Program Overview

Master of Arts in Psychological Sciences

The Master of Arts in Psychological Sciences at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus provides a comprehensive study of biological, social, developmental, and cognitive bases of health and human behavior. The program cultivates advanced competence in research methodology, enabling students to interpret and evaluate applied research data. Students can choose between thesis and non-thesis options, with elective courses in experimental and applied psychology, professional and research ethics, infant-family mental health, cultural competence, and other basic and applied areas.

Program Outcomes

As a graduate of the Master of Arts in Psychological Sciences program, students will be:

• Positioned to assume research analyst positions in the human or health sciences, non-profit sector, or business community, demanding advanced competencies in research methodology, data tracking, collection, and analysis, and grant writing or program evaluation associated with graduate training.
• Eligible for teaching positions at high schools and at 2- and 4-year colleges or universities (at the 1000/2000 level coursework) with the required 18 hours of graduate work in psychology.
• Competitive for admission to top doctoral programs through the receipt of foundational content and research courses built into the first year of the M.A. curriculum, coupled with both project and thesis options that provide intensive experience in a nationally-recognized program of faculty research.

Workforce Invigoration

The program offers a unique opportunity for training in Risk, Resilience, and Prevention (RRP) by completing coursework in the Infant Family Mental Health graduate certificate program. This training promotes human capital and reduces the risk of untoward health outcomes and behavioral and community problems. Prevention and early intervention are key, with investments made proactively to cultivate protective social, academic, and health-promoting behaviors and skills required for success in school and life.

Program Requirements

The M.A. in Psychological Sciences requires 36 hours of coursework, including either a thesis for six credit hours or a non-thesis research-based project for three credit hours. All students are required to take a set of core courses during the first year of study and pass comprehensive examinations on core course material between the first and second years of study.

Certificate Credit Towards Graduate Degree

Up to 12 hours of certificate courses can be applied to a graduate degree with department approval. The Infant-Family Mental Health Graduate Certificate and Data Analysis Graduate Certificate are ideal certificates to apply to this program, provided all grades received in the courses were B or better and no older than seven years.

Faculty and Research

The program is housed on the St. Petersburg campus, with the majority of students working with faculty who have a home campus of St. Petersburg. Students who wish to work with faculty on the Tampa campus must first ensure that the faculty member is accepting MA students into their lab and should expect to frequently commute between the St. Petersburg and Tampa campuses.

Admission Considerations

Although some students will continue with their studies to obtain a Ph.D. in psychology, it is essential to understand that the M.A. in Psychological Sciences at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus is not designed to train licensed practitioners; it is not a counseling degree. Students who aspire to become licensed practitioners are advised to seek out a Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW), Mental Health Counseling (MHC), Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), or other degrees where supervised clinical experience is an explicit component of the training program.