Saybrook University Psychology Programs Guide

Saybrook University, a private institution in Pasadena, California, champions humanistic psychology education. Founded in 1971 by Eleanor Camp Criswell and her colleagues, the university grew from revolutionary ideas expressed at the Old Saybrook Conference in 1964. Prominent thinkers like Gordon Allport, Rollo May, Carl Jung, and Abraham Maslow laid the foundations for a whole-person approach to psychology.

The university’s steadfast dedication to humanistic principles shapes its identity. Students learn how human beings connect with their surroundings, and their lived experiences substantially contribute to their well-being. This philosophy guides the university’s educational approach that reaches way beyond the reach and influence of traditional psychological study. The curriculum now includes consciousness, spirituality, integrative health, creativity, and leadership studies.

The university’s mission statement captures this holistic vision: “rigorous graduate education that inspires transformational change in individuals, organizations, and communities, toward a just, humane, and sustainable world”. Saybrook has become a place where faculty and students challenge mainstream academic psychology with fresh perspectives and alternatives.

Designated as a “Research Doctoral: Humanities/social sciences-dominant” institution, Saybrook focuses on graduate-level education. The university served 785 students in Fall 2017, supported by 222 full-time and part-time academic professionals. This intimate size enables students to receive tailored attention and mentorship from seasoned practitioners.

The faculty directory showcases scholars in disciplines of all types. Departments like Humanistic Clinical Psychology, Humanistic Psychology, Mind-Body Medicine, and Integrative and Functional Nutrition have exceptional representation. These expert educators mentor students throughout their academic and professional journey.

Students can pursue advanced degrees through low-residency and online formats that offer flexibility to working professionals. The structure lets them tackle rigorous academic work while balancing their careers and personal lives. In spite of that, some programs feature synchronous virtual learning and optional in-person community experiences that strengthen connections within the academic community.

Humanistic psychology remains central to Saybrook’s mission. The university has expanded into multiple related disciplines that reflect its commitment to an interdisciplinary, whole-person approach to psychological education and practice.

Programs offered

Saybrook University has a rich selection of psychology programs that match different academic interests and career goals. Students experience the university’s humanistic principles through clinical and non-clinical paths at both doctoral and master’s levels.

The Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program readies graduates to become clinical practitioners, researchers, teachers, and leaders. Students develop skills they can use as clinical directors, research scientists, policy advisors, health care administrators, university professors, and private practitioners. The program lets students choose from several specializations:

• Advanced Psychological Assessment
• Applied Psychophysiology
• Complex Trauma and the Healing Process
• Consciousness, Spirituality, and Integrative Health
• Creativity, Innovation, and Leadership
• Existential and Humanistic Psychology
• Jungian Studies

Students passionate about psychology but not seeking clinical licensure can choose the Ph.D. in Psychology program with four specializations:

• Creativity, Innovation, and Leadership
• Consciousness, Spirituality, and Integrative Health
• Psychophysiology
• Existential and Humanistic Psychology

The M.A. in Psychology program builds core knowledge with optional specialization paths that match several doctoral tracks:

• Creativity, Innovation, and Leadership
• Consciousness, Spirituality, and Integrative Health
• Existential and Humanistic Psychology

Each specialization brings its own focus. The Consciousness, Spirituality, and Integrative Health (CSIH) specialization takes a mind-body-spirit approach to understanding transformation, healing, and wellness. Students learn about human experience through depth psychology, self-regulation, psychophysiology, and ethnography.

The Creativity, Innovation, and Leadership (CIL) specialization helps students break down modern questions about creativity and study environments that support different applications. This path goes beyond artistic creativity to cover “everyday creativity” that accelerates personal and professional growth.

Students in the Existential and Humanistic Psychology specialization study psychology where it meets philosophy, creativity, spirituality, and ethics. They learn about authentic living and psychological balance.

Students need a bachelor’s or master’s degree to join these programs. Psychology or related backgrounds help but aren’t required. The university welcomes non-psychology majors too.

Saybrook’s psychology programs line up with the university’s core mission – developing human-centered, just, and inclusive systems and practices in disciplines of all sizes including psychology, psychophysiology, and transformative social change.

Online options

Saybrook University trailblazing solutions in distance education emerged well before the recent trend toward online learning. The university developed sophisticated virtual programs that cater to remote students. This early adoption gives Saybrook a distinct edge because they crafted each degree program with online learners in mind instead of rushing to adapt traditional formats.

Working professionals find the psychology programs at Saybrook highly adaptable. Students can complete the M.A. in Psychology program entirely online through an asynchronous format. This flexibility helps them balance their studies with full-time careers, part-time jobs, or household duties. The program takes two to three years based on full-time or part-time course selection.

The Ph.D. in Psychology runs as a fully online program that students usually finish in five to six years with 60 to 75 credits. Students complete the M.S. in Sport Performance Psychology online too, typically taking two years and 40 credits.

Saybrook improves the online experience through several well-laid-out components while maintaining its asynchronous nature. Students must attend the Virtual Learning Experience (VLE), a five-day synchronous online event at the start of fall and spring semesters. These sessions let students connect with classmates, faculty, and staff before joining smaller program-specific groups. Students participate in core course introductions, didactic seminars, research workshops, and practice sessions that prepare them for the upcoming semester.

Students kick off each semester with a virtual Welcome Week. This includes program orientations and activities that help them integrate into the academic community. Ph.D. students attend the fall VLE yearly, while the Community Learning Experience (CLE) remains optional during odd-numbered years.

Saybrook values community and connection for personal and professional development, despite its virtual format. The university combines online learning with University Learning Experiences that bring the Saybrook community together through transformative gatherings.

Clinical program students attend additional in-person intensives. These sessions help them practice clinical skills, receive guidance from experienced faculty, and complete their required residential hours for licensure. M.S. in Sport Performance Psychology students can choose an optional human performance field experience as an elective, though state availability varies.

Accreditation

Quality indicators for psychology programs rely heavily on accreditation status. Saybrook University has managed to keep its continuous accreditation through the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) since 1984. This institutional accreditation shows that Saybrook meets tough educational standards in its programs and operations.

WSCUC did a detailed evaluation in 2018, which led to Saybrook getting eight more years of accreditation. A special visit in November 2021 went well and showed the university made good progress on recommendations from the earlier visit. The university then submitted an interim report in July 2023 to show ongoing improvements. WSCUC plans the next reaffirmation visit during academic year 2026.

Each program at Saybrook has different accreditation levels that affect professional licensing options. The M.A. in Counseling with Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialization shines with its accreditation from The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This CACREP-accredited program lets graduates get licensed professional counselor credentials in all but three locations – Kansas, Wisconsin, and several U.S. territories.

The Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program needs more careful thought. Unlike many traditional universities, Saybrook’s clinical psychology doctorate lacks American Psychological Association (APA) programmatic accreditation. APA usually doesn’t approve distance-learning programs, which can limit career options for graduates.

This means the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. only meets psychologist licensure requirements in ten states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Ohio, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. Students can’t get licensed in 41 other states and U.S. territories.

Future students should know these differences matter greatly. A university publication points out that “Accreditation is given to universities by accreditation bodies that are recognized by the U.S. government” and “may be the most important factor in determining which school and what program to choose when pursuing a career as a licensed mental health professional”.

Students need to check if their chosen program meets their state’s specific standards before enrolling. This becomes crucial for anyone wanting to practice in states with changing rules, like Virginia, which will require APA accreditation to license psychologists after June 23, 2028.

Admission Requirements

Saybrook University’s path to becoming a licensed psychologist starts with meeting program-specific admission criteria. Students must prove they’re ready for academic challenges through their educational background and supporting documents.

You’ll need a qualifying degree from a regionally accredited university to join most psychology programs at Saybrook. The Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology welcomes students with either a bachelor’s or master’s degree. A psychology background helps, but Saybrook takes an open-minded approach and accepts qualified students from other fields too.

Your last degree should show at least a 3.0 GPA. The university might make rare exceptions if you show exceptional promise through other parts of your application.

Your application must include these key documents:

• Official transcripts from all your degree-granting colleges and universities
• Resume or CV showing your academic and professional background
• Personal statement that explains how you’ll put your passion to work and what difference you want to make
• One letter of recommendation from someone who knows your professional abilities

You can apply any time of the year thanks to rolling admissions. Once you submit your application, an admissions counselor will help you get ready for your faculty interview. This chat lets the team learn what drives you and how well you match the program.

After acceptance, you’ll need to pay a $100 tuition deposit. This payment locks in your Impact Scholarship eligibility and lets you register for your first term. U.S. citizens and permanent residents should fill out the FAFSA with Saybrook’s school code (G21206) for financial aid.

Students interested in special tracks like Advanced Psychological Assessment Specialization must first get into the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program. This rule applies to all Clinical Psychology Ph.D. specializations.

Submit your application early to get the best shot at Impact Scholarships, which go to eligible students on a first-come, first-served basis. Meeting your semester’s application deadline gives you the best chance for financial support.

Tuition

The cost of getting your psychology degree at Saybrook University needs careful financial planning. The graduate tuition and fees for the 2024-2025 academic year total $25,206. This amount includes $20,388 for tuition and about $3,500 in fees. Saybrook adjusts its costs yearly to improve teaching, learning, and student support services, so you should plan for up to 5% increase in annual tuition.

Your education costs will go beyond just the basic tuition. Programs with required Community or Residential Learning Experiences need a University Learning Experience (ULE) fee of $350. This fee helps cover faculty-led, non-credit academic activities that you need for program completion and licensure requirements. The actual total cost of these experiences will be higher than just the ULE fee.

You’ll need to budget for many other costs too. These include travel, accommodations, textbooks, learning guides, course readers, computer software, hardware, and possibly courses at other institutions. Students working on dissertations also pay for their own editors.

Saybrook’s financial assistance programs can help reduce these expenses. Saybrook’s graduates can get a 25% reduction on published tuition rates through the Alumni Tuition Rate when they pursue additional degrees. International students have special scholarship options too. The Interconnected Global Scholarship offers eligible full-time international students a 20% tuition discount. International students already at U.S. institutions can get a 25% discount through the Local Advantage Scholarship.

The Global Partners Scholarship gives a 20% tuition discount to international students who are enrolled with or hired by institutions that have a memorandum of understanding with Saybrook. Getting your psychology degree at Saybrook needs serious financial investment, but these scholarships combined with federal financial aid can lower your costs significantly.

Additional Information

Your experience at Saybrook University includes supportive services and flexible learning options that go beyond regular coursework. The Graduate Studies Advising Center helps with student resources, academic information, and addresses concerns during your studies. The Office of Student Life helps develop your humanistic growth through leadership initiatives, health programs, and activities outside the classroom.

Students can complete Saybrook’s psychology programs at their own pace. The M.A. in Psychology takes two to three years, with full-time and part-time options available. Working professionals find this flexibility ideal since the asynchronous format fits different schedules. Students need 60-75 credits to complete the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in five to six years.

New students get complete orientation resources. You’ll meet your Academic Advisor, Student Affairs team, Financial Aid, Registrar, Library, and Center of Writing and Academic Success during New Student Orientation. Students receive Canvas training before classes start to use the online learning platform effectively.

Saybrook’s Department of Research provides interdisciplinary instruction that prepares you for advanced research projects. The electronic library gives you access to key resources like eBooks, dissertations, and academic journals including the Journal of Transpersonal Psychology and Journal of Humanistic Psychology.

Psychology program graduates choose many career paths. Clinical Psychology Ph.D. holders work as clinical directors, research scientists, policy advisors, healthcare administrators, university professors, wellness coaches, or run private practices. The Alumni Association keeps graduates connected through ongoing support, resources, and networking opportunities.

Saybrook University’s psychology programs blend academic excellence with practical resources that support your educational path from day one through graduation and beyond.