The Master of Arts in General Psychology is a 36-credit program that can be completed on a part-or full-time basis. The program serves three broad groups:
- students who wish to acquire knowledge in psychology to advance an already established career path;
- students who have an interest in future doctoral level training, but who need additional preparation to apply competitively for such a program;
- students who have a general interest in learning more about psychology and human behavior.
Graduates with an M.A. in general psychology may obtain employment in a range of settings including but not limited to research laboratories, mental health clinics, social work agencies, law enforcement agencies, or private industry. The M.A. in General Psychology does not provide training that leads to New York State licensure and, therefore, does not lead to independent practice.
See Master's in General Psychology program overview and plan of study.
Areas of Focus
Master's in General Psychology Graduation Requirements
Students must complete all requirements for the program in fulfillment of the Master's Degree in General Psychology within three (3) years. This includes satisfactory completion of all course work, and the Comprehensive Examination or Master's Thesis.
To meet the requirements for the Master of Arts, students must earn a minimum grade of B in all core courses. Students will have to repeat any core course in which they received a grade below B. Electives in which students earned less than a B will not count toward graduation. However, students may choose to take a different elective.
Passing the Comprehensive Exam is required for students to receive a Master's of Arts in General Psychology, unless they have elected to complete the Master's Thesis. In order to be eligible to take the exit exam, students must first take and pass the required core courses-Psychopathology, Developmental, Research, and either Consciousness and Cognition or Contemporary Views. Students must register for the Exam (Course # 0502-634-001). There is a $50 one-time fee for taking this exam.
All four sections of the Comprehensive Exam need to be passed before a student can earn his/her degree. A student may retake the sections that he/she fails up to two times within a one year period. Exams are generally given in August and in January. It is the student's responsibility to contact the department to get the exact date once the student knows which administration he/she wishes to take.
Failure of any section constitutes academic concern and will begin a process which will include a meeting with the student’s advisor and discussion of a corrective plan of action. Second failure results in a disciplinary conference which will include the student's advisor, program director and relevant faculty. If after three failed attempts, students may be dismissed from the program.
Admission Requirements for M.A. in General Psychology
Students are admitted to the M.A. in General Psychology on a rolling admission basis. Students may start in the fall, spring, or summer. Admission requirements for the M.A. in General Psychology program include: a minimum 3.0 GPA, two letters of recommendation; a personal essay; transcripts from all previously attended schools; a listing of grades in all undergraduate and graduate psychology courses; prerequisite courses (or equivalents): General Psychology and one additional psychology course; general GRE scores recommended (not required)
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