, whatever program you choose.

Tuition

The cost structure and financial aid options at Fresno Pacific University’s psychology program are straightforward. Full-time undergraduate students (24-36 units) will pay $36,990 in tuition plus a $770 student body fee during the 2025-2026 academic year, which adds up to $37,760. Students taking extra courses will pay $1,321 per additional unit. Summer sessions offer a better deal at $550 per unit.

Room and board costs total $10,252 per year for students living on campus. This breaks down to $4,670 for housing and $5,582 for meal plans. The total cost including tuition, fees, and campus living comes to about $48,012 for the full academic year.

The good news is that Fresno Pacific makes education affordable. Over 98% of students receive some type of financial aid. Family income determines the actual cost students pay. Students from families earning under $30,000 yearly typically pay $12,482, while those in the $75,001-$110,000 range pay around $16,669.

School Psychology master’s students have a different fee structure. Graduate courses at the 700 level cost $770 per unit, with an additional $85 student services fee each semester.

Working professionals can take advantage of the psychology degree completion program’s simple pricing – $550 per unit for all courses, including general education and electives. They also pay a $110 student services fee each semester.

Students can easily apply for financial aid using Fresno Pacific’s FAFSA school code 001253. The university received its largest gift ever – $21.90 million for scholarships. This creates more opportunities for psychology students at all campuses to reduce their out-of-pocket expenses.

Additional Information

Fresno Pacific University’s support systems help students excel in their psychology education. The Career Development Center provides customized services that help students find their calling and build professional skills. Students can find psychology-related internships and jobs through Handshake, the university’s exclusive job board. The center helps psychology majors prepare for post-graduate positions with resume help, interview practice, and guidance for graduate school applications.

The Academic Success Center in Marpeck 105 is a key resource that offers academic coaching and tutoring services. Students can get help with writing and most general education subjects. The center’s space works well for both solo and group study. Psychology students often use the center’s writing support for research papers and statistical analysis.

The Pacific Counseling Center helps maintain students’ mental health through individual, couple’s counseling and group therapy. Psychology majors get valuable insights by seeing professional therapeutic approaches in action. Students can access the first 12 sessions free, making mental health support available to everyone.

The university got $21.90 million for scholarships, which creates new financial options for psychology students. The Student Care Team steps in when faculty members notice students who need extra support, and connects them with the right resources.

These support systems at Fresno Pacific University create an environment where psychology students can grow academically and personally.