Apply Now Visit a Campus

Psychology, B.A.

School of Humanities, Religion and Social 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.

Program Highlights

  • Engage in off-campus summer and study abroad programs
  • Flexibility in coursework allows you to double major or add a minor
  • Both clinical and experimental research emphases available
  • Applied practicum provides internship, research and career development opportunities
  • Work one-on-one with faculty to choose from a broad range of topics for your capstone research project

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

Required Courses (41 - 44 Units)

Foundation Courses (22-23 Units)

Foundations of Psychology

  • PSY 120 - General Psychology Credits 3 or
  • PSY 120H - General Psychology Credits 4
  • PSY 375 - Biopsychology Credits 4
  • PSY 450 - History and Systems of Psychology Credits 4

Foundations of Research

  • PSY 300 - Statistics Credits 4
  • PSY 310 - Research Methods Credits 3
  • PSY 320 - Experimental Psychology Credits 3
  • PSY 320L - Experimental Psychology Lab Credits 1

Breadth Courses (13 - 15 Units)

Students must take a minimum of four breadth courses: at least one each from the developmental, clinical and sociocultural categories.

Developmental

  • PSY 350 - Child Development Credits 3
  • PSY 355 - Adolescent Development Credits 3
  • PSY 360 - Life-Span Development Credits 3
  • PSY 365 - Gerontology Credits 3

Clinical

  • 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 395 - Social Psychology Credits 3
  • PSY 397 - Community Psychology Credits 4
  • PSY 400 - Personality Credits 3
  • PSY 460 - Psychology of Religion Credits 3
  • PSY 471 - Cross-Cultural Psychology Credits 4

Applied Research in Psychology

  • 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
  • COM 430 - Group Dynamics and Leadership Credits 3
  • PSY 488 - Advanced Statistics 3 Units

Synthesis Courses (6 Units)

Select at least one of the following. If either PSY 397  or PSY 471  is chosen above, then another course must be used from the following list:

  • PSY 397 - Community Psychology Credits 4
  • PSY 471 - Cross-Cultural Psychology Credits 4
  • 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

Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) Information

1. Child and Adolescent Development (AA-T) to Psychology, B.A.

BA courses fulfilled through ADT:

  • All lower-division General Education requirements fulfilled
  • BA co-requisites and major courses fulfilled through ADT:
    • PSY 120       General Psychology (3)
  • This program is offered as daytime traditional

ADT Guarantee is the completion of BA/BS degree in 68 units.

2. Psychology (AA-T) to Psychology, B.A.

BA courses fulfilled through ADT:

  • All lower-division General Education requirements fulfilled
  • BA co-requisites and major courses fulfilled through ADT:
    • PSY 120       General Psychology (3)
  • This program is offered as daytime traditional

ADT Guarantee is the completion of BA/BS degree in 68 units.

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.

Two-Year Transfer Guarantee for ADT Pathways

FPU guarantees a student with an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) from the California Community College system, can complete their degree in just two years. If a student meets the qualification requirements, fulfills the responsibilities under the program, and are unable to complete their major in a 2-year period, FPU will assume all additional tuition costs needed to complete their undergraduate degree at FPU.

Incoming requirements
  • 60 transferable units [grades of C- or better] from the California Community College system with a completed ADT (Associate Degree for Transfer)
  • Selected an ADT matched (similar) pathway from FPU’s undergraduate degree programs
  • Have completed the necessary pre-requisites in the discipline specific to intended major
  • Have at least a 2.4 transfer GPA
Student responsibilities
To qualify for the guarantee students must:
  • Enroll in an average of 15- 18 units per semester; not including repeated courses.
  • Remain in good academic standing by maintaining an institutional grade point average of 2.0 or higher
  • Enroll in the required number of consecutive semesters: 3-4 semesters depending on number of units transferred in
  • Make up units for any failed or withdrawn courses during the guarantee period, which may require you to take more than 15-18 units per semester
    • For TUG you may have to enroll in a summer semester.
  • Fulfill all graduation requirements, including core curriculum, major requirements, and upper division course work requirements.
    • Two Year Guarantee: complete enough upper division courses to have at least 40 upper division units by the end of the 4-semester time frame.
  • Take all required courses during the semester recommended by your Academic Advisor.
  • Register for all upcoming courses during the registration period.
  • Any courses from a Community College with “D+” or lower are non-transferable and require additional courses and semesters to graduate.
  • This guarantee may not apply to students starting in a spring or summer semester start (TUG only).
  • This guarantee is limited to basic graduation requirements: 120 minimum units including general education, upper-level and elective courses sufficient for a single major.

Cost & Financial Aid

The below listed prices reflect the 2021-22 Fall and Spring semesters and do not include any financial aid. Paying for college can be an overwhelming step in education your journey. We can help you find all the opportunities to reduce your out of pocket costs. Over 98% of our student body has received financial aid.

Tuition & Fees

2022-2023
Total Cost Item Amount
12-18 units (full time) per year $33,614
Student body fee $574
Total Tuition and Fees $34,188
Room and Board $8,884
Total Tuition, Fees & Board $43,072
Per-Unit Costs Amount
Per unit / Overload $1,218
Summer Session $400
Private Music Instruction $400
2021-2022
Total Cost Item Amount
12-18 units (full time) per year $32,954
Student body fee $498
Total Tuition and Fees $33,452
Room and Board $8,710
Total Tuition, Fees & Board $42,162
Per-Unit Costs Amount
Per unit / Overload $1,177
Summer Session $300
Private Music Instruction $400

Room & Board Rates

Freshman / Sophmore Housing
Module* Fall Spring
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 & Houses Fall Spring
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) Fall Spring
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 Person Fall Spring
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 Plans Fall Spring
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

Name Amount
Paragon Full Tuition
President's $16,000
Dean's $14,000
Heritage $13,000
Faculty $11,000
Founder's $7,000

Transfer Scholarships 

Name Amount
Transfer Scholar $11,000
Transfer Achievement $8,500
Transfer Academic $6,000
Transfer Partnership $5,000

Performance-based Scholarships

Name Amount
Athletic $500 to Full Tuition
Music $400 to $10,000
Drama $1,300 to $2,000

Other FPU Grants and Scholarships

Name Amount
FPU Possibilities Scholarship Full Tuition
Church Match $500 to $1,500
International Scholarship up to $6,000
Mennonite Brethren Award $4,000
Out of State Student Scholarship $4,000
King & Hamer Leadership Program $4,000
Other Awards $100 to $10,000

Federal and State Grants

Name Amount
Cal Grant A $9,804
Cal Grant B $1,672
Pell Grants $100 to $6,345
FSEOG $100 to $1,500

Federal Loans and Workstudy

Name Amount
Federal Direct $3,500 to $7,500
PLUS Loan Up to remaining cost
Perkins Loan Up to $4,000
Workstudy Contingent 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 Opportunities

Graduates go on to pursue careers in academia, clinical psychology, marriage and family therapy and industrial psychology. Psychology can provide context for many other careers: in law enforcement, education, human resources, consultation, business, public relations and more. Students interested in medicine (particularly neurology, psychiatry, family practice or pediatrics) are encouraged to double major as psychological health is becoming an increasingly crucial aspect of overall health.

Career Possibilities

  • Counselor
  • Researcher
  • Human services provider
  • Program manager
  • Child advocate

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