Best Psychology Degree Programs in California (CA)
Start your journey to a rewarding career in mental health, research, or human resources by pursuing a psychology degree in a state with a growing demand for licensed psychologists. This STEPS guide can help you to discover the best psychology degree programs in California and find your match today.
The demand for licensed psychologists in California continues to grow. According to the California Employment Development Department, this demand is expected to grow 10.6% between 2020 and 2030, and should result in an estimated 4,900 more job openings during that ten year span.
Aspiring psychologists and anyone wanting to work in mental health, social work, human resources, and similar careers can choose from dozens of traditional or online psychology programs in California. Keep reading to learn about this year’s best accredited programs, explore career options and salary potential after graduation, and more.
Types of Psychology Degrees You Can Earn in California
Psychology degrees in California offer a wealth of focus options. From the two-year associate degree that gets you started in the basic tenets of psychology to the doctoral degree that paves the way to become a clinical psychologist, California psychology schools offer many paths to reaching your career goals. We’ve detailed the various levels you can pursue below and provided examples of California schools offering them.
Undergraduate Psychology Degrees in California
Associate Degrees in Psychology
An associate degree in psychology prepares you for work in a variety of support positions, including as a psychiatric technician or aide or a social or human services assistant. Students learn about personality types and theories, psychological disorders, development through the lifespan, and social constructs in addition to general education topics. This two-year degree can be a stepping-stone to a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field.
Examples of Accredited California Colleges with this Psychology Degree
Contra Costa College (On-Campus)
Los Angeles City College (On-Campus)
California Coast University (Online)
Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology
This four-year degree provides a psychology foundation for advanced study at the graduate level while also presenting the opportunity to specialize. Those with a bachelor’s degree in psychology often find careers in counseling, customer service, human resources, and other jobs where they work with the public. Students learn the basics of addictions and the different types of psychology, such as organizational psychology or developmental psychology, as well as develop research skills.
Examples of Accredited California Colleges with this Psychology Degree
National University (Online)
University of California, San Diego (On-Campus)
California Southern University (Online)
Graduate Psychology Degrees in California
Master’s Degrees in Psychology
A master’s degree in psychology builds upon the foundations and theories of psychology learned during a bachelor’s degree and takes two to four years to complete. You can also choose an area of psychology to specialize in, including forensic psychology, consumer psychology, psychopharmacology, school psychology, and more. Though some states allow graduates to work as family therapists or other types of counselors, work is also often available in market research, project management, human resources, and social services.
Examples of Accredited Florida Colleges with this Psychology Degree
Alliant International University (Online)
California State University, Long Beach (On-Campus)
University of Southern California (Online)
PsyD Programs
PsyD programs are for those wanting to focus on professional practice. They take four or five years to complete, look at evidence-based services and established standards of practice, and are often designed for busy working clinicians. With a strong emphasis on the clinical and applied aspects of psychology, PsyD programs also require a dissertation or doctoral project of publishable quality.
Examples of Accredited California Colleges with this Psychology Degree
Pepperdine University (On-Campus)
California Lutheran University (On-Campus)
California Southern University (Online)
Psychology PhD Programs
Those interested in research careers can opt for a PhD program in psychology. Such programs focus on conducting research, ethical treatment of research subjects, collecting and analyzing data, and professionally presenting findings. They take an average of five to seven years and require a doctoral project. These programs are also often highly competitive.
Examples of Accredited California Colleges with this Psychology Degree
University of California, Riverside (On-Campus)
University of California, Davis (On-Campus)
Graduate Certificates
Graduate certificates in psychology are open to those who have completed at least a bachelor’s degree and want to gain more knowledge in a specific area of psychology. They are ideal for specializing without devoting the time and effort needed for a master’s degree or doctoral program. Graduate certificates usually take about one year to complete.
Examples of Accredited Florida Colleges with this Psychology Degree
Alliant International University (Online)
National University (On-Campus and Online)
Financial Aid and Scholarships for Psychology Students in California
Financial aid and scholarships for psychology students in California typically come through professional organizations, schools, businesses, or the federal government. You can also take out private or federal loans to cover tuition costs.
Students in California might find additional financial aid through the state. Visit the California Board of Behavioral Sciences for additional state-specific aid information. In addition, check out our financial aid guide and scholarship guide.
Career Prospects and Earnings Potential for Psych Grads in CA
Graduating from among the best psychology programs in California puts you in a great position for a well-paying career with ample opportunity for growth and professional development. Most careers requiring or benefiting from a psychology degree, with the marketing industry being one of the biggest, have at least double-digit growth projections in California. Many of these positions are in major metropolitan areas.
Given how in demand these professions are, the California average annual wage is also pretty high. Each career has its unique set of compensation and growth statistics, but we’ve identified five careers that do a good job providing a broad representation of what psychology graduates in California can expect to make when they enter the workforce. You’ll notice that the growth rates and annual mean wages are well above the national average for the United States.
| Job Growth (2018-2028) | Avg. Annual Openings (2018-2028) | Annual Mean Wage (2020) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists | 13.2% | 1,530 | $115,830 |
| Marketing Specialists | 24.3% | 14,960 | $83,150 |
| Human Resources Specialists | 10.4% | 8,920 | $79,590 |
| Psychology Postsecondary Teacher | 14.3% | 650 | $121,110 |
| Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors | 11.6% | 4,750 | $81,350 |
Sources: Projections Central; Bureau of Labor Statistics
Top Online Psychology Degree Programs in CA
Whether you’re a working professional or just prefer the flexibility of online learning, California’s top psychology programs have you covered. With hybrid or fully online options available, you can continue working while pursuing your education. While some programs still require in-person practicums, many undergraduate online programs don’t require them. However, they may include on-campus intensives or seminars.
If you’re interested in pursuing an online psychology degree in California, there are many options to choose from. We’ve ranked the best overall options to help you find a quality program that’s right for you.
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, California
Public
The Chicago School
Los Angeles, California
Private
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California
Private
University of Massachusetts Global
Irvine, California
Private
Pepperdine University
Malibu, California
Private
Simpson University
Redding, California
Private
Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, California
Private
California Baptist University
Riverside, California
Private
Biola University
La Mirada, California
Private
William Jessup University
Rocklin, California
Private
Pasadena City College
Pasadena, California
Public
College of San Mateo
San Mateo, California
Public
Folsom Lake College
Folsom, California
Public
Napa Valley College
Napa, California
Public
Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, California
Public
Imperial Valley College
Imperial, California
Public
Merced College
Merced, California
Public
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, California
Public
Butte College
Oroville, California
Public
San Bernardino Valley College
San Bernardino, California
Public
San Joaquin Delta College
Stockton, California
Public
Cerritos College
Norwalk, California
Public
College of the Redwoods
Eureka, California
Public
Cerro Coso Community College
Ridgecrest, California
Public
Compton College
Compton, California
Public
Resources for Psychology Professionals and Students in California
California Board of Behavioral Sciences
Those who work in mental health but are not psychologists can look to this area of the California state website to learn which professions require licensing and how to get that licensure.
California Board of Psychology
This is where graduates can learn what it takes to apply for a license to practice as a psychologist in the state of California. It also provides continuing education and other pertinent information.
California Psychological Association
This professional organization, dedicated to those who work in psychology in the state of California, offers numerous resources, advocacy, professional development, an annual convention, and more.
California Psychological Association of Graduate Students
This Facebook page is for the graduate students who are members of the California Psychological Association to help them keep up with opportunities open to graduate students.
Western Psychological Association
A regional member of the American Psychological Association, this organization offers all the benefits of the APA as well as a regional conference, a job board, and a newsletter detailing information important to those in California and surrounding states.
