Fielding Graduate University

Fielding Graduate University is a private, nonprofit graduate institution based in Santa Barbara, California. It serves working adults through a distributed model that combines online study with faculty mentoring, regional peer interaction, and required in-person sessions in some programs. Its current schools cover psychology, human development, education, and organizational and leadership studies. WSCUC lists Fielding as accredited; its PhD in Clinical Psychology is also accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).

Programs and the learning model

Fielding’s offerings include the APA-accredited PhD in Clinical Psychology, PhDs in Psychology, Human Development, Infant and Early Childhood Development, and Organizational Development and Change, plus an EdD in Leadership for Change. Master’s programs include Applied Media Psychology, Infant, Child, Family Mental Health and Development, and Organization Development and Leadership. Certificates cover postbaccalaureate clinical psychology preparation, postdoctoral respecialization and neuropsychology, media psychology, and evidence-based coaching. The clinical psychology PhD is designed for five to six years and blends online courses, virtual seminars, local peer and faculty meetings, residential sessions, research, and supervised clinical training. This flexibility is aimed at adult learners but still requires careful planning around practicum, internship, travel, and licensure in the state where you intend to practice. Review the current program directory and check the clinical program’s admissions and licensure details directly.

Accreditation and the planned Excelsior merger

Fielding remains separately accredited by WSCUC while its planned merger with Excelsior University moves through regulatory approvals. WSCUC and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education approved a change in control effective July 1, 2026, but that step did not complete the merger. Fielding’s October 20 update says additional approvals are still being pursued and the final transaction could take six months to a year or longer. Until it is final, Fielding continues to operate as Fielding Graduate University and its clinical psychology PhD remains APA-accredited. Applicants should ask which institution will confer their degree if their expected graduation falls after the merger and check for updates to programmatic accreditation, state authorization, and clinical placements. The university maintains a merger update page with current information.

Tuition, scholarships and financial aid

For 2026–27, tuition for the PhD in Clinical Psychology is $10,905 per term; Fielding’s academic year has three terms. Several other doctoral programs are $10,290 per term, while master’s tuition varies by credit and program: $1,120 per credit in Applied Media Psychology, $840 in Infant, Child, Family Mental Health and Development, and $780 in Organization Development and Leadership. Other costs can include an application fee, student activity fee, residential-session charges, travel, books, and living expenses. Check the tuition and fee schedule for your exact program and planned pace rather than treating a single term’s rate as the whole degree cost.

Incoming students may apply for need-based scholarships by submitting the admissions application and FAFSA by the priority deadline. The Provost Achievement Scholarship generally ranges from $500 to $4,000 for the first term. The Dolores Bunnell award can total $7,000 for eligible doctoral students with early-childhood education experience; the Fielding Alumni Award for Student Sustainability Leadership lists $9,000–$18,000 over the first year for a small number of qualifying doctoral students. Current-student awards are also available, with amounts and eligibility dependent on the term and available funds. Eligible students may use federal graduate loans and other aid. Awards are limited and can change, so confirm deadlines and written eligibility with Financial Aid. See the university’s scholarships and fellowships page and ask for an individualized cost-of-attendance estimate.

Campus, contact and student perspectives

Fielding’s main campus and offices are at 2020 De la Vina Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. Most learning is distributed, so this is not a conventional residential campus; in-person sessions are program-specific. The office is open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Pacific. Call (805) 687-1099 or (800) 340-1099, or contact Admissions at (805) 898-4026. Confirm whether a visit or in-person session is available before traveling.

Student reviews describe both strengths and tradeoffs. Some praise engaged faculty, flexible hybrid study, and the ability to pursue graduate work while remaining in a professional community. Other reviewers describe demanding self-directed work, uneven administrative support, changes in program management, and concern about the overall cost. Experiences differ by program and cohort; use them as prompts for questions, not as a verdict. Ask current students how frequently they meet faculty, what travel is required, how clinical placements are arranged, and what support is available during dissertation work. You can contact Admissions and start an application.