National University Psychology Programs

National University delivers outstanding psychology programs that blend academic excellence with flexibility you need as a working adult. Their PsyD program boasts an impressive 94% graduation rate. The university is the #1 most popular psychology program in the Far Western US Region, with 1,231 psychology degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

Psychology programs range from bachelor’s to doctoral degrees, creating paths toward different career goals. The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology helps you understand modern psychological disciplines while sharpening your critical thinking. Graduate students can choose from several master’s options. The Master of Arts in Psychology offers specializations in General Psychology, Gender and Sexual Fluidity, and Research and Teaching of Psychology.

Doctoral students have two distinct paths available. The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology runs 100% online and takes 46 months through 20 courses with new starts every Monday. The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology program takes 5 to 7 years with in-person classes at the Pleasant Hill campus. The PsyD program’s excellence shows in its 10-year accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA).

National University’s specialized master’s degrees cover key psychology areas:

• Sport Psychology (Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science)
• Child & Adolescent Developmental Psychology (MS)
• Forensic Psychology (MS)
• Health Psychology (MS)
• Industrial/Organizational Psychology (MS)

Psychology graduates have bright career prospects. The median salary stands at $36,571 for psychology degree holders. Clinical and Counseling Psychologists earn even more, averaging $115,869 with 1,286 job openings reported last year.

National University builds its psychology programs on scientific research, critical thinking, and social justice principles. Students become informed, compassionate, and culturally aware leaders who make positive changes in their communities.

School info

National University began its journey in 1971 as a Veteran-founded nonprofit in San Diego. Today, it has grown into a global institution with over 245,000 alumni worldwide. The JFK School of Psychology and Social Sciences leads the university’s psychology programs. Dean Alvin McLean, Jr., PhD heads the school, bringing his expertise in neuropsychology and psychophysiology research from the University of Washington School of Medicine.

The university’s educational structure is different from traditional schools. Students take classes in four 12-week quarters throughout the academic year. Each quarter has three 4-week classes. This fast-paced format lets you focus on one subject each month. You can finish your degree quickly without compromising quality or disrupting your life.

Students can access facilities and faculty at more than 25 locations across California. Many students choose online psychology courses through flexible virtual learning options. Working professionals, parents, and military personnel find this adaptability perfect to balance their education and responsibilities.

Teachers at National University blend ground experience with classroom instruction. Yes, it is common to find instructors who actively work in their fields. The Sport and Performance Psychology program showcases this approach. Faculty members like Julie Hayden, Doug Barba, and Dr. Gerson are Certified Mental Performance Consultants with extensive hands-on experience.

On top of that, the university provides complete support services for student success. Psychology students get specialized library resources with dedicated librarians available by phone, text, and email. The library stays open Monday through Thursday.

National University stands out because it combines accessibility with academic excellence. Students can apply throughout the year with monthly start dates. This means no waiting for traditional fall or spring admissions cycles to start your psychology education.

Programs offered

JFK School of Psychology at National University has psychology programs at every academic level. Students can choose from undergraduate to doctoral studies that give you the skills needed for psychology careers and related fields.

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology helps students explore modern psychological disciplines. You’ll study biological psychology, developmental psychology, psychopathology, and personality theory. The Bachelor of Arts in Integrative Psychology takes a different approach to traditional psychology education. Students learn about personal values, emotions, and their connection to the physical and spiritual world.

National University’s graduate studies include several master’s degrees. The Master of Arts in Psychology comes with three specializations: General Psychology, Gender and Sexual Fluidity, and Research and Teaching of Psychology. Students can save time and money by using FastForward options to move from MA Psychology to doctoral studies.

The university offers these specialized master’s degrees:

• Master of Science in Child & Adolescent Developmental Psychology
• Master of Science in Forensic Psychology
• Master of Science in Health Psychology
• Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
• Master of Science in Sport Psychology

Students can earn these degrees online: Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology (California only), Master of Arts in Performance Psychology, and Master of Arts in Human Behavior.

The doctoral programs include the Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD-PSY) with ten specializations like Counseling Psychology, Health Psychology, and Sport and Performance Psychology. Students interested in clinical practice can choose the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology program.

Certificate options include the Graduate Certificate in Consciousness, Psychology, and Transformation, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Psychology, and specialized certificates in Marriage and Family Therapy and Systemic Sex Therapy.

These programs help students become licensed or certified professionals. Graduates work as psychologists, counselors, therapists, social workers, or life coaches.

Online options

National University places flexible online learning at the heart of its psychology education approach. The university’s digital platform caters to busy adult learners with convenient four-week courses. Students can focus on one subject at a time, which makes completing their degree more manageable.

The university offers exceptional scheduling flexibility with new online classes that begin every Monday. This setup lets you start your psychology education at a time that works best for you, instead of waiting for traditional semester starts. Many programs also let you study at your own pace.

You can complete several psychology master’s degrees online:

• Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology – California residents can prepare for professional counseling careers through this program. It offers specialization options in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) or a combined MFT/Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) track.
• Master of Arts in Performance Psychology – This program teaches applied techniques in business, exercise physiology, fine arts, military combat psychology, and sports psychology through practical learning opportunities.
• Master of Arts in Human Behavior – This program helps professionals advance in supervision, management, and administration. It also benefits people going through life transitions or preparing for doctoral studies.

Students can complete the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology fully online or through a hybrid approach. The program features year-round enrollment and four-week courses. You could earn your BA in Psychology in just 16 months while maintaining your current lifestyle.

The online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Psychology needs only four courses (12 credit hours). Most students complete it in about six months. This certificate helps prepare for graduate studies or career advancement in research, human resources, or public service.

Expert faculty teach all online programs in the one-course-per-month format. This approach helps you earn your degree faster while managing other responsibilities. After graduation, you’ll become part of National University’s global alumni network of over 245,000 professionals.

Accreditation

Quality assurance in higher education relies heavily on accreditation. National University’s psychology programs build their reputation on WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) accreditation, which the university has held since 1977. This regional accreditation covers every aspect of the university’s operations and maintains high-quality standards across programs.

The university’s psychology programs have earned additional specialized accreditations. The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology Program received a 10-year accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA) in March 2024. This achievement shows the program meets APA’s strict standards for clinical psychology education.

Students should know the difference between accreditation types. The university’s overall functions fall under institutional accreditation. Specific programs receive programmatic accreditation based on how well they prepare students for their chosen fields. These two types work together to deliver quality education and help students succeed.

WSCUC regional accreditation, widely known as “the gold standard”, gives psychology students several key advantages:

• Students can apply for federal and state financial aid
• Credit transfers become easier between schools
• Job prospects improve after graduation
• Students can take psychology licensing exams

Regional accreditation through WSCUC carries more weight than national accreditation, which usually applies to for-profit career schools. This matters a lot to psychology students who plan to pursue advanced degrees or professional licenses.

National University doesn’t have APA accreditation for all psychology programs. However, the school maintains strong ties with prestigious organizations like Psi Chi – The International Honor Society in Psychology. These connections verify the quality of psychology education and create more opportunities for students’ growth.

The university’s psychology programs rank among the nation’s best. The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program stands in the top 8 among online nonprofit 4-year private universities in the United States.

Admission Requirements

National University offers clear pathways to admission for its psychology programs. The university streamlined its application process so students can start their classes soon after acceptance.

Students can apply any time during the year with monthly start dates. This flexibility lets you begin your psychology studies without waiting for traditional semester schedules. Your journey starts with completing an application for admission and enrollment agreement.

The undergraduate psychology programs have these requirements:

• Students with fewer than 90 quarter (60 semester) units of transferable college credit must show high school graduation, completion of a high school proficiency test, or a Certificate of Proficiency
• New college students must take an orientation course through WES Training and Development
• Students without college-level English/Math need to complete the ACCUPLACER evaluation for course placement
• The university accepts transfer students with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher as degree students

Graduate psychology programs require:

• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
• A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher, or 2.75+ in the last 90 quarter units
• Students with GPAs between 2.0-2.49 can qualify through standardized testing (GMAT, GRE, Miller Analogies Test) or probationary admission

Students under probationary admission must complete 4.5-13.5 quarter units of graduate study with a 3.0 GPA before qualifying for official admission and financial aid.

The process starts with showing preliminary education documents during your required interview with an admissions advisor. Official records must reach within 30 days of admission. Students can get transcripts through Parchment – paper copies cost $5.00 and e-transcripts $7.00.

National University’s admissions team stands ready to guide you through the process and help you find the right psychology program for your career goals.

Tuition

Students pursuing a psychology degree at National University should know their financial options. The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program costs around $67,400 total. Students seeking a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology (California) will need $45,943. The Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology comes with an estimated price tag of $69,740.

Program costs combine tuition and course material fees. Undergraduate psychology courses cost $370 per credit plus a $20 course material fee for each course. Students taking graduate-level psychology courses pay between $442 and $1,114 per credit based on their chosen program.

National University helps students manage these costs through several financial aid programs. The university’s historic $30 million investment funds the Opportunity Scholarship, which cuts undergraduate tuition based on student needs and program choice. The Transfer to Success Scholarship pays half the tuition for two courses in the first six months and covers the last two courses completely. Military veterans can get up to $5,000 in extra funding through the Veterans’ Victory Scholarship on top of their GI Bill benefits.

Many companies support their employees’ education with tuition reimbursement programs. These programs usually require students to take courses that relate to their current job and stay with the company for one to two years after completion.

Additional Information

National University’s psychology students enjoy resources that go way beyond the reach and influence of regular classroom learning. Students get free individual-specific tutoring sessions, round-the-clock support services, and flexible online or in-person learning options. Academic advising starts with a detailed support system and continues with mentorship from licensed faculty practitioners.

Students gain ground experience through the Michael G. Harris Community Counseling Program. Graduate students work in schools and community agencies under licensed faculty supervision. Psychology master’s students must complete 100 hours at approved internship sites over 12 weeks and attend mandatory weekly supervision sessions.

The university maintains strong ties with professional organizations like Psi Chi, The International Honor Society in Psychology. Research opportunities exist through the Cause Research Institute (CRI), which helps with grant writing, program evaluation, and subject matter expert consulting.

Psychology bachelor’s graduates earn a median salary of $38,523, which exceeds the national average, while master’s graduates earn $59,617. The student population has students from various ethnic backgrounds, with women making up 69% of bachelor’s and 76% of master’s psychology graduates.

The university’s military-friendly programs provide specialized resources to veterans. Outstanding students receive recognition through the President’s Circle. Notable examples include Molly Beard, who combines psychology studies with creative entrepreneurship, and Vanessa Hernandez, who participated in over 70 mentoring sessions through the NU Mentoring Network in 2023.