New Student Orientation (NSO) in Santa Barbara, CA is the only in-person session required for students in the PhD in Media Psychology program.
However, the program offers additional face-to-face events throughout the year, and you are encouraged to attend. These events strengthen your ties to the Fielding community by keeping you connected to your peers, your faculty mentors, your program, and your university. You have a chance for professional socialization as well as more concentrated time for course work, training, and scholarship.
Most students attend at least one session per year, and cluster meetings whenever possible because they find the collaboration, support, and face-to-face interaction with the faculty helps them move through the program more rapidly.
The average student spends 20 hours per week on their doctoral studies in order to progress through the program in a satisfactory and timely manner.