Program Overview
Cost: $1,320 per unit
Units: 36-48 units
Terms: Fall, Spring, Summer
Length: 1.5-2 years
Location(s): West Los Angeles, Irvine, Encino
Format: Evening
Program Description
The Master of Arts in Psychology program will prepare students for application to
doctoral programs, to pursue a profession in the field of psychology, or to become
better leaders in their industry.
This program is designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of the
principles of psychology in an intimate and supportive learning environment. With
a strong clinical emphasis, courses are focused on how the art and science of psychology
can be applied to further our understanding of human behavior and the prevention,
diagnosis, and treatment of mental and emotional disorders.
This program is offered both on-ground and online.
For more information on our other programs, explore our page listing on our psychology master's degrees.
Quick Facts
- EveningProgram Format
- 3Campus Locations
- GRENot Required
- $9,000Scholarships Available
Program Benefits
Nationally regarded graduate school of psychology with the #6-ranked Psy.D. program
in the US*
- Access to major-university resources at the #46-ranked university in the US**
- Outstanding faculty, recognized experts, scholars and clinicians
- Values-based curriculum focused on personal and professional growth
- Small class sizes providing a supportive learning environment and meaningful student-faculty
interactions
- Convenient class schedules offered on weeknights and occasional weekends
- Extensive networking opportunities through our alumni network with more than 20,000
professionals
*U.S. News & World Report, Best Grad School Rankings, Clinical Psychology
** U.S. News & Report, Best Colleges Rankings, National Universities
Tuition and Scholarships
Pepperdine GSEP generously offers $5,500,000 in scholarships every year, with the
majority of students receiving some form of financial assistance. The average GSEP student is awarded $7,032 in Pepperdine scholarships.*
2020-21 academic year tuition |
$47,520 - 63,360 |
Average GSEP scholarship |
-$7,032 |
Tuition after average scholarships |
$40,488 - 56,328 |
*Average scholarship based on 2019-2020 academic year and only includes new incoming
students who received aid from Pepperdine within GSEP programs. Does not include other
external forms of financial aid.
Career Outcomes
An MA in Psychology is valuable in many professional settings, including mental healthcare
facilities, and marketing and advertising agencies. After earning your degree, you
may pursue employment in a variety of roles, including:
- Behavioral Counselor
- Developmental Specialist
- Human Resources Director
- Advertising Agent
- Market Researcher
For many careers in the field of psychology, a doctoral degree is necessary, and your
psychology MA can be a stepping stone to a PhD or PsyD program. With a doctoral degree,
you may pursue a variety of roles in clinical, academic, and professional settings,
including:
- Clinical Psychologist
- Psychology Professor
- Clinical Program Director
- Clinical Neuropsychologist
- Forensic Psychologist
Employment Potential
- The number of jobs for Doctors of Psychology is expected to grow 21% in California*
- The average annual wage for Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists in California
is $94,910**
- The average annual wage for Postsecondary Psychology Teachers in California is $105,740**
- California has the nation's highest employment demand for graduates of Psychology
doctoral programs*
*2017-2018 Burning Glass Report on Employment Potential for Selected Programs
**U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017
FAQs
I am interested in the MA in psychology program. Where should I begin?
The first step in the process, and the best way to get all of your questions answered,
is to attend an information session. For a schedule of upcoming sessions and to RSVP,
please visit here.
If you are unable to attend, please contact us at 310.258.2850 to set up an appointment.
What are the admission periods for the MA in Psychology program? When will I know
if I am accepted?
For our Master of Arts in Psychology program, the Graduate School of Education and
Psychology operates on a "rolling admissions" basis. This means we review and accept
applications as they are completed. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to submit
their applications well in advance of the deadline. You will receive a decision via
mail within three to four weeks after the submission of your completed application.
Do I have to send in all application materials at once?
No. You can send in different parts of your application as they are completed. We
will hold any materials that arrive under your name, but will only begin tracking
your application and corresponding with you when we receive your online application.
What are my chances of being accepted into the program?
At Pepperdine, we utilize a holistic approach in our thorough review of each and every
application. This means that we do not disqualify applicants based on any one part
of their application.
What are the minimum admission requirements?
Admission requirements can be found here.
Will professional references be accepted?
References should come from individuals who are familiar with your professional and
academic abilities. Recent college graduates should have at least one academic recommendation,
while applicants who have been out of college more than three years may use either
academic or professional recommendations. Letters can be sent in lieu of the forms
provided in the application booklet.
Can foundation classes be waived?
Students who have taken undergraduate or graduate-level courses judged to be equivalent
in content to foundation level courses may petition to waive such courses. Previously
taken courses will qualify for waiver consideration if they were taken no earlier
than seven years prior to admission and a grade of "B" or better was earned. Applicants
without recent course work (within the last seven years) in psychology, however, will
be required to complete foundational courses in preparation for the core curriculum.
Foundational courses are offered as part of the master's program.
Where should I send my application materials?
All application materials, including GRE scores, should be sent to our West Los Angeles
Graduate Campus, regardless of which campus an applicant plans to attend. The GRE
institutional code is R4326, department 2001. The MAT code is 2729. The admission
address is:
Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology
Enrollment Services Office
6100 Center Drive – 5th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90045
I am an International Applicant. What additional admission requirements do I need
to submit?
Applicants who attended schools outside the United States are required to submit certified
transcripts in English. Submitted transcripts must include a cumulative grade point
average (GPA on a 4.0 scale, A = 4.0) that has been evaluated by a NACES member credential service (www.naces.org) such as the World Education Services, Inc. (www.wes.org) or the International Education Research Foundation (www.ierf.org)
If you have not completed your bachelor's degree at the time of application, submit
a current transcript. Upon degree completion, you are required to provide official
transcripts in a sealed envelope prior to enrollment.
Mailing Address:
Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology Admissions
6100 Center Drive 5th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA
International applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit
a minimum passing score of 550 on the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL). The computer-based TOEFL test
requires a minimum passing score of 80. Information concerning the availability of this test in foreign countries can be
obtained by contacting TOEFL, Educational Testing Services, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
or online at www.toefl.org. As an alternative to the TOEFL, you may submit a score of at least 6.5 on the IELTS exam. You can find out more at www.ielts.org
What is the difference between the MA in Psychology and the MA in Clinical Psychology?
The MA in Psychology program provides students with a theoretical and practical understanding
of the principles of psychology within the framework of a strong clinical emphasis.
This program prepares individuals for doctoral study in psychology or positions in
human services, vocational counseling or marketing.
The MA in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy provides
the knowledge and experience needed to work as a clinician, in private practice or
with an agency, by preparing students for the Marriage & Family Therapist (MFT) and/or
the LPCC Licenses. As part of the curriculum, students are required to gain supervised
counseling experience in approved clinical settings. This program is designed for
students who wish to gain knowledge and develop skills necessary for providing high
quality psychotherapeutic services in a variety of settings.
How long does the MA in Psychology program take to complete?
Pepperdine's evening format MA in Psychology program offers great flexibility. Each
student can progress at his or her own pace, taking fewer or more courses each term,
depending on each individual's preference. Part-time students may take as few as 3
units per term and full-time students may take as many as 12 units or more per term.
As a full-time student taking 6 units each semester, one can complete the MA in Psychology
in as few as 1.5-2 years.
When are the classes offered?
Classes are offered in the late afternoon and evening. Each class meets once per week
from 4:15 -7 PM or 7:15-10 PM. Classes are offered Monday-Thursday. During the summer
term, classes meet twice per week.
Where is the Master of Arts in Psychology program offered? Do I have to take all of
my classes at the same campus?
At Pepperdine, we offer evening format psychology courses at our Irvine, Encino, and
West Los Angeles Graduate Campuses. Once enrolled, students can take courses at any
and all of our three campuses.
Is funding available?
Yes. The best way to learn about opportunities for grants, loans, scholarships and
assistantship positions is to attend one of our Information Sessions, as most meetings
include a Financial Aid presentation.
Can I go straight on to the doctoral program from the master's program?
There is a separate application process for admission into the doctoral program. Applicants
to the doctoral program must have a completed master's degree, or will have completed
a master's degree prior to starting the program. Acceptance to one of the master's
in psychology programs does not guarantee admission to the doctoral program.