California State University-Fresno

Counseling and Psychology Degrees at Fresno

California State University-Fresno appears in our ranking of the Top 25 Most Affordable Master’s Degrees in Counseling in the West.

Since 1946, the College of Science & Mathematics has granted a strong Psychology Major (B.A.) for California State University-Fresno undergrads to examine the behaviors of diverse organisms. Chaired by Dr. Constance Jones, the 120-unit bachelor's integrates courses like Motivation, Physical Disability, and Clinical Processes with an optional Pre-MBA track. For the Master of Arts in Psychology, grads choose the 31-unit General/Experimental or 48-unit Applied Behavior Analysis specialization. The School Psychology Ed.S. follows a full-time, 69-unit curriculum toward the Pupil Personnel Services Credential to improve K-12 kids' mental health empirically. Majors could also add the Serving At-Risk Youth Certificate, volunteer at Richter Center, become Mediator Mentors, intern with Spirit of Women, research in the Immigrant Families' Lab, join Sport Psychology Club, and attend the APS Convention.

Reporting a 98 percent first-time PCC pass rate, the Kremen School of Education & Human Development launched the Master of Science in Counseling in 1993 to improve therapeutic treatment without stigma. California State University-Fresno expects 15.7 percent job growth for graduates who finish 48-60 units in three specializations. The School Counseling option led by Dr. Gitima Sharma prepares for aiding K-12 children's maturation process with the PPS credential. Directed by Dr. Kyoung Mi Choi, the Student Affairs option has produced counselors for multi-faceted higher education work at UC Merced, Reedley College, Barstow Community College, and more. The Marriage, Family & Child Counseling option organized by Dr. Chris Lucey has 183 majors seeking MFCC licensure to smooth relations.

About California State University-Fresno

California State University-Fresno was first chartered in 1911 as Fresno State Normal School by Governor Hiram Johnson at the Sierra Nevada foothills. Three decades later, it received authority for its first Bachelor of Arts and became Fresno State College. By 1961, the publicly funded four-year college had joined the CSU system and built its current 46-building San Joaquin Valley campus in Sperling's 116th best city. Budgeting $286.5 million yearly, Fresno State University now runs 26 nationally accredited departments for 24,409 Bulldogs, including Psychology and Counseling majors, with faculty at a 12:1 ratio. Linked to 71,724 LinkedIn alumni, Fresno has graduated Timothy P. White, Joy Covey, Sherley Anne Williams, Brett Young, and many others.

The U.S. News & World Report named Fresno State the 223rd best national university, 129th top public college, and 24th best rehabilitation counseling school. On Niche, Fresno has America's 66th best standout academics, 71st best athletics, and 426th top value. Times Higher Education placed California State University-Fresno 500th overall. Forbes crowned CSU-Fresno the 187th top research institution. College Factual honored Fresno State for the country's 81st most popular psychology program and 322nd highest-paid grads. WalletHub ranked California State University-Fresno 10th for financing and 332nd for career outcomes. PayScale recognized Fresno for the 248th best college ROI of $383,000. In Washington Monthly, Fresno State also boasts the 17th most service participation and sixth best graduation rate.

California State University-Fresno Accreditation Details

In February 2016, California State University-Fresno satisfactorily completed its 10-year institutional evaluation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission to continue Level V accreditation under its eighth president, Dr. Joseph Castro. Based 190 miles northwest in Burlingame, this Pacific accreditor is authorized by the U.S. Department of Education to ensure the effectiveness of Fresno's 60 baccalaureate, 45 master's, and three doctoral majors from Bakersfield to Visalia. The Master of Science in Counseling is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) until October 2019. Fresno State is also recognized by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) and National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).

California State University-Fresno Application Requirements

Enrolling at California State University-Fresno is deemed "moderately difficult" by Peterson's because just 54 percent of the 19,935 Fall 2016 applications were accepted. First-year Bulldogs seeking the Psychology B.A. major must exhibit academic merit with a 14-unit high school curriculum or GED. Freshmen pass an eligibility index that times GPA by 800 and adds just the SAT score or the ACT score times 10. Californians need index scores of 2800 (SAT) or 694 (ACT). Non-residents must breach 3402 or 842 respectively though. Transfers can carry up to 70 community college units with minimum 2.5 GPAs. The Master of Science in Counseling admits Kremen School cohorts holding bachelor's averages above 3.0 in the last 90 units. School counselors need a valid California teaching credential or certificate of clearance. Hopeful M.A./Ed.S. Psychology majors need "Bs" in prerequisites, GRE scores, and interviews.

California State University-Fresno has an undergrad priority filing period of October 1st to November 30th for Fall and August 1st to August 31st for Spring starts. Master of Science in Counseling cohorts must apply by March 1st. The Department of Psychology has a February 1st deadline for the M.A./Ed.S. programs. Access the Cal State Apply website to submit respective forms online. If needed, extra materials are mailed to the Joyal Administration Building 57 at 5150 North Maple Avenue in Fresno, CA 93740. Contact (599) 278-2261 or [email protected] with further questions. Mental health enthusiasts need to send these:

• $55 fee by credit card, e-check, or PayPal
• Sealed academic records from each school
• Official entrance exam scores
• Three academic/employer references
• Typed, two-page statement of purpose
• California Basic Education Skills Test marks
• Résumé or curriculum vitae of experience
• Verification of no criminal record (Ed.S. only)

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2017-18, California State University-Fresno charged Psychology B.A. undergrads from California $5,742 annually. The out-of-state or foreign tuition fee cost $396 per unit. Budgets left room for the $132 instructional activity fee, $132 health service fee, and $34.50 student body fee each term. Living at the Fresno campus' dorms like Graves Hall added $9,704 per year. Annual bachelor's attendance equaled $20,431 in-state and $32,311 outside California. Full-time M.A. in Psychology or M.S. in Counseling students were billed $8,019 for one year with a $396 non-resident charge per unit.

According to the NCES College Navigator, 75 percent of full-time Fresno Bulldogs sniff out average financial aid packages of $9,145 apiece for $146.6 million school-wide. Institutional funds include the Smittcamp Family Honors Scholarship, Downing Science Scholarship, Edward V. Tenney Scholarship, Merry West Reentry Award, Aroldo Rodrigues International Award, Pickford Memorial Scholarship, and Air Force ROTC Scholarship. The Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant gifts up to $12,192 yearly. Submitting the FAFSA application via code 00147 could unlock Federal Pell, SEOG, or Iraq and Afghanistan Service grants. The California Student Aid Commission started the Cal Grant, State University Grant, John R. Justice Program, and more. Master Promissory Notes signed for Perkins, Direct, and Plus loans leave an average debt of $13,000 according to Money. The Graduate Studies Division also gives tuition waivers to teaching associates working 20 hours weekly.

Learn more about California State University-Fresno at the Psychology Department website.