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Master of Arts in Psychological Research

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About the Program

The Department of Psychology at Cal State Fullerton offers a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Psychological Research. Our graduate program provides students excellent preparation for doctoral programs by offering advanced statistical and methodological courses and research training in core areas of psychology. The M.A. program also prepares students by providing skills important to careers in teaching, research, education, consulting, program evaluation, and human resources. Students who are committed to the field of psychology, but are undecided on a specialty, have an opportunity to explore a variety of options.

Our faculty have active research programs across diverse subfields of Psychology and contribute to the discipline through publication of books and journal articles, serving on advisory and editorial boards, and receive substantial funding from granting agencies to support their work. The department supports several research centers, and faculty members sponsor and mentor several students as research assistants. Opportunities are available for students to work as graduate assistants for faculty in psychology and other departments.

Our Master of Arts program in Psychological Research offers advanced course work and research experience in several specialized areas of psychology including:

Admission Information

Applications open October 1, 2025. Deadline to submit is January 15, 2026.

Five Master of Arts students posing together wearing blue graduation caps and robes with orange sashes

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Cognitive

Developmental

Evolutionary

Social

Gertontology

Biological/Physiological

 

 

 

 

 

Personality

Industrial/Organizational

Legal

Clinical/Community

Quanititative

Perception

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The M.A. program is not designed for students wishing to pursue a career in clinical/counseling. If you would like to pursure a career in that area, please consider looking at our  Master of Science in Clinical Psychology program.

 

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Program Requirements

MA Program Course Requirement

 36 Units

I. Core Courses (18 units)

PSYC 500 Issues and Perspectives in Psychological Research (3)

PSYC 510 Research Design (3)

PSYC 461 or PSYC 466 or PSYC 467 (3) 

PSYC 599 Independent Graduate Research (3)

PSYC 520T Seminar (take 6 units; must be different topics)

II. 400- and 500- level Content Courses (12-15 units)

PSYC 410, 414, 415, 417, 421, 431, 432, 445, 456, 461, 464, 466, 467, 473, 474, 475, 476, 520T

 

Note: Other courses may be selected with graduate program coordinator approval.

 

III.  Thesis (3-6 units)

PSYC 598 Thesis Research

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.

 

Note:  
A 400-level course taken while an undergraduate student should not be retaken. It will not count toward the graduate degree.
PSYC 520T can be taken up to 9 units; all must be different topics.

Application Requirements

Required Materials:

  1. University Application
  2. Department Application
    • Application will be available on October 1, 2025
  3. Statement of Purpose (should be your response to the 3 essay prompts in the department application)
  4. The name, title, and email address of three (3) referees who know your academic achievements well.
    • Your referees will be asked to provide a recommendation for you in CalState Apply.
  5. Transcripts of ALL previous coursework
    • One set for the university and an additional set for the department
    • Submit unofficial transcripts with your department application
  6. Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
  7. Minimum GPA of 3.0 in psychology courses, the last 60 semester units, and overall.
  8. 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.