Technology is woven into nearly every part of modern life. Designing it well requires knowing how people actually think and behave. User Experience (UX) is an empirical approach to design that puts psychology at the center, turning research on human cognition and behavior into interactions that work. It draws on a deep understanding of psychology to bridge the gap between people and the technology they use every day.
This program gives you both the theoretical grounding in psychology and the applied experience current UX roles require. Graduates go on to work as UX researchers, product designers, product managers, and more, across healthcare, finance, gaming, social media, and beyond. Wherever people interact with technology, there is meaningful work to be done.
Program Highlights
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Learn psychological principles and research methods through a rigorous curriculum blending psychology, AI, inclusive design, and statistics. It is continuously updated to reflect where the field is headed.
- Hands-On Experience: Benefit from professional internships and work opportunities in the Games & Interactive Technology Lab. Students complete their 320 hours of required field work through formal internships, contract work, or volunteer projects. You will graduate with meaningful work experience.
- Professional Development: Forge lasting connections through bi-monthly UX Lunch events, which feature industry speakers, and receive in-depth guidance on building an impressive UX portfolio, mastering job applications, and excelling in interviews.
- STEM Designation: International students who hold F-1 visas may apply for OPT work authorizations for a total of 36 months (an initial 1-year period and a 24-month OPT STEM extension) of paid work experience in the U.S. after graduation.
Program Outcomes
92% of recent graduates received full-time job offers in UX within 6 months of graduation (2023-24 data).
UX researchers are highly employable and thrive in industries from tech to healthcare. Explore career insights via the Nielsen Norman Group report.
Program At-a-glance
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48 units
required units
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MA in Psychology
degree awarded
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In Person
modality
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Spring, Summer, Fall
program start
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2 years | full time*
estimated completion time
Alumni Paths
Todd Blickenstaff
MA in Psychology 1999
E-Commerce Manager at Lexus Marketing
"My subsequent success in various roles can be attributed to the strong foundation in both quantitative and qualitative skills that I developed through courses in statistics and research methods at CGU."
Where You Can Find Our Alumni
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Upside
Senior UX Researcher
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Meta
Senior Solution Designer, People Data Experience
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Key Lime Interactive
User Experience Researcher
Faculty
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Kathy Pezdek
Professor Emerit of Psychology
Research Interests
Memory & Comprehension, Eyewitness Memory, Autobiographical Memory
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Danielle Green
Assistant Professor of Practice
Research Interests
User Experience, Product Strategy, Gaming, Technology for Health and Wellness, Educational Technology, Inclusive Design
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Yan Li
Associate Professor of Information Systems & Technology
Research Interests
Data science, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Health Informatics, Mobile Health, Data Management, Data warehousing, Business intelligence, ICT4D
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Chinazunwa Uwaoma
Research Assistant Professor of Information Systems & Technology
Research Interests
Internet of Things, Mobile Computing, Computer Communications & Networks, Healthcare Systems, Artificial Intelligence, and Cyber Security
Extended Faculty
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Lise Abrams
Pomona College
Research Interests
Language and memory, speech production, tip-of-the-tongue (TOT) states, cognitive aging, bilingualism
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Alison Harris
Claremont McKenna College
Research Interests
Cognitive neuroscience, decision neuroscience, neuroeconomics
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David Moore
Pitzer College
Research Interests
Cognitive development, development of mental rotation, infant-directed speech, categorization in infancy
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Catherine L. Reed
Claremont McKenna College
Research Interests
Cognitive neuroscience, electroencephalography, human behavior and human factors, multisensory perception
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Shlomi Sher
Pomona College
Research Interests
Rational and psychological levels of analysis; scientific approaches to the mind-body problem
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Patricia Smiley
Pomona College
Research Interests
Language development, self-development, achievement motivation
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Sharda Umanath
Claremont McKenna College
Research Interests
Cognition, education, experimental psychology, memory
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Megan Zirnstein
Pomona College
Research Interests
Sentence processing, individual differences in reading behavior and comprehension, bilingual language processing, ERPs, eye tracking
Curriculum
Psychology (4 units)
- Psychology of User Experience (4 units)
User Experience (16 – 20 units)
- User Experience Strategy (4 units)
- Artificial Intelligence and User Experience (4 units)
- User Experience Research Methods (4 units)
- Inclusive UX Design (4 units)
- Independent Study: Field Internship (0–4 units)
Statistics & Research Methods (12 units)
- Research Methods (4 units)
- Intermediate Statistics (2 units)
- Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) (2 units)
- Applied Multiple Regression (2 units)
- Categorical Data Analysis (2 units)
Electives in Psychology, Methods, and Related Fields (12 – 16 units)
You are encouraged to take elective courses in advanced methods and statistics as well as in psychology. You are also able to benefit from related courses offered by the Center for Information Systems & Technology, including programming courses. Electives are selected based on your interests and with the approval of your academic advisor. Popular electives include:
- Design Thinking & Creative Problem Solving
- Advanced Qualitative Research Methods
- Data Analytics in Practice
- Creating the Future with Emerging Technologies
- Mobile App Development
Application Guidelines
| University Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $80 (fee is non-refundable) |
| Official Transcripts | Undergraduate/graduate Applicants must submit a sealed, official transcript from every undergraduate and graduate institution that has granted the applicant a degree. Electronic transcripts sent to admissions@cgu.edu are also accepted. For undergraduate coursework, applicants are required to submit proof of a completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Unofficial copies of transcripts are accepted for review purposes, but official copies will be required upon admission. Applicants currently earning a degree that will be completed prior to attending CGU are required to submit a transcript showing work in progress for evaluation purposes. Once the degree has been granted, a final official transcript documenting the degree conferred must be submitted to CGU. International applicants are advised to review the International Transcript Guidelines for additional information on submitting international transcripts. |
| English Proficiency Exam | Required (international applicants only) A valid score on one of the following examinations TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson PTE, Duolingo English Test is required of all non-native English-speaking applicants. The examination is not required for the following applicants:
CGU’s school code for the TOEFL exam is 4053. International applicants are encouraged to visit our International Applicants page for more information, including score requirements. |
| Resume | Applicants must submit an up-to-date copy of their resume. |
| Program Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Statement of Purpose | Please submit a 2-3 page statement of purpose that details your academic and/or professional achievements, your specific areas of research interest within your desired field of study, why you are a strong candidate for graduate studies at CGU, and your career goals. |
| Letter of Recommendation | 2 letters required When filling out the online application, please enter references acquainted with your potential for success who will submit a written recommendation on your behalf. In most academic departments, references from faculty members who can speak to your academic ability are preferred; applicants with substantial work experience may request professional references. Please do not enter family members as references. You will be required to input information for your recommenders (whether they are submitting online or not) in the “Recommendations” section of the online application. Please follow the directions in this section carefully before clicking on “Recommendation Provider List” to input the names and contact information for each recommender. You will have an opportunity to indicate if the reference writer will be submitting online. These reference writers will receive an email from CGU with instructions on submitting an online recommendation. Recommenders who are indicated as offline will not receive an email from CGU with instructions to submit. These reference writers can submit via traditional mail and should use the supplemental New Student Recommendation Form. Recommenders can also email their letter of recommendation to the Office of Admissions at admissions@cgu.edu. |
Key Dates & Deadlines
CGU operates on a priority deadline cycle. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit complete applications by the priority dates in order to assure maximum consideration for both admission and fellowships.
Once the priority deadlines have passed, the University will continue to review applications for qualified candidates on a competitive, space-available basis. The final deadlines listed are the last date the University can accept an application in order to allow sufficient time to complete the admissions, financial aid, and other enrollment processes.
Spring 2026
Priority Deadline – November 1, 2025
Final Deadline (International) – November 15, 2025
Final Deadline (Domestic) – December 1, 2025
Classes begin – January 20, 2026
Summer 2026
Priority Deadline – February 1, 2026
Final Deadline (International) – March 1, 2026
Final Deadline (Domestic) – April 1, 2026
Classes begin – May 18, 2026
Fall 2026
Priority Deadline – February 1, 2026
Final Deadline (International) – July 5, 2026
Final Deadline (Domestic) – August 1, 2026
Classes begin – August 24, 2026
Cost & Aid
ESTIMATED TUITION (CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS, NON-RESIDENTS, INTERNATIONAL)
*Based on 2025-2026 tuition rates.
STUDENT FEES (PER SEMESTER)
| $245 Student Fee |
| $150 Technology Fee |
| International Student Services Fee**: $802 fall semester, $898 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 changes. |
For estimates of room & board, books, etc., please download CGU’s Cost of Attendance 2025-2026.
| Program | 48 units |