La Sierra University Psychology Programs
La Sierra University sits at 4500 Riverwalk Parkway in Riverside, California. This institution shows commitment to asking questions, learning, and service. Christian gospel and Seventh-day Adventist values shape the university’s foundation. The university started a mission with three goals: to search for truth through scholarship, to understand God and the world through reflection and instruction, and to serve communities near and far.
Students who choose psychology at La Sierra University learn from exceptional educators. The department’s strength comes from its faculty – all full-time professors have doctoral degrees, and two are licensed clinical psychologists. Their expertise helps students become strong candidates for graduate programs and professional roles.
The Psychology Department takes a comprehensive approach to education. Students experience academic challenges while learning personal integrity and responsibility. The curriculum teaches students to think about their thinking process as they connect faith with psychology, develop self-awareness, and examine their worldviews.
La Sierra’s psychology program creates a scholarly community that gives each student personal attention, guidance, and mentoring. Students grow academically, socially, and spiritually through their coursework and interactions with faculty members.
More than 100 students have joined the La Sierra chapter of Psi Chi, the national honor society for psychology students. Top students can also participate in the Psychology Department Honors program, which provides research opportunities under faculty guidance.
Student Wellness Services provides mental health support to improve personal growth and quality of life. Graduate and undergraduate students can access Counseling Services, with therapists specializing in different areas.
Undergraduate research is a cornerstone of La Sierra’s psychology education. Students develop empirical skills through the curriculum and can work on independent research projects with faculty mentors. This approach helps students think like psychologists, building empirical habits, knowledge, and research skills that make them competitive for top graduate programs and professional opportunities.
Programs offered
La Sierra University’s Psychology Department runs several detailed programs that give you the theoretical knowledge and practical skills in psychology. Students can choose from undergraduate degrees or specialized minors that align with their educational and career goals.
The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology is the department’s main program. It builds a strong foundation in both psychological science and its real-world applications. Students get ready for graduate studies through courses with lab work and external experiences. The program stays flexible enough to let you explore your interests. Your coursework helps you think empirically, learn core concepts, and develop research skills that make you stand out in top graduate programs and analytical roles.
Psychology students at La Sierra University enjoy these unique program features:
- Hands-on lab work in multiple courses
- Research projects with faculty mentors
- Strong preparation for graduate school
- Career options in health services, business, education, and research
Students who want focused study without a full major can pick from two minor options:
- Psychology Minor – A 30-unit program lets you take selected major courses, chosen with your advisor’s help
- Health Psychology Minor – A 28-unit program explores how psychological principles affect health outcomes
The department shows its steadfast dedication to academic excellence through its honors program. This program suits high-achieving students who want to boost their research experience. Students must keep a 3.5 GPA, join Psi Chi (the national honor society in psychology), complete original research with faculty guidance, and present their work in an approved public forum.
The School of Education also offers graduate-level programs. These include Master of Arts degrees in Counseling with focuses like Forensic Mental Health Counseling, Behavioral Analysis, School Counseling, Marriage & Family Therapy, Professional Clinical Counseling, and Neuroscience & Education.
Students learn from professors who bring real field experience and care about their success. La Sierra psychology graduates compete well for spots in medical school, dental school, graduate counseling programs, and clinical psychology programs.
Online options
La Sierra University gives students multiple digital learning choices to balance their studies with personal life, but fully online psychology programs are still under development. The university teams up with department heads and faculty experts to create new online programs.
Students can choose from different distance learning formats. These include “ONLINE” or “ONLINE ONLY” courses and custom distance learning options. This flexibility helps students pursue their degree without disrupting their schedule or location needs.
La Sierra has built a reliable foundation for remote education, even though a fully online psychology degree isn’t ready yet. The School of Education’s success spans over 10 years of online graduate courses, including a Master of Arts in Teaching degree with teaching credentials. Students complete most work online and only visit campus occasionally to meet degree requirements.
The university’s synchronous course options stand out as a key feature. Students can join live interactive classes from home as active participants. This mix of remote learning and real-time instruction creates an ideal balance of convenience and peer interaction.
La Sierra uses advanced technology platforms to deliver quality online education:
- Blackboard – A detailed Learning Management System for online and hybrid teaching with interactive content creation and assessment tools
- Panopto – A video management system that handles lecture capture, flipped classroom methods, and professional growth
- Zoom Pro – Free for all active full-time students, which makes shared learning experiences possible
- Blackboard Ally – A tool that makes digital content available to more people by offering alternative formats and better course materials
La Sierra University’s psychology department knows how vital it is to make quality education available to students of all backgrounds and situations. Students should ask about the newest online options as the university grows its digital learning capabilities.
Students get the same quality education that makes La Sierra’s on-campus programs special, without changing their daily routine. This matches the university’s steadfast dedication to serve both local and global communities through inclusive education opportunities.
Accreditation
Accreditation is a vital quality indicator that helps you choose a psychology program and makes sure your degree meets recognized standards of excellence. La Sierra University has regional accreditation through the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Your university’s federally-recognized accreditation confirms it meets clear quality standards for educational and financial performance.
La Sierra University received its WSCUC accreditation in 1953 and has managed to keep this status through its development. The university stands “Accredited” officially, which reflects the Commission’s finding of compliance with all required standards. The Commission reaffirmed this status on March 24, 2021.
La Sierra University also holds religious accreditation from the Adventist Accrediting Association (AAA), which connects to the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. This accreditation matches the institution’s foundation in Christian values and offers additional quality assurance within the Adventist educational system.
The university’s institutional accreditation covers its psychology program. Some specialized psychology programs seek program-specific accreditation from organizations like the American Psychological Association (APA). La Sierra’s undergraduate psychology offerings rely on the university’s regional accreditation status.
WSCUC accreditation brings several practical benefits to psychology students. Your credits will typically transfer to other accredited institutions if you need to relocate or pursue advanced studies elsewhere. Many graduate programs and employers look for degrees from regionally accredited institutions as their baseline qualification. The accreditation status also determines your eligibility for federal financial aid programs.
La Sierra University shows its dedication to accreditation standards through regular reviews. WSCUC records indicate the university will undergo its next comprehensive review with an Offsite Review in Fall 2025, followed by an Accreditation Visit in Spring 2026.
Students pursuing psychology at La Sierra University can feel confident their education meets quality measures recognized throughout academic and professional communities. This institutional confirmation supports your degree’s value and credibility, whatever psychology program path you choose.
Admission Requirements
La Sierra University Psychology programs have specific admission criteria that change based on your education level and background. The university sets clear standards but keeps the admission process simple.
The university looks at your academic preparation if you’re applying for undergraduate psychology programs. You need a minimum 2.75 GPA to be eligible. The university reviews A-G courses and selective GPA for students with GPAs between 2.40 and 2.75. High school seniors should submit their transcripts with grades through junior year. SAT/ACT scores remain optional. High school juniors can seek early acceptance with first semester grades showing a 3.00 GPA or higher.
Transfer students must meet different criteria. A minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA and 8 semester (or 12 quarter) units of transferable college courses are required. Students need to submit all college transcripts and high school records. Students who have earned an Associate’s degree or higher don’t need to submit high school transcripts. This also applies to those transferring more than 60 semester (88 quarter) transferable credits.
Graduate psychology programs have stricter requirements. Students must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. The program demands a grade point average of B (3.00) or better. School Psychology credential and Ed.S. degrees need a higher cumulative GPA of B+ (3.30). Students must also complete a departmental interview with the department chair or school dean.
International students need to meet extra requirements. They must submit official transcripts in their original language with English translations when needed. Students should submit scores from either the Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency (MTELP) or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) before registration. After acceptance, they must show they can meet all financial obligations during their studies.
La Sierra University’s acceptance rates vary among different sources. Some report 10%, putting it among the top 5% of institutions. Others suggest 57.4%. A strong application with solid academic credentials improves your chances.
The university uses rolling admissions without strict deadlines. Early applications get better consideration for scholarships and financial aid.
Tuition
The cost of your psychology education at La Sierra University has several components you need to understand. Full-time undergraduate students taking 12-18 units will pay $12,624 per quarter or $37,872 annually for the 2025-2026 academic year. Students taking fewer than 12 or more than 18 units pay $1,052 per unit.
Your budget needs to include required fees. The general fee is $330 per quarter ($990 annually). Commuting students’ total cost comes to $12,954 per quarter or $38,862 annually. Students choosing on-campus housing with a standard meal plan will pay $16,254 per quarter or $48,762 annually.
Graduate psychology programs through the College of Arts & Sciences charge $730 per unit. These students pay a quarterly general fee of $310 ($930 annually).
La Sierra’s standard payment options help you manage these costs:
- A 5% commitment scholarship when you pay the full year’s charges by Fall deadline
- A 2% commitment scholarship when you pay each quarter’s charges by the deadline
- Monthly installments spread across three payments each quarter, with a $45 quarterly fee
Financial clearance deadlines are September 10 for Fall, December 10 for Winter, and March 10 for Spring quarters. A 2.5% quarterly service charge applies to unpaid balances, which equals a 10% annual interest rate.
The university offers prorated refunds if you withdraw. The first week has no charge. The second week has a 10% charge, and the third week has a 35% charge. Each following week adds 15% to the charge.
La Sierra University Grants are a big deal as they mean that your costs could drop significantly. These grants range from $2,000 to $12,000 and are available to all but one of these returning students with GPAs between 2.0 and 4.0, based on academic performance and financial need.
Additional Information
La Sierra University provides strong support resources beyond regular classes to improve your psychology education. Student Academic Support Services (SASS) gives you specialized academic guidance and support. The program combines career planning with mentoring to create a detailed resource that helps students at every stage.
The Psychology Department Honors program puts research at the heart of your education. Students need a 3.5 GPA to qualify. They must also join Psi Chi (the national honor society), do original research with faculty guidance, and present their work publicly.
Psychology graduates have bright career prospects ahead. The median annual salary for psychologists reached $92,740 as of May 2023. Top performers in the field earned more than $151,880. La Sierra alumni work as clinical counselors, social service specialists, higher education teachers, and guidance counselors.
Student Wellness Services makes mental health support available throughout your academic journey. Counseling hours run from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday through Thursday and 8:00 am to 12:00 pm Friday. Students can reach Campus Security or call dedicated crisis lines for urgent after-hours needs.
The neuroscience program has helped develop new treatments for cardiovascular disease, stroke, and psychiatric disorders. This faster-growing field rewards its professionals well – medical scientists earned median wages of $100,890 in 2023.