Psychology, MS

This program is designed to educate qualified students in sub-disciplines of psychology and includes extensive and necessary research training and internships.

The Industrial and Organizational program option received full membership/certification from the Council of Applied Master’s Programs in Psychology (CAMPP) in April 2005. Full membership indicates that the program complies with the general standards for education and training for applied master’s programs.

Program Description

The MS Psychology degree program consists of two options: Industrial-Organizational, and Experimental.

Entrance Requirements

Admission to our Master’s program is very competitive and decisions regarding acceptance will begin March 1. Hence, the application deadline is February 15th. All application materials, including recommendation letters, should be submitted by February 15th.

1. To be considered for admission to the program, a student must submit a Graduate Application and the departmental application.
2. The Graduate Application and application fee, as well as the following materials, must be submitted.
   1. transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions that the student has attended; and
   2. GRE scores including Quantitative, Verbal and Critical Thinking and Writing.
3. Additional materials to be submitted before the application will be considered:
   1. a formal application, including a statement of career goals and detailing experience in the community, research, or other relevant non-classroom activities; and
   2. at least three (3) letters of recommendation (including at least two (2) from college-level teachers who are well acquainted with the student’s academic achievements).
4. Admission to the program requires the following minimum criteria:
   1. completion of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university;
   2. cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale in undergraduate and graduate work and 3.25 in the major field;
   3. a 3.25 GPA in at least twenty (20) semester hrs or thirty (30) quarter hours of Psychology courses including courses in both statistics and research methods;
   4. submission of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, with a recommended Verbal Score of 151 or higher and Quantitative Score of 142 or higher

A student who does not meet all the above criteria, but who demonstrates outstanding potential, may be considered on the basis of individual merit by the Graduate Admissions Committee and accepted on probationary status.

Additional Program Requirements

Some academic programs in the health related areas will require students to pass a background security check and a drug screening. These programmatic screening policies are a result of health organizations’ requirements for placement at their clinical sites. Students will be financially responsible for the background security check and drug screening. Please see each academic program requirements, applications materials and admission standards for specific detailed information. Students who do not pass the appropriate screenings may not be able to complete the program or practice professionally.

Industrial-Organizational (I-O) Option

Adopting a scientist-practitioner model, the Industrial-Organizational (I-O) option is designed to develop research skills and general knowledge of I-O content areas. The focus of the track is on the application of psychological research methods and principles in a variety of settings, including business, industry, government, and non-profit organizations. Students can select either an internship or thesis option. Objectives of the I-O track include:

1. development of research and statistical skills for job analysis, performance assessment, measurement of individual differences, program development and evaluation;
2. development of a knowledge base concerning important contextual influences on behavior, including social influences, work motivation, job design, organizational theory and training and development;
3. development of an understanding of the philosophical, ethical, and legal constraints on the practice of applied psychology;
4. development of communication and interpersonal competence necessary for successful functioning in organizations.

Experimental Option

The experimental option is designed to prepare students for doctoral studies. That is, it is for those students who wish to primarily pursue an academic/research career (to teach at the university level and to conduct basic or applied research in an effort to advance the science of behavior). Objectives of the experimental track include:

1. development of skills needed to design, conduct, analyze, and report research;
2. acquisition of a broad background in psychology (theory and measurement) as well as specialized knowledge in an area of interest, such as learning, memory, and cognition; attention and perception; physiological; development; ethological or quantitative psychology.