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Psychology, B.A.

School of Arts and Sciences

When you seek to understand the human mind,
the possibilities are endless.

Psychology is the study of the mind and how it shapes our experiences and behaviors. At Fresno Pacific, you’ll examine people from scientific, religious, philosophical, physiological and socio-cultural perspectives.

You'll also gain a hands-on approach to learning, providing you with a unique and relevant experience. You'll take your studies beyond the classroom with research projects and experiences observing and working in the field of psychology.

Learn from faculty with a range of clinical training and perspectives as you study human behavior and mental processes – theoretical and applied.

Program Highlights

  • Choose between face-to-face or fully online program options
  • Meet for class one night per week
  • Progress through the entire program with a cohort of 12-22 adult students
  • Engage diverse classmates from a variety of life stages and cultural backgrounds
  • Study under experienced faculty and who assign relevant coursework
  • Take part in internship, research and career development opportunities
  • For a detailed program brochure click here

Discover Our Enhanced Psychology, B.A. Curriculum Coming Soon!

FPU is thrilled to unveil an enhanced curriculum for our Psychology, B.A. program. Designed to meet the evolving demands of today's psychological landscape, our new curriculum integrates practical applications, with a focus on fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Stay tuned for the official release in May 2025, as we continue to empower our students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in their psychology careers.
 

  • For students starting in the May 2025- April 2026 catalog year, the new course listings for the B.A. in Psychology can be found here and will be published on the catalog tab when the 2025-2026 catalog is released in May.  
  • For students who started in the March 2025 term, you will be placed into the 2024-25 catalog curriculum and then will be requested to opt into the new curriculum for the May start term.  
  • Currently enrolled FPU students will have the option to either stay in their current curriculum or change to the new program. Current students can visit fpu.edu/catalog or Sunbird Central to find their current program course listing.
     

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Catalog

Program Director: Blanca Quiroz, Ed.D.

Overview

Psychology is the study of the mind and how it shapes our experiences and behaviors. At Fresno Pacific, you'll examine people from scientific, religious, philosophical, physiological and socio-cultural perspectives. You'll also gain a hands-on approach to learning, providing you with a unique and relevant experience. You'll take your studies beyond the classroom with research projects and experiences observing and working in the field of psychology.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will demonstrate the critical thinking, analytical writing, and abstract reasoning skills necessary for successful graduate school performance and professional effectiveness.

2. Students shall demonstrate knowledge of the history of psychology and key concepts and theories of the psychological literature

3. Students shall demonstrate precision of thought, the ability to formulate and analyze testable hypotheses, develop clear arguments, and express themselves concisely and effectively in written assignments and public presentations.

4. Students will examine and critique how the scientific discipline of psychology and the Christian faith co-exist in a mutually illuminating relationship, in healthy tension and harmony with each other.

5. Students will analyze their personal growth and identify development, coherently connecting knowledge of human nature with an emerging wisdom of family, community, culture, and ethics.

Degree Pathways

Psychology, B.A. (DC) Two Year Pathway  

General Education Requirements

  • BIB 114 - Jesus and the Christian Community Credits 3
  • BIB 248 - Biblical Perspectives for Well-Being Credits 3
  • Program prerequisites:

  • MATH 205 - Introductory Statistics Credits 3
  • PSY 119 - General Psychology Credits 3

Required Courses (38 units)

  • PSY 216 - Psychological Statistics Credits 3
  • PSY 251 - Child Growth and Development Credits 3 or
  • PSY 261 - Lifespan Development Credits 3
  • PSY 296 - Social Psychology Credits 3
  • PSY 316 - Advanced Research Methods Credits 3
  • PSY 341 - Assessment, Testing, and Measurement Credits 3
  • PSY 371 - Cognition Credits 3
  • PSY 374 - Biopsychology Credits 3
  • PSY 381 - Behavioral Psychology Credits 3
  • PSY 411 - Abnormal Psychology Credits 3
  • PSY 441 - Introduction to Counseling Theories Credits 3
  • PSY 451 - History and Systems of Psychology Credits 3
  • PSY 472 - Cross-Cultural Psychology Credits 3
  • PSY 480 - Practicum I Credits 1
  • PSY 481 - Practicum II Credits 1

Possibilities Await
With an FPU Education

You already have a lot going on in your life, which is why our degree completion programs are designed to meet you where you are. You'll be surrounded by other students who will support and encourage you, by faculty mentors who are invested in your success, by opportunities to connect what you learn in the classroom to the real world, and by connections to the employers who will help you move forward in your career.

First Steps to Admission

  • Submit an application for admission (online)
    * Admission applications are free, no discount codes required.
  • Request official transcripts from previously attended colleges, universities and high schools and send electronically to trans.evaluator@fresno.edu
    • GED Transcripts OR any AA, AS, AS-T, AA-T from an accredited College or University as proof of High School graduation
    • This includes any military transcripts you may have, along with your military release forms (DD214).​​
  • Complete the FAFSA as early as October 1. (FAFSA Code: 001253)
    Enroll in the minimum number of units per semester to qualify for loans.
  • Schedule an appointment with your Student Financial Services Advisor 559-453-2041 sfs@fresno.edu

Requirements

  • University Admission Prerequisites

    • Minimum 6 transferable baccalaureate-level units
    • Minimum 2.4 GPA
    • 2 years post-secondary experience
  • Program Admission Prerequisites

    • 60 transferable baccalaureate-level units
    • Minimum 2.4 GPA
    • 2 years post-secondary experience 

Program Requirements

  • 2.75 GPA for Admissions to cohort
  • Program Application Packet

Program prerequisites

  • General Psychology
  • Introduction to Statistics
  • Research Methods

Transfer Agreements

The following guidelines are used when considering transfer credit:

  • Courses completed at a regionally or ABHE, ATS, TRACS, or AARTS accredited institution
  • Baccalaureate-level courses
  • Grade of C- or better
  • Courses are not duplicate to credit already received
  • All GE and major courses must be taken for a letter grade, not pass/fail
  • No lab is required for Area 5 Physical & Biological Sciences
  • Some majors have lower division prerequisites. Select an institution below to see the school's general education and lower division major requirements

View full transfer policy Find agreements for your school 

*Transfer Agreements are only a tool. Transfer work is not considered official until it has been evaluated by the FPU Registrar’s Office.

Non-traditional Admission

Steps for Re-admission

To reenter into the Degree Completion program within 5 years of last enrollment, the student will need to complete the Degree Completion Re-admission Form. An academic advisor will determine if the student may reenter and if any conditions apply for readmission. The student will be charged at the current tuition rate for any course repeated.

*Note: If student is readmitting after 5 years of last enrollment, the student will need to refer to “First Steps to Admission".

Steps for Non-matriculated Admission

The non-matriculated application is for people who are interested in taking baccalaureate classes through the Degree Completion program, but are not seeking to be admitted into that program. Students must complete this Non-matriculated Application Form only once in order to be qualified to take courses. Applicants must also meet the two-year post-secondary experience requirement to take these courses. Financial Aid is not available, and the course limit is six units per semester with a limit of two semesters total.

For more information, or for help filling out this application, please contact Graduate and Degree Completion Admissions at (559) 453-3690.

State Authorization

State authorization is a federal requirement in the Higher Education Act that requires institutions to be authorized in the state in which online programs are offered. Fresno Pacific University works regularly with individual state authorization agencies to meet each state's requirements. Currently, Fresno Pacific University has received authorization to offer online degree programs in all but seven states, as well as Washington, D.C. The seven states are: Georgia, Michigan, New York, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island and Wisconsin.
For the latest updates on the status of FPU's authorization in your state, contact your FPU Admissions representative.

Cost & Financial Aid

The below listed prices reflect the current and upcoming Fall and Spring semesters and do not include any financial aid. Paying for college can be an overwhelming step in your education journey. We can help you find all the possible opportunities to reduce your out of pocket costs.

Tuition & Financial Aid

2025-26

Degree Completion ProgramsAmount
All Programs$550
General Education$550
Elective Courses$550
Other CostsAmount
Student services fee (per semester)$110

2024-25

Degree Completion ProgramsAmount
All Programs$550
General Education$550
Elective Courses$550
Other CostsAmount
Student services fee (per semester)$110

* This is an estimate. Costs subject to change. Cost of attendance figures are used for budgeting purposes only and represent an estimate of projected tuition and fees for the coming academic year. Actual tuition rates are approved by the Board of Trustees and may vary. 

Types of aid

Financial aid can refer to scholarships, grants and loans, which are available to you from the government, the university or outside sources. Aid types vary depending on the type of student you are.

Photo of Alexandra Green

Alexandra Green

Mathematics

The grants, the academic awards, the transfer scholarship – all of it makes it so much more affordable to attend FPU. I know that school isn’t cheap for anyone, but FPU helped me realize that I could actually come to this school because they were going to help me so much financially.

Career Opportunities

Graduates are prepared to pursue careers and advanced study in academia, clinical psychology, marriage and family therapy and industrial psychology. You'll also be prepared to provide context for careers in law enforcement, education, human resources, consultation, business, public relations and more.

Career Possibilities

  • Counselor
  • Human services provider
  • Law enforcement agent
  • Program manager
  • Child advocate
  • Human resources professional

Career Development Happens Here

The staff in our Career Development and Experiential Learning Center are here to help you prepare to enter the working world. Whether your a freshman or an FPU alum, there are a number of resources and trainings offered to help you find the internship and job you’re looking for.

  • Resume writing classes
  • Career assessments, exploration & planning
  • Job search and networking opportunities
  • and much more

Visit the Career Development Center