Master of Science in Psychology

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Students should consult the General Regulations section of the Graduate Catalog for additional information regarding Graduate School admission requirements, transfer credit, and other critical policies and procedures.

Psychology is a scientific discipline that interfaces biological and social sciences to prepare students for working with people in a vast array of settings and fields. The Master of Science in Psychology will prepare graduate students with a comprehensive psychological foundation in research and theory. Therefore, students will be uniquely equipped to gain employment opportunities not just within the field of psychology, but also other fields of study to include social sciences and human services.

Students will gain advanced skills in critical thinking, interpersonal communication, research design and reporting, ethics, cultural diversity, APA writing skills and advanced knowledge in psycho-logical theories. Thesis track graduates will also be well-equipped to pursue doctoral studies in psychology and related fields.

*This is a non-licensure/non-certification degree. This degree is intended for students who want to pursue a doctoral degree or post-secondary teaching opportunities, as well as those who may benefit from a general master’s degree in psychology.

Location

Troy Online

Program Objectives

Upon completion of this degree students will be able to:

Identify, describe, and apply the concepts and principles of psychology.
Describe psychological research including experimental design, measurement, analysis, and application.
Demonstrate cultural competence in a global environment.
Use the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct as guides for making ethical decisions.
Apply psychological theory and research skills to professional work and/or more advanced study in the area of psychology.

Admission Requirements

Program admission is determined by a committee of psychology faculty and is based on the Graduate School application materials. After all application materials are received from the Graduate School, the committee will review all the eligible applicants for acceptance into the program twice a year. Following the committee’s review, applicants will be notified of their admission status.

Unconditional Admission

Hold a master’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited or equivalent institution outside the United States. No test score or letter of recommendation is required for those who hold a master’s or higher degree from an accredited university for any master’s level program. All official transcripts must be provided.

Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited or equivalent institution outside the United States with a minimum overall undergraduate grade point average of 2.5 (4.0 scale) or a 3.0 grade point average on the last 30 semester hours. All hours attempted in the term in which the 30 semester hours were reached will be used to calculate the grade point average.

Students may also be granted temporary admission if they are still in progress of completing their Bachelor’s or Master’s program when applying.

AND

Provide an official Troy University Letter of Recommendation that addresses the individual’s potential for success in the selected graduate program as well as individual written and oral communication skills. Recommendations should be from the applicant’s most recent employer or other workplace supervisor, university/college instructor, academic advisor, department chair, or dean. See Admission for details regarding submission of letter.

In addition to meeting Troy University’s graduate school admissions requirements, applicants must also submit the following:

Personal statement: In 750-1000 words, please discuss your past education and experience, academic and professional plans, and reasons for wishing to undertake graduate work in psychology in Troy University’s Master of Science in Psychology program.

Temporary Admission

Temporary admission may be granted to undergraduate students who are projected to graduate before the upcoming term for admission. These applicants (who have not yet earned a baccalaureate degree) must submit all other admission materials (e.g., all college transcripts, personal statement, and one recommendation letter) to be considered for Temporary Admission.

Conditional Admission

Conditional admission does not apply to this program.

Transfer Credit

A maximum of four courses (12 semester hours) taken at another regionally accredited institution each with a grade of “B” or better can be applied toward this degree. These courses must be comparable in catalog description to Troy University courses in the Psychology Graduate Program and be approved by the department chair and college dean. No transfer credit will be accepted for the three required core courses (PSY 6617 , PSY 6689 , PSY 6690 ).

Degree Requirements

The successful completion of 36 semester hours, including 6 hours of thesis research for the thesis option and 33 semester hours, including 3 hours of a capstone course and successful completion of a written comprehensive exam for the non-thesis option, with an overall grade point average of 3.0. If the student makes a “D” or “F” in a required core course, the course must be retaken. If a student makes a “D” or “F” in an elective course, the course may be retaken, or another elective taken in its place. Students must receive a “B” or better in PSY 6689 Research Methods/Statistics I or PSY 6690 Research Methods/Statistics II.

Degree Plan

Master of Science in Psychology Degree Plan/Progress Record