Palo Alto University Psychology Programs

Palo Alto University ranks among the nation’s leading institutions for mental and behavioral health sciences. The university’s 50-year legacy showcases excellence in psychology education. PAU gives you advanced skills in clinical practice and research through its complete range of academic programs.

PAU, a private nonprofit university with WASC accreditation since 1986, specializes in undergraduate and graduate education. Students learn evidence-based approaches to handle complex mental health challenges in a variety of settings.

Undergraduate Programs: The Department of Undergraduate Studies offers two bachelor’s degree options:

• BS in Psychology: Students develop psychological knowledge to work in entry-level client advocacy and outreach positions. The program has core psychology classes and a six-month senior internship that gives hands-on experience at nonprofit or community agencies.
• BS in Business Psychology: This program blends business practices with psychology. Students learn to apply human behavior science to business challenges like employee motivation, consumer behavior, and human resource management.

Graduate Programs: PAU’s graduate level programs include:

• MS in Psychology: Students can complete this flexible, online program in six to seven quarters. Four concentrations are available: Forensic Psychology, Tech and Mental Health, PhD Prep, and a General track.
• MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: The program prepares students for professional counselor licensing exams and certification through online and hybrid formats.
• PhD in Clinical Psychology: This APA-accredited five-year program uses a practitioner-scientist training model. 97% of doctoral students find internships at APA accredited sites.
• PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision: The program creates leaders who train new counselors, research clinical interventions, and provide organizational leadership.
• PGSP-Stanford PsyD Consortium: Stanford University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences partners with PAU to train students in clinical psychological services.

PAU also offers an online Master of Social Work (MSW) specializing in Culturally Informed Behavioral Health Practice. Graduates become ready for clinical practice and leadership roles in California’s public behavioral health system.

PAU stands out through its steadfast dedication to addressing current and emerging issues. The university’s research and training meet the needs of today’s diverse society. Students develop essential clinical, research, and interpersonal skills in an environment focused on psychology and counseling.

School info

Palo Alto University started its journey in 1975 as the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology (PGSP). The university has grown into a leading institution that focuses on mental and behavioral health education. This private, non-profit university sits in Silicon Valley and has maintained WASC accreditation (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) since 1986.

The university operates from key locations. Students enjoy the serene Allen Calvin Campus at 1791 Arastradero Road in Palo Alto, which offers beautiful views of Palo Alto and Portola Valley hills. The university opened its Mountain View Campus at 1172 Castro Street in 2022. This new campus houses the Gronowski Center, faculty offices, classrooms, and the Student Success team.

Dr. Allen Calvin’s arrival as president in 1984 marked the beginning of rapid growth. The institution earned WASC accreditation in 1986 and APA accreditation for its PhD program in 1988. PGSP took on its current name, Palo Alto University, in 2009. The university earned recognition as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) in 2022, which shows its steadfast dedication to diversity.

PAU has built strong ties with industry leaders over the years. Strategic collaborations with Stanford University, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and mental health organizations of all types help improve research and clinical training opportunities for students.

The university’s teaching clinic, the Gronowski Center, serves dual purposes. It offers affordable mental health services to local residents while giving graduate students supervised training experience. PAU also runs research centers that focus on child mental health, evidence-based care for LGBTQ clients, diversity, community care, and global healthcare.

The university stands firm on its values of respect, exceptional service, environmental responsibility, community collaboration, and strong ethical standards. PAU creates a safe environment where new ideas and sustainability thrive.

PAU goes beyond education. The university tackles pressing mental health problems through rigorous training programs, research advancement, and science-based services for diverse communities. This integrated approach makes Palo Alto University a leader in developing compassionate professionals who transform mental healthcare.

Programs offered

Palo Alto University has a complete range of psychology programs that align with different educational and career goals. Students at PAU learn both theory and hands-on training to prepare for professional roles in mental health.

PAU offers two bachelor’s degree options. The BS in Psychology helps students develop skills for entry-level client advocacy and has core psychology classes with two quarters of field experience. The BS in Business Psychology shows students how to use psychological principles to solve business challenges like employee motivation, marketing, and human resources management.

The Master of Science in Psychology at PAU works as both a final degree and a pathway to PhD studies. Students can choose from four online concentrations:

• Forensic Psychology – about the connection between psychology and law
• Tech & Mental Health – looks at how psychology and technology work together
• General Track – gives students broad knowledge of psychological principles
• PhD Prep – gets students ready for doctoral studies with a one-week clinical interviewing residency

Students can also earn a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or an Online Master of Social Work that focuses on Culturally Informed Behavioral Health Practice.

The PhD in Clinical Psychology program stands out with its integrated approach and specialized focus areas. Students get extensive clinical training through a mix of scholarship, professional experience, and research. The program has seven core focus areas:

• Diversity and Community Mental Health – training for public mental health settings
• Forensic Psychology – clinical applications in legal contexts
• Health Psychology – preparation for medical settings
• LGBTQ Psychology – treatment and understanding of underserved populations
• Neuropsychology – study of brain-behavior relationships
• Pediatric Behavioral Health Care – focus on children’s behavioral health needs
• Trauma – expertise in crisis intervention and treatment

PAU partners with Stanford University to offer the PGSP-Stanford PsyD Consortium for students who want to provide direct clinical psychological services.

The PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision creates leaders who help advance the counseling profession through training, research, and organizational leadership.

Online options

Palo Alto University makes online learning work around your schedule. Students can earn their psychology degrees while keeping their day jobs. The university’s distance learning programs break down traditional education barriers but keep academic standards high and students actively involved.

PAU’s virtual-remote online bachelor’s programs bring interactive learning right to your screen. Students meet through Zoom video-conferencing each week for 1 hour and 20 minutes, scheduled Monday through Thursday at either 6:00 PM or 7:30 PM Pacific Time. Working professionals can connect with their teachers and classmates in real time during these evening sessions, no matter where they live.

The Master of Science in Psychology program runs fully online with a part-time structure that serves two purposes. It prepares students for PhD studies and works as a standalone degree for those who want to focus on forensic psychology, general psychology, or technology and mental health. Students don’t need to write a thesis, and the program takes 37.5 to 47 quarter units based on their chosen concentration.

The MS in Psychology program stands out for its accessibility:

• Students can finish in six to seven consecutive quarters starting in fall
• Most quarters need just two or three courses
• The program draws students from North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, the Middle East, and South America

While most coursework happens online, some programs need face-to-face sessions. PhD Prep students must spend one week on the Palo Alto campus to learn clinical interviewing. Students in the terminal MS program can complete everything online.

PAU takes online education quality seriously. Teachers get special training to teach distance courses effectively. Dedicated advisors coach students through the challenges of virtual learning. Students should know that PAU can only enroll residents from states where it’s authorized to provide distance education.

Accreditation

Quality assurance through thorough external review is the basis of Palo Alto University’s educational mission. The university managed to keep its accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WASC) since 1986. This achievement proves its strong foundation in higher education.

PAU’s specialized programs have earned prestigious credentials in their fields. The PhD program in Clinical Psychology has kept its American Psychological Association (APA) accreditation since 1988. The program earned the maximum seven-year accreditation period in its latest review. The PAU-Stanford PsyD Consortium, which first received accreditation in 2006, achieved the maximum ten-year accreditation period in its most recent evaluation.

The MA in Counseling program shows similar excellence. Both specializations—Marriage, Family and Child emphasis and Clinical Mental Health emphasis—received accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) in January 2017. The program secured an eight-year accreditation period, which strengthens PAU’s standing in counselor education.

CACREP accreditation gives clinical mental health counseling students several key advantages:

• Better results on licensure exams and certifications
• Easier transfer of credentials between states
• Priority hiring status with government agencies like the Veterans Health Administration

The Master of Social Work program now seeks accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision will also apply for CACREP accreditation when students reach their dissertation phase.

PAU earned additional recognition when the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology designated its doctoral program in Clinical Psychology. Graduates can now apply to join the National Register’s directory, which proves their professional credentials.

Admission Requirements

Palo Alto University’s psychology programs have specific academic requirements and a comprehensive application process. Students need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or international equivalent to join any graduate program at PAU.

The MS in Psychology program recommends a GPA of 3.3 or higher. Students without a psychology background must complete four courses with a B or better: Biopsychology, Abnormal Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Statistics. Students should live in a state where PAU offers online education.

The PhD in Clinical Psychology program shares similar course requirements that students need to finish before starting classes. These courses are Abnormal Psychology (which covers theories of mental illness and major disorder categories), Biological Psychology (covering brain anatomy and functioning), and Statistics (which focuses on descriptive and inferential statistics). Students should complete these college-level courses with a B or better either online or in person.

The PsyD program requires 18 semester hours of psychology coursework beyond the standard requirements. PAU recommends courses in General Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Statistics, Biopsychology, and Developmental Psychology. Clinical experience helps students understand their career path better.

The application process for graduate programs has these requirements:

• Online application through PSYCAS
• Application fee ($80 for first program, $40 for additional programs)
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Three letters of recommendation from academic or professional references (personal references are not accepted)
• Statement of purpose (serves as writing sample)

International students must show English proficiency through TOEFL or IELTS scores. They need their transcripts evaluated by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services member.

Successful candidates usually have strong academic records, relevant experience, and educational goals that match PAU’s focus on psychology education.

Tuition

Palo Alto University’s psychology education comes with specific tuition costs that change based on program level and format. The university provides detailed fee schedules to help students plan their finances.

Students entering the PhD Clinical Psychology program in 2024-2025 will pay quarterly tuition of $18,042 plus $2,038 in fees. This adds up to $20,080 per quarter or $60,240 yearly. The PGSP-Stanford PsyD Consortium program costs more at $22,413 per quarter ($19,856 tuition plus $2,557 fees), reaching $67,239 per year.

The MS in Psychology online program works differently. Students pay $1,043 per unit ($967 tuition plus $76 fees). Quarterly expenses reach $9,387, making the annual cost about $28,161 for three quarters. The MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program’s rate stands at $676 per unit ($615 tuition plus $61 fees).

Evening and online undergraduate students pay flat-rate quarterly tuition of $4,718 plus $1,433 in fees when taking 12 or more units. This totals $6,151 per quarter. Students taking fewer units pay $410 for tuition and $125 for fees per unit.

Your total expenses go beyond tuition. Additional costs cover housing ($8,239-$10,507 quarterly), transportation ($3,656 quarterly), books ($384 quarterly), and personal needs ($3,162 quarterly).

Students can access financial help through federal and state grants, scholarships, loans, and campus jobs including Federal Work-Study. PAU suggests using their Tuition Net Price Calculator to estimate your specific education costs.

The 2024-2025 academic year payment schedule sets fall tuition due dates as August 9, 2024 for returning students and August 23, 2024 for new students.

Additional Information

Palo Alto University offers excellent student resources that go beyond regular academic programs to improve your learning experience. The Department of Student Success helps with non-academic needs throughout your time at PAU. Students can join various activities, participate in student government, and get specialized help if they’re international students or veterans.

PAU gives students several mental health support options without having an on-campus counseling center. TimelyCare gives you free 24/7 virtual access to medical and mental health care. The service includes on-demand help, scheduled counseling sessions up to 12 times a year, and group meetings. Undergraduate students can also access PAU’s eClinic—a completely online mental health service.

The eClinic at PAU opened in March 2020 and became the first university-affiliated clinic in the United States that trains students in digital therapeutics and AI-based treatments. This trailblazing facility serves two purposes: it trains future professionals and provides telemental health services across California.

Students can find complete resources in psychology, counseling, and related behavioral health fields at the Omar Seddiqui Research Library. PAU also keeps track of institutional learning goals and graduation rates through its “Fast Facts” Data Dashboard.

A psychology degree from PAU opens doors to careers in mental health, social work, or business. You can use your specialized knowledge in various roles from counseling to human resources.