Grand Canyon University psychology programs include an online PhD in General Psychology with an Emphasis in Performance Psychology, along with several other PhD specializations and a Master of Science in Psychology. GCU holds institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, but none of its psychology doctoral programs are accredited by the American Psychological Association.
Grand Canyon University is a private Christian university with its main campus in Phoenix, Arizona. The school was chartered in 1949 in Prescott, Arizona, and relocated to Phoenix in 1951. GCU operated as a for-profit institution from 2004 until 2018, when it converted back to nonprofit status, a reclassification the U.S. Department of Education confirmed in 2025. Students can complete coursework on campus, online, or through hybrid formats.
Accreditation Details
Grand Canyon University has held regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission since 1968, a status that covers its online programs as well as its Phoenix campus. Several of GCU’s professional colleges hold their own programmatic accreditation: the College of Nursing and Health Care holds accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs accredits many programs in the Colangelo College of Business. None of GCU’s psychology doctoral programs, including the PhD in General Psychology with an Emphasis in Performance Psychology, carries APA-CoA accreditation. That distinction matters for licensure, since most states require graduation from an APA-accredited program to qualify for licensure as a psychologist. Prospective doctoral students should confirm how this program fits their state board’s specific requirements before enrolling.
Application Requirements
Admission requirements vary by program level. Applicants to the Master of Science in Psychology program need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and a minimum GPA of 2.8. PhD in General Psychology applicants need a master’s degree from an accredited institution, and the required GPA varies by specialization. Doctoral students complete two in-person residencies near GCU’s Phoenix campus, even though the rest of the coursework is online.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition varies by program level and changes year to year, so GCU’s official tuition pages are the most reliable source for current per-credit rates and program costs. Students start the financial aid process by filing the FAFSA, and GCU offers a mix of institutional scholarships and outside scholarship listings through its financial aid office. Veterans and active-duty service members may also qualify for tuition discounts.
Psychology Programs at Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University psychology programs span the master’s and doctoral levels and are offered through the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Master of Science in Psychology
This graduate program centers on a general psychology emphasis, with additional concentration options that let students focus on areas such as health psychology or workplace and organizational topics.
PhD in General Psychology
At the doctoral level, GCU offers several PhD specializations in General Psychology, including Performance Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Integrating Technology, Learning and Psychology, and Industrial-Organizational Psychology. The Performance Psychology track applies research on emotion, cognition, and motivation to the study of peak performance, covering goal-setting and performance enhancement in fields like sports, business, and other high-pressure professions. If you’re comparing this track against other sports psychology doctoral programs, note that none of GCU’s PhD tracks carry APA accreditation, so confirm licensure pathways with your state board before enrolling.
Compare Grand Canyon University with other accredited psychology programs to find the best fit for your degree level, budget, and career goals.