Program Overview

Master of Arts in Psychological Science

The Master of Arts in Psychological Science is a two-year program designed to prepare students for doctoral programs or employment in research and/or academic-related settings. The program provides extensive training in research methods and statistics, as well as a broad foundational knowledge of core psychological science domains.

Mission

The Department of Psychological Science's mission is to provide graduate-level training to prepare students for doctoral programs or employment in research and/or academic-related settings. The program emphasizes graduate-level training in research methods and statistics, as well as the development of critical thinking skills, oral and written communication competency, diversity competency, professional ethics, and practical experience.

Program Update

Indiana recently passed legislation that sets minimum enrollment thresholds for graduate programs. To comply with this legislation, Ball State is merging the Master's in Psychological Science with the Master's in Clinical Psychology. Beginning Fall 2026, these programs will be offered as a single degree: the Master of Arts in Psychology. The new degree will have two tracks: Psychological Science and Clinical Science.

What Makes Us Unique?

The program offers a wide range of courses, research experiences, and:

• A customizable path to your degree
• Professional development opportunities
• Enough flexibility for students to double Master's in either quantitative psychology or counseling or complete a certificate in an area of interest
• GRE Test scores not required

Graduate Assistantships

As a student, you may have access to a graduate assistantship, which covers most of your tuition and fees and provides a stipend. This helps alleviate the burden of graduate school expenses and student debt, allowing you to focus more fully on developing your career.

Small Class Sizes

The program accepts 10 to 12 students each year, resulting in small class sizes and many opportunities for students to collaborate with faculty on research projects. You will receive the one-on-one attention needed to excel academically.

Research

The graduate faculty welcomes the opportunity to conduct research with students, and it is recommended that all students get involved in research projects. Often, graduate assistants are assigned to work on faculty research projects. Research areas include:

• Cognitive Psychology and Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Neuroscience

Faculty Research Interests

The faculty's research interests include:

• Adam Barnas: Cognitive Psychology and Neuroscience; Visual Attention; Spatial Cognition and Navigation; Aging and Alzheimer's Disease; Virtual Reality; Eye-tracking
• Anjolii Diaz: Developmental Psychology; Emotions & Cognitive Processes; EEG; Sleep; Academic & Social Competence
• Alexandria Johnson: Assessment and measurement of externalizing psychopathology; Etiology and biological correlates of externalizing psychopathology; Treatment and intervention for externalizing psychopathology
• Katie M. Lawson: Work-family conflict and balance; Gendered career development (e.g., women in Computer Science)
• Tayla Lee: Psychological Assessment; Externalizing Psychopathology; Co-occurring Disorders
• Linh Littleford: Microaggressions; Source; Effects; Teaching & Diversity; Privilege & Inequality; Diversity & Ethnic Minority Issues
• Adam Lueke: Information Processing. Goals; Mindfulness; Social Attitudes; Interpersonal Dynamics; Religiosity
• Andrew Luttrell: Social Psychology; Moral Attitudes; Public Opinion; Attitudes & Persuasion
• Daniele Nardi: Cognitive Psychology; Navigation; Spatial Cognition; Way-finding & Reorientation
• Mackenzie R. Riggenbach: Cognitive Psychology: False memory, Eyewitness memory, Cognitive modeling, Cognitive principles in the classroom
• Kristin Ritchey: Cognitive Psychology; Reading Comprehension; Teaching & Learning in Higher Education
• Stephanie Simon-Dack: Interhemispheric Transfer Beta Frequency Activity & Inhibition; Early Sensory Perception
• Michael Tagler: Attitudes & Persuasion; Sleep; Infidelity Sex Differences; Theory of Planned Behavior

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Master of Arts in Psychological Science program is based on applicants' academic preparation, relevant experiences, and potential to succeed in graduate training. Applicants are evaluated using standardized, merit-based criteria, with additional consideration given to the alignment between their research interests and the expertise of the department's faculty. To apply, candidates must submit:

• A professional statement and curriculum vitae showing that the program would be a good fit
• Positive letters of recommendation providing evidence that the applicant has the skills and characteristics to succeed
• Evidence of a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from a bachelor's degree-granting institution
• Undergraduate coursework in psychology that includes experimental design, research methodology, and statistics

Application Deadline

The priority application deadline is February 1st. The graduate school will continue to accept applications after this date, but it may not be possible to consider the applicant for admission or a Graduate Assistantship in the department if the application is submitted after this date.

Program Requirements

The program consists of 30 credits of required graduate-level psychological science courses, plus 6 elective credits. The curriculum provides enough flexibility to double Master's in quantitative psychology or receive a certificate in an area of interest.

Credits

• Total: 36
• Required Courses: 30 credits
• Electives: 6 credits

Courses

A few of the classes that will be taken include:

• PSYS 680 Research Methods in Psychology
• PSYS 681 Applied Research Methods
• PSYS 616 Perception and Cognition
• PSYS 697 Diversity Issues in Psychological Research
• PSYS 613 Developmental Psychology
• PSYS 623 Theories of Personality
• PSYS 668 Physiological Psychology

Accelerated Master's Programs (AMP)

The Accelerated Master's Programs (AMP) in Psychology and Clinical Psychology allow students to begin their graduate studies at Ball State while still an undergraduate student, saving time and money as they pursue an advanced education in their field of interest.

Career Opportunities

The program prepares students for doctoral studies or employment after graduation. Example jobs include:

• Data Analyst/Manager
• Research Project Manager/Coordinator
• Market Researcher
• Postsecondary Teacher
• Academic Advising
• Institutional Research and Consulting

Recent graduates have also been accepted into a variety of doctoral programs, including:

• Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience PhD
• Cognitive Psychology PhD
• Communication Studies PhD
• Counseling Psychology PhD
• Educational Psychology PhD
• Experimental Psychology PhD
• Human Development PhD
• I/O, Marketing, Human Factors PhD
• Neuroscience PhD
• Kinesiology PhD with an emphasis in Exercise Psychology
• Social-Cognitive Psychology PhD
• Social Psychology PhD