Psychology M.A.

Program Overview

The Psychology M.A. program at the University of West Florida provides students with a deep understanding of human behavior, equipping them with skills in research, therapeutic techniques, and psychological assessment. The program offers two specializations: Counseling and Industrial-Organizational Psychology.

Program Details

• Credit Hours: 42-60
• Course Length: 16 weeks
• Estimated Program Length: 5-8 semesters

Program Specializations

The program offers two specializations:

• Counseling Psychology - Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
• Industrial-Organizational Psychology

Courses & Requirements

Psychology Graduate Core Courses

Students must complete one course in each area as identified by their specialization (18 total semester hours).

• Biological Bases of Behavior Core:
  • EXP 5256 - Human Factors Psychology (I/O only)
  • PSB 5035 - Cognitive Neuroscience
• Social Bases of Behavior Core:
  • PCO 6278 - Multicultural Counseling (LMHC only)
  • SOP 6069 - Advanced Social Psychology
  • SOP 6669 - Advanced Organizational Psychology (I/O Only)
• Acquired Bases of Behavior Core:
  • EAB 5705 - Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
  • EXP 6506 - Advanced Cognitive Psychology
  • INP 6325 - Training and Development (I/O Only)
• Individual Bases of Behavior Core:
  • DEP 5055 - Developmental Psychology
  • INP 6216 - Personnel Selection and Appraisal (I/O Only)
  • PCO 6216 - Theories of Individual Counseling (LMHC Only)
• All students must complete:
  • PSY 6217 - Research Design in Psychology
• And either:
  • EXP 5735 - Experimental and Correlational Statistics for Psychology
  • Advisor approved elective

Integrative Experience

Toward the end of graduate work, the student must have an integrative experience consisting of 6 semester hours of one of the following courses:

• PSY 6917 - Supervised Research
• PSY 6948 - Internship
• PCO 6948 - Internship in Counseling
• PSY 6971 - Thesis

Counseling Psychology - Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

Concentration Requirements

• PCO 6315 - Assessment in Counseling
• CLP 5166 - Psychopathology
• PCO 6246 - Theories of Group Counseling
• PCO 6206C - Ethical and Professional Issues in Counseling
• PCO 6204 - Pre-Practicum: Techniques of Counseling and Psychotherapy

Application Requirements

• PCO 6946 - Practicum in Counseling
• PCO 6948 - Internship in Counseling

Elective Requirements

• 3 semester hours of elective courses

Licensure Courses

• DEP 5055 - Developmental Psychology
• SOP 6776 - Human Sexuality and Sex Therapy
• SDS 6345 - Educational and Vocational Guidance
• PCO 6312 - Substance Abuse Counseling
• CYP 6005 - Community Psychology

Industrial-Organizational Psychology Concentration

Core Requirements

• EXP 5256 - Human Factors Psychology (Biological Bases of Behavior)
• SOP 6669 - Advanced Organizational Psychology (Social Bases of Behavior)
• INP 6325 - Training and Development (Acquired Bases of Behavior)
• INP 6216 - Personnel Selection and Appraisal (Individual Bases of Behavior)
• PSY 6217 - Research Design in Psychology
• EXP 5735 - Experimental and Correlational Statistics for Psychology

Concentration Requirements

• INP 5131 - Legal Issues in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
• SOP 6668 - Organizational Change and Development
• INP 6385 - Group Dynamics in Organizations

Experiential Practice

• PSY 6971 - Thesis
• PSY 6948 - Internship

Electives

• 9 semester hours of elective courses relevant to the field of I/O Psychology

Admission Requirements

General Admission Requirements

• Undergraduate institutional GPA
• Psychology undergraduate GPA
• Grades received in undergraduate major coursework
• Submission of letter of intent or personal statement
• Submission of two letters of reference
• Program prerequisites
• Field experience or skill sets

Industrial-Organizational Psychology Admission Requirements

• Two letters of recommendation
• Personal Statement
• Success in prior psychology and research methods courses

Licensed Mental Health Counselor Admission Requirements

• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• At least 2 letters of recommendation
• Resume/CV
• Letter of Intent
• In-person or phone interview with at least 1 faculty member

Tuition and Fees

Tuition Rate Per Credit Hour

• Psychology M.A. Tuition - Licensed Mental Health Counselor Concentration (60 credit hours)
  • In-state Tuition: $377.60 per credit hour
  • Out-of-state Tuition: $1,044.24 per credit hour
• Psychology M.A. Tuition - Industrial-Organizational Psychology Concentration (42 credit hours)
  • In-state Tuition: $377.60 per credit hour
  • Out-of-state Tuition: $1,044.24 per credit hour

Careers & Outcomes

Job Titles

• Counselor
• Researcher
• Family Therapist
• Human Resources Manager
• Market Researcher
• Case Manager
• Substance Abuse Counselor
• Guidance Counselor
• Child Protection Specialist
• Court Consultant

Employers

• Southwest Airlines
• Navy Federal Credit Union
• Ascension Health System
• University of West Florida Counseling Center
• Lakeview Center Inc.
• Lutheran Services Florida
• Escambia County Jail
• Pensacola State College
• Habitat for Humanity Veterans Homeownership Project

Research Areas

The Department of Psychology has 10 research labs focusing on areas including:

• Visual cognition
• Child development
• Leadership
• Work-life balance
• The impact of discrimination on health

Featured Courses

• PSB 5035 - Cognitive Neuroscience
• PSY 6217 - Research Design in Psychology
• SOP 6668 - Organizational Change and Development
• EXP 5256 - Human Factors Psychology

Related Programs

• Social Work, MSW
• Public Health MPH
• Healthcare Administration, MHA
• Educational Leadership, M.Ed.

Degree Overview:

• The Psychology M.A.
program at UWF delves into the intricate study of human behavior. Students embark on an in-depth exploration of the fundamental pillars underpinning behavior: biological, social, acquired, and individual.
• The program offers a choice of two specializations - Counseling-Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Industrial-Organizational Psychology - tailored to the students' interests and professional goals.
• Upon completing the core requirements of a psychology graduate and the prerequisites specific to their chosen specialization, individuals will be equipped to pursue diverse career opportunities within the field of psychology at a master's level or pursue further advanced training at the doctoral level.

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Outline:

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Counseling - Licensed Mental Health Counselor

This path prepares individuals for careers as licensed mental health counselors. The curriculum seamlessly integrates coursework with hands-on practical training through internships at mental health facilities. Over three semesters, students accumulate a robust 1000 hours of invaluable clinical and practical experience. Upon graduating, graduates can pursue state licensing as mental health counselors, embarking on the two-year post-degree supervised experience mandated by the state to obtain licensure. This program enjoys accreditation from the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council.

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Industrial-Organizational Psychology

This highly regarded and practical program places emphasis on applied projects and enriching internships, attracting students from a wide spectrum of undergraduate backgrounds. Internships provide students with exposure to various settings, such as healthcare, research, military institutions, banking, entertainment, nonprofit organizations, and the field of education. Classes predominantly occur face-to-face, in a synchronous, interactive learning environment. Post-graduates have secured positions in the human resource departments of major corporations, consulting firms, government agencies, research institutions, and pursue further education at a doctoral level in Psychology or related fields such as human resources, organizational behavior, human factors or engineering psychology, social psychology or counseling psychology. According to the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, the program holds the following distinctions:

• 2nd
in Applied Experiences, equipping graduates with hands-on expertise through collaborations with real-world organizations.
• 5th
in Overall Quality, comprehensively covering the 25 competencies essential in Industrial-Organizational Psychology.

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Teaching:

• Small Class and Close Mentorship: The program features intimate class sizes that allow students to deeply engage with professors, partake in research or consulting opportunities, and gain practical industrial-organizational work experience.
• "UWF was not merely an institution where I earned a degree - it's where I developed lifelong connections" - Testimonial of Sadie O'Neill, Class of 2016.
• Faculty Expertise: Professors are highly accomplished professionals who go above and beyond to support and inspire students, providing mentorship and opportunities to engage with the local community in the field.
• "...professors provide real-world, hands-on experiences that you won't find anywhere else...one of the best investments I've ever made! "
• Testimonial of Danielle Woods, 2018 Graduate

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Careers:

• Counseling - Counselor, Researcher, Family Therapist, Human Resources Manager, Market Research Specialist, Case Manager, Substance Abuse Counselor
• Sample Employers
- Southwest Airlines, Navy Federal Credit Union, Ascension Health System, University of West Florida Counseling Center, Lakeview Center Inc
• Industrial-Organizational Psychology: Human Resources Manager, Consultant, Researcher, Business Analyst, Organizational Development Specialist
• Sample Employers:
Navy Federal Credit Union; Pensacola State College; Habitat for Humanity Veterans Homeownership Projects; Ascension Sacred Heart, Sacred Heart Health System; Escambia County Sheriff’s Office; Escambia County Human Resources; Monsanto; Navy Federal; Baptist Health

University of West Florida

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Overview:

The University of West Florida (UWF) is a public university offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. It prides itself on providing a personalized learning experience with small class sizes and dedicated faculty. UWF emphasizes a strong student-to-faculty ratio, ensuring individual attention and support.

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Services Offered:

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

UWF offers a vibrant campus community with various facilities and resources. Students can explore the Pensacola campus, UWF Emerald Coast in Fort Walton Beach, UWF Historic Trust in Historic Pensacola, and UWF's downtown Pensacola facilities. A virtual tour is available to experience the campus remotely.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Personalized Attention:

UWF boasts a 100:1 student-to-faculty ratio, ensuring personalized attention and support from world-renowned professors.

Diverse Programs:

Over 110 undergraduate and graduate programs cater to various interests and career aspirations.

Strong Reputation:

UWF is ranked #100 in the "Top Public School – Regional Universities South" by U.S. News and World Report.

Engaging Campus Life:

UWF offers a vibrant campus community with various facilities and resources, including a virtual tour for remote exploration.

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Academic Programs:

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Other:

UWF actively engages in research and community outreach. Recent initiatives include:

Archaeology Institute Field Schools:

Offering students hands-on experience in archaeological investigations.

HeirStory Project:

Collaborating with a renowned journalist to develop technology for preserving family legacies.

Galapagos Islands Study Abroad:

Providing students with immersive cultural and historical experiences.