Psychology M.A.

Psychology Major

Applications are not being accepted for the MA Psychology major at this time.

Students interested in this program must submit a completed Application for Admission to Graduate Study and should refer to their MyUNIverse Student Center To-Do list or contact the Department of Psychology for any other application requirements. Graduate information and application for graduate admission can be found at https://admissions.uni.edu/application.

In addition to meeting general university admission requirements, applicants are also required to submit the following for consideration:

1. a departmental application form;
2. resume or CV
3. personal statement
4. three letters of recommendation, preferably from undergraduate psychology instructors; and

The application deadline for fullest consideration for financial aid is February 1. Offers of admission will begin in February and continue on a rolling basis until all positions in the program are filled or until early May. Applications completed by April 30 will be reviewed and given consideration, but early application is strongly encouraged.

Only graduate courses (course numbers 5000 or above) will apply to a graduate degree, even if the undergraduate course number (4999 or less) is listed. No exceptions will be made.

This major is available on the thesis option only for the Social Psychology track; the Clinical Science track offers a non-thesis and a thesis option. The major requires a minimum of 42-43 semester hours, depending on the emphasis chosen. A minimum of 15 semester hours of 6000-level course work is required.

The M.A. program in psychology consists of two traditional emphases:

1. clinical science, for students wishing to pursue doctoral-level study in clinical, counseling, or school psychology or careers as master's research coordinators or providers of psychological services in agencies or institutions;
2. social psychology, for students wishing to pursue doctoral study in social and related areas of psychology or careers as master’s level data analysts or community college instructors.

The program maintains a strong empirical, research-based orientation and seeks to: a) provide students with opportunities to develop skills in research methodology; b) gain advanced knowledge of major areas of scientific psychology; and c) obtain basic competence in skills relevant to these areas. All students are required to complete a thesis for successful completion of this program. It is expected that students in the two-year program will, except under extraordinary circumstances, have a thesis proposal approved by their advisor by the beginning of their second year of study. The program is set up so it should be completed in two full academic years and two summers. Students are strongly encouraged to finish within this time frame.

Clinical Science Emphasis

Social Psychology Emphasis

Learning Outcomes

Psychology, M.A.

• 1a. Students should demonstrate knowledge of how to design and conduct an empirical study to examine a hypothesis or research question.
• 1b. Students should demonstrate knowledge of when to conduct different basic statistical tests, how to conduct those tests using statistical software, and how to interpret the output of those tests.
• 1c. Students should be able to identify, understand, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate research on psychological topics.
• 2a. Students should demonstrate good written communication skills.
• 2b. Students should demonstrate good oral communication skills.
• 3a. Students should demonstrate and apply an understanding of the principles of responsible conduct of research.
• 3b. Students should demonstrate and apply an understanding of appropriate behavior according to the American Psychological Association ethical principles for applied settings.
• 4a. Students should be able to apply learned material to the practice setting.
• 4b. Students should demonstrate an ability to work with clinical populations, co- workers, and supervisors effectively and professionally.

Related Programs

• Psychology B.A.
• Sociology B.A.