Golden Gate University psychology programs are offered at the graduate level, including an MA in Counseling Psychology and an MA in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. GGU is accredited by the WSCUC and offers its psychology programs online, hybrid, and on campus from its San Francisco campus.
Golden Gate University traces its roots to a YMCA night school founded in San Francisco in 1901, which later became an independent college focused on affordable, career-focused education for working adults. Today, GGU maintains its flagship San Francisco campus, satellite locations, and a fully online program serving students nationwide.
Accreditation Details
Golden Gate University holds regional accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), a status it has maintained since 1959 after first earning accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities in 1950. The university also holds American Bar Association accreditation for its law school and specialized accreditation for select business programs. Prospective students can confirm the current accreditation status directly with GGU before enrolling.
Application Requirements
Applicants to Golden Gate University’s graduate psychology programs must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and provide official transcripts. GGU uses a holistic admissions review for its psychology programs and does not require GRE scores; applicants can strengthen their file with an optional personal statement. Prospective students should confirm current application fees and deadlines directly with GGU’s School of Psychology.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Golden Gate University bills tuition by the unit rather than a flat per-course rate, and rates are updated periodically. Prospective students should check GGU’s current tuition schedule for up-to-date per-unit costs for their program. Students can apply for aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which may lead to grants, scholarships, work-study, and federal loans depending on financial need. GGU also offers school-specific scholarships for online psychology students.
Psychology Programs at Golden Gate University
Golden Gate University’s School of Psychology offers two graduate psychology degrees, both available on campus in San Francisco, fully online, or in a hybrid format.
Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology
The MA in Counseling Psychology prepares students to pursue licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in California. Coursework covers what counseling psychology involves, patient assessment, and clinical practice, and the program includes a traineeship requiring at least 300 face-to-face clinical hours, with most students completing well beyond the minimum through the full training experience.
Master of Arts in Industrial-Organizational Psychology
The MA in industrial-organizational psychology applies psychological principles to workplace settings, covering topics such as group dynamics, executive coaching, and human resource management. The program can be completed on campus, online, or in a hybrid format.
Explore accredited psychology programs at other schools, including application requirements and tuition details, to compare your options with those at Golden Gate University.