Program Overview

Psychology, M.A. Program Overview

The general psychology M.A. program requires a minimum of 36 graduate credit hours, though students may complete significantly more, depending upon their objectives. A common "core" of 24 credits is required of all students. The remaining hours are selected in consultation with an advisor to help meet students' academic and professional goals.

Admission Requirements

Applicants are required to submit the completed application form with all requested supplemental materials, official transcripts from degree-granting institutions, official transcripts of all previous graduate coursework, official report of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test, and three letters of recommendation. Completed applications along with all supporting materials must be received by the program's deadline to be considered for admission.

Admission Criteria

• GRE scores: Verbal section not lower than 146 and Quantitative section not lower than 140, with a minimum combined total of 297.
• Undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all previously completed undergraduate university work.
• Completion of prerequisite courses: Elementary or Introductory Statistics, Experimental Psychology or Research Methods, Abnormal Psychology, Learning, Social Psychology, and Developmental Psychology, with a grade no lower than a B.

Program Requirements

The general psychology M.A. program requires a minimum of 36 graduate credit hours. A common "core" of 24 credits is required of all students, including:

• PSY 517: Inter Behavioral Stat
• PSY 674: Biological Bases of Behavior
• PSY 672: Cognition and Emotion
• Select one of the following: PSY 606: Adv Social Psychology or PSY 503: Applied Social Psychology or PSY 615: Adv Developmental Psychology or PSY 617: Applied Dev Psych
• PSY 506: Psychometrics
• PSY 605: Ethic Legal & Prof Issue Psych
• PSY 692: Seminar

Areas of Emphasis

Clinical Psychology

The Clinical Psychology area of emphasis consists of 26 credit hours of clinical coursework and supervised clinical experience beyond the required department core. It is designed to prepare graduates for master's degree level clinical roles within professional psychology.

School Psychology

The School Psychology area of emphasis consists of 36 hours and is designed to prepare students for entry into the School Psychology Education Specialist (Ed.S.) program.

Plan of Study

Before registration for the 12th graduate credit hour, all graduate students must complete an official Plan of Study form to be approved by the Graduate Director and/or Department Chair and submitted for approval to the Graduate Studies office.

Comprehensive Evaluation

A written comprehensive examination is required of all students in the M.A. program. Details about the exam are available from advisors and the program coordinator.

Additional Coursework

The general psychology M.A. program requires a minimum of 12 additional credit hours beyond the required core. These are to be selected in consultation with the advisor.

Ethics and Student Behavior

Students in all programs are expected to behave in accordance with the APA Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct. Consequences for violations may include suspension or dismissal from the student's program of study.

2-C Rule

Master's-level coursework and doctoral coursework are viewed separately in terms of this policy. A student may only receive one grade of C per degree program. In the event of the second C, the student will be dismissed from the program.