Psychology MA

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Dive deep into the study of the mind with our research-focused Master of Arts in Psychology.

Our program consists of a range of small, seminar-style classes, mentored research experiences and an individualized thesis project to give you a better understanding of psychological theory and principles.

Designed for You

  • for those who wish to focus more intensely on psychological research or pursue careers as researchers
  • for full-time students and working professionals, attending full-time or part-time, in evening classes
  • for individuals planning to pursue a doctorate degree in psychology
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More Program Specifics

Understand admissions requirements, the courses you’ll take, and the concepts you’ll gain mastery of. Get all the detailed information you’re looking for.

The ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆµ Advantage

Our students gain an understanding of psychological theory and principles and learn how to utilize the scientific method of inquiry, including data analysis. We instill the skills required to conduct independent research and to be critical consumers of psychological texts.

Our Psychology Faculty

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Apply for Graduate Admission

To begin the process you will need to sign up for an account with CollegeNET. Once you have a CollegeNET account, you will be able to log in any time and see your Activity Log which shows you a personalized status page.

Please Note: For training to become a licensed mental health counselor or therapist, please see our MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or Social Work MSW.

Ensuring That You’ll be Ready

Thomas Malloy

Tom Malloy

"Our graduate students learn to conduct independent research and to critically evaluate psychological literature. Upon completing the program, they are prepared to work at research careers or to further their study of psychology at the Ph.D. level."

Program Details

Admission and Course Information

Applications to the program are due March 1 for fall admission or November 1 for spring admission. Applications submitted after the deadline will be considered if space is still available in the program. Applicants should have completed a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field, with an overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants may apply to the program if they are currently in their final semester of a bachelor’s degree. You must apply through the .

Admissions Written Statement

The written statement in your application aids the Graduate Committee in assessing your qualifications for the Master of Psychology Program. Statements should be approximately two double-spaced pages but there is no strict limit. Please address the following in your written statement:

  • Tell us why you are interested in completing ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆµâ€™s research-oriented Master of Psychology program. Be specific.
  • Describe the areas of psychology or specific concepts that you are interested in conducting research on while in the program. If you like, name one or two specific ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆµ professors you might want to work with or whose research aligns with your interests.
  • Graduate education requires sophisticated writing, research, and critical thinking skills. Discuss the reasons why you believe you will be able to meet the academic requirements of a rigorous graduate program, including any past coursework and/or research experiences that have prepared you for this type of graduate level work. If your grade point average (GPA) is below 3.0, please discuss.
  • Describe your career goals and how the Master of Psychology program is a good fit for those goals. How does a research-oriented master's degree in psychology prepare you for your next steps? 

You can find more guidance on how to write a strong written statement for a research-oriented psychology graduate program at the following links:

Admissions Letters of Recommendation

You need to include 3 letters of recommendation as part of your application:

  • They should be academic or professional letters of recommendation, which could include letters from college professors, academic advisors, research lab supervisors, supervisors from a workplace related to the field of psychology, or someone else who can write about your academic or professional work.
  • At least one letter must be from a psychology professor or a professional within psychology or a related field. More than one letter from individuals like this would be best.
  • The letters should not be personal letters, such as from family, friends, your personal doctor or therapist, or those who you know socially.
  • You can get more information about how to request letters of recommendation for graduate school and who to best ask to write you a letter from  John C. Norcross, PhD, and J. Timothy Cannon, PhD, University of Scranton (PA)

Program/Learning Goals

Upon completion of this program, students will have gained:

  • knowledge of the major concepts and theoretical perspectives in psychology
  • an understanding of research design and analysis in psychology
  • the ability to conduct independent research from project conception through data analysis and interpretation
  • the ability to write effectively and professionally about research
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Arts and Sciences

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences is a community of scholars that pride themselves on academic excellence, diversity and service.