Having a Masters’s degree in School Psychology can be demanding in terms of time, high tuition fees, and other expenses but there has always been a way forward.
All thanks to World Scholarship Forum who has deemed it fit to put down a list of Best psychology master’s programs California in 2024 for students who are on the verge of giving up their dream.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of psychologists is projected to grow 14 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. Psychology job prospects should be best for those who have a doctoral degree in an applied specialty.
Therefore, in this article, we’ll furnish you with the best psychology master’s programs in California. In addition, we’ll also give you an insight on what psychology Is all about and why to study psychology.
Table of contents
- What Is Psychology?
- Why Should I Study Psychology?
- Why University Of California?
- What Can I Do With A Masters Degree In Psychology?
- What Are The Types of Masters in Psychology Degrees?
- What Are They Entry Requirements To Study Psychology At Masters Level?
- What Are The California State Average Tuition Costs For Masters Degree?
- Masters Application and Admission
- Best Psychology Masters Programs California
- Number of program
- Reputation
- Accreditation
- #1. Stanford University
- #2. California State University-Northridge
- #3. University Of California-San Diego
- #4. University of California–Berkeley
- #5. San Diego State University
- #6. California State University-Fullerton
- #7. University Of California- Santa Cruz
- #8. California State University -Long Beach
- #9. University Of California-Riverside
- #10. University of Southern California
- Conclusion
- References
- We Also Recommend
What Is Psychology?
According to the American Psychological Association, Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior. However, it incorporates biological influences, social pressures, and environmental factors that affect how people–think, act, and feel.
Furthermore, it is a multifaceted discipline and includes many sub-fields of study such areas as human development, animal behaviour sports, health, clinical, social behaviour, and cognitive processes.
In addition, psychology encompasses the biological influences, social pressures, and environmental factors that affect how people- think, act, and feel.
Why Should I Study Psychology?
Psychology as an applied and academic field benefits both individuals and society. It devotes a large part of psychology to the diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues.
The study of psychology gives reason to some important questions such as why do people act the way they do? What shapes our personality? How do we learn and change throughout our life? Psychology students learn to comprehend why people act in a certain way, how they respond to the world around them, and which key factors might affect this. These might be social, biological, cognitive.
That is to say, if you are interested in a deeper understanding of the human and animal behaviour patterns and conditions, consider studying psychology in one of our listed best colleges for psychology undergraduate programs.
Why University Of California?
UC is one of the world’s premier research universities. Their doctoral programs rank among the best anywhere and their graduate students make outsized contributions to the arts, to research, to their local and to the global community.
At UC, you’ll also join a diverse community of people from around the world, representing many socioeconomic, cultural, racial, and ethnic backgrounds. Together, you’ll make the world a better place.
What Can I Do With A Masters Degree In Psychology?
For a graduate of psychology, there are lots of opportunities to take on. However, it depends on your specialization and area of interest.
You can decide to work as an educational psychologist which involves working alongside adolescents or forensic psychologists, which entails working with criminals and seeking to understand why certain crimes have been perpetrated and how offenders can avoid re-offending.
Also, some graduates start their careers in childcare, health, and education jobs, while others go into the legal, social, and welfare professions. On the other hand, a little percentage of psychology graduates work as a commercial, industrial, or public sector managers.
You can also decide to go into business, human resources and finance, marketing, sales, and public relations.
On the flip side, you can decide to take up a graduate program in psychology. This is one criterion for becoming a chartered psychologist.
What Are The Types of Masters in Psychology Degrees?
There are two most common types of psychology master’s degrees which are the Master of Arts (M.A.) and the Master of Science (M.S.). A Master of Arts in Psychology degree may be a sign of a stronger liberal arts focus, while a Master of Science in Psychology may show a stronger emphasis on research and the sciences.
The type of degree offered depends upon the graduate school and Psychology Masters program since the academic requirements are often very similar.
What Are They Entry Requirements To Study Psychology At Masters Level?
Considering postgraduate study, but unsure whether you meet the entry requirements for a Masters-level degree? Postgraduate admissions guidelines vary by course and university but can be quite flexible.
Your existing qualifications will be important, but you don’t need a great Bachelors’s degree to apply for a Masters’s. They may also consider your personal circumstances and experience during the admissions process.
This guide explains the typical entry requirements for Masters, which include:
What Are The California State Average Tuition Costs For Masters Degree?
In California State, 228 schools offer master’s programs. The average master program tuition fees of California colleges is $10,236 for California residents and $22,413 for students from other States.
The tuition & fees rose 100.52% from last year. The next table and chart describe the master’s tuition & fees and compares it to the last 5 years.
| Public Schools | Private Schools | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State | ||
| 2016 | $10,846 | $21,374 | $21,625 |
| 2017 | $10,830 | $21,311 | $22,390 |
| 2018 | $11,286 | $22,157 | $22,077 |
| 2019 | $11,384 | $22,297 | $22,027 |
| 2020 | $10,236 | $22,413 | $23,517 |
Masters Application and Admission
You’re considered a masters applicant if you hold a Bachelor’s degree, and wish to continue your masters/post-baccalaureate studies in a master’s, certificate, or credential program at any Cal State university.
Important Information For Admission To Note
As you review the information below, please note:
- Applicants must apply via the online Cal State Apply application.
- Admission to master/post-baccalaureate programs is a two-step process. Applications are reviewed by the Admissions Office and the Academic Program department. Applicants must meet both university and program admission criteria, which may include program-specific admission/entrance exams (e.g., GRE, GMAT, etc.).
- Besides the Cal State Apply admission application, some Academic Programs also require a separate supplemental program application. Please plan. Supplemental application materials are due by the same deadline as the Cal State Apply application.
Best Psychology Masters Programs California
Just as psychology looks to unravel the reasons and underlying factors surrounding why living beings act and behave the way they do, it is also ideal to find out the best Psychology Masters Programs to help guide your selection. These top psychology schools in the world were selected based on the following factors;
Number of program
Based on findings, it is widely believed that the number of programs offered by a school shows its level of qualitative and academic depth. Therefore, after concise research, our list is based on the number of programs offered by each college.
Reputation
They selected it selects colleges because of online portfolio and performance in other ranking sites.
Accreditation
We chose the schools on our list of best psychology schools based on their accreditation status. Ideally, the accreditation status of a school shows that the school is authorized and officially recognized to operate in that capacity.
#1. Stanford University
The University of California at Los Angeles offers 5 undergraduate programs in psychology. It is a great public university in a large city. In 2015, 639 students graduated from the field of psychology with students earning 582 bachelor’s degrees, 32 master’s degrees, and 25 doctorate degrees. The University of California, Los Angeles, also has a prestigious school of theater, film and television school and the College of Dentistry.
The Ronald Reagan Medical Center at the University of California, Los Angeles, is one of the best hospitals in the country. UCLA guarantees a three-year housing and offers over 1,000 student organizations, including media groups and around 60 Greek branches, representing about 13 percent of the student body.
UCLA’s acceptance rate for Fall 2018 was 14%, according to the United States news data. This means that fewer than 2 in 10 students who applied to the University of California that year received an admission. UCLA’s offers one of the best psychology master’s degree programs.
#2. California State University-Northridge
California State University-Northridge offers 3 Psychology Degree programs. The school is a public institution that was founded in 1958. It’s also a large public university in a large city. In 2015, 784 students graduated in the study area of Psychology with students earning 729 Bachelor’s degrees, and 55 Master’s degrees. It uses a semester-based academic calendar.
Northridge’s ranking in the edition of Best Colleges is Regional Universities West, #49. It’s in-state tuition and fees are $6,972; out-of-state tuition and fees are $17,622. This school also offers the best psychology master’s degree programs.
#3. University Of California-San Diego
The University of California-San Diego offers 4 psychology degree programs. It is a great public university in a large city. In 2015, 481 students graduated in psychology studies and students received 461 bachelor’s degrees, 11 master’s degrees, and 9 doctorates. The University of California – San Diego is located by the Pacific Ocean, in the La Jolla community of San Diego. The UCSD Tritons compete in over 20 NCAA Division II sports, primarily in the California Sports Federation.
The school has hundreds of student organizations, and the university is home to a thriving Greek community. All new students are eligible for two-year guaranteed housing on campus but are not required to live on campus. The campus has an aquarium and is home to a large high-performance outdoor smoothie table, which tests the structure’s ability to resist simulated earthquakes”.
#4. University of California–Berkeley
The University of California-Berkeley offers 4 Degree programs in Psychology. It’s a large public university in a mid-sized city. In 2015, 409 students graduated with 389 bachelor’s degrees, in the study area of psychology. The University of California—Berkeley, is located overlooking the San Francisco Bay, and often referred to as Cal.
Generally, 95 percent or more of Berkeley’s incoming freshmen stayed on campus.
There are over 1,000 organizations for students, ranging from political groups to a hang gliding club and all in-between. Berkeley also has a thriving Greek culture with hundreds of fraternity and sorority chapters. The California Golden Bears, Berkeley’s athletic teams, compete in the Pac-12 Conference and are known for their traditional arch rivalry with Stanford University.
Berkeley has 14 schools and colleges, including several graduate and professional schools, such as the School of Optometry and the Graduate School of Journalism.
#5. San Diego State University
San Diego State University is a public institution in a large city and was founded in 1897. The University offers 3 Psychology Degree programs. In 2015, 587 students graduated in the study area of Psychology with students earning 557 Bachelor’s degrees, and 30 Master’s degrees.
It uses a semester-based academic calendar. San Diego State University’s ranking in the most recent edition of best colleges is national universities, #147, and also one of the best school that offers psychology master’s degree program.
It’s in-state tuition and fees are $7,510; out-of-state tuition and fees are $19,390.
#6. California State University-Fullerton
California State University-Fullerton offers 3 Psychology Degree programs. It’s a large public university in a large suburb. In 2015, 595 students graduated in the study area of Psychology with students earning 576 Bachelor’s degrees, and 19 Master’s degrees.
Outside the classroom, Cal State Fullerton students can explore over 50 clubs, join a fraternity or sorority, or play in an intramural sports team. Many students also simply soak up the sunshine of Orange County, visit the beach nearby, and explore L.A.
This school also offers the best psychology master’s degree program.
#7. University Of California- Santa Cruz
The University of California-Santa Cruz offers 4 Psychology Degree programs. It’s a large public university in a small city. 498 students graduated in the study area of Psychology with students earning 492 Bachelor’s degrees, 3 Master’s degrees, and 3 Doctoral degrees in the year 2015.
At the University of California—Santa Cruz, one of 10 schools in the state’s university system, residence life can define a student’s experience. Nearly 100 percent of freshmen live on campus and choose one of 10 residential colleges to join. These small groups have their own campus locations, and unique architecture and programming.
Kresge College, for example, is home to an organic garden where students can take classes; students who are members of the College Nine community are often active in volunteer efforts and the college’s Alternative Spring Break trips.
Students living in residence halls may only have overnight guests 15 times a school year, for a maximum of three nights each visit. Students also have the option to live in single-occupant recreational vehicles in the Camper Park, a unique community of students who live in university-maintained, home-like vehicles and share a common bathroom and lounge.
#8. California State University -Long Beach
California State University – Long Beach offers 3 undergraduate psychology programs. It is a great public university in a great city. In 2015, 514 students graduated in psychology studies and students received 456 bachelor’s degrees and 58 master’s degrees.
California State University-Long Beach offers 3 Psychology Degree programs. It’s a large public university in a large city. In 2015, 514 students graduated in the study area of Psychology with students earning 456 Bachelor’s degrees, and 58 Master’s degrees.
#9. University Of California-Riverside
The University of California-Riverside offers 4 Psychology Degree programs. It’s a large public university in a large city. In 2015, 416 students graduated in the study area of Psychology with students earning 391 Bachelor’s degrees, 13 Master’s degrees, and 12 Doctoral degrees.
UCR is one of 10 schools in the University of California system and was the official UC Citrus Experiment Station before becoming a university. In the years since, faculty researchers have bred several new types of fruit, including the Melogold grapefruit and the Golden Nugget orange.
Today, the university offers well-regarded graduate programs through the Bourns College of Engineering and Graduate School of Education.
#10. University of Southern California
The University of Southern California’s central campus referred to as the University Park campus, is located in Los Angeles’s Downtown Arts and the Education Corridor. The University of Southern California offers 4 Psychology Degree programs.
It’s a large private university in a large city. In 2015, 241 students graduated in the study area of Psychology with students earning 212 Bachelor’s degrees, 16 Doctoral degrees, and 13 Master’s degrees.
USC has other campuses in L.A. besides sites around Southern California and in Sacramento, Calif., and Washington, D.C. Students can take part in the over 1,000 on-campus organizations, ranging from religious groups to club sports. It does not require USC students to live on campus, but the university offers housing in its 40 residence halls and apartment buildings.
Conclusion
Psychology as a practical course is one to be studied in a nice academic destination. Therefore, the aforementioned schools were carefully selected to meet your search demands. Good luck!
References
- universities.com-California best psychology degrees
- usnews.com-best graduate schools top-humanities-schools psychology rankings
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