Skip to main content
GCU Logo Mobile
Apply NowRequest Info
  • GCU Login
GCU LoginRequest Info
Grand Canyon University logo in bold purple uppercase text on a white background
  • Degree Programs
    • Areas of Study
      • Business
      • Teaching
      • Language
      • Counseling
      • Psychology
      • Healthcare
      • Nursing
      • Criminal Justice
      • Legal Studies
      • Engineering
      • Science
      • Technology
      • Theology
      • Ministry
      • Digital Arts
      • Digital Media
      • Fine Arts
    • Locations
      • Campus
      • Online
      • Evening
    • Degree Level
      • Bachelor's
      • Master's
      • Doctoral
      • Certificates
      • Bridge
      • Post-Master's
    • Other Course Options
      • Minors
      • Individual Courses
      • High School Dual Enrollment
      • Current Teacher Continuing Education
      All Majors & Programs
      All Majors & Programs
  • Academics
    • Colleges
      • Doctoral
      • Arts & Media
      • Business
      • Education
      • Engineering & Technology
      • Humanities & Social Sciences
      • Natural Sciences
      • Nursing & Health Care
      • Theology
      • Honors
    • More About GCU
      • Academic Catalog & Policies
      • University Accreditation & Regulation
      • Educational Alliances
      • Faculty Directory
      • Office of Assessment
      • Provost Message
      Academics
      Academics
  • Admissions
    • Admissions
      • Admission Requirements
      • Visit Campus
      • Undergraduate Admissions
      • College Transfer Center
      • Graduate & Doctoral Admissions
      • Campus Resources
      Admissions
      Admissions
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Tuition
      • Online & Evening
      • On-Campus
      • Housing & Meal Costs
      • Other Fees
      • Cost of Attendance
    • Financial Aid
      • FAFSA
      • Scholarships & Grants
      • Student Loans
      Tuition & Financial Aid
      Tuition & Financial Aid
  • Why GCU
    • Student Journey
      • Online Learning
      • Campus Life
      • Evening Classes
      • Hybrid Learning
      • Military & Veteran
      • ROTC
      • International Students
      • Native American
    • Our Story
      • University Spirit & Traditions
      • Christian Identity & Mission
      • History & Campus Growth
      • Community Outreach
    • About
      • Leadership Team
      • Campus Locations
      • Blog
      • Offices
      • Contact
      • Media & Branding
      Why GCU
      Why GCU
Apply NowRequest Info

Read time 5 minutes

GCU black logo
GCE Editorial Team

Published on Dec 23, 2024


In This Article
  • Overview
  • The Benefits of an Online Psychology Education 
  • Understanding California’s Career Pathway in Psychology
  • Choose From Our Online Psychology Degrees in California
  • FAQs About Online Psychology Programs in California
In This Article
Overview
The Benefits of an Online Psychology Education 
Understanding California’s Career Pathway in Psychology
Choose From Our Online Psychology Degrees in California
FAQs About Online Psychology Programs in California
Written By
GCU black logo
View Profile
GCE Editorial Team

Tags
BS in Psychology|Health Psychology Degree|Online Degrees|PhD in Psychology
Related Articles In
Psychology & Counseling
Female counselor talking to a female patient during a counseling session inside near large windows.

Counseling Techniques for Aspiring Counselors

Discover key counseling techniques and skills every aspiring counselor should master, with expert insights from Dr. Melissa Galica on evidence-based approaches like CBT, DBT and narrative therapy.

09/30/2025

|

7 min read

Family of five sitting together in a living room, representing family dynamics in addiction and recovery.

What Are Family Dynamics? Addiction and Recovery Degree Focus

What are family dynamics? Explore the meaning of family dynamics in psychology. Learn how addiction counseling degrees from GCU may help your career.

09/08/2025

|

6 min read

A behavioral health specialist speaks with a seated individual in a relaxed setting, offering support and guidance. The specialist holds a notebook, while the other person listens attentively.

Careers in the Behavioral Health Field

Explore careers in the behavioral health field and learn how GCU can prepare you to pursue careers in mental health and human services.

08/15/2025

|

6 min read

We're here to help.

I'm Ready to ApplyI Need More Information
GCU Logo White
1-855-GCU-LOPELive Chat
3300 West Camelback Road  - 
Phoenix, AZ 85017
Grand Canyon University © 2025
All Rights Reserved
  • Majors & Programs
  • Admission
  • Financial Resources
  • Academic Calendar
  • Academic Catalog & Policies
  • Online Learning
  • Why GCU
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
  • Title IX
  • Media & Licensing
  • Consumer Information
  • Financial Disclosures
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cost of Attendance
Find Your Purpose Logo
Video from GCU
FacebookTwitter/XLinkedInInstagramYouTube
  • Current Students
    |
  • Alumni
    |
  • Athletics
    |
  • Arena
    |
  • GCU News
    |
  • Lope Shops
    |
  • GCBC
    |
  • Canyon Promotions
    |
  • Lope House
    |
  • GCU Golf

Privacy / Cookie Disclaimer: Our site uses cookies to personalize content, to provide social media features/ads and to analyze site traffic. We share information about your use of this site with our social media, advertising and analytics teams who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them. By continuing to navigate this site you are consenting to the collection of information via our use of cookies. For more information on our cookie collection and use please visit our Privacy Policy.

Share This Story
FacebookTwitter/XLinkedInShare via Email

  1. Home/
  2. Blog/
  3. Psychology & Counseling/
  4. Our Online Psychology Programs In California

Our Online Psychology Programs in California

psychologist meeting with a woman and taking notes
Start your GCU
journey today.
Step 1: Educational Interests
This helps us connect you with the right enrollment counselor to help you through the process.
Make a selection
Select One
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctoral
Bridge
Make a selection
First select a degree level
Make a selection
First select a degree level and how you would like to attend
Make a selection
First select degree level, modality, and area of interest
Make a selection
Select One
Yes
No
Make a selection
Select One
Yes
No
Make a selection
Select One
Yes
No
West Valley (Phoenix, AZ) ABSN
Select One
Albuquerque, NM ABSN
Boise (Meridian, ID) ABSN
Denver (Englewood, CO) ABSN
East Valley (Chandler, AZ) ABSN
Las Vegas (Henderson, NV) ABSN
Miramar (Miami, FL) ABSN
Orlando (Lake Mary, FL) ABSN
Salt Lake (Sandy, UT) ABSN
St. Louis, MO ABSN
Sun City, AZ ABSN
Tucson, AZ ABSN
West Valley (Phoenix, AZ) ABSN
Make a selection
Select One
Still in High School
High School Diploma or GED
Some College
Associate Degree or over 60 credits
Bachelor's Degree
Master's Degree or Higher
Bachelor's with Cert. & Experience
BS in Nursing
Make a selection
Select One
2029
2028
2027
2026
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
1992
1991
1990
1989
1988
1987
1986
1985
1984
1983
1982
1981
1980
1979
1978
1977
1976
1975
1974
1973
1972
1971
1970
1969
1968
1967
1966
1965
1964
1963
1962
1961
1960
1959
1958
1957
1956
1955
1954
1953
1952
1951
1950
1949
1948
1947
1946
1945
1944
1943
1942
1941
1940
1939
1938
1937
1936
1935
U.S. Citizen
U.S. Citizen
Non-U.S. Citizen
No military affiliation
Make a selection
No military affiliation
Active
Spouse
Retired
Veteran
United States
United States
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
American Samoa
Andorra
Angola
Anguilla
Antarctica
Antigua And Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia And Herzegovina
Botswana
Bouvet Island
Brazil
British Indian Ocean Territory
Brunei Darussalam
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Christmas Island
Cocos (keeling) Islands
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
Congo, The Democratic Republic Of The
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Cote D'ivoire
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
East Timor
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Falkland Islands (malvinas)
Faroe Islands
Fiji
Finland
France
French Guiana
French Polynesia
French Southern Territories
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Heard Island And Mcdonald Islands
Holy See (vatican City State)
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran, Islamic Republic Of
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Korea, Democratic People's Republic Of
Korea, Republic Of
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Lao People's Democratic Republic
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic Of
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Martinique
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mayotte
Mexico
Micronesia, Federated States Of
Moldova, Republic Of
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Montserrat
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Netherlands
Netherlands Antilles
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Niue
Norfolk Island
Northern Mariana Islands
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Palestinian Territory, Occupied
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Pitcairn
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Reunion
Romania
Russian Federation
Rwanda
Saint Helena
Saint Kitts And Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Pierre And Miquelon
Saint Vincent And The Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Sao Tome And Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Georgia And The South Sandwich Islands
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Svalbard And Jan Mayen
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Syrian Arab Republic
Taiwan, Province Of China
Tajikistan
Tanzania, United Republic Of
Thailand
Togo
Tokelau
Tonga
Trinidad And Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Turks And Caicos Islands
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Viet Nam
Virgin Islands, British
Virgin Islands, U.s.
Wallis And Futuna
Western Sahara
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

By clicking submit, you give GCU consent to use automated technology to call and text you regarding educational services. Your consent is not required to receive educational services. GCU will never sell your information. By submitting this form, you agree to GCU's privacy policy.

Related Resources

Online Degrees
Admission
Scholarships & Grants
Transfer Center
Unlock Your Potential

Speak with a University Counselor today.

Apply Now
  1. Board of Psychology. (n.d.). Licensure as a Psychologist – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Department of Consumer Affairs. Retrieved Oct. 24, 2024.
  2. Landrum, R.E., PhD. (2018, January). What Can You Do With a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology? Like This Title, The Actual Answer Is Complicated. American Psychological Association. Retrieved Oct. 24, 2024.
  3. Cherry, K., MSEd. (2022, Sept. 15). Jobs For a Master’s Degree in Psychology. VeryWellMind. Retrieved Oct. 24, 2024.
  4. Deering, M., JD. (2024, Sept. 10). What Can You Do With a Doctorate in Psychology? Psychology.org. Retrieved Oct. 24, 2024.

Approved and verified accurate by the assistant dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences on Dec. 4, 2024.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.

If you're fascinated by the inner workings of the human mind, then you may be thinking about earning a psychology degree. This field of study also explores how human thought influences behaviors and how professionals in psychology can best help those who are struggling with mental health issues.

At Grand Canyon University, we strive to make higher education more accessible to those who are unable to relocate to our campus in Phoenix, Arizona. Our online psychology programs in California could be an ideal fit for you if you’re eager to benefit from a Christian education and wish to remain in your current location.

The Benefits of an Online Psychology Education 

As a GCU student, you’ll enjoy the many benefits that come with an online education. You’ll use our digital Learning Management System to attend classes online, access coursework materials and complete projects. GCU’s intuitive e-learning platform also features interactive discussion forums, where you can engage in intellectually stimulating conversations with your peers and talk to professors one-on-one.

When you choose our online psychology degrees in California, you may notice the following benefits of online education:

  • Convenience and flexibility: Online degrees in California are particularly ideal for students who are working, either full time or part time, and need to fit classes around their existing schedule. Our online degrees are also convenient for students who have significant personal commitments, such as childcare or elder care.
  • Time management: Earning your psychology degree online can allow you to work on developing your time management skills. As an online student, you'll need to hold yourself accountable for attending classes, completing assignments by their deadline and taking exams on schedule.
  • Career preparation: Many job opportunities across a range of fields, including psychology, have shifted toward a hybrid or 100% remote model. If you become an online student, you can be able to prepare for a future role that utilizes the digital space in this way.

GCU’s online psychology programs in California and beyond prioritize educational quality. You’ll be taught by qualified instructors as you work through a comprehensive curriculum designed to prepare you for the modern psychology field.

FAQs About Online Psychology Programs in California

It’s natural to have some questions about enrolling in an online psychology degree in California. 

The following answers may help guide your decision-making process:

Can I Earn My Degree Entirely Online?

In some cases, yes, it’s possible to earn a psychology degree entirely online in CA. Other degree programs require both in-person internships and practicum hours, which must be completed locally. It’s important to fully understand the degree program requirements before enrolling. A university counselor can help you determine if it’s possible to earn your chosen psychology degree entirely online.

Do note that its customary for our doctoral programs to include in-person residencies. These residencies provide opportunities for hands-on work with your advisor, as well as professional networking, and are required to be completed on or near the Phoenix campus.

Why Choose GCU for My Psychology Education?

As an institution that has been continually accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968, GCU prioritizes the quality of our education. We aim to empower our students and adult learners to make positive contributions to their communities and to their professional fields following graduation. 

Furthermore, GCU is a private Christian school that offers faith-integrated courses from the biblical perspective. In all our degree programs, there is an emphasis on servant leadership and ethical practices.

What Can You Do With Online Psychology Degrees in California?

As previously mentioned, there are career options available to pursue at every level of education.

If you complete a bachelor’s degree, you might consider one of the following career options:2

  • Market research analyst
  • Labor relations manager
  • Police officer
  • Psychiatric aide/attendant
  • Psychiatric technician
  • Psychosocial rehabilitation specialist
  • Social services aide
  • Research assistant

If you decide to further your education by earning a master’s degree in psychology, you might consider pursuing a career as a:3

  • Career counselor
  • Drug and alcohol specialist
  • Social service manager
  • Human resources analyst
  • Developmental specialist

People who enroll in online psychology programs in California at the doctoral level often do so because they wish to pursue licensure as a clinical or counseling psychologist. The doctoral programs at GCU does not lead to licensure.

However, other opportunities may exist, as well, including:4

  • Research psychologist
  • Psychology professor

Grand Canyon University welcomes students in California and elsewhere to explore our online degree programs in psychology and a wide range of other fields. Our psychology degree programs are designed to provide you with the skills, education and tools you need to pursue a number of career opportunities in the field. Contact a university counselor today and begin planning your future at GCU. 

 
Help Others Heal and Thrive
Make an impact on others’ mental health.
Request More Information

 

Choose From Our Online Psychology Degrees in California

GCU’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences is pleased to offer a wide range of online psychology degree programs to students living in California or anywhere with internet. Whether you’re just beginning your college education or pursuing advanced credentials, our psychology degrees can help you work toward your career goals.

Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology

Students without prior college education, as well as those with transfer credits, can choose from varying bachelor’s degrees in psychology at GCU. We offer a general Bachelor of Science in Psychology, as well as emphases to allow you to work toward a specialization. Consider applying to the BS in Psychology with an Emphasis in Forensic Psychology if you’re interested in working at the intersection of mental health and law enforcement. Or, choose the emphasis program in performance and sports psychology if you would like to turn your passion for sports into a career option. 

Online Master’s Degrees in Psychology

Earning a psychology master’s degree online at GCU provides the opportunity to choose from a broader range of specialization options. Take a deep dive into psychology coursework and examine skills in research.

You could earn a Master of Science in Psychology with the following emphases:

  • Forensic psychology
  • General psychology
  • GeroPsychology
  • Health psychology
  • Human factors psychology
  • Industrial and organizational psychology
  • Life coaching

Online Doctoral Degrees in Psychology

An online doctoral degree in psychology offers the opportunity to cement your professional reputation, explore in-depth research skills, prepare for potential career advancement and contribute your own original research in the psychology field.

GCU offers PhD in general psychology degree options. Choose from the following:

  • Cognition and Instruction (Qualitative Research)
  • Cognition and Instruction (Quantitative Research)
  • Industrial and Organizational Psychology (Qualitative Research)
  • Industrial and Organizational Psychology (Quantitative Research)
  • Integrating Technology, Learning, and Psychology (Qualitative Research)
  • Integrating Technology, Learning, and Psychology (Quantitative Research)
  • Performance Psychology (Qualitative Research)
  • Performance Psychology (Quantitative Research)

Understanding California’s Career Pathway in Psychology

There are many career options for individuals with an academic background in psychology. Some of these are available to those who have a bachelor’s degree, while others may require graduate-level education and additional training. (See the FAQs section below.)

Although many students who earn a bachelor’s in psychology may choose careers other than that of psychologist, it’s important to be aware of licensing requirements in California if you do intend to become a psychologist.

The California Board of Psychology has established some of the following requirements:1

  • Hold a qualifying doctoral degree
  • Complete at least 3,000 hours of supervised professional practice, half of which must occur following the completion of the doctoral degree
  • Demonstrate completion of specific pre-licensure coursework
  • Attain a passing score on these two exams: the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and the California Psychology Laws and Ethics Examination (CPLEE)
  • Pass a criminal background check

As you plan your career pathway, you should thoroughly research the requirements before enrolling in a degree program.