Our online master’s in psychology curriculum teaches you core psychological concepts and introduces you to the theories clinical practitioners apply in real-world situations. As a student, you will explore mental and emotional disorders, conduct research, and evaluate methods as you learn how psychological principles can be used to assess personality and intelligence.

The curriculum is designed to address a wide range of practical and clinically oriented subject materials. You will have the opportunity to select multiple electives, allowing you to customize your plan of study to focus on the topics and areas that most interest you.

Pepperdine’s online content and course work reflect the academic complexity and reputation of the on-campus option. Courses will introduce you to a range of psychotherapy techniques while providing insight into a broad spectrum of topics.

Students will complete:

• five foundation courses
• nine core courses
• two electives

Courses include:

• Industrial Organizational Psychology
• Interpersonal Skills and Group Therapy
• Trauma in Diverse Populations
• Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy
• Research and Evaluation Methods for Mental Health Professionals

Consider how people’s identities and backgrounds relate to mental health and treatment. Explore how counselors can take into account clients’ race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, spirituality, sexual orientation, gender, and ableness.

How do individuals and social environments shape each other? Explore the dynamics of interpersonal influence in diverse contexts, including attitude formation and change, stereotyping and prejudice, altruism and aggression, and political and health psychology.

Foundation courses are offered as part of the master’s program and may be waived if you have earned a B or better in classes covering the required course work within the past seven years.

Read course descriptions for the online psychology master’s program.

Curious to know what your schedule might look like? Check out a sample course sequence (PDF).

The MA in Psychology program and GSEP psychology division stand in solidarity against racial inequities and injustice and other forms of discrimination and oppression. We are committed to fostering an inclusive learning environment that is enriched and strengthened by diversity, including but not limited to race, ethnicity and national origin, gender and gender identity, sexuality, class, age, ability status, and religion. GSEP also encourages all community members to engage in critical learning and reflection to strengthen our capacity for being effective, active, and outspoken against all forms of racism and intersectional oppression.