Starting Psychology Careers at Claremont McKenna
Claremont McKenna College appears in our ranking of the 50 Great Small Colleges for a Bachelor’s in Psychology.
At Seaman Hall, the Department of Psychological Science awards a Bachelor of Arts (BA) for Claremont McKenna College Stags and Athenas to learn how behavioral theories apply to everyday life problems. Chaired by Dr. Piercarlo Valdesolo, the 32-unit, WASC-accredited major fills eight full-time semesters with required courses from Abnormal Psychology to Human Development at an 8:1 student-teacher ratio. In partnership with Pitzer College and Scripps College, students could take the 16-course W.M. Keck Neuroscience Sequence for added brain anatomy knowledge. Upperclassmen will use cutting-edge facilities, such as the Memory Lab and Cultural Influences on Mental Health Center, for their two-semester senior thesis research.
Other opportunities include joining the Psi Chi Chapter, pursuing the Accelerated 4+1 MA with Claremont Graduate University, interning at the Kravis Leadership Institute, completing Autism Center practicum, studying abroad from Spain to South Korea, and becoming Appel Fellows.
About Claremont McKenna College
Claremont McKenna College originated in September 1946 when President George Benson welcomed an inaugural class of 86 predominantly WWII veterans to Claremont Men’s College. In 1951, Claremont started seven liberal arts majors for the Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1957, CMC partnered with nearby Harvey Mudd College to form intercollegiate sports teams. In 1964, the W.M. Keck Science Department was founded with Pitzer College. In 1975, the Board of Trustees held a two-thirds vote in favor of admitting women. Six years later, the Claremont McKenna College name was chosen in honor of the Laguna Beach philanthropist. In 1983, CMC opened the Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum. In 1996, CMC began publishing The Claremont Independent newspaper. One decade later, Robert Addison Day donated $200 million to create the Day Scholars Program. In 2011, the Kravis Lab for Social Impact was established.
Endowed for $835.3 million, Claremont McKenna College now employs 157 tenured faculty teaching 1,318 Stags and Athenas from 43 countries on its 69-acre Pomona Valley campus east of Los Angeles with 70+ clubs like the Sexuality & Gender Alliance for 96 percent retention. In 2019, CMC earned the Heterodox Academy’s Award for Institutional Excellence. In 2017, Claremont McKenna accepted an IIDA Calibre Design Award for Wellness. Claremont McKenna College won a 2018 CASE District VII Circle of Excellence Award too. The U.S. News & World Report ranked Claremont McKenna seventh nationally with the 60th best undergrad teaching. On Niche, CMC boasts America’s 38th best psychology courses, 33rd best academics, and 23rd hardest admission. Forbes named Claremont McKenna College the 26th top private institution. The Princeton Review crowned CMC the 33rd best value.
Claremont McKenna College Accreditation Details
On June 15, 2012, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission voted to reaffirm the Level III accreditation status at Claremont McKenna College through the next Spring 2022 evaluation under the fifth president, Dr. Hiram E. Chodosh, who made National Jurist magazine’s 25 most influential people. Located 401 miles up Interstate 5 in Alameda, this respected eight-territory Pacific Coast Region accreditor is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to review CMC’s 32 baccalaureate majors, one master’s degree, and four accelerated programs. Claremont McKenna is also properly licensed by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).
Featured Programs
Claremont McKenna College Application Requirements
Enrollment at Claremont McKenna College is classified as “most selective” by Peterson’s because only 584 of the 6,272 Fall 2018 applicants were chosen for tough 9 percent acceptance. First-year Stags and Athenas seeking the BA in Psychological Science must have strong grades during college-prep studies. Recommended high school curricula includes four English, three math, and three foreign language units. The Class of 2022 presented an average unweighted GPA of 4.09. The middle 50th percentile had ACT scores of 31-34. Mid-range admitted SAT scores were 670-730 for reading and 680-770 for math. Composite SAT scores of 1400 and better are suggested. Successful transfers usually have completed at least one full-time semester at accredited colleges with 3.3 or better GPAs. International students prove English fluency by earning minimum 7.5 IELTS and 600 TOEFL pBT scores.
Claremont McKenna College has an Early Decision I deadline of November 1st. The Early Decision II and Regular Decision options both close on January 5th. Freshman enrollment deposits of $500 are due on May 1st. Transfers are welcome until March 15th for Fall or November 1st for Spring. Claremont Graduate University has a February 1st priority and August 15th final deadline for the Accelerated MA in Psychology. Accordingly, complete the CMC, Coalition, or Common Application online for $70. Forward official transcripts to 888 Columbia Avenue in Claremont, CA 91711. Directly send test scores via SAT/TOEFL code 4054 or ACT code 0224. Submit supplemental materials, such as the two teacher recommendations, counselor report, Early Decision agreement, CSS profile, essay prompt, and optional video response. Contact (909) 621-8088 or admission@cmc.edu with questions.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2019-20, Claremont McKenna College is charging full-time undergrads $28,095 each semester or $56,190 annually. Traditional part-time study incurs $9,365 per course. Bachelor of Arts in Psychology majors cover the $142 ASCMC fee each term. Off-campus students have a $100 semester fee. Freshman are billed a one-time $500 orientation fee. Residing at the Los Angeles County dorms like Beckett Hall adds $4,650 per term. Standard 16-meal plans for Collins Dining Hall are $4,000 extra. Unless waived, student health insurance plans are $2,551 by year. CMC budgets $1,200 for textbooks and $1,500 for miscellaneous needs. Annual undergrad attendance equals about $73,810 on-site or $63,831 at home. Accelerated MA in Psychology students can expect to spend $1,980 per unit at Claremont Graduate University.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Office of Financial Aid on Kravis Center’s Lower Court links 57 percent of new full-time CMC Stags and Athenas to tuition help averaging $45,233 each for $8.23 million combined. Institutional funds include the Richard & Mary Butler Award, Wagener Family Study Abroad Award, St. Dennis Scholars Award, Podlich Scholars Award, Frank Seaver Leadership Scholarship, Melissa Lyles Memorial Scholarship, Congressman David Dreier Roundtable Scholars Award, Soll Center for Student Opportunity Scholarship, Peter Keady Scholarship, and Hyman Bolotin Scholarship. The McKenna Achievement Award gifts $15,000 each year to undergrads maintaining minimum B averages. The $5,000 Kravis Opportunity Fund Grant has a January 1st deadline for first-year students to participate in summer research. Federal resources, such as the Pell Grant and Work-Study Program, require FAFSA applications coded 001170. Californians could also utilize the Cal Grant, Chafee Grant for Foster Youth, National Guard Education Assistance Award, and Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant.
Keep reading about Claremont McKenna College at the Department of Psychological Science website.
Related Resources:
- 5 Tips for Landing Your First Job after Earning a Psychology Degree
- Is an Online Psychology Degree Cheaper Than a Traditional One?
- Should One Expect to attend Graduate School with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology?
- What Can I Do With a Bachelors Degree in Psychology?
- What Can I Do with a Master’s Degree in Psychology?
- What Interests Would Lead One to Obtain an Online Degree in Psychology?
- What is the Future Job Outlook for Careers with an Online Degree in Psychology?
- What is the Future Outlook for Careers in Psychology?