Application Requirements

The online psychology master’s programs have the same admissions requirements as the on-campus programs.

To apply, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. You must reside within the United States upon application and throughout the duration of the Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology and Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis programs.

Application Deadlines

OnlinePsychology@Pepperdine offers multiple start dates per year. Please contact an admissions counselor before submitting your priority application in order to receive an application fee waiver.

January 2025 Cohort

DeadlineDate
Priority Submit Deadline
October 4, 2024
Final Submit Deadline
November 1, 2024
Classes Begin
January 2025

Your OnlinePsychology@Pepperdine application must include the following items:

  • Official transcripts: You must provide official transcripts from the accredited colleges or universities that awarded your post-secondary degrees either electronically or by mail.

    OnlinePsychology@Pepperdine accepts official transcripts electronically through the following:
    • Parchment
      • Please ensure that you order your document for delivery to applicationservices@onlinepsych.pepperdine.edu.
    • eScrip-Safe
    • Email at applicationservices@onlinepsych.pepperdine.edu
      If you are a veteran or active-duty military service member, you can also submit your transcripts electronically through the Joint Services Transcript (JST) database. Log in to the JST website and select “Pepperdine University – Master’s in Psychology Online” to submit your military transcripts directly.

      If you are unable to submit electronic transcripts, we will make an exception and accept hard-copy transcripts mailed to the following address:

      Pepperdine University
      Application Processing Center
      Psychology@Pepperdine
      PO Box 30096 012-002
      College Station, TX 77842

  • Two letters of recommendation: Your application must include two professional recommendations from individuals familiar with your academic and professional competencies. If you are a recent college graduate, you should have at least one academic recommendation. If you graduated from college more than three years ago, you should use professional recommendations. Academic recommendations from professors, instructors, or academic advisors; or professional recommendations from supervisors for employment, volunteer work, internship, or related activity satisfy this requirement.
  • Statement of purpose: Write a two-to-five page personal statement describing your training and experience, current interests, professional goals, and reasons for applying to the program.
  • Application fee: A $55 application fee is required upon submission of your application.

To ensure your transcripts and associated materials are received for review, please make sure to send them directly to applicationservices@onlinepsych.pepperdine.edu.

International Applicants

The online M.A. in Clinical Psychology (LMFT/LPC) and online M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis programs are only available to U.S. citizens residing in approved states. If you are living abroad during the duration of the program, you are only eligible for our online M.A. in Psychology program. By submitting your application you are acknowledging you are aware of your eligibility and your application fee will be non-refundable.

In addition to the application items above, you will need to submit:

  • TOEFL scores: if your native language is not English and you did not earn the equivalent of a four-year US undergraduate or graduate degree in which the main language of instruction was English. Scores must be from a test taken in the past five years.
  • Two forms of official international transcripts: a transcript in its original language/grading system and a certified evaluation of your transcript from any National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) evaluation service.

International Students and Non-Citizens/Non-Permanent Residents

OISS DeadlinesFallWinter/SpringSummer
Program Start/End Date submission
May 1
Oct 1
March 1
Residency date for hybrid programs
May 1
Oct 1
March 1
Deposit/intent to enroll – DEIN
July 1
Nov 1
March 15
Exception Request Submission
July 10
Nov 10
March 25
International Student Data – ISD
July 15
Nov 15
April 1

Please contact an admissions counselor at admissions@onlinepsych.pepperdine.edu or 855-270-5431 for additional instruction on submitting international transcripts.