Research Campus-Based and Online Psychology Degrees in California

With 196 accredited universities, California is a state of opportunity for students seeking this type of degree.

Graduates in psychology will find that there is an abundance of opportunity in this state. Psychologists have the potential to earn from $40,520 in the lower spectrum of earnings to $119,230 per year in the higher tier. The medical field provides psychological opportunities that experience high turn-over. California is known for gaining and losing residents regularly, so it is likely that professional opportunities will arise at a rapid pace.

Psychologists in California have the potential to earn from $40,520 to $119,230 per year in the higher tier, according to the US Department of Labor.

Consider a Featured Online Psychology Program That Is Accepting Applicants

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Programs Currently Accepting Applicants

University of West Alabama - Online Bachelor of Psychology - Online undergraduate program in a flexible online environment.

George Mason University - Online MS in Applied I/O Psychology - No GRE Required, finish your degree in less than 2 years.

Rivier University - Online BA in Psychology - Prepare to become a licensed alcohol and drug counselor through the Substance Use Disorders track.

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What You Should Know About California Psychology Degrees

Unsurprisingly, there are quite a few options for a psychology degree in California. So how do you decide which degree is best for you? It's important, especially in the field of counseling and psychology, to understand what level of education you need for any career in the sector. For example to practice as a clinical psychologist, you need a Doctor of Psychology, or a PsyD degree.

Fear not: there are steps but there is a path.

Steps to Become a Psychologist in California

1. One of the first and primary steps towards becoming a psychologist in California is completing Bachelor's and Master's degree programs in Psychology or a closely related mental health field. Since licensing as a psychologist requires a doctoral-level education, some students may find programs that accept graduates of bachelor's programs while others require master's completion.
2. When seeking out a doctoral level program, you should search for programs that are currently accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). The APA currently accredits doctoral level programs in psychology that can lead to licensing in each state. Most licensure prospects choose from either a Ph.D. or Psy.D. in Psychology for their program. While completing this step, you may be required to engage in specific course work and even internship or residency requirements depending on what your program requires.
3. The next step along your path is to complete 3,000 hours of supervised experience. Up to 1,500 hours of predoctoral experience earned during your doctoral degree program can be counted toward the total. Once you have completed your degree program, you should locate a supervisor that currently holds licensure as a psychologist to help guide you through the next year of your supervised experience.
4. Once you have submitted proof of your education and experience to the state of California's licensing board, they may authorize you to take examinations to test your skills in both practice and ethics. The first stage of testing requires you to successfully pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). This test is typically followed by the California Psychology Law and Ethics Examination (CPLEE), which consists of topics related to law and ethics specific to the state of California.
5. The last phase of your pursuits includes filing your application, paying all fees, and submitting to background checks in your state. Once you have been verified and approved, your state will provide you with a license to practice psychology. More information about the licensing process can be found in the section below.

Online Psychology Degrees in California

California Southern University: Online Master of Science in Psychology

Residents of California that are searching for convenient and flexible learning alternatives in the field of Psychology should consider online programs for their learning experience. California Southern University is a reliable and recommended provider of online master's programs in your field.

This university currently has an online Master of Science in Psychology available to interested learners that are prepared to further their professional opportunities in the field. Through learning in this program, students can gain skills relevant to leadership within multiple fields, psychological research, and even towards their pursuits of doctoral programs in the future.

This program consists of 42 credit hours that can be finished within 2-3 years of beginning the program. Courses related to psychological development across the lifespan, social aspects of Psychology, and learning and cognitive development may be included within your program's curriculum.

At the master's level, students may be required to engage in research opportunities that test their skills and abilities within this skill area. Near the end of your program, you may be responsible for the development of a graduate project that reflects your understanding of theory and application of psychological concepts to a particular social issue.

The completion of an online Master's in Psychology can allow you to utilize your skills for immediate career opportunities or enroll in doctoral programs also offered by this university. Learners participating in this program could potentially move forward into career fields such as education, sports psychology, addiction studies, or even industrial/organizational psychology after graduation.

Campus Based Graduate Psychology Degrees at Stanford University

One of the most prestigious schools for psychology in California is Stanford University. Located in Stanford, California, Stanford University is known for its impeccable degree programs and thorough training curriculum. There are a range of different degrees specialties that students can choose from.

Effective Science, Cognitive, Developmental, Social, and Neuroscience are the program areas in which Stanford offers degrees. When a student chooses a program, advisers work hard to make sure students obtain their degree in the shortest time possible. The undergraduate program involves a rigorous selection of courses such as Statistics, Longevity, and Ethics.

Stanford’s graduate program includes degree paths for students seeking a master’s degree of Ph.D. Depending on the path that student’s take, their experience at Stanford can be rewarding and enlightening.

California Psychology Licensing

California requires that prospective psychologists complete 2 examinations prior to being approved for practice within the state.

• The Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) is a comprehensive examination specifically for psychological professionals and is the first testing requirement at this level. The second test you may be required to pass is the California Psychology Law and Ethics Examination (CPLEE). This test consists of ethical expectations and laws related to psychological practice in California.
• After successfully passing the EPPP and CPLEE, the first step towards obtaining licensure is submitting an application through the state of California along with your $400 initial licensing fee. The application may require that you submit extensive documentation pertaining to your education as well as professional references from current psychologists in the field.
• Prior to the approval of a licensing application, applicants are required to provide fingerprints for a background check through the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation. There may be a 2-4 week wait period from the time you submit to fingerprinting until you receive the results of the background check and can continue your pursuits to licensing in California.
• The Board will then conduct a review of your degree curriculum to ensure that you have met all of the subject requirements for your degree program. Pre-licensing courses such as Human Sexuality, Alcohol/Chemical Dependency, Child Abuse Assessment, Spousal or Partner Abuse Detection, Aging and Long-Term Care, and Suicide Risk Assessment and Intervention will be reviewed or required prior to licensing approval.
• Once the state has received your application, test scores, and verification of required courses, you can either be approved for licensure or receive a letter requiring more information for processing. If you have been approved for licensing you should receive an approval letter and your state license in the mail after processing.
• Licensees that have met all of the components for licensing are required to continuously comply with the state's ethical and educational requirements for licensed professionals. License holders in psychology may be required to complete 36 continuing education credits over each 2-year licensing period. At the end of each renewal cycle, you can submit proof of your CEUs along with your application for renewal and applicable fees.

Psychology Degrees in California

Consider a Featured Online Psychology Related Program

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Programs Currently Accepting Applicants

University of West Alabama

Online MS in Experimental Psychology / Clinical Psychology

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Simmons University

Masters in Behavior Analysis

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Saint Joseph's University

Online BLS in General Studies + Autism Studies

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Alvernia University

Online BS in Psychology

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