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Applied Psychology | Public Health

MA in Applied Psychology | Master of Public Health

The dual Master of Arts in Applied Psychology and Master of Public Health provides broad-based scholarship on health-relevant behaviors, as well as program development, evaluation, and research skills that are applicable in a wide range of public health settings.

Offered jointly with the School of Community and Global Health, this distinctive track of study explores how social science knowledge, concepts, and methods—particularly in applied psychology—impact public health practice. Students earn both an MA in Applied Psychology and an MPH, giving them the necessary expertise to conduct research concerning behavioral risk factors and to evaluate behavioral interventions to improve health outcomes among diverse populations. With emphasis in both research and practice, the program explores the political, historical, economic, and social dimensions of health promotion and health services delivery. You’ll be guided by leading faculty-scholars from the social sciences and public health sectors toward this specialized degree.

Program Highlights
  • Curriculum and graduate seminars provide students with the theoretical, methodological, and practical experience to pursue careers in academia or in a range of high-level research and consulting positions.
  • Proximity to local health departments in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties offers employment and educational opportunities.
  • Classroom discussion and projects use the latest technologies to enhance learning and presentation skills, including in-class multimedia lectures and demonstrations.
  • The SCGH Student Association provides opportunities for leadership and impact through community service, dialogue, and special events.
  • The Division of Behavioral & Organizational Sciences offers a certificate program and professional development workshops in evaluation and applied methods for those seeking continuing education.

Program At-a-glance

  • 76 units

    required units

  • MA in Applied Psychology | Master of Public Health

    degree awarded

  • Hybrid

    modality

  • Spring, Fall

    program start

  • 2.5-3.5 years | full time*

    estimated completion time

Areas of Concentration

  • Health Behavior Research & Evaluation (MA)

    Learn to apply psychological science and evaluation to promote health and prevent disease, and to improve public health in diverse and global communities.

  • Applied Biostatistics & Epidemiology (MPH)

    Learn to conduct research into the incidence and prevalence of diseases and examine the determinants of health and disease in local, national, and international communities.

  • Health Promotion, Education & Evaluation (MPH)

    Study how behaviors within environmental contexts—operating at individual, organizational, community, and societal levels—affect health and well-being.

Where You Can Find Our Alumni

Faculty

  • Stewart Donaldson

    Stewart I. Donaldson

    Distinguished University Professor
    Executive Director, Claremont Evaluation Center
    Executive Director, The Evaluators' Institute (TEI)

    Research Interests

    Positive Organizational Psychology, Health/Well-Being & Positive Functioning Across Cultures, Program Design & Re-Design, Culturally Responsive Theory-Driven Measurement & Evaluation

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  • Portrait of Kathy Pezdek

    Kathy Pezdek

    Professor of Psychology

    Research Interests

    Memory & Comprehension, Eyewitness Memory, Autobiographical Memory

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  • William Crano Portrait

    William Crano

    Stuart Oskamp Chair of Psychology

    Research Interests

    Social Influence, Effects of persuasive information on drug addiction and HIV/AIDS, Minority and majority relationships to health information

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  • Portrait of Michael Hogg

    Michael Hogg

    Professor of Social Psychology

    Research Interests

    Self and Social Identity; Intergroup Relations and Group Processes; Influence and Leadership; Uncertainty, Radicalization and Extremism

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  • Eusebio Alvaro

    Eusebio Alvaro

    Full Research Professor

    Research Interests

    Social Influence Processes, Health Promotion, Disease Prevention & Medicine

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  • Jason Siegel

    Jason T. Siegel

    Professor of Psychology

    Research Interests

    Social Psychology, Health Psychology, Persuasion, Survey Research

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  • Portrait of C Anderson Johnson

    C. Anderson Johnson

    Professor
    Founding Dean, School of Community & Global Health

    Research Interests

    Transnational prevention of tobacco, alcohol, and drug abuse, HIV-AIDS, and obesity; Community-based substance abuse prevention; Social and environmental influences on health; Community and mass media approaches to health

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  • Paula Palmer

    Paula Healani Palmer

    Professor of Community and Global Health
    Director of the PhD in Health Promotion Sciences program

    Research Interests

    Determinants of health among ethnically diverse populations; Community-based participatory research among under-served, underrepresented populations; Health of Pacific Islanders and South Asians; Technology applications for health behavior interventions; Tobacco control, mental health, disaster management, health of migrants and indigenous peoples; Maternal and child health

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  • Portrait of Darleen Peterson

    Darleen V. Peterson

    Professor of Practice, Community and Global Health
    Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
    Director of the Certificate and Master of Public Health (MPH) programs

    Research Interests

    Evaluation of Health Communication Campaigns, Effects of Pro- and Anti-Tobacco and Alcohol Marketing; Public Health Education Accreditation

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  • Kim Reynolds

    Kim D. Reynolds

    Professor

    Research Interests

    Nutrition and physical activity, Health promotion and disease prevention, Diabetes and obesity

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  • Portrait of Alan Stacy

    Alan Stacy

    Professor
    Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs

    Research Interests

    Application of theories and methods of human memory; Cognitive neuroscience and social cognition to health behavior: etiology, prevention, and media effects; Translation of basic research to field research, high-risk populations, and prevention; Validation issues in assessment

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  • Portrait of Bin Xie

    Bin Xie

    Professor of Community and Global Health
    Director of the Applied Biostatistics (MS) program

    Research Interests

    Obesity prevention; Tobacco control; Diet, physical activity, body image in adolescents; Psychological adjustment to obesity; Diabetes and cancer; Application of statistical analysis in prevention research

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Clinical Experience

Gain practical, hands-on experience in public and community health through a required internship at one of many agencies and organizations, such as:

  • City of Montclair–Conduct interviews and focus groups to assess a larger county-wide movement to create healthy environments and promote healthy lifestyle choices.
  • The Arthritis Foundation, Pacific Region–Work with key stakeholders on strategic mission delivery planning, program development, and implementation and advocacy for arthritis-friendly state legislation.
  • East Valley Community Health Center–Using the National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) as a framework, develop and implement a comprehensive lifestyle program, including training of medical staff to provide more effective diabetes care and the individual delivery of coaching and education to diabetic patients.
  • Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties (PPOSBC)–Focus on all facets of the organization—from its strategic plan and organizational structure to its political and educational element—to learn to operate like a holistic leader.

Featured Research

Action Plans & Memory Consolidation: Reducing HIV Risk in Drug Users
CGU students and faculty in the School of Community & Global Health are conducting an ongoing study that experimentally evaluates short-term prospective effects of new interventions on preventive behaviors (condom use and HIV/hepatitis testing) and underlying basic processes in a large sample of drug offenders. Drawing on a large body of basic research on memory, decision making, and neural systems, the project seeks to discover whether cognitive science interventions show superior effects on preventive behavior over more traditional interventions.

Application Guidelines

Applicants interested in the MA in Applied Psychology and MPH dual degree program should contact an admissions counselor for admissions information.

Cost & Aid

ESTIMATED TUITION (CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS, NON-RESIDENTS, INTERNATIONAL)
Program 76 units
Tuition per unit* $2,020

*Based on 2024-2025 tuition rates.

STUDENT FEES (PER SEMESTER)
$245 Student Fee
$150 Technology Fee
International Student Services Fee*: $661 fall semester, $776 spring semester
**Applies to all international students (F-1 visa only) who are registered in coursework, doctoral study, or continuous registration. The fee is assessed each fall and spring semester for annual ISO accident and sickness plans and administrative fees. Subject to change.

For estimates of room & board, books, etc., please download CGU’s Cost of Attendance 2024-2025.

review financial aid

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