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Department of Psychology
The Cal Poly Humboldt Psychology department is dedicated to providing undergraduate and graduate students with the skills to scientifically and critically evaluate psychological processes.
Our B.A. and M.A. courses address the impact of culture and context on human functioning, fostering an appreciation for differences through research and applied experiences. Our supportive faculty prepare our students to apply their knowledge and skills from psychology to create a socially just and equitable society.
Undergraduate Degree
Psychology, B.A.
Our program provides a strong foundation in psychology that prepares students for careers working in various fields such as health, education, research, or business as well as graduate school in psychology or other related fields.
Note: We are not an online program. Though we do offer some of our courses online not all of our required courses are offered in that modality.
Graduate Degrees
Psychology, Academic Research Concentration, M.A.
This highly specialized two year program provides a foundation in methodology and statistics, as well as in the theoretical frameworks for the major disciplines in psychology.
Choose one of four focuses:
- Behavior Analysis
- Developmental
- Social/Cognitive
- Neuroscience
Application deadline
Blended Program, B.A/M.A.
Qualified students who are admitted as juniors to our Academic Research M.A. Program can graduate with a B.A. and a M.A. degree in just five years.
The Behavior Analysis emphasis is not available as part of the Blended program.
Counseling Psychology, M.A.
The program prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of psychological counseling. The program is accredited by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences and provides the educational requirements for the Marriage and Family therapist (MFT) license in the state of California. Successful completion will allow the candidate to apply for Associate (MFT) status with the Board to accrue the post-degree hours of supervised practice necessary for state licensure.
Application deadline
For information on the Admissions Process refer to the student handbook below.
School Psychology, M.A.
The program is a comprehensive three-year program of coursework, field experience, and research training. The program helps develop professionals who can apply psychological principles and empirical knowledge related to support for students and designing/implementing interventions that meet the needs of students from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds.
Application deadline
Minors
Career Options
A broad field comprising more than 50 different specialties, Psychology can be applied to nearly any career. When you graduate from our B.A. or M.A. programs, you will be prepared for the workforce with the knowledge and highly marketable skills that are essential in today’s world.
Careers - Psychology, B.A.
- Behavioral Technician
- Clinical Psychologist
- Data Analyst
- Day Care Center Director
- Neuroscientist
- Police Officer
- Social Worker
- Therapist
- Trauma Specialist
Careers - Psychology, Academic Research Concentration, M.A.
- Behavior Analyst
- College or University faculty
- Data Analyst
- Market Research Analyst
- Program Evaluator
- Research Analyst
Careers - Counseling Psychology, M.A.
- Group Therapy Facilitator
- Marriage/Couples Therapist
- Family Therapist
- Child Therapist
- Substance Use Counselor
- Conflict Resolution Mediator
- Trauma Specialist
- University Faculty
Careers - School Psychology, M.A.
- School Psychologist
- College or University faculty
- School Administrator
- Conflict Resolution Mediator
- Program Evaluator
Place-Based Learning Communities: Creando Raíces and Healthy Humboldt
As a Psychology freshman, you’ll participate in hands-on activities with your peers before classes even start and in some cases, have the opportunity to live in the same residence halls with your peers. Psychology students will join three other departments for either Creando Raíces which focuses on community organizing and ethnic studies, or Healthy Humboldt, which focuses on how to support a healthy and thriving community.
Department Events
Featured Alumni
Amber Gaffney, Benny Anjewierden
Psychology
Benny Anjewierden and Amber Gaffney co-Chaired a symposium with Professor Dominic Abrams at the Society of Experimental Social Psychology in Lisbon, Portugal (Praise some, punish others: When and why deviance is embraced or erased within groups). They then presented at the University of Porto, Portugal, for invited talks. Anjewierden presented some of their joint work on the polarizing nature of criticizing political leaders. Gaffney presented some of their work detailing how motives for social identity can differentially predict political extremism.
Jennifer Lucero, MD, MA; Gregg Gold, PhD; Eraka Bath, MD; Gerardo Moreno, MD, MS; Esmeralda Trejo, MSEd; Ricardo Antillon, MPH; Gianna Giacomotto BA
Psychology
Presented research entitled “Evaluating the Effectiveness of the UCLA Pre-Med Enrichment Program,” and “Lessons Learned on UCLA UIM-COE Clinical Clerkship Psychology of Bias” at the November 13, 2025, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine Medical Education Day conference. Co-authors included UCLA Medical School Faculty, Staff, and recent Cal Poly Humboldt psychology graduate Gianna Giacomotto.
Kauyumari Sanchez
Psychology
Kauyumari Sanchez, PhD published the article Cross-modal matching of monosyllabic and bisyllabic items varying in phonotactic probability and lexicality in Frontiers in Language Sciences, 4, 1488399. https://doi.org/10.3389/flang.2025.1488399