Undergraduate and/or graduate degree programs in psychology are available at several different Christian universities in California. These schools are typically 4-year institutions that range in size and are affiliated with various denominations. Find out more about a handful of these schools here.
School Comparison
The Christian schools in California with psychology programs are spread among many different cities in the state. Explore some of these schools and their tuition rates in the table below.
| School Name | Institution Type | Denomination | Location | Tuition (2019-2020)* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azusa Pacific University | 4-year, private not-for-profit | Undenominational | Azusa, CA | $40,220 |
| Simpson University | 4-year, private not-for-profit | Christ and Missionary Alliance Church | Redding, CA | $31,910 |
| Vanguard University | 4-year, private not-for-profit | Assemblies of God Church | Costa Mesa, CA | $35,100 |
| Hope International University | 4-year, private not-for-profit | Christian Churches and Churches of Christ | Fullerton, CA | $33,400 |
| Pepperdine University | 4-year, private not-for-profit | Churches of Christ | Malibu, CA | $55,892 |
Source: *National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Description of the Christian Psychology Schools in California
Students in California can pursue study in psychology at the bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree levels. The different Christian institutions that offer some of these programs also provide diverse student resources and vary in size. Compare and contrast a few of these institutions.
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa Pacific University had 5,657 undergraduate students in 2018, according to the NCES. The university offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs in psychology, as well as a minor. At the graduate level students can pursue specific study in areas like research psychology and data analysis, clinical psychology, marriage and family therapy or child life. Students can attend chapel services and/or participate in discipleship groups in the residence halls, missions trips and service learning to grow in their faith.
Simpson University
Simpson University offers psychology as a minor or bachelor of arts degree program, as well as a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology degree program. The master's program offers courses two nights a week to accommodate working adults and includes clinical training and a capstone opportunity for hands-on experience. The university as a whole had 720 undergraduate students in 2018, per the NCES. Students on campus can attend chapel to grow spiritually, but are also encouraged to participate in various spiritual organizations/activities, such as serving as a Prayer Leader in the residence halls, participating in a yearlong discipleship program with WorldSERVE or volunteering in the community with Strike Teams.
Vanguard University
Vanguard University offers a traditional minor and bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in clinical or organizational psychology. The university also has a Professional Studies program where working adults can pursue a bachelor's degree in psychology with a concentration in human development. For spiritual development students may attend multiple chapel services throughout the week and/or serve on one of the school's ministry teams, including men's and women's improve and sketch comedy teams or the university's traveling worship team, From the Vine. In 2018, according to the NCES, the university had 1,848 undergraduate students.
Hope International University
In 2018, Hope International University had 743 undergraduate students, per the NCES. The school offers a psychology minor and a bachelor's degree program in psychology with concentrations in infant, toddler mental health; media; child and adolescent development; sport and child life specialist. Students in the program are able to participate in research opportunities with faculty members, volunteer and gain hands-on experience with local organizations and can join the school's Psychology Club. The university promotes students' spiritual lives with chapel services, spiritual counseling services, service and outreach groups and fellowship groups, such as Barnabas Groups and Formation Groups.
Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University provides students with a psychology minor, bachelor's, master's and doctoral program options. The minor is in industrial organizational psychology while graduate programs are available in clinical psychology, psychology or psychology professional development workshops. The master's degree program in clinical psychology with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy is offered in day and evening formats, as well as a specific program for those wishing to work with Latinas/os. According to the NCES, the university had 3,627 undergraduate students in 2018. Undergraduate dorms at the institution have Spiritual Life Advisors to serve students spiritually and students may also choose to participate in Bible lectures, local and global service opportunities, chapel services and spiritual conferences.