Psychology, B.A.

School of Arts and Sciences

Explore Psychology, B.A.

What is possible when you delve into the human mind?
Anything.

The study of psychology asks why people think and behave the way they do.

As a psychology major at Fresno Pacific University, you’ll examine people from scientific, religious, philosophical, physiological and socio-cultural perspectives.

Whether you’re observing the application of behavioral principles with the animals at the Chaffee Zoo or practicing reflective listening in a mock counseling session, you’ll take a hands-on approach to learning how to help others. Learn from faculty with a range of clinical training and perspectives as you study human behavior and mental processes though applied theory.

Take your studies beyond the classroom with research projects and field trips. Through the applied practicum, you’ll intern in the field of your choice to gain relevant work experience.

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Catalog

Program Director: James Van Slyke, Ph.D.

Overview

The psychology major introduces students to the study of human behavior and mental processes, and prepares them for further study in the field. The major provides students with broad foundational training in psychology while challenging them to examine and understand human nature from scientific, religious, philosophical, physiological and sociocultural perspectives.

The psychology program strives to embody the values and vision articulated in the FPU Idea. Inherent in our aspiration is the desire to cultivate a community of learners in which the wisdom of our faculty and students is discerned, valued, nourished and expanded. Our students are rigorously trained in the methodological, theoretical and philosophical foundations of psychological science, from which they can explore its sub-disciplines in more applied contexts. Our students integrate their faith with psychology and, through fieldwork, research-based and/or practicum experiences, consider the role of psychology in the larger community and in cross-cultural settings.

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.

Locations Offered

Main Campus Fresno

Degree Pathways

Psychology, B.A. Four Year Pathway  

Psychology, B.A. ADT Pathway   

Lower Division Major Prerequisites

  • MATH 205 - Introductory Statistics Credits 3
  • PSY 120 - General Psychology Credits 3

Required Courses (37-40 Units)

Foundation Courses (19 Units)

Foundations of Psychology
  • PSY 375 - Biopsychology Credits 4
  • PSY 450 - History and Systems of Psychology Credits 4
Foundations of Research
  • PSY 210 - Research Methods Credits 3
  • PSY 300 - Statistics Credits 4
  • PSY 320 - Experimental Psychology Credits 3
  • PSY 320L - Experimental Psychology Lab Credits 1

Breadth Courses (12-15 Units)

Students must take a minimum of four breadth courses. At least one from each of the following categories: Developmental, Clinical, Sociocultural, and Experimental.

Developmental
  • PSY 252 - Child Development Credits 3
  • PSY 355 - Adolescent Development Credits 3
  • PSY 360 - Life-Span Development Credits 3
  • PSY 365 - Gerontology Credits 3
Clinical
  • COM 430 - Group Dynamics and Leadership Credits 3
  • PSY 376 - Human Sexuality Credits 3
  • PSY 410 - Abnormal Psychology Credits 4
  • PSY 420 - Childhood Disabilities and Psychopathology Credits 4
  • PSY 440 - Counseling Credits 4
Sociocultural
  • PSY 295 - Social Psychology Credits 3
  • PSY 400 - Personality Credits 3
  • PSY 460 - Psychology of Religion Credits 3
  • PSY 471 - Cross-Cultural Psychology Credits 4
Experimental
  • PSY 340 - Psychological Assessment Credits 4
  • PSY 370 - Cognitive Psychology Credits 4
  • PSY 377 - Sport and Exercise Psychology Credits 3
  • PSY 380 - Behavioral Psychology Credits 4

Synthesis Courses (6 Units)

  • Select a fifth breadth course or complete

  • PSY 485 - Integration Symposium Credits 3
Select at least one of the following:
  • PSY 482 - Psychology Practicum Credits 2 - 4
  • PSY 495 - Psychology Research Project Credits 1 - 4
  • PSY 496 - Psychological Research Practicum Credits 1 - 4

Possibilities Await
With an FPU Education

Whether you're a high school student, transfer student or parent, you'll find all the resources you need including application steps, tuition & financial aid, transfer and orientation information.

First Steps to Admission

  • Submit an application for admission (online or printable mail-in)
    * Admission applications are free, no discount codes required.
  • Send official copies of your transcripts to FPU.
  • Complete the FAFSA. It can be completed starting October 1st. (FAFSA Code: 001253)
Recommended High School Courses for Admission
  • 4 years of college preparatory English
  • 3 years of college preparatory mathematics
  • 2 years of social studies
  • 1 year of laboratory science
  • 1 year of performing art
  • 3 years of the same foreign language with a C- or better
Things to Keep in Mind

Fresno Pacific University’s accepted students have average GPAs of 3.2-3.6. Please speak with an admission counselor to discuss your eligibility.

All application materials should be submitted online or mailed to:

Office of Undergraduate Admission
Fresno Pacific University
1717 S. Chestnut Ave. #2005
Fresno, CA 93702
ugadmis@fresno.edu

Non-traditional Admission

Steps for Re-application

For those students who have applied to FPU’s traditional undergraduate program within the past 2 years and did not attend. Students who applied more than 2 years ago will need to resubmit a full application for admission:

  1. Fill out the re-application form
  2. Submit any missing documents or updated transcripts
Steps for Re-admission

Former FPU students who have not been enrolled in and/or have not submitted a leave of absence form for the previous semester are required to re-apply for admission to FPU:

  1. Fill out the re-admission form
  2. Submit official transcripts from other educational institutions attended during absence from FPU
Steps for Non-matriculated Admission

Students interested in taking classes, usually for personal or professional development, or to transfer to another institution, and is not interested in a degree from FPU. Non-degree students are not eligible for federal, state or institutional aid. Other requirements, class limits and pre-requisites may apply. See the academic catalog for more information:

  1. Fill out the Application for Admission indicating Non Matriculating/Non-Degree status non-matriculation application
  2. Submit proof of high school graduation or equivalent
  3. Some classes may require a pre-requisite course. If required, a college transcript will need to be provided
  4. Personal essays are not required
Auditing a class

Students wishing to audit a class at FPU may apply for audit status. Audit classes are not eligible for financial aid and students will not receive course credit.

  1. Fill out the Application for Admission indicating audit status
  2. Personal essays are not required

Four-Year Graduation Guarantee

Four-year graduation guarantee graphic

Earning a degree in four years allows you to get a head start on achieving your goals of entering the work force or starting graduate school. FPU guarantees graduation within four years in the traditional undergraduate areas of study. We commit to providing the courses, advising, instruction and preparation. If you fulfill your responsibilities and are unable to graduate in four years, you will receive the needed courses the following semester at no cost in tuition or fees.

Incoming requirements

This guarantee is limited to basic graduation requirements of 120 minimum units including general education, upper-level and elective courses sufficient for a single major with no minor.

  • Where options between courses are available, students are not guaranteed their first choice.
  • This guarantee does not apply to “fifth-year” programs (teacher education credential requirements) or minimum units beyond graduation requirements (CPA qualifications, etc.) beyond the basic four-year bachelor’s degree.
  • The guarantee does not apply to transfer students or to FPU's degree completion programs.
  • Students not able to register for the courses needed within four years must complete the free course(s) within two terms of the end of four years (e.g. a summer and fall for those completing four years in the spring; or spring and summer for those completing four years in the fall).
  • The four-year period may be extended for students required to leave the university for up to one year (see the Leave of Absence section) for medical, military or personal reasons.
Student responsibilities
To qualify for the guarantee students must:
  • Meet with your mentor during the fall semester of the freshman year.
  • Finalize a major and begin prerequisite or lower-division major courses by the second semester of the freshman year and keep that major until graduation.
  • Complete at least 32 units per year (average 16 per semester) with passing grades in each course.
  • Maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA and remain in good standing behaviorally with the university.
  • Meet with the mentor each semester for advising before registration opens and take the courses approved by the adviser/mentor that complete general-education and major requirements, in the appropriate sequence and as they become available.
  • Register within the first week of registration every semester to gain a spot in the classes needed.
  • Notify mentor if unable to register for an approved course so that an alternative plan can be made.
  • Apply for financial aid and submit required documents by appropriate deadlines.
  • Keep student account up-to-date. (Accounts not up-to-date may be placed on hold, preventing registration for courses.)
  • Complete required courses successfully (see Academic Policies section for minimum acceptable grades) without dropping required or approved courses during a semester.

Cost & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

2025-2026

Total Cost ItemAmount
12-18 units (full time) per year$36,990
Student body fee$770
Total Tuition and Fees$37,760
Room$4,670
Board$5,582
Total Tuition, Fees & Board$48,012
Per-Unit CostsAmount
Per unit / Overload$1,320
Summer Session$550

2024-2025

Total Cost ItemAmount
12-18 units (full time) per year$35,990
Student body fee$670
Total Tuition and Fees$36,660
Room$4,800
Board$5,410
Total Tuition, Fees & Board$46,870
Per-Unit CostsAmount
Per unit / Overload$1,285
Summer Session$515

Room & Board Rates

Freshman / Sophomore Housing

Module*FallSpring
Modules$4,313$4,313
Jost Modules$4,619$4,619 

* Full Access Meal Plan Included in Cost (Full Access Required)

Junior / Senior Housing

Suites & HousesFallSpring
Room only$2,068$2,068
Room-70 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)$2,719$2,719
Room - 140 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)$3,276$3,276
Room - Full Access Meal Plan (included in cost)$4,400$4,400
Jost Hall (4 person), Willow Gardens (4 person) & Kriegbaum Apartments (3 person)FallSpring
Apartment - Room only$2,694$2,694
Apartment - 70 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)$3,345$3,345
Apartment - 140 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)$3,902$3,902
Apartment - Full Access Meal Plan (included in cost)$5,026$5,026
Willow Gardens & Jost Hall  Apartments: 3 PersonFallSpring
Apartments - Room only$3,306$3,306
Apartments - 70 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)$3,958$3,958
Apartments - 140 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)$4,514$4,514
Apartments - Full Access Meal Plan (included in cost)$5,639$5,639
Stand-Alone Meal PlansFallSpring
70 Block$651$651
140 Block$1,208$1,208
Full Access Meal Plan$2,332$2,332

* Residents living in the Houses or Willow Gardens Apartments may stay over Christmas break at no extra charge providing they are returning for spring semester. Otherwise, residents must check out at the regular fall check-out dates.

Notes about housing

  • For housing placement purposes only, class standing for the fall semester will carry throughout the entire year (both fall and spring semesters).
  • Residents living in the houses or Willow Gardens Apartments may stay over Christmas break at no extra charge providing they are returning for spring semester. Otherwise, residents must check out at the regular fall check-out dates.
  • Meal plan contract dates will follow the traditional semester.

If you have questions that pertain specifically to housing or what housing you qualify for, please contact Residence Life at (559) 453-5696. Or visit our website at studentlife.fresno.edu/living-campus.

Financial Aid

Freshman Scholarships

Based on a student’s academic GPA. Academic GPA’s are calculated by FPU on a weighted, 4.0 scaled and based on core academic classes in grades 10-12. Renewable if a minimum GPA is maintained.

NameGPAAmount
Paragon Full Tuition
President's4.00 GPA and above$18,000
Dean's3.75-3.99 GPA$15,000
Heritage3.50-3.75 GPA$14,000
Faculty3.25-3.49 GPA$12,000
Founder'sBelow a 3.0 GPA$8,000

Transfer Scholarships 

To be considered for a Transfer Academic Scholarship, you must have 12 or more transferable, post-high school units. GPA’s are based on transferable units and calculated by FPU.

NameGPAAmount
Transfer Scholar3.50 GPA and above$14,000
Transfer Achievement3.0-3.49 GPA$10,000
Transfer Academic2.40-2.99 GPA$7,500
Transfer PartnershipBelow a 2.4 GPA$6,000

Performance-based Scholarships

NameAmount
Athletic$500 to Full Tuition
Music$400 to $10,000
Theatre Arts$500 to $4,000
Art/Design$500 to $4,000

Other FPU Grants and Scholarships

NameAmount
FPU Possibilities ScholarshipFull Tuition
Church Match$500 to $1,500
International Scholarshipup to $6,000
Mennonite Brethren Award$4,000
Out of State Student Scholarship$4,000
Other Awards$100 to $10,000

Federal and State Grants

NameAmount
Cal Grant A$9,358
Cal Grant B$1,648
Pell Grants$750 to $7,395
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant$1,000

Federal Loans and Work-Study

NameAmount
Federal Direct$3,500 to $7,500
PLUS LoanUp to remaining cost
Work-studyContingent on employment

Private Scholarships

Alumni, parents, friends, businesses and foundations have generously provided a special set of scholarships available to students attending Fresno Pacific.

View Private Scholarships

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.

Net Price Calculator

Now that you’ve seen the financial aid opportunities available to FPU students, we can estimate what your true cost may be to attend Fresno Pacific. Please keep in mind that this is just a computer generated, general estimate and may not capture all aid available, please work with your FPU Student Financial Services advisor to discover your true net price.

Calculate for First-Time FreshmanCalculate for Transfer

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