California State University - Northridge Reviews of Master's in Psychology

"After attending California State University, Northridge (CSUN) , I felt well prepared for entering the workforce. I was able to focus my degree on my area of interest. Furthermore, the writing skills and interpersonal communication skills that I developed while attending CSUN will assist me throughout my career. In addition, as an alumni I am still receiving support and guidance from the factually that goes beyond any expectation that I had. I recommend CSUN to all future students."

"The M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) is designed to set students up for success. Though rigorous and painstaking, it is evident that the challenges that students face are intended to shape each individual to into competent and ethical science-practitioners. The cohort sizes are small (i.e. 30 students or less), and the classes meet in the evening to accommodate students who are self-sufficient and need to work during the day to support themselves. The program also requires that each student complete a minimum amount of internship hours under the supervision of an approved company that provides behavioral services to individuals with developmental disabilities. With each incoming cohort, these companies are placed under review to make sure that the standards for supervision of their graduate students is up to par. Students also have the opportunity to be mentored by a faculty member upon acceptance into their research lab. Both undergraduate and graduate students are supervised using a pyramidal model, to prepare them for what they will face in Ph.D. programs, if they choose to pursue doctoral degrees. The faculty members are passionate about the science of behavior, and are even more passionate about the students meeting their personal and professional goals in the field of Behavior Analysis. In fact, it is not uncommon for students who have graduated from the program to meet with past faculty to seek clinical consult, and the faculty are happy maintain the professional relationship. Though Behavior Analysis is a smaller field within the Psychology department, the director of the program has made sure to impart on the students of the ABA program, that respect of other fields and collaboration is the key for overall positive change in the world. As such, along with Behavior Analysts who teach the courses, graduate students also have the privilege of being taught by the Director of the Clinical Psychology Masters program at CSUN, for two of the courses. Perhaps one of the most defining features of the ABA program at CSUN is the program format that has adopted critical elements from other professional education systems. For example, students of the ABA program are taught to debate, similar to the way that law students are trained to defend their cases using published literature and evidence to support their arguments. These skills are required of Behavior Analysts, as we will undoubtedly have to defend our clients right to treatment during IEP meetings, in-home service meetings, or even in court proceedings. Similar to medical students, ABA graduate students must undergo three separate oral examinations on basic concepts of Behavior Analysis, systems and procedures, and bedside manner. Each of these exams is a test of competence, ranging from foundational knowledge, to answering questions of a concerned parent or guardian in non-technical language. Of the available graduate programs in Behavior Analysis, I truly believe that the ABA program at CSUN provides one of the most well rounded environments that a student with a passion for Behavior Analysis could hope to learn in."

"I believe this program is preparing me to work in student services, which is my goal upon graduation. Previously, I was lacking in demonstrable skills, but now, by completing fieldwork hours, I will have the desired amount by semester's end. Time will tell for sure if this program is worth it (by how quickly I gain employment afterwards), but I do believe it is already helping me move towards my goal of helping students be successful in college. Note, I gave Transportation 1 star because I don't use it and there isn't an "N/A" option. I don't mean to say it isn't good, but it isn't relevant to me."

"Don't go to this program. I should have gone to CSULA. The professors here have issues. Importantly, the material taught is not taught well. It's like if they are tired of teaching. The focus on the program is on counseling and consultation. The field nowadays focuses on behavior. There's is no real focus on behavior. The behavior class we did have was a waste of time. We only got one class in behavior with a proffesor who was absent often and was too busy working on his thesis. There's also issues in the demeanor of these professors who are quick to judge you and threaten you with kicking you out of the program.. They will offer everyone personal feedback on your perceived personality flaws and have meetings with you. I personally saw how they ganged up on a student and made her quit the program. They have a counseling class that is supposed to teach counseling skills. But the class solely focuses on you talking about your personal life and the teacher gets mad when you don't. It's very strange because these professors will have meetings to talk about you, and they are not embarrassed to admit it. It's hard enough having to work and go to school and do school work. It makes it more difficult to have to deal with the petty crap these professors make you experience. I've spoken to other psychologist who didn't deal with this in their graduate experience."

"Up and coming fresh program, this is both a pro and a con. You have the unique ability to help mold your own program, but it is already very well respected in the field. Networking opportunities here are pretty exceptional and the evening class format makes working possible. I would recommend this graduate program."

"My program is new, so there are some kinks that go along with that. However, my teachers are some of the top researchers in the field and the networking opportunities are emense so I am happy with my choice."

"My graduate program is overall a very good experience. The school is supportive and the workload is manageable. However, we were told you could get this degree while working and that is not the case. The inner-politics of the department is a bit much and can be annoying, but over all for the quality of education (which is high) and the price (which is low) this is a great deal!"

"California State University Northridge's Educational Psychology program is amazing. The real-world opportunities to develop your counseling skills are immeasurably valuable and well-organized. the staff and faculty are are friendly and make themselves available to the students as both resources and mentors. Beyond this, they are very professional and knowledgeable. California State University Northridge's Educational Psychology program comes highly recommended by this reviewer!"