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
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76 units
required units
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MA in Applied Psychology | Master of Public Health
degree awarded
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Hybrid
modality
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Spring, Fall
program start
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2.5-3.5 years | full time*
estimated completion time
Areas of Concentration
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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.
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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.
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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
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Kaiser Permanente
Program Director
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City of Hope
Project Coordinator
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National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Epidemiologist
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Los Angeles Children’s Hospital
Health Educator
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World Health Organization (WHO)
Statistical Analyst
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American Heart Association
Research Coordinator
Faculty
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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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Kathy Pezdek
Professor Emerit of Psychology
Research Interests
Memory & Comprehension, Eyewitness Memory, Autobiographical Memory
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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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Michael Hogg
Professor of Social Psychology
Research Interests
Self and Social Identity; Intergroup Relations and Group Processes; Influence and Leadership; Uncertainty, Radicalization and Extremism; Intergroup Communication
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Eusebio Alvaro
Full Research Professor
Research Interests
Social Influence Processes, Health Promotion, Disease Prevention & Medicine
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Jason T. Siegel
Professor of Psychology
Research Interests
Social Psychology, Health Psychology, Persuasion, Survey Research
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C. Anderson Johnson
Professor
Founding Dean, School of Community & Global HealthResearch 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 Healani Palmer
Professor of Community and Global Health
Director of the PhD in Health Promotion Sciences programResearch 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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Darleen V. Peterson
Interim Dean, School of Community and Global Health
Professor of Practice, Community and Global Health
Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Director of the Certificate and Master of Public Health (MPH) programsResearch Interests
Evaluation of Health Communication Campaigns, Effects of Pro- and Anti-Tobacco and Alcohol Marketing; Public Health Education Accreditation
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Kim D. Reynolds
Professor
Research Interests
Nutrition and physical activity, Health promotion and disease prevention, Diabetes and obesity
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Alan Stacy
Professor
Associate Dean for Faculty AffairsResearch 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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Bin Xie
Professor of Community and Global Health
Director of the Applied Biostatistics (MS) programResearch 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
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)
*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 | 76 units |