Psychology Programs in California
There are only very few places in the country better than California to start a career as a psychologist. The state is right up there regarding the highest-paying locations for psychologists and continues to enjoy strong projections for the upcoming decades.
Of course, it is also worth mentioning that several prominent universities and colleges here offer comprehensive psychology programs. Some of these are even considered among the country’s best.
The list below provides a clear picture of California’s best training programs for aspiring psychologists. By providing such a detailed breakdown, students will know exactly what to expect even before they enroll, leading to a more straightforward journey and a pleasant learning experience.
Top Psychology Schools in California
The following are some of the best places to study as an aspiring psychologist in California.
Stanford University
Stanford, CA Campus + Online
At Stanford University, individuals may enroll in a highly-rated PhD program in Psychology focusing on research competence and productivity. The program is well-received for its comprehensiveness and utilizes competitional and empirical methods in its curriculum. Candidates must have a bachelor's degree and 6 recommendation letters to apply for this program.
Tuition
$1,372 - $1,447 per UnitContact
(650) 723-2300
University California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA Campus + Online
University of California Berkeley is one of California's most prominent destinations for strong psychology programs. The school is arguably one of the most popular in the country, and psychologists can enroll here for several specialty programs, including Behavioral and Systems Therapy, Clinical Science, Cognitive, Neuroscience, and Social Personality.
Tuition
$16,608 - $50,808Contact
(510) 642-6000
admissions@berkeley.edu
University of California Davis
Davis, CA Campus + Online
UC Davis has a strong reputation as a technical institution with several high-quality programs. The school offers programs for aspiring psychologists with carefully designed coursework and a focus on efficiency.
Tuition
$14,436 - $48,636Contact
(530) 752-1011
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA Campus + Online
University of Southern California offers undergraduate, Master's, and doctorate programs for aspiring psychologists. The undergraduate programs comprise 3 majors and 2 Minors overseen by the Psychology department.
Tuition
$69,904 per YearContact
(213) 740-2311
University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA Campus + Online
Candidates looking to earn their psychology degrees at UCLA will be glad that the school’s Department of Psychology offers several options. The school offers three options at the undergraduate level: the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program, the Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Science program, and the Bachelor of Science in Psychobiology program.
Tuition
$15,154 - $49,354Contact
(310) 825-4321
applicant@admission.ucla.edu
San Diego University
San Diego, CA Campus + Online
San Diego University offers a PhD in Clinical Psychology for doctoral candidates. The school also offers three Bachelor's Degree in Psychology programs for undergraduate students, allowing students to specialize in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and Neuroscience.
Tuition
$58,420 - $92,620Contact
(619) 260-4600
admissions@sandiego.edu
Alliant International University
San Diego, CA Campus + Online
Alliant International University in San Diego offers several training programs for aspiring psychologists who want to start with a certificate before pursuing a Doctorate.
Tuition
$629 - $1,429 per CreditContact
(858) 780-5771
admissions@alliant.edu
Licensure & Certification
In California, clinical, counseling, and school psychologists must get a license from the state before they can practice. To earn a license as a psychologist in California, candidates must complete a doctorate program and gain 3,000 hours of supervised experience.
One thousand five hundred hours of experience may be acquired before securing a doctorate, but at least 1,500 hours must be after earning a doctoral degree.
After meeting the requirements, candidates may sit for and pass the relevant examinations. These include the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and the California Psychology Laws and Ethics Examination (CPLEE).
Lastly, California requires aspiring psychologists to pass a background check before being licensed.
Salary & Career Outlook
Psychologists in California earn an average annual salary of $277,359. This figure is significantly higher than the national average and is among the highest in the country.
Furthermore, psychologists in the state can earn even more than this, possibly as high as $408,658, if they are among the top 10% in the state. What’s even more fascinating is that psychologists in California who are among the lowest-paid (in the bottom 10%) still manage an annual average salary of $188,245, the national average for the mid-point earners in other states.
Sorting by locations in California, Stockton is the highest-paying city for psychologists in the state, with an annual average salary of $359,498. Other notable locations are San Diego, with an annual average salary of $263,611; San Francisco, with an annual average salary of $243,200; Sacramento, with an annual average salary of $235,480; and Los Angeles, with an annual average salary of $129,758.
Job Outlook
Already one of the best places to work as a psychologist in America, the projection for psychologists in California is as favorable as elsewhere. Demand for these professionals in the state will keep increasing thanks to factors such as an aging population, improvement in mental health awareness, and more businesses relying on psychologists to boost workplace productivity and satisfaction.