Psychology M.A.

View information for the Department of Psychology .

The Master of Arts program in Psychology has one concentration–Master of Arts in Psychology: General. The concentration is described below.

Minimum Prerequisites for Admission

A Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and completion of the prerequisites for the concentration to which you are applying (see below), or completion of a course in Introductory Psychology along with completion of a minimum of 16 upper-division semester units in psychology, that include the prerequisites for the concentration to which you are applying. All courses must be passed with a grade of B or better and contain content acceptable to the Psychology Graduate Committee.
A minimum 3.0 overall grade point average.
Satisfactory performance on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test, which includes the GRE Analytical Writing Section.
Three letters of recommendation.
Approval by the Psychology Department.

Minimum Requirements for Continuation

Maintenance of a 3.0 grade point average in all courses attempted.
Satisfactory progress toward the degree, which includes successful completion of coursework and thesis.
A classified graduate student in Psychology will be dropped from classified standing upon receiving more than three units of graduate study graded less than B-. However, any graduate student may retake a course graded less than B- for a higher grade, and a classified student must remove such grade deficits (in excess of three units) in the next semester or petition the Graduate Committee for a time extension if it is impossible to make up the deficit. In no case will more than three units of graduate study graded less than B- be counted towards a Master’s degree.
Other requirements may be stated in University and Departmental Guidelines for Academic Probation and Termination. The student is responsible for obtaining current copies of these regulations and complying with the criteria listed.

Master of Arts in Psychology: General

Mission

The Master of Arts in Psychology: General concentration is designed to prepare students for advanced graduate work in an area of Psychology and to provide a research oriented program. Students work closely with faculty within a particular area of Psychology to develop graduate level competency in the principles and research methods of that area. Be advised that this degree program does not lead to licensure or certification.

Unique features

The General concentration allows students to complete individualized programs in a variety of areas, such as learning, human development, social psychology, etc. Although some students choose to sample courses across psychological topics and domains, most choose a program focused on one area of psychology. With advisement, students complete a set of courses and research experiences that prepare them for advanced work related to that area.

In this concentration students have the unique opportunity to partner with faculty in new and ongoing research programs. Because of the apprenticeship nature of the concentration, students are expected to have selected a faculty mentor prior to making application to the degree program.

Requirements:

(30 units)

1. Complete the Master of Arts program, as outlined below:

a. Complete the following courses:

(8 units)

PSYC 5010 - Advanced Research Methods 2 unit(s)
PSYC 5020 - Advanced Statistical Analysis 3 unit(s)
PSYC 5990 - Masters Thesis 1-3 unit(s)

b. Select the remaining 22 units from the available 4000- and 5000-level catalog courses (including PSYC 5940 Fieldwork in Psychology).

These courses are to be selected with prior approval of the student’s thesis chair. Note that the therapy oriented and practicum classes (PSYC 5780, 5790, 5910, and 5930) are not open to Master of Arts in Psychology: General students.

c. At least 50% of all M.A. coursework must be at the 5000 level.

There are also restrictions as to the amount of coursework that can be graded “Credit/No-Credit.”

Note: No more than 9 units of graduate credit can be transferred from work taken while in unclassified status. The 9-unit limit may also apply to any graduate work transferred from other institutions. Once students complete all other coursework, they must be continually enrolled in at least one thesis unit (either PSYC 5990 or PSYC 7005).

Licensure/Credentialing Requirements

Admission into programs leading to licensure or credentialing does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or credential. Licensure or credential requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the CSU and requirements can change at any time. For example, licensure requirements can include evidence of the right to work in the United States (e.g., social security number or tax payer identification number) and successfully passing a criminal background check. Students are responsible for determining whether they can meet licensure or credentialing requirements. The CSU will not refund tuition, fees, or any associated costs, to students who determine subsequent to admission that they cannot meet licensure or credentialing requirements.

Professional licensure notification from the Chancellor’s Office.