The Master of Arts in Psychology program prepares students for professional roles in public service, business, and industry or to advance into a doctoral program. In addition to developing extensive knowledge in the theory, research, and applications of the science of psychology, students select a focused plan of study in one of the concentration areas listed below:
- Applied Cognitive Psychology: User Experience
- Applied Social Psychology
- Organizational Behavior and Evaluation
- Positive Developmental Psychology and Evaluation
- Positive Organizational Psychology and Evaluation
Graduates of these programs hold major leadership, research, consulting, and evaluation positions in private corporations, non-profit organizations, government, health care, public heath, community organizations, research institutes, and higher education think tanks around the world.
Degree Requirements
Coursework. The degree requires 48 units of coursework, comprised as follows (dependent on the concentration):
- Core courses (8-16 units)
- Methodology and Evaluation courses (12-24 units)
- Electives (10-16 units)
All students are encouraged to take advanced methodology courses as electives or additional courses in the area of concentration. All course enrollments should be discussed with and approved by the student’s advisor.
Minimum Grade Requirements. The University’s policy on Satisfactory Academic Progress applies. The Psychology, MA program requires students to pass the following courses with a grade of B- or better:
- Concentration core courses
- Research Methods (PSYCH 302a)
- Statistics sequence (PSYCH 308a,b,c,d)
- Evaluation sequence (PSYCH 326, 315z, 315ee) - Required in the Applied Social Psychology, Organizational Behavior, Positive Developmental Psychology, and Positive Organizational Psychology, MA programs
Thesis. A thesis is not required but may be completed with the consent of the student’s advisor.
University Policies. Policies detailed in the current Policies and General Information Bulletin apply.
Admission. Admission requirements are detailed in the Admissions section of the current Policies and General Information Bulletin.