Join CalSouthern’s School of Behavioral Sciences
The School of Behavioral Sciences strives for excellence in the advancement of the behavioral sciences and in promoting mental health and service to society. The goal is to provide the knowledge and skills necessary to improve the lives of people in diverse communities around the world. The School is committed to a pursuit of humanistic thought and action, multicultural understanding, academic excellence, and lifelong learning.
Degree & Certificate Programs
Which Psychology Program Works For You?
CalSouthern’s MS & MA Psychology programs at a glance
| Details | Master of Science (MS) in General Psychology | Master of Science (MS) in Psychology | Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credits Required | 30 | 42 | 60 |
| Cost per credit | $645 | $645 | $645 |
| Program length | 1.5 years (full-time status)1 | 2-3 years (full-time status)1 | 4 years (full-time status)1 |
| Max transfer credits | 6 credits2 | 6 credits2 | 12 credits2 |
| Graduates of this program may choose to pursue the following3 |
Doctoral level study at CalSouthern (PsyD) Potential career paths in industries such as:
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Doctoral level study at CalSouthern (PsyD) Potential career paths in industries such as:
Advancement in career paths such as:
A concentration in:
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Doctoral level study at CalSouthern (PsyD) Potential career paths in industries such as:
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1 The program length varies depending on the concentration selected. Many factors can impact your time to completion such as course loads, transfer or proficiency credits, and approved leaves of absence. The program length provided does not include these adjustments. Program completion time also depends on an individual learner’s time needed to complete required practicum courses.
2 Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible for transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies
3 CalSouthern cannot guarantee employment, licensure, salary, or career advancement.
School of Behavioral Sciences Leadership
Dean
Dr. Melissa Noya, PsyD
Dr. Noya is the Dean of Behavioral Sciences. She oversees the undergraduate and graduate programs in psychology. She is an accomplished educator and leader in higher education. She earned her Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology from Albizu University with a specialization in child psychology. She has been in higher education for over 13 years as a faculty member and has served as a psychologist conducting psychological evaluations and therapy with children and adults. Prior to joining California Southern University, she was the Director of Clinical Training for Albizu University Miami and served as Associate Dean and Program Director at Keiser University Miami Campus.
Dr. Noya’s leadership experience includes the APAGS Advocacy Coordinating Team Chair. She also served as the Chair for the FPAGS. Dr. Noya has received numerous awards, including the APAGS 20th Anniversary Future Pioneers of Psychology Award, and the APASociety for Clinical Psychology Distinguished Student Service Award. Her research interests center around evidence-based approaches to assessment. Dr. Noya has been supported by funding from the National Institutes of Mental Health.
Program Chair
Dr. Rachel C. Cain, Ph.D.
Dr. Cain is the Program Chair for the School of Behavioral Sciences. She earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Child Psychology from the University of Alabama. She first worked exclusively in private practice conducting therapy and assessment with children, adolescents, and families, but added a second career in higher education in 2006. Previously, Dr. Cain worked for the American Public University System (APUS). She started as Adjunct Faculty and was most recently the Assistant Chair for Psychology. She also conducts evaluations of children who are applying for admissions to several independent schools in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Cain’s research interests include callous-unemotional traits in children, nontraditional students in higher education, and leadership styles/culture in higher education.
Faculty Mentors
The faculty mentors in CalSouthern’s School of Behavioral Sciences are skilled and experienced clinicians as well as dedicated, responsive, and highly qualified educators.
They are available to support your learning and mastery of the course content. And, equally important, they will help you utilize the concepts you learn and apply them to resolve challenges commonly faced in clinical practice today.
Learn more about this group of professionals dedicated to your success. View faculty directory.
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Dr. Chimai Var
Faculty, Ph.D. -
Dr. Evangelina Alonso
Faculty, PsyD Behavioral Sciences
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Dr. Lori Aleknavicius
Faculty, PsyD -
Dr. Robert Yates III
Faculty, Ph.D.
I was looking at what universities are actually going to complement my Master’s. So, I needed a place where I could have the highest quality of education and that was also affordable and gave me flexibility with time. And [CalSouthern] is the University that actually meets all my requirements.
Explore Recent News
From the School of Behavioral Sciences
Requirements for a Master’s in Psychology
A master’s in psychology degree program may serve as a steppingstone on the path to future doctoral study and/or an opportunity to study relevant skills and knowledge in preparation for pursuing potential career paths in the field.
How Long Does It Take to Earn a PsyD?
Because PsyD program lengths vary, viewing them in isolation does not give a complete picture of how long it takes to earn a PsyD. Here we explore why and provide a potential roadmap to a PsyD.
Do You Need a Master’s to Pursue a PsyD?
Can you pursue a PsyD without having a master’s degree? This articlediscusses both whether you need a master’s to pursue a PsyD as well as thedifference between a PsyD vs. PhD.
Frequently Asked Questions
The field of Behavioral Sciences includes the discipline of psychology and the study of human behavior.
In a Behavioral Sciences Program, learners will study the psychological principles, theories, research, ethics, and the potential impact of culture, in combination to form an understanding of the mind and what motivates people to behave in certain ways. The potential to pursue clinical and nonclinical career paths varies by program.
Classes begin monthly. Connect with a CalSouthern Admissions Advisor by phone (1-800-477- 2254, ext. 47822), by email through Admissions@calsouthern.edu, or request information online at How to Apply – California Southern University (calsouthern.edu). Begin your degree at CalSouthern today.
The goal of the CalSouthern School of Behavioral Sciences is to equip learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve lives and to positively impact communities. Our degree and certificate programs offer a holistic approach to the behavioral sciences, through the application of psychological principles to a vast array of contexts and fields. Whether your goal is to apply psychology to business settings or to help you prepare to work with individuals, couples, families, or groups in a clinical setting, we have program options for you. Our online programs are designed to fulfill the needs of working adults today. Contact CalSouthern Admissions for more information.
Ready to pursue your educational goals? We can help!
Accreditation
California Southern University is a member of the American InterContinental University System. The System is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Please visit the Accreditation & Licensure page to learn more.
CalSouthern cannot guarantee employment, salary, or career advancement. Not all programs are available to residents of all jurisdictions. CalSouthern does not accept applications from residents of Massachusetts, New York, and certain foreign countries.
