2013-2014

Psychology, Master of Arts

Department of Psychology

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

This graduate psychology program has four outcome-specific emphases to choose from. Dependent on the emphasis chosen this program prepares students for: doctoral training in various subdisciplines of psychology, doctoral training in health psychology, to practice clinical health psychology at the master's level and provides breadth of knowledge. The emphasis in teaching will provide students with teaching experience in preparation for a teaching career at the community college level.

  • Available Emphasis Areas:
  • Clinical Health Psychology - Emphasis (ending Summer 2015)
  • Pre-Doctoral training in Clinical Health Psychology - Emphasis (ending Summer 2015)
  • Pre-Doctoral training in General Psychology Research - Emphasis (ending Summer 2015)
  • Teaching of Psychology - Emphasis (ending Summer 2015)

  • To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.

    You must additionally complete:

    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s). This may include a thesis.
    • All graduate work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
    • All work toward the master's degree must be completed within six consecutive years. The six years begins with the semester and year of admission to the program.

    Read the full policy here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Minimum Units for Completion 36 - 43
Additional Admission Requirements

Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Fieldwork Experience/Internship Optional
Emphasis, Minor, or Certificate Required

An emphasis, minor, or certificate is required for this major.
Thesis Thesis may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option.
Oral Defense Oral Defense may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option.
Research Individualized research may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option.

Additional Admission Requirements

  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

  • The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.

    Admission requirements include the following:

    • Transcripts.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.


    Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.

    Ready to apply? Begin your application now.

    International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.

    • GRE® Revised General Test
    • Three Letters of Recommendation
    • Prerequisites (completed prior to enrolling in the program)
      • Minimum of 18 units of psychology credit including Introduction to Psychology (101); Statistics; Research Methods.
    • Resume or Curriculum Vitae
    • Personal Statement or Essay
    • Responses to Specific Essay Questions
Master's Requirements

  • Take the following 36 - 43 units:

    Emphasis Requirements (Select One):

    • Pre-Doctoral training in General Psychology Research Emphasis (39 units)
      • Approved cognates from outside the department (1-3 units)
      • PSY 699, for the research, writing, and oral defense of an approved thesis. Please note that you can only count 6 units of thesis credit toward your degree. However, you may end up taking more units because you must enroll for it each term while you are working on your thesis. (6 units)
    • Pre-Doctoral training in Clinical Health Psychology Emphasis (43 units)
    • Teaching of Psychology Emphasis (Non-Thesis) (36 units)
      • Psychology electives: graduate courses offered by our department. (1-3 units)
      • PSY 665 (3 units)
      • PSY 608 (3 units)

  • Please note that many of our graduate courses have prerequisites and must follow a specified sequence.

    Please be aware that if you earn more than 6 units with a grade of "C" or lower, you will automatically be terminated from the program.

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.