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The online Bachelor of Arts in Clinical Psychology at Franciscan University of Steubenville equips you with evidence-based expertise to respond to God’s call to serve others. You explore the how and why of human behavior while developing a deeper awareness of the spiritual, emotional, biological, and social factors that shape a person’s character and life.
Through a flexible online format and enduring faculty support, you build a strong theoretical foundation and clinical skills, so you’re ready for graduate school to become a licensed therapist or to live out your vocation in a wide range of service-oriented careers.
Franciscan’s online clinical psychology program combines rigorous academic preparation with the rich wisdom of the Catholic intellectual tradition. Our professors are both faithful disciples of Christ and experienced practitioners, empowering you to serve others with compassion, integrity, and respect for the dignity of every person.
As a clinical psychology major, you gain:
Marketable competencies: Build essential critical thinking, communication, research design, data analysis, and ethical decision-making skills, which are transferable and highly valued across service-oriented professions.
A uniquely Catholic perspective: Grounded in the Catholic faith and intellectual tradition, our psychology program empowers you to affirm the dignity of every person and recognizes each individual as made in the image of God.
Internship and research experience: Gain real-world experience through a 150-hour internship in a clinical or research setting during senior year.
Broad psychological expertise: Expand your understanding of human behavior through coursework in abnormal psychology, biopsychology, industrial organizational psychology, and other related areas of clinical study.
At Franciscan, we keep the undergraduate admissions process simple. We accept applications on a rolling basis, meaning there is no formal deadline. You can begin your clinical psychology degree program in the fall, spring, or summer.
We recommend submitting your application at least one month before your intended start date to allow enough time for preparation.
If you’re a high school junior and senior ready to jumpstart your college education, you can earn up to 36 credits at Franciscan. Learn more about the Franciscan High School Advantage program.
1. Admission Requirements
You have a place at Franciscan — whatever your background may be. Start planning for your application by reviewing our undergraduate admission requirements to learn more about what specialized prerequisites you need to meet.
2. Free Online Application
Your journey to Franciscan begins by submitting an online application, which is easy, free, and straightforward. We don’t require letters of recommendation, and the application process typically takes around 15 minutes.
3. Submit Documents
Along with completing the online application, you must submit these materials:
Official transcripts*
SAT, ACT, and/or CLT score OR a short essay**
*If you’re transferring from another college or university, you must submit official transcripts from every institution attended. Review our steps for transfer students.
**If you’re applying for admission in Spring 2026 or Fall 2026 with a 3.2 or higher cumulative weighted GPA, you may submit a one-page, double-spaced, 12-point-font essay responding to the following prompt:
At Franciscan University, our mission is “to educate, evangelize, and send forth joyful disciples.” Share a story or example from your life that shows how your faith and intellectual growth have shaped you into who you are today. How do you hope your time at Franciscan University will help you continue to grow spiritually and academically?
The essay can be emailed to [email protected] or to your admissions counselor with the subject line: “Undergraduate Admissions Essay.”
Supplemental materials should be emailed to the admissions office or sent to:
Office of Admissions
Franciscan University of Steubenville
1235 University Boulevard
Steubenville, OH 43952
Ready to be an agent of care and healing? Franciscan’s online Bachelor of Arts in Clinical Psychology offers a comprehensive and rigorous curriculum rooted in a faithful Christian view of the human person — body, soul, mind, and spirit.
Building on your general liberal arts coursework, you explore core disciplines, such as general psychology, human development, social psychology, personality, abnormal psychology, and more. Additionally, classes like Biopsychology and Anatomy and Physiology provide a scientific foundation for understanding how biology, neuroanatomy, hormones, and other factors have psychological and behavioral impact.
Our curriculum also takes a skill-focused approach, ensuring that you develop strong research and analytical competencies through courses in statistics and experimental psychology.
Senior Thesis and Seminar
Your experience in Franciscan’s online Bachelor of Arts in Clinical Psychology program culminates in a senior thesis or senior seminar, where you examine an area of psychology that sparks your interest. These interests guide you in developing a focused topic for deeper academic and professional exploration through your thesis or seminar.
If you’re double-majoring, you may choose an integrated topic that draws from both fields of study. Whether through a written senior thesis or an oral seminar presentation, you’ll immerse yourself in a subject of your choosing.
These projects strengthen your research, analysis, and communication skills and help you discern where your academic and vocational passions may lead.
Clinical Psychology Course Requirements (61–66 Credits)
Core Psychology Courses
General Psychology (3 credits)
Research Statistics (3 credits)
Psychology of Human Development I (3 credits)
Social Psychology (3 credits)
Experimental Psychology I (3 credits)
Personality (3 credits)
Introduction to Counseling (3 credits)
Introduction to Group Counseling (3 credits)
Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)
Psychological Tests (3 credits)
Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits)
Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits)
Philosophy of the Human Person (3 credits)
Intermediate Foreign Language Requirement (6 credits)
Capstone / Experiential Requirement
Internship (3 credits) or
Research in Psychology (1–6 credits)
Culminating Experience
Thesis (1 credit) or
Coordinating Seminar (1 credit)
Psychology Electives (Choose Two)
Multivariate Statistics (3 credits)
Industrial-Organizational Psychology (3 credits)
Experimental Psychology II (3 credits)
Cognitive Psychology (3 credits)
Perception (3 credits)
Biopsychology (3 credits)
Catholic Psychology Electives (Choose Two)
Human and Spiritual Integration (3 credits)
Marriage, Family & Spiritual Issues in Counseling (3 credits)
Spirituality in the Helping Professions (3 credits)
Theology of Healing (3 credits)
At Franciscan, we’re dedicated to making transformative Catholic education accessible through competitive tuition rates and comprehensive financial aid options. Whether you need help applying for assistance or creating a manageable payment plan, the Franciscan staff will support you in earning your online bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology.
Explore Financial AidThrough Franciscan’s online Bachelor of Arts in Clinical Psychology program, you build a strong academic and research foundation, equipping you for graduate study at the master’s or doctoral level.
Our comprehensive curriculum and research-focused training prepare you to pursue licensure as a therapist or to serve in a wide range of psychology-related careers, such as:
Angela Bailey ’24
Angela Bailey is a Registered Nurse who uses what she learned in his MA in Catholic Studies to integrate her faith into her nursing.
John Caliguire ’24
John Caliguire is a middle school teacher who uses what he learned in his MA in Catholic Studies to integrate his faith into his lessons.
Jim Burke ’23
Jim Burke earned his MA in Catholic Studies in 2023 and uses his degree in his work as a private equity operator and director.
Mark ’05 and Katie (Lockwood ’05) Hartfiel
Serving the Lord is a mission Houston, Texas, residents Mark and Katie Hartfiel embrace with joy.
Joni Cheng '19
Joni Cheng first heard about Franciscan University’s Master of Arts in Theology and Christian Ministry while volunteering in her home Diocese of Hong Kong…
Benjamin Klare ’18
Benjamin Klare is the associate director for the Office for Marriage and Family Evangelization and Discipleship in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. He coordinates…
Franciscan professors bring years of clinical and research experience to their online classrooms. As faithfully Catholic scholars, they invest in your academic and professional growth and inspire you to pursue God’s calling on your life.