UC San Diego Psychology Programs

UC San Diego’s Psychology Department has been a symbol of academic excellence since 1965. George Mandler, William J. McGill and Norman H. Anderson founded the department with a simple belief – psychology works best as a ground laboratory science. This founding principle still guides their research and teaching approach today.

The department grew rapidly. Three founding members became 18 faculty members in just five years. They quickly gained recognition as one of the nation’s leading experimental psychology departments. This reputation has stayed strong, and the department consistently ranks among top psychology programs.

Today, the department serves about 2,800 undergraduate psychology majors and 70 graduate students at the school. Its 32 full-time faculty members work across four main areas: Cognitive Psychology, Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, Developmental Psychology, and Social Psychology. The faculty team brings together distinguished professors, associate professors, assistant professors, and teaching professors with expertise in various fields.

UCSD Psychology’s strength lies in its research across disciplines. Faculty work closely with many campus units, including Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, UCSD’s Medical School, Rady School of Management, and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. This shared environment creates unique opportunities for advanced research that shapes modern psychology.

The department goes beyond research excellence. Students learn in an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and builds community. Both undergraduate and graduate students work directly with leading scientists on advanced research projects. This hands-on experience prepares them well for careers in psychology and related fields.

The department’s home, named ‘Mandler Hall’ in 2004, honors its founding chair. This building previously housed the Center for Human Information Processing (CHIP). Mandler directed CHIP until 1990, and it played a key role in advancing several psychology fields.

Programs offered

UCSD Psychology’s undergraduate and graduate programs take an experimental approach to psychological science. Students get hands-on experience in psychological research at every level.

Students can choose from ten different psychology majors. These programs include:

• Psychology Bachelor of Arts (BA)
• Psychology Bachelor of Science (BS)
• BS with Specializations in Clinical, Cognitive, Developmental, Human Health, Sensation and Perception, or Social Psychology
• Business Psychology Bachelor of Science
• Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Bachelor of Science

The Psychology BA gives students a solid foundation in core sub-fields and includes Philosophy options that show psychology’s connection with other disciplines. The BS degrees put more weight on statistics and research methods. Students must complete research requirements through lab classes or independent work.

Students who want to learn about mental illness can choose the Clinical Psychology specialization. This program looks at psychological and physical causes of mental disorders and their treatments in adults and children. Other specializations let students take a closer look at cognitive processing, human development, health psychology, sensory processes, or social behavior.

The department’s doctoral program has 74 students enrolled for 2025/2026. The program started in 1966 and has awarded 475 doctoral degrees through June 2025. PhD students study experimental psychology with focus areas in Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience, Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Sensation & Perception, and Social Psychology.

UCSD’s graduate training stands out because of its apprenticeship system. Graduate students work side by side with faculty advisors as colleagues rather than traditional students. First-year doctoral students start working on a year-long independent research project that plays a big role in their evaluation.

UC San Diego partners with San Diego State University to offer a Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. Faculty from both schools’ departments work together in this program that focuses on behavioral medicine, neuropsychology, and experimental psychopathology. This APA-accredited program takes five years to complete, including a one-year clinical internship. Students learn to integrate research throughout their clinical science training.

Online options

UCSD Psychology delivers most degree programs through in-person classes, but students can take several psychology courses online through the Extended Studies division. This gives students more flexibility in their education.

Students who want to learn the basics can take the undergraduate “Introduction to Psychology” (PSYC-40028) course. This detailed overview of human behavior and mental processes runs in an online format without set meeting times. Students need to follow weekly schedules and meet deadlines. The course takes a standard amount of time to complete. The 4.50-unit course costs $845.00 and might transfer to other colleges for credit. The school you want to transfer to will decide if they accept the credits.

Extended Studies has another course called “Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior” (PSYC-40025). Students learn about theories of human behavior, from biological and psychological basics to social dynamics.

High school students get a great chance through the “Discover—Open Enrollment” program. They can start earning college credits early with fully online courses. This gives them a head start if they plan to major in psychology at UCSD or other schools.

UCSD’s library helps psychology students with their studies by providing remote access to thousands of e-journals, e-books, and databases. Students can access these resources through OpenAthens or campus VPN.

Students who need mental health support can use CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services). The service offers urgent counseling by phone 24/7, free online behavioral health screenings, and access to the Headspace meditation app.

The university also provides detailed writing guides for psychology coursework, APA style research papers, and exam prep materials online.

UCSD Psychology may not offer full online degrees, but these digital options give students flexibility and helpful resources while they study psychology at UC San Diego.

Accreditation

Accreditation is a vital quality indicator that helps evaluate UCSD Psychology programs. Your degree needs proper credentials to meet recognized standards and qualify for federal financial aid programs – key factors for psychology students to think over.

UC San Diego managed to keep full institutional accreditation through the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). The U.S. Department of Education recognizes this regional accrediting agency officially. This 1964 old institutional accreditation verifies the integrity of academic programs throughout the university, including Psychology Department offerings.

UCSD received its latest accreditation reaffirmation in February 2020. This shows the university’s steadfast dedication to high educational standards. The next accreditation cycle will happen in 2029-30. A mid-cycle review will take place on May 1, 2025. The schedule includes an offsite review in Spring 2029 and an accreditation visit in Fall 2029.

Program-specific accreditation makes UCSD’s psychology credentials even stronger. The SDSU/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology has kept its American Psychological Association (APA) accreditation since 1990. The psychology internship program also earned its APA accreditation in 1986. These credentials are the foundations of strong clinical training.

UCSD Psychology program students get several concrete benefits from these accreditations. Note that accreditation verifies your program meets quality standards. This assures employers and graduate schools about your education’s rigor. WSCUC accreditation also makes the institution eligible for federal funding, so students can access federal financial aid programs.

The accreditation process boosts continuous improvement through university-wide reflection and self-study. Your psychology education at UCSD benefits from regular quality assessments and improvement efforts. Every institution must meet WSCUC standards for institutional mission, educational objectives, organizational structures, and quality assurance.

Psychology graduate program applicants should verify accreditation status. This credential gives you a full picture of program quality and field recognition.

Admission Requirements

UCSD Psychology programs have different entry requirements based on your academic level. The department looks at several factors besides grades when they assess applicants.

Psychology programs at UCSD give undergraduates a unique advantage – they aren’t capped or impacted. Once you get into the university, you can choose Psychology as your major without any extra application steps. You’ll need to complete basic requirements like natural science courses, formal skills, computer programming, and statistics. Students must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA in upper-division major courses to graduate. Most courses in the major need letter grades, with just a few exceptions.

Transfer students need to finish at least three foundational courses before they transfer, though completing all lower-division requirements isn’t necessary. IGETC certification helps you skip general education requirements but doesn’t change what you need for the Psychology major.

The Psychology Honors Program takes an integrated look at applications. Students who get in usually have a 3.3 overall UCSD GPA (or 3.5 transfer GPA for first-quarter students). They must also complete PSYC 60 (Statistics), PSYC 70 (Research Methods), and two or more upper-division psychology courses by the time they apply.

Getting into the graduate program is much harder. The department gets about 300-400 PhD applications each year and accepts only around 20 candidates. Successful PhD applicants usually have:

• A Psychology major/minor (or related fields)
• Strong research experience
• Good statistics knowledge
• GPA above 3.0 (PhD admits typically have 3.6 overall and 3.7 in psychology courses)

You’ll need three recommendation letters, a CV/resume, and a two-page statement of purpose. The GRE is optional for Fall 2026 admissions. International students must prove their English skills through TOEFL (minimum 85 iBT), IELTS (minimum band score 7), or DET (minimum score 120).

Clinical psychology programs are even tougher to get into – some programs pick just 8 students from 300 applicants. Research experience makes a big difference in your application, and clinical experience adds extra value.

Tuition

Money plays a crucial role for students pursuing UCSD Psychology programs. The cost differs between California residents and non-residents.

California residents pay a base tuition of $17,256 for the 2025-26 academic year. Out-of-state students need to pay $54,858. These amounts cover both tuition and mandatory fees. The total estimated cost reaches $42,639 for in-state students and $76,839 for out-of-state undergraduates after adding food, housing, books, transportation, and personal expenses.

UCSD’s Tuition Stability Plan helps students plan better. Your tuition rate stays the same for up to six years after you enroll. This benefit applies to both California residents and non-residents, which makes financial planning easier throughout your academic experience.

Your choice of housing affects the total cost. Students living on campus spend about $21,300 each year for housing and meals. Off-campus housing costs less at around $19,200. You’ll need another $1,500 for books and supplies. Health insurance adds roughly $3,700 per year.

Financial aid makes UCSD Psychology programs available to more students. First-year students receive an average need-based scholarship or grant of $27,749. Families earning less than $30,000 per year pay a net cost of just $9,055. Those earning between $75,001-$110,000 face an average net cost of $20,297.

Psychology PhD students get better financial support. The department fully funds all PhD students through their fifth year if they maintain good academic standing. The detailed support package has:

• Full coverage of tuition and fees during employment quarters
• A guaranteed base support of $31,500 per year
• Coverage of non-resident tuition for international students through year three
• Tuition remission after advancing to candidacy

Students with external fellowships can combine their awards with the department’s base support. This combination could increase their total compensation to the Graduate Division maximum of $34,650 for the academic year.

Additional Information

UCSD Psychology has many resources that improve your educational experience beyond regular coursework. The department ranks among the nation’s top psychology programs. Your active involvement plays a key role in its continued success.

The Career Development in Psychology Program is a chance to boost your career through a one-year professional development program. You’ll receive certification on your Co-Curricular Record (CCR) – an official document linked to your transcript. You need to attend five workshops, two Careers in Mind panels, complete an informational interview, and submit a reflection paper.

The Alumni 101 Workshop Series teams up with UC San Diego’s Alumni Association. This series lets you meet psychology graduates who share their real-world knowledge about interviewing, networking, and workplace challenges. Previous workshops explored different career paths, graduate school options, and ways to network during tough times.

Students can do research through PSYC 99/199 courses. These courses let you work with faculty to collect and analyze data. The department’s Common Application system helps match undergraduates with psychology lab research positions.

Psychology graduates build careers in various fields such as:

• Advertising coordinator
• Human resources professional
• Applied behavior analyst
• Research analyst
• Crisis intervention counselor
• Data scientist

Advanced degrees lead to specialized roles like clinical psychologist, neuropsychologist, or industrial/organizational psychologist.

Students get complete support through academic writing resources, study guides, and help with research papers. The Career Center helps with resumes, cover letters, job searches, and interview prep.

Distinguished Professor Emeritus Norman Anderson created a fund that supports student fellowships in psychology. The Alumni Association welcomes all graduates without any fees. This connects you to a large network of professionals as you move from student to graduate.