Hope International University psychology programs span the undergraduate and graduate levels, including a BA in Psychology, a BA in Sport Psychology, and graduate degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy and Counseling. HIU is regionally accredited by WSCUC and holds specialized accreditation from COAMFTE, located in Fullerton, California.
Hope International University began in 1928 as Pacific Bible Seminary and became a university in 1997, following the merger of its residential and distance-education colleges. Located in Fullerton, California, HIU is a private Christian university affiliated with the Church of Christ, integrating faith with academic and professional training through several psychology programs in California. The College of Psychology and Counseling houses HIU’s undergraduate and graduate psychology programs.
Hope International University Accreditation Details
Hope International University holds regional accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), a status the university has held since 1969 and renewed most recently in 2024 for six more years.
For prospective psychology students, the accreditations that matter most are WSCUC institutional accreditation, Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) accreditation for the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, and California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) approval for the programs that lead to state licensure.
Hope International University Application Requirements
First-time undergraduate applicants submit an application and fee, official high school transcripts, a statement of purpose connecting their goals to HIU’s Christian mission, and reference contacts from both a church leader and an educator or employer. SAT/ACT requirements should be verified against HIU’s current admissions page, as standardized testing policies have shifted at many universities.
Transfer students with 24 or more completed semester units are exempt from the SAT/ACT requirement but must still submit official transcripts from all colleges attended, along with the same statement of purpose and reference requirements.
Graduate applicants submit an application and fee, official transcripts from all previously attended institutions, two completed reference forms, and a statement of purpose of at least 250 words explaining their reasons for pursuing the program. Applicants to the Master of Science in Counseling program also complete prerequisite coursework in Abnormal Psychology and Community Mental Health, unless it’s waived based on a prior psychology degree or relevant field experience.
Hope International University Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition varies by program level and format, and HIU sets new rates effective each June 1. Undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral tuition differ significantly, so prospective students should verify current per-credit and per-unit costs directly through HIU’s tuition and financial aid pages before applying.
Financial aid is available through federal and state grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study. Students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify, and aid applies whether students enroll on campus or online.
Psychology Programs at Hope International University
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
HIU’s BA in Psychology is a 120-unit program offered both on-campus and online, pairing a liberal arts foundation with Christian perspectives on psychological theory. It prepares students for entry-level human services roles or further graduate study.
Bachelor of Arts in Sport Psychology
This undergraduate program applies psychological principles to athletic performance and coaching, giving students a specialized track within the College of Psychology and Counseling.
Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
HIU’s MA in Marriage and Family Therapy meets the educational requirements set by the California Board of Behavioral Science (BBS) for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist. Graduates become eligible to sit for the state licensing exam after completing the required supervised hours, though how the state licensing board reviews your application varies by state.
Master of Science in Counseling
The fully online Master of Science in Counseling, with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, is approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to meet the educational requirements for licensure as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), after completing 3,000 supervised hours. HIU’s separate Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, not this program, is accredited by COAMFTE.
Doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy
HIU’s Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy (DMFT) is designed for licensed marriage and family therapists seeking advanced clinical, supervisory, and scholarly preparation, building on the university’s COAMFTE-accredited master’s-level training.
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