University of San Francisco Psychology Programs
Are you looking for University of San Francisco Psychology Programs that combine theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience? USF offers complete psychology education pathways designed to prepare you for success in the field, whether you’re interested in undergraduate studies or doctoral-level training.
USF’s psychology programs stand out in San Francisco’s educational landscape. Psychology students get valuable practical experience through research courses and can participate in faculty research labs as student assistants. The PsyD program at USF has received ten years of accreditation from the American Psychological Association, effective October 28, 2023. This recognition will give USF masters psychology graduates proficiency in behavioral health interventions while they remain sensitive to cultural and socioeconomic contexts.
This piece will help you learn about these outstanding psyd programs in the Bay Area. You’ll see how USF prepares students to understand major concepts, theoretical perspectives, and empirical findings in psychology while they develop strong communication and self-awareness skills.
School info
The University of San Francisco campus sits at 2130 Fulton Street in San Francisco, CA. The Psychology Department lives within the College of Arts and Sciences and has faculty experts in clinical psychology, neuroscience, social psychology, and developmental psychology.
USF’s faculty members participate in state-of-the-art research in psychological domains of all types. Dr. Violet Cheung studies anxiety, fear, and anger that connect to modern challenges like cyber insecurity. Dr. Joyce Yang’s research in clinical psychology emphasizes community-based participatory approaches. Students can get hands-on experience as research assistants in faculty labs.
The department’s educational goals help prepare students for graduate study and encourage appreciation of psychology as a scientific discipline. The curriculum helps students get into biological, cognitive, developmental, social, and cultural aspects of behavior.
Students learn beyond the classroom through practicum courses that apply theoretical knowledge in ground settings like hospitals, mental health centers, and non-profit organizations. The department also supports student’s professional growth through pre-health professions advising for those pursuing health-related careers.
Programs offered
USF provides a range of psychology programs that align with your career goals. The Psychology BA needs 48 units and gives you a detailed foundation in psychological theory, application, and research. Students take five core courses (20 units), three breadth courses (12 units), one psychology diversity course (4 units), two upper-division electives (8 units), and an advanced research methods course (4 units).
Students looking for additional options can choose a Psychology Minor or the Honors Concentration that offers more academic challenges. USF’s program list includes psychology-related minors in child and youth studies, gerontology, and neuroscience.
USF’s School of Nursing and Health Professions used to run a PsyD program. This hands-on doctoral program helped students work with underserved populations in team-based healthcare settings. The program earned ten years of APA accreditation starting October 2023, but students should note that it will end by Fall 2025 and no new applications are being accepted.
These programs give students real-world experience through research projects. This practical approach helps graduates start their careers or continue their education in psychology and related fields.
Online options
Students learning about USF’s online psychology options should know about certain limitations. USF offers many online programs, but the Psychology major remains primarily on-campus coursework, not an online program. Students can access only a few psychology courses online after they complete the PSY 3213 Research Methods in Psychology prerequisite.
USF’s online education system delivers engaging lessons through cutting-edge learning technologies. Students graduating from online programs get the same diploma and USF resources as their on-campus peers. Class sizes stay small to give students the customized attention they need to excel.
New students can join USF’s online programs at three entry points – Spring, Summer, and Fall semesters. USF’s program formats meet different student needs. Programs range from fully online to hybrid formats with some in-person requirements. The Public Health MPA program splits 50-50 between in-person and online classes each week, while the Public Leadership MA includes five weekend seminars on campus.
USF promises students the same high-quality, caring, values-based education whatever their chosen learning format.
Accreditation
The University of San Francisco Psychology Programs’ accreditation plays a most important role in their evaluation. The USF Clinical Psychology PsyD program reached a major milestone with its ten years of accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA), starting October 28, 2023. This achievement represents the APA’s highest accreditation level and confirms the program meets the Commission on Accreditation’s strict standards.
APA accreditation shows that students learn from expert faculty in a variety of fields within a well-resourced program that prepares graduates to enter health service psychology. The program showed its steadfast dedication to excellence through a complete self-study report and a two-day site visit.
All the same, future students should know that the PsyD program will stop accepting new students starting Fall 2025, which leads to an official “Accredited inactive” status with the APA.
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) has granted accreditation to the University of San Francisco. So, this institutional recognition benefits all psychology programs.
APA’s accreditation will give graduates the ability to provide excellent clinical psychological service to the public. This makes USF one of the Bay Area’s prominent PsyD programs.
Admission Requirements
Getting into University of San Francisco Psychology Programs requires thorough preparation. Students applying for undergraduate programs want to achieve a GPA of at least 2.75, while graduate programs expect even stronger academic performance.
The PsyD program bases its admission decisions on how well candidates match the program’s mission. A bachelor’s degree is required, and students without a psychology major must complete specific prerequisites. These include Research Methods as a mandatory course, plus any two courses from Abnormal Psychology, Lifespan Development, or Theories of Personality/Psychotherapy.
Students applying to the MA in Psychological Sciences program just need a minimum 3.00 GPA from their last 60 undergraduate credit hours. Strong GRE scores can boost your application for Clinical concentration and help you qualify for fellowships, though they’re optional.
A complete application package for these programs usually includes:
- Official transcripts from all previous institutions
- Letters of recommendation (two to three, with at least one academic reference)
- Personal statement or statement of intent
- Professional resume or curriculum vitae
- Application fee
Students from other countries must also provide TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores to prove their English proficiency.
Graduate psychology programs are highly competitive. Clinical psychology PhD programs accept between 1-20% of applicants, and USF’s program takes only 7-10 students each year from about 300 applications. These competitive numbers make it smart to apply to multiple programs.
Tuition
Planning your education at University of San Francisco Psychology Programs starts with knowing the costs. Students at the Hilltop campus pay full-time undergraduate tuition of $61,870 per academic year for fall and spring semesters. Students who take fewer than 12 credits or more than 18 credits will pay $2,205 per credit during fall, intersession, and spring terms.
Graduate psychology programs charge tuition differently. Students pay $1,695 per unit. This means you’ll pay around $30,510 for 18 units or $27,120 for 16 units each semester. Graduate students who take six or more units must pay $4,168 for USF-sponsored health insurance as part of their direct costs. Students can waive this fee if they already have coverage.
Money matters go beyond just tuition at USF. The total cost combines direct charges on your USF bills and indirect costs such as books and personal travel. Students should plan ahead because tuition and fees usually go up by 2.8% to 4.9% each year.
USF takes pride in offering “one of the lowest tuition rates in the country.” Their value shows through recognition from Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and U.S. News & World Report. Some graduate assistantships come with tuition waivers, though students still need to pay academic fees of about $800 per semester.
Additional Information
USF provides extensive support services for psychology students beyond regular coursework. Students can get free, confidential counseling at the USF Counseling Center through in-person or secure video appointments. The center runs daily online drop-in workshops and therapy groups that help students handle mental health concerns.
Psychology majors can gain practical experience by working in faculty research labs as student assistants. This hands-on work lets students tackle real-life projects combining sustainability, AI, and health. The Psychology Practicum course gives students a chance to use psychology concepts in community settings like hospitals, mental health centers, and non-profit organizations.
The Psychology Department runs the Psychological Services Center, which provides general clinical services including adult psychotherapy and child/adolescent family therapy. Students can easily access services since office hours run into evenings Monday through Thursday.
Students get help with LinkedIn profiles, resume writing, and interview practice through career planning resources. USF’s Course Pathways help students choose classes that match their career goals. Working as a peer advisor, research assistant, teaching assistant, or student program assistant gives students many chances for professional growth.