Master of Arts in Psychology

Academic Director: Carla Marquez-Lewis, PhD
CUNY School of Professional Studies
101 West 31^st Street, 7^th Floor
New York, NY 10001
Email Contact: psychology@sps.cuny.edu

Mission

The mission of the Psychology Program is to prepare undergraduate and graduate students to be psychologically literate citizens by offering instruction and guided experiences in research, activities that address real-world and theoretical questions, and competence in the communication, collaboration technology use, and problem-solving skills required for success in careers, service, and advanced studies.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the MA in Psychology will be able to:

1. Understand the major theories, concepts, and methodological practices within the field of Psychology.Acquire knowledge of core concepts, theories, and applications in three of the following five areas: learning and cognition, biological bases of behavior, social behavior, theories of personality, and psychopathology.

• Exhibit in-depth knowledge of at least one of the following specializations in Psychology: Industrial/Organizational Psychology or Developmental Psychology
• Show mastery of all phases of the research process in psychology, including: locating, synthesizing, and critically evaluating information related to a specific research question, generating testable research hypotheses and related research designs, engaging in data collection activities that reflect professional practices, standards and requirements, and analyzing data and displaying results using appropriate statistical procedures and software.
• Identify and apply ethical standards in the conduct of human subject and animal research.

2. Apply psychological concepts, theories, and methodological practices to contexts within and beyond academia.

• Work effectively with others, as part of a team and as a project manager.
• Demonstrate effective writing and presentation skills, including adapting communication for difference audiences and purposes.

3. Think analytically and ethically about the complexities of human behavior.

• Engage in effective problem-solving and integrative, creative thinking and planning.
• Articulate values and act in ways that are respectful of cultural differences and diversity at local, national, and global levels.

The Program

The MA in Psychology is the first and only degree of its kind offered at the City University of New York. This innovative degree will prepare students specializing in industrial/organizational psychology or developmental psychology to advance to new levels in their careers and learn from skilled faculty in a fully online environment.

The program is available in a fully online format and is ideal for students who have recently completed an undergraduate degree in Psychology, or closely related field, who are pursuing advanced credentials or application to a doctoral program, or those in the workforce who want to advance their careers and seek higher-level positions.

Students will:

• Acquire knowledge of core concepts, theories and applications in three of the following five areas: learning and cognition, biological bases of behavior, social behavior, theories of personality, and psychopathology.
• Gain in-depth knowledge of at least one of the following specializations in psychology: Industrial/Organizational Psychology or Developmental Psychology.
• Show mastery of all phases of the research process in psychology, including: locating, synthesizing and critically evaluating information related to a specific research question, generating testable research hypotheses and related research designs, engaging in data collection activities that reflect professional practices, standards and requirements, and analyzing data and displaying results using appropriate statistical procedures and software.
• Identify and apply ethical standards in the conduct of human subject and animal research.
• Articulate values and act in ways that are respectful of cultural differences and diversity at local, national and global levels.

Note: This program has two concentrations, Developmental Psychology and Industrial / Organizational Psychology, neither of which qualifies graduates to practice as a Clinical Psychologist, Counseling/Marriage, Family, and Child Therapist, or as a School Psychologist nor does it qualify students for licensure by the State of New York, which requires a doctoral degree (in most cases) among other requirements. However, students may use this program as a bridge to a doctoral program if they so choose or as a terminal degree.

Admission Criteria

In addition to the admission criteria for graduate degree programs, students must have completed courses in Introductory Psychology, Statistics, and Research Methods with grades of B or better. Applicants without this coursework may be admitted to the program conditionally and required to take courses before matriculating.