Bachelor's Degree Programs	Master's Degree Programs
Online with Live Videoconference Classes	Online with Live Videoconference Classes
BS Psychology and Social Action	M.A. Counseling (MFT/LPCC) M.S. Psychology

Palo Alto University offers four programs in online formats that all include weekly live class sessions via videoconference. The bachelor’s program is a college transfer programs for students who have completed their undergraduate general education transfer requirements and want to enroll to earn their bachelor’s degree. The master's degree programs are designed for students who want to become a counselor or therapist, or prepare to go on to doctoral programs in clinical psychology. 

 

All online classes include weekly live videoconference classes in which students can interact live with their professors and classmates. The live videoconference classes are offered in the evenings (for U.S. students), so students are able to work during the day and attend classes remotely at night.  

 

Career Opportunities

The online programs at Palo Alto University prepare students to pursue careers in a variety of settings, including:

Program	Career Opportunities
B.S. Psychology and Social Action	Graduate education, Human Services, Social Work, Mental Health Agencies, Health Care, Community Agencies, Behavior Analyst, Caseworkers, Drug Abuse Counselor, Family Service Worker, Youth Counselor
M.A. Counseling	Private Practice, Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Counseling, Individual Counseling, Child & Adolescent Counseling, Group Counseling, Community-Based Agency Practice & Management, Career & Academic Counseling, School-Based Counseling, Addiction Counseling
M.S. Psychology	Further studies at the doctoral level, including the opportunity to apply into PAU’s Ph.D. Clinical Psychology program. Careers in human services and related non-profit causes, publishing, technology, assisting in psychological research, teaching at the community college level, or other professions and businesses.

 

Bachelor's Programs Learning Format

Palo Alto University's (PAU) undergraduate online programs use a number of techniques to accomplish distance-learning educational goals:

 

• Program Format:
  • Students enroll in 3 online courses each quarter.
  • Classes in the online program run the whole year, for 4 quarters, including summer.
  • The online classes can be accessed from anywhere as long as a student has a computer and internet connection available.
• Online Learning Management System:
  • An educational technology company, Canvas, hosts course materials online in the Learning Management System (LMS).
  • In addition to course textbooks that students purchase, materials such as readings, PowerPoint presentations, notes, and other materials for the classes are posted in the Canvas system.
• Digital Communication:
  • Classes use threaded discussion groups to provide a way for students to discuss course materials with each other or to facilitate communication between student and instructor.
  • Email is utilized to reach the instructor as needed.
  • Students will need access to a computer with a Web connection to participate in online classes.
• Assessing Coursework:
  • Performance in class is assessed in various ways: assign papers, others use tests, and many use both.
  • There is one exam per quarter in each of the online courses which is proctored in the live course.
  • Students are also required to submit written evaluations of each class and instructor at the end of the quarter.

 

Master's Programs Learning Format

Palo Alto University's (PAU) master's online and hybrid learning programs use a number of techniques to accomplish educational goals: 

 

• Live Weekly Remote Classes via Videoconference:
  • Using Zoom video conferencing technology for live weekly remote classes for every course, the instructor can show his/her computer screen to all students simultaneously.
  • This enables the class to talk in a videoconference call while viewing the same materials and creates a learning experience similar to that found in a classroom.
• Online Learning Management System:
  • An educational technology company, Canvas, hosts course materials online in the Learning Management System (LMS).
  • In addition to course textbooks that students purchase, materials such as readings, PowerPoint presentations, notes, and other materials for the classes are posted in the Canvas system.
• Instructor-Student Communication:
  • In addition to live remote classes, many classes also use threaded discussion groups to provide a way for students to discuss course material with each other asynchronously. 
  • Professors are also available via e-mail and phone.
• Assessing Coursework:
  • Performance in class is assessed in a number of ways. This may include papers, projects, exams, and other means.
  • In the MS in Psychology program, independent third parties proctor exams. Students identify individuals in their community (e.g., public and community college libraries, or private testing centers such as Kaplan or Sylvan) who can receive test materials, supervise the administration of the test, and in return the materials to the instructor.
  • In some classes, students also have the opportunity to receive proctoring online through www.ProctorU.com.