Undergraduate Admissions
Earn your bachelor’s in psychology at Palo Alto University (PAU). We uniquely designed our undergraduate programs for students transferring from a community college or those who have completed approximately two years of college at another institution.
With a strong emphasis on cultural humility, social justice, and client well-being, our bachelor’s programs equip you with in-demand skills and relevant training that support your professional success. Additionally, since all of PAU’s programs are accredited by the WASC Senior Colleges and Universities Commission (WSCUC), we ensure you receive a high-value education.
College Transfer Made Easy
Admissions Eligibility
PAU works to keep the admissions process quick and easy. For consideration for admission into our bachelor’s degree programs, you must have completed 84 transferrable quarter units of college-level coursework. Transferable units may include:
- Introduction to Psychology
- General Education units
- Lower-division or upper-division elective units
- Upper-division transfer units applicable to major requirements
- Alternative forms of general education or elective units, such as AP tests, IB tests, CLEP, and US Military credit
To get a definitive answer on your admissions eligibility, submit an online transcript evaluation. For more information about transferring to PAU, review our transfer credit guidelines.
How To Apply
Meet With an Admissions Counselor
Before applying to PAU, we recommend you schedule an appointment with one of our admissions counselors. During your meeting, they conduct a transcript evaluation and provide a detailed summary of the prerequisites you have completed. If you have remaining prerequisites, your admissions counselor can help you craft an academic plan to meet PAU’s admissions requirements and prepare you to apply for your chosen bachelor’s in psychology program.
Undergraduate Application Requirements
Ready to continue your educational journey at PAU? With no letters of recommendation and no application fee, we have streamlined the application process to make it easy for you.
When applying to Palo Alto University, you must complete the following criteria:
- Submit an Online Application
- Submit unofficial transcripts from all previous institutions attended
- Final official transcripts from all colleges attended are required for enrolling students. We recommend you arrange to have them sent to PAU by the first day of classes. PAU places a registration hold on your student record if we do not receive transcripts in time. Failure to submit final official transcript(s) by the end of the first term results in being dropped from classes.
- Completion of the following courses:
- Intermediate Algebra or higher
- Introduction to Psychology or higher
- General education requirements
- At least 84 transferrable quarter units completed at the time of enrollment. Only courses from regionally accredited institutions with a grade of C or higher are transferable and must be at the 100 level (non-remedial) or equivalent to be eligible for transfer.
Application Deadlines
We accept undergraduate applications on a rolling basis beginning in mid-September 2023. The online application remains open until the program cohorts fill up.
The Office of Admissions must receive all application materials before the application review can take place. Once we receive your application, an admissions counselor reviews your application and schedules a meeting to discuss your goals and enrollment plans.
Transferable units may be:
- Introduction to Psychology
- General Education units
- Lower-division or upper-division elective units
- Upper-division transfer units applicable to major requirements
- Alternative forms of general education or elective units, such as AP tests, IB tests, CLEP and US Military credit.
Graduation Requirements
- Completion of general education requirements
- Completion of all classes required for the major
- 180 quarter units in total
- Completion of 90 upper-division quarter units
- 45 units must be completed at Palo Alto University
- Students must complete a minimum of 30 units in their major at PAU, and must be enrolled at PAU during the last two terms prior to graduation.
Experience Palo Alto University
See PAU for yourself by attending our upcoming in-person or virtual admissions events! Join us for a student-led campus tour, where you explore all that we have to offer or schedule a virtual to discuss our bachelor’s programs and your unique academic and professional goals.
Learn More About Applying to PAU
Take the next step toward earning your bachelor’s degree at Palo Alto University, and apply today!
Have questions about our admissions process? Request more information, or contact our dedicated admissions staff.