Program Requirements
The M.A. degree requires 36 units of course work:
I. Core Courses (18 units)
PSYC 467 Multivariate Statistics for Psychology (3)
PSYC 500 Issues and Perspectives in Psychological Research (3)*
PSYC 510 Experimental Design (3)
PSYC 599 Independent Graduate Research (3)
* Note: Psych 500 must be completed in the first semester of the program. Psych 599 is recommended in the second semester. Two seminars from Psych 520T Advanced Topics in Psychological Research (6; topics vary)
II. 400- and 500- level Content Courses (12-15 units)
Three psychology courses must be completed from three of the following categories:
- Applied Research
- Cognitive
- Social/Personality/Industrial
- Clinical
- Developmental
- Quantitative
- Sensory Processes/Physiological/Biological
Visit our Courses page or the University Catalog to explore psychology courses.
III. Thesis (3-6 units)
M.A. Thesis Guidelines
A Study Plan is developed in consultation with the M. A. graduate program coordinator and must be filed in the University Office of Academic Programs. Once students have met all university and department requirements for admission into the program, classified standing is granted. To be advanced to candidacy for the M. A. degree, students must file a graduation check and have received a grade of "B-" or better on all study-plan classes.
Application Requirements
Required Materials:
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University Application
- Department Application
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Application will be available on October 1, 2025
- Statement of Purpose (should be your response to the 3 essay prompts in the department application)
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Letter of Recommendation Form
- Must complete the upper half of the first page and hand it to each of the three people who will write a letter for you.
- Three (3) Letters of Recommendation
- The person who writes the letter needs to complete the Letter of Recommendation Form and submit it with the letter.
- Transcripts of ALL previous coursework
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One set for the university and an additional set for the department
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Submit unofficial transcripts with your department application
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 in psychology courses, 2.5 GPA in last 60 semester units, and overall GPA of 2.5.
- Research experience
List of Required Prerequisite Coursework
Faculty Mentor Program
The Department of Psychology Graduate Mentor Program facilitates students' early involvement in research, provides academic and career counseling, and helps students develop their thesis topic.
New students, in consultation with the graduate Coordinator,select a faculty mentor prior to their second semester. The faculty mentor serves as adviser of the Independent Graduate Research Course (PSYC 599). It is anticipated that students' mentors will serve as their thesis adviser in the second year. However, students are free to select a different person for their advisor.