Pepperdine University Online MA in Psychology

The Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) at Pepperdine University offers a fully online Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology dubbed OnlinePsychology@Pepperdine. This graduate psychology degree prepares students for careers in the human services field in education, healthcare, public mental health, government, or corporate settings. Graduates may seek careers as executive coaches, grant writers, group facilitators, child development specialists, research assistants, care coordinators, or program managers. Graduates may also pursue doctoral education in psychology or a related field.

The online MA in Psychology imparts a deeper understanding of human behavior and exposes students to essential psychological theory and practice with a strong clinical emphasis. The curriculum focuses on psychotherapy techniques, conducting research, evaluation methods, treatment of mental health disorders, group therapy, multicultural issues, and personality assessments. Depending on prior education, students may be required to take up to 15 credits of foundation courses. The program includes live, weekly face-to-face class times and multimedia interaction, which make it highly interactive and collaborative.

OnlinePsychology@Pepperdine courses are fully online with no practicums or campus visits required. The program comprises 36 to 48 credits depending on prior education. The degree can be completed in 18 to 24 months and is offered both full-time and part-time. This cohort-based program begins in winter, spring, summer, and fall sessions.

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university and submit official transcripts, two professional recommendations, and a two to five-page description of past training, experience, interests, the reason for applying to the psychology graduate program, and future goals. GMAT/GRE test scores are not required as the MA in Psychology program evaluates applicants on other criteria.

OnlinePsychology@Pepperdine is delivered using weekly, live, face-to-face online sessions through HD video with screen sharing capabilities, breakout rooms, document sharing, live chat, polls, and synchronized annotation. Through these live sessions, students develop faculty/peer connections and build relationships that last long into the future. Online students participate in four 11-week sessions throughout the year. Students are also exposed to various life experiences and cultures through the live interaction. In addition, Pepperdine offers WeWork Global Access membership to all students, which provides convenient spaces to work and study around the world. Online students can access university support, including admissions counseling, student success advisors, writing services, career counseling, library services, and 24/7 technical support.

Courses for the MA in Psychology include foundational courses, core courses, and electives. Foundation courses include Physiological Psychology; Behavioral Principles and Theories of Learning; Research and Evaluation Methods for Mental Health Professionals; Psychopathology; and Individual, Couple, and Family Development: A Life Cycle Approach. These may be waived depending on prior education.

Core courses may include Diagnosis and Treatment of Mental Health Disorders; Social Psychology; Interpersonal Skills and Group Therapy; Personality Assessment; Multicultural Counseling; Assessment of Intelligence; Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy; Scientific Writing in Psychology; Industrial/Organizational Psychology; and Techniques of Counseling and Psychotherapy.

Students choose either Introduction to Positive Psychology or Career Development Theory and Techniques as their first elective and choose one additional elective from Psychopharmacology for Mental Health Professionals; Clinical Interventions with Children and Adolescents; Trauma in Diverse Populations; and Individual and Family Treatment of Substance Abuse. Elective choices vary depending on prior education and credits needed to complete the degree. Participants who have had a significant portion of the curriculum waived may take additional electives to complete the 36-credit minimum requirement.

Pepperdine University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges—Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).