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About Palo Alto University

Palo Alto University is a private, nonprofit university dedicated to advancing human understanding through innovative education, groundbreaking research, and impactful practice in behavioral science.

Founded in 1975 and located in the heart of Silicon Valley, PAU offers graduate and undergraduate programs in psychology, counseling, social work, and behavioral science, including the PAU-Stanford PsyD Consortium with Stanford Medicine. Grounded in human dignity, PAU’s scholars, clinicians, educators, and learners share a single conviction: that understaning how people think, feel, behave, relate, heal, and make meaning is among the most essential work of our time.

Who We Are

Palo Alto University offers graduate, undergraduate, and continuing and professional education programs through online, hybrid, and residential learning modalities. PAU prepares the next generation of behavioral science leaders to understand the full complexity of human experience and to meet the defining challenges of our time. Our scholars conduct research that advances our understanding of people: how they think, feel, behave, relate, heal, and make meaning. PAU extends the reach of behavioral science through applied practice, community partnerships, and education that meet people where they are.

Who We Are

The History of PAU

PAU was founded in 1975 as the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology (PGSP), an independent, professional school and re-incorporated as Palo Alto University in August 2009. Continuously accredited since 1986 by WASC, PAU’s Doctoral programs in psychology are accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) and its Master’s in counseling programs by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

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PAU in the Community

PAU has many collaborative partnerships with community organizations and institutions, including Stanford School of Medicine, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other mental health care organizations.

PAU's teaching clinics deliver low-cost mental health services to the local community while also providing valuable, supervised training to PAU graduate students. In addition, PAU sponsors several academic research centers devoted to child mental health, evidence-based care for LGBTQ clients, excellence in diversity and community care, and internet-based global healthcare.

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Excellence in Research, Education & Training

PAU is a non-profit university first accredited in 1986 by WASC and continuously accredited since.

95

Serving professionals across 95 countries worldwide.
50

Number of years as leading institution in the field of psychology.
550

Explore 550+ continuing education programs across various specialties.
97%

Internships at APA accredited sites based on 95% average internship match rate over last six years (Doctoral Program).
2.6K+

2,675 continuing education hours fostering professional growth.
100

% APA match for PsyD program.
400+

Trusted by 404+ organizations internationally.
50K+

Over 50,000 students advancing careers through our programs.

Academic Programs

Undergraduate Programs

Degree Type Program Name Traditional Classroom Offering Hybrid Offering
(Night/Weekend Classes) Online Offering
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Psychology
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Business Psychology

Graduate Programs

Degree Type Program Name Traditional Classroom Offering Hybrid Offering
(Night/Weekend Classes) Online Offering
Master of Arts (MA)
MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Master of Science (MS)
Master of Science in Psychology
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Master of Social Work
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
PhD in Clinical Psychology
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision
Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
PAU-Stanford PsyD Consortium

Latest News

Jul
8
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Admissions

Master of Social Work Info Session

Discover PAU’s Master of Social Work program. Meet with Program Director, Dr. Rose Wong, to learn about —curriculum, adm...

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Jul
9
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PsyD and PhD in Clinical Psychology Info Session

Discover PAU’s doctoral programs — PhD and PsyD pathways — connect with our admissions team in this live event.

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Jul
16
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MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Info Session

Discover PAU’s MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at...

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Jul
22
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Admissions

Master of Social Work Info Session

Discover PAU’s Master of Social Work program. Meet with Program Director, Dr. Rose Wong, to learn about —curriculum, adm...

Calendar Icon
Clock Icon 05:30 PM – 06:15 PM PST
Register Here
Jul
22
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Admissions

Complete Your Bachelor's, Complete Your Goals - Bachelor's Info Session

Register for our Bachelor's Live Information Session. Lea...

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PAU employees stand together in a group shot
July 02, 2026

Palo Alto University Celebrates Faculty and Staff Excellence During 2026 Employee Awards Celebration

Palo Alto University honored faculty and staff during the 2026 Employee Awards Celebration, recognizing excellence in teaching, leadership, research,…

image of Oracle Park baseball field looking over the San Francisco Bay
July 02, 2026

PAU Night at the Ballpark Brings Community Together During 50th Anniversary Celebration Week

More than 120 alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends gathered at Oracle Park for Palo Alto University's 2026 Night at the Ballpark, celebrating…

wide angle image of the ceremony guests at Mountain Winery
July 02, 2026

Palo Alto University Celebrates the Class of 2026 at 47th Commencement Ceremony

Palo Alto University celebrated more than 380 graduates during its 2026 Commencement Ceremony, honoring the Class of 2026 as they prepare to advance mental…

Five Palo Alto University students pose together during the 2026 PAU Stars Celebration, with two recipients holding award certificates in front of a PAU 50th anniversary backdrop.
July 02, 2026

PAU Stars Awards Celebrate the Students Shaping the Future of Behavioral Health

Palo Alto University honored outstanding students during the 2026 PAU Stars Awards, celebrating leadership, research, service, and academic excellence as part…

Members of the Palo Alto University community gather for the 50th Anniversary Community Luncheon during Celebration Week, sharing lunch and conversation on the Allen Calvin Campus.
July 01, 2026

PAU Community Comes Together to Celebrate 50 Years

Celebrate PAU's 50th Anniversary Community Luncheon as students, faculty, staff, alumni, and partners gathered to reconnect and honor the people behind the…

PAU Masterclass Opens 50th Anniversary Celebration Week with a Conversation About the Future of Humans and AI
June 30, 2026

PAU Masterclass Opens 50th Anniversary Celebration Week with a Conversation About the Future of Huma...

Palo Alto University launched its 50th Anniversary Celebration Week with a masterclass exploring AI, ethics, human connection, and the future of human…

Volunteers stand outside at teh cneter of LifeMoves Mountain View Homekey location
June 30, 2026

PAU Community Comes Together in Service at LifeMoves Mountain View

During PAU's 50th Anniversary Celebration Week, volunteers partnered with LifeMoves Mountain View to serve the community through connection, service, and…

Shirin Aghakhani poses in front of a Palo Alto University backdrop holding an
June 05, 2026

Shirin Aghakhani Named Palo Alto University's Inaugural Student Commencement Speaker

Doctoral Candidate Zahra Aghakhani Named PAU's First Student Commencement Speaker

Professional headshot of Dr. Christie Chung smiling and facing the camera, wearing a blue patterned jacket and black top against a neutral gray background.
June 04, 2026

Palo Alto University's Dr. Christie Chung Named Recipient of the 2026 Chang-Lin Tien Leadership in E...

Palo Alto University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Christie Chung has been named the 2026 recipient of the Chang-Lin Tien Leadership in…

PAU Welcomes Commencement Speaker, Jonah Paquette, PsyD
May 18, 2026

PAU Welcomes Commencement Speaker, Jonah Paquette, PsyD

Join Palo Alto University in welcoming commencement speaker Jonah Paquette for the Class of 2026 ceremony as we celebrate resilience, purpose, and PAU’s 50th…

Dr. Blanca Pineda
May 03, 2026

Centering Human Experience in Technology: Dr. Blanca Pineda on Leading PAU’s New UXR Track

Dr. Blanca Pineda has spent her career bridging psychology and technology. Now she's leading PAU's newest user experience research track in the MS in…

MS Program Announcement
May 03, 2026

PAU Launches New UX Research Track in MS Psychology Program

Palo Alto University launches a User Experience Research track in its MS in Psychology program, preparing behavioral scientists for careers in user experience.

Hannah Bales with he fmaily in fornt of a decorated Christmas tree
March 18, 2026

Meet Hannah Bales, LCSW

Hannah Bales, LCSW, Field Director in Palo Alto University’s MSW program, brings deep clinical experience and a commitment to community-engaged field…

Marcos Apolonio stands with his daughter in San Francisco’s Castro District, smiling at the camera with rainbow pride flags flying above the Harvey Milk Plaza building in the background, photographed in March 2025.
March 18, 2026

Meet Dr. Marcos Apolonio

Palo Alto University welcomes Dr. Marcos Apolonio, DSW, LCSW, as a new MSW Assistant Professor, bringing rich clinical, teaching, and cross‑cultural experience.

Winter Gathering Brings Employees Together
February 11, 2026

Winter Gathering Brings Employees Together

Faculty and staff gathered in person for a winter holiday celebration filled with food, activities, and shared moments that strengthened community at PAU.

PAU employees gather at Allen Calvin Campus
February 11, 2026

Cocoa, Cookies, and Connection: People Operations Brings Warmth to PAU

People Operations hosted a Cocoa & Cookies Meet and Greet at Wiesneiski Hall, bringing staff together to connect and share updates on supporting employees at…

PAU’s Commitment to Academic Freedom and Approach to Public Statements
February 10, 2026

PAU’s Commitment to Academic Freedom and Approach to Public Statements

Read Palo Alto University’s official statement on academic freedom and its thoughtful, mission-aligned approach to issuing institutional statements on national…

PaloA lto University staff enjoying the celebration
February 05, 2026

All In Together: Kicking Off 2026

Palo Alto University launched the year with its All In Community Celebration, bringing faculty and staff together to connect, reflect, and align around shared…

Sara Nasserzadeh speaks at Ted Next
January 13, 2026

Love by Design

PAU alumna Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh shares the research behind her Emergent Love Model, redefining how couples build intentional, lasting relationships worldwide.

Rose Wong
January 13, 2026

Building a Culturally Informed Future for Behavioral Health

PAU launches a new Clinical MSW program focused on culturally informed behavioral health practice, preparing graduates to meet California’s urgent workforce…