Department of Psychology

The Department of Psychology offers a graduate program leading to the degree of Master of Arts in psychology. The Master of Arts in psychology program requires a minimum of 36 semester credit hours of graduate studies completed through 27 credit hours of required core courses, 6 credit hours of psychology electives, and 3 credit hours of free electives. The department also offers two 12-credit hour graduate certificates. Courses completed as part of a certificate program may count towards the Master of Arts in psychology program if a student chooses to pursue the Master of Arts in psychology degree later, but the courses would have to count towards one credential or the other. 

The graduate program provides students from diverse backgrounds, including those with limited access to a nearby university or those who have scheduling conflicts with face-to-face programs, an opportunity to earn an advanced degree in psychology. The program has a broad focus to prepare students for various careers in psychology and related fields in business, education, teaching of psychology, human resources, social services, research and data analyses, as well as jobs in local, state, and federal institutions. The program also provides a foundation for further studies for those planning to apply to doctoral programs in psychology. Being a general program in psychology, our program does not result in eligibility for clinical licensure as a counselor or psychologist.

Learning Outcomes

1. Human Biological, Behavioral, Cognitive, Emotional, & Social Growth and Development: Students will assess the major theories of individual and family development and behavior across the life span and integrate these psychological theories to professional contexts by applying these theories to professional scenarios. 
2. Social and Cultural Diversity: Students will assess the impact of the major aspects of human diversity including (but not limited to) socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, age, health, and physical/intellectual abilities on the self as a cultural being. Students will justify the application of theoretical and research paradigms of diversity within psychological and professional contexts.
3. Communication Skills and Relationships: Students will evaluate theories of communication and develop plans to integrate learned communication theory and skills in personal, supervisory, consultative, and other professional contexts to promote relational effectiveness. Students will demonstrate effective communication skills.
4. Research: Students will engage in research processes including proposing research questions, operationalizing psychological variables, and determining appropriate statistical analyses. Students will exhibit an understanding of psychological research methodology and will demonstrate the ability to critique psychological research.
5. Ethics and Professional Identity: Students will appraise the use of ethical principles and professional codes of conduct including APA ethical standards and will apply ethical decision making to professional ethical issues, problems, and contexts. Students will construct a personal career pathway that defines their professional goals, objectives, and identity.  

Graduate Certificate Programs

Behavioral Research Certificate: The certificate in behavioral research provides advanced research skills to individuals interested in research-related careers and/or admission to research-oriented graduate programs including doctoral programs in psychology. Students will develop skills in statistics, research design/methodology, and advanced quantitative analyses. Students will also design and present their own original psychological research.

Professional Psychology Certificate: The certificate in professional psychology is aimed at working professionals with at least a bachelor’s degree seeking to advance their academic experience and training in areas of professional psychology including ethics, diversity, professional communication, supervision, and consultation. 

Please see the Department of Psychology website for more information about our programs and career options.

Programs

• Psychology, M.A.

• Behavioral Research Certificate
• Professional Psychology Certificate