Psychology - Master of Arts (this program is in moratorium effective Spring 2021 through Summer 2021)

Students are accepted for graduate study in psychology only if judged by a departmental committee to be qualified to complete a doctoral degree, and programs of study are planned with this goal in mind; the master's sequence is generally developed as an integral part of the doctoral program with special attention given to the plans and needs of each student. Additional details are given under the doctoral program as outlined below. There is no terminal master's program.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Social Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Factors given major consideration for to the graduate program at the first–year level include (1) an approved bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university, (2) a junior–senior undergraduate grade–point average of 3.20 or better in academic studies, (3) undergraduate courses in experimental psychology and statistics, (4) satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Examination General Test, (5) favorable evaluations of the applicant by three referees, preferably instructors in the applicants undergraduate major; and (6) approval by a departmental committee. That an applicant has achieved the above is not sufficient for . The number of applicants with superior qualifications exceeds the number of students that can be accommodated. 

The department is especially interested in quality students and generally accepts them regardless of their undergraduate majors provided that they have adequate background for graduate study in psychology. Students meeting only the requirements for to provisional status are not generally accepted. 

Completed applications must be received by December 1 for consideration for the subsequent fall semester.

Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in Psychology

To meet individual needs, every student has a guidance committee with the student's advisor as chairperson. The committee develops a program of studies in consultation with the student. The program is available under both Plan A (with thesis) and Plan B (without thesis). The student must complete a total of 30 credits as follows:

Requirements for Both Plan A and Plan B

1. Complete the following course (3 credits):
   PSY    815    Quantitative Research Design and Analysis in Psychology    3
2. Complete course work appropriate for the student’s subdiscipline as determined and approved by the student’s guidance committee.
3. Complete additional elective credits approved by the student’s guidance committee.

Additional Requirements for Plan A

1. Complete 4 credits of PSY 899 Master’s Thesis Research.
2. Preparation of an approved thesis proposal.
3. Successful oral defense of the thesis.

Additional Requirements for Plan B

1. Complete 4 credits of PSY 890 Special Problems in Psychology.
2. Pass a final evaluation with a guidance committee of at least three faculty and the chairperson of the Department of Psychology. At least two of the three must be faculty members in the Department of Psychology.

There is no general language requirement. Where acquaintance with a foreign language is necessary for advancing the special interest of a particular student, the guidance committee may impose foreign language requirements.

Psychology graduate students may participate in advanced graduate training through a concentration in Quantitative Methodology and Evaluation Science (QMES). Students selecting this concentration must complete two prerequisite courses, three advanced training courses, and one student-developed project under the supervision of two members of the Quantitative Methodology and Evaluation Science faculty.

 

Due to cancellations of many international English language proficiency tests, MSU will be temporarily accepting the following tests for international students applying for fall semester 2022. In addition, MSU will be expanding the ability for students to receive provisional admission. If a provisionally admitted student is able to take a test that meets our regular admission standards prior to enrollment, we will update their admission status to regular.