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School of Psychology
Psychology Education for Working Adults
GGU’s School of Psychology prepares students to become mental health professionals, organizational leaders, and applied psychology practitioners, and to understand human systems in a world shaped by artificial intelligence. This means learning how to support individuals, lead within organizations, and make sound psychological judgments in environments increasingly influenced by technology. Built on more than a decade of psychology education at GGU, the school serves students at every level, from undergraduate study through doctoral training, with programs in counseling psychology, industrial-organizational psychology, and applied clinical practice.
Our programs are designed for working adults who need flexibility without sacrificing depth. Whether you are changing careers, advancing in your current role, or beginning your training, courses are offered online and in hybrid formats, in multiple languages, at prices students can afford. Faculty are both academically and professionally credentialed, integrating real clinical and organizational experience directly into your learning.
GGU’s psychology programs are nationally recognized: Forbes Advisor ranks the MA in Industrial-Organizational Psychology #2 nationally among online master’s programs and named the MA in Counseling Psychology its “Most Flexible Online Program.” Intelligent.com ranks GGU among the top 14 online master’s in psychology programs in the country. These distinctions reflect a commitment to accessible, high-quality training that prepares students for real-world impact across clinical and organizational settings.
Study on your terms with flexible online and hybrid classes
Learn from licensed clinicians and credentialed practitioners
Apply evidence-based skills directly to your current role
Take career-focused courses designed for the future of practice
A Message from the Founding Dean
Thank you for your interest in Golden Gate University’s School of Psychology. Whether you’re pursuing a career in mental health, organizational consulting, or leadership, you’ve come to the right place. Our goal is to prepare you for meaningful, applied work in settings where understanding people is essential.
Psychology has always been about understanding how people think, decide, and relate to one another. What’s changed is the environment people are functioning inside. AI is now embedded in clinical documentation, risk assessment, performance evaluation, and organizational decision-making, and most professionals working with these tools have had little training in how they affect human judgment, relationships, or ethics. In this program, you’ll learn how to work effectively within these realities—maintaining clarity, responsibility, and depth of understanding as technology reshapes the field. That’s the gap this school is built to address.
Programs Grounded in Practice
Our faculty are licensed clinicians, board-certified specialists, and active practitioners who bring current professional experience into every course. The school offers programs at all levels of study: a BA in Psychology, MA in Counseling Psychology, MA in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, and PsyD in Applied Counseling Psychology. Across these programs, the emphasis is on applying what you learn—whether in clinical work, organizational settings, or leadership roles. Each is designed to connect what you learn in the classroom directly to your work.
A New Resource for Applied Learning
The school is home to a human systems lab, a collaborative space where students, faculty, and practitioners work together to develop applied tools for real settings. As a student, you may have opportunities to contribute to projects that address current challenges in the field. Current projects include ethical AI guidance for clinical environments, psychological safety resources for data-driven teams, and human-centered leadership frameworks for organizations navigating technological change.
Flexibility and Access
Consistent with the university’s broader mission, our programs are offered in multiple languages, in flexible formats, and at tuition rates that make graduate and doctoral education accessible. We serve working adults, career changers, and international students, and we’re committed to meeting you where you are. This structure is designed to make it possible to pursue rigorous training while continuing to manage professional and personal responsibilities.
I look forward to welcoming you to the GGU School of Psychology community. I encourage you to explore our programs to see how this approach aligns with your goals and the kind of work you want to do.
Tom Wooldridge, PsyD, ABPP, FIPA, CEDS-C
Founding Dean
School of Psychology
Golden Gate University
Explore School of Psychology Programs
- Degree Level
- Area of Interest
- Format
Program
Degree Level
Format
Area of Interest
Industrial-Organizational Psychology
Graduate Certificate
Online,
Hybrid
Business,
Psychology
Why Choose the
School of Psychology?
GGU’s School of Psychology offers programs at every level of study, from a BA in Psychology through a PsyD in Applied Counseling Psychology, all designed around the schedules of working adults. Courses are offered online and in hybrid formats, in multiple languages, and at tuition rates that make graduate and doctoral education accessible. With more than 1,800 students currently enrolled in GGU psychology programs, you’ll join a large and active community of practitioners and scholars.
Our faculty are licensed clinicians, board-certified specialists, and active practitioners who bring current professional experience into every course. The curriculum is built to reflect what the field actually demands today, including how AI is reshaping clinical documentation, organizational decision-making, and workforce evaluation. Few psychology programs address this directly; GGU’s does.
The school is also home to a human systems lab where students, faculty, and practitioners collaborate to develop applied tools for real professional settings, from ethical AI guidance for clinical environments to psychological safety resources for data-driven teams. By graduation, students leave with the skills, credentials, and practical experience to make an immediate impact in their field.
Increase Your Salary Potential at GGU
Golden Gate University master’s degree graduates earn 72% more than the national median for those with a graduate degree.
GGU offers graduate students an exceptional ROI. A GGU master’s degree can help you achieve a salary that is well above the national average, showing a strong return on your educational investment.
Source: WSCUC Key Indicators Dashboard (KID) — Summer 2025 Dataset. Earnings data is provided only for students who received federal financial aid and were working at the time of data collection (5 years after graduation).
Featured Programs
Our History
Psychology has been part of Golden Gate University for well over a decade, growing steadily into one of the university’s largest areas of study. The School of Psychology was formally established in 2026 under the leadership of founding Dean Tom Wooldridge, bringing GGU’s psychology offerings together under a dedicated institutional home for the first time. It is the newest of GGU’s schools, and the only one built from the ground up around the question of how human understanding keeps pace with a world shaped by artificial intelligence.
Admissions
Find out more about admission requirements for your program, tuition and financial aid, scholarships, and how to get started.
Student Experience
Discover what it’s like to be a Golden Gate University student and explore all of the resources available to our GGU community.
About GGU
Explore our university’s rich history and beautiful San Francisco campus as you discover what makes GGU different.
Frequently Asked Questions
Industrial-Organizational (I/O) psychologists work across a wide range of settings, including corporate HR and talent development, organizational consulting, workforce analytics, and leadership development. Graduates are prepared to apply psychology to improve performance, decision-making, and workplace culture in data-driven organizations. GGU’s MA in Industrial-Organizational Psychology is ranked #2 nationally among online master’s programs by Forbes Advisor and is designed to prepare graduates for roles that are increasingly in demand as organizations rely more heavily on data-driven people decisions. Find out more about career paths in Industrial-Organizational Psychology here.
The MA in Counseling Psychology is designed to prepare students to pursue licensure as Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT) or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC) in the state of California. Our degree also meets the requirements for licensure in many other states. Requirements vary by state, so we encourage you to review your state’s guidelines and reach out to our Enrollment Team with any questions.
The PsyD in Applied Counseling Psychology is a doctoral-level degree designed for professionals who want to deepen their expertise in applying psychology in real-world settings. Unlike the MA in Counseling Psychology, it is not a licensure-focused clinical degree. Instead, it emphasizes advanced psychological insight, consultation, and leadership across professional contexts.
While a master’s degree prepares students for licensure as an MFT or LPCC, the PsyD is designed for those who want to extend their skills beyond direct clinical practice—into areas such as supervision, program development, organizational work, and applied psychological leadership.
This makes it well-suited for professionals who want to integrate psychological thinking into complex systems, rather than pursue a traditional clinical psychologist role. Please refer to our online catalog or contact our Enrollment Team to learn more about admission requirements and program structure.
No prior work experience is required for admission to our psychology programs. Many students begin without a background in psychology and build their experience during the program.
Each degree program has different requirements for admission. We recommend reviewing your program of interest in the online catalog or reaching out to our Enrollment Team for guidance.
You may take advantage of open enrollment before being formally admitted. A maximum of 9 units can be completed in open enrollment status and can be credited toward meeting a graduate degree or certificate program.
Prerequisites, proficiencies, and foundations do not necessarily need to be completed prior to admission. In some cases, you may be able to demonstrate proficiency through an exam at GGU.
The total cost depends on the program of choice and the number of units you’re required to meet. For a detailed estimate, visit our Tuition page or contact the Enrollment Team for personalized guidance.
Many GGU students use financial aid to help cover tuition costs. Explore our Tuition & Financial Aid page to learn more about available options. Please note that financial aid is not available for certificate programs or open enrollment.
Yes, graduate scholarships are available for new and continuing students and range from $500 to $3,000 per semester. Applications are due in early July and require a short essay. Students must be at least half-time in the fall term and in good academic standing. Contact our Enrollment Team for more information.
GGU’s programs are self-paced, allowing you to choose a course load that fits your life. Some programs, such as the MA in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, can be completed in as little as 12–18 months depending on your pace.
This depends on your schedule and responsibilities. On average, students working full-time take three courses per term. To qualify for financial aid, you must be enrolled at least half-time.
Some courses have prerequisites, but our degrees are designed to be as flexible as possible. Please refer to your program plan in the catalog for recommended sequencing.
GGU offers 3 terms per year; Fall, Spring, and Summer. See the academic calendar for exact start dates.
Asynchronous courses allow you to complete weekly work on your own schedule. Hybrid courses combine this flexibility with scheduled in-person and/or Zoom sessions during designated campus weeks, providing structure while accommodating the demands of work and other responsibilities.
Yes. Most programs can be completed fully online or in a hybrid format that combines online and in-person courses. This allows you to tailor your learning experience based on your schedule and location.
The average age of GGU students is 34, but the age range of students in our program varies enormously. Students come from diverse professional and international backgrounds, and many are working professionals. This creates a classroom environment that emphasizes real-world experience and multiple perspectives.
Yes, if you are later admitted to the degree program.
GGU offers a fully staffed career services office that provides individual advising, resume and interview workshops, and access to job and internship opportunities. Students receive support in translating their education into career advancement.
