Psychological Sciences, Master of Arts

In addition to University Requirements:

• Complete individual plan requirements.

Minimum Units for Completion	36
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.
Progression Plan Link	View Program of Study

Student Learning Outcomes

Purpose Statement 

The MA program in the Department of Psychological sciences provides graduate students with advanced disciplinary training which equips students for entry into doctoral training programs, employment in a burgeoning behavioral health field, and positions that require sophisticated training in methodological procedures and quantitative reasoning.  From completion of core courses, all program students demonstrate proficient competencies in methodological design and intermediate-level statistical application; these skills are subsequently woven into 1) students' faculty-supervised research (including research dedicated to the completion of a thesis as well as additional non-thesis research), 2) opportunities for supervised applied experiences, such as program evaluation, field work/internship placements through local behavioral and mental health organizations, and 3) professional development experiences, such as teaching or statistical consultation, that benefit students in both employment and doctoral training programs.  
 
Students who enter the program find a solid and expansive curriculum which is designed to be completed in two academic years.  Foundational courses, such as those in research design and statistics, include closely-supervised theoretical and laboratory-based opportunities.  Students are mentored in how to present and discuss research proposals and disciplinary-focused content relevant to coursework and their own research or applied interests.  Students have a choice to complete either a thesis (under the direction and mentorship of a faculty member) or a nonthesis applied project, such as working with a faculty member and director of a local agency to complete a needs assessment or program evaluation.  The majority of students who enter the program report an interest to doctoral psychology programs.  Doctoral-bound students complete a thesis under the supervision of a faculty member and often collaborate with a second faculty member for additional research experience.  Depending on students' interests, research skills and content mastery can be developed in disciplinary arenas that are individually focused (e.g., cognitive, perceptual, physiological), based on ecological models of self and other (e.g., social-connectedness, mental health and wellness), or targeted toward population-based behavioral health (e.g., social epidemiological approaches).

Student Learning Outcomes

The Department of Psychological Sciences offers Master’s level graduate training in evidence-based science and application with the following opportunities:

• Preparation for doctoral study or the workforce through advanced training in research design and statistics, incorporating effective oral and written communication skills.
• Evidence-based experiences in one or more applied domains (e.g., research, teaching, field work, program evaluation, practice); these can be pursued with or without the completion of a thesis. 

Upon completion of a Master’s degree in Psychological Sciences, graduates will be able to:

1. Identify, evaluate, and synthesize empirical, refereed scientific evidence. Graduates will demonstrate these skills through advanced coursework in psychological sciences.
   • Identify appropriate scope of primary source scientific evidence using bibliographic resources such as PsycINFO and PubMed).
   • Evaluate, contextualize, and make inferences about the quality of the evidence.
   • Synthesize by comparing and contrasting evidence across studies to create a defensible, systematic argument that supports the conclusions regarding the strength of the evidence in that domain.
2. Demonstrate master’s level proficiency in research design and analysis.
   • Demonstrate technological literacy with analytic software (e.g., Excel, SPSS, SAS,
     NVivo, and other research-related software), data management (e.g., data cleaning, data screening, missing data), and data security.
   • Understand, apply, and evaluate quantitative and/or qualitative methodological approaches to a research problem.
   • Understand, apply, and evaluate statistical (e.g., ANOVA, regression models, meta-analysis, single-subject design) and/or other data analytic techniques (e.g., content-analysis, grounded theory, inductive thematic analysis, narrative analysis) including best practices with regard to statistical and analytical procedures and reporting.
3. Understand, follow, and promote the highest disciplinary standards within the psychological sciences.
   • Incorporate ethical principles into research (e.g., treatment of human subjects, research
     integrity and transparency) and practice (e.g., teaching, community service, applied settings).
   • Demonstrate ongoing professional conduct (e.g., professional communication, academic honesty) with colleagues, mentors, students, and laypersons.
4. Apply the skills developed through the program in professional development as well as one or more contexts (e.g., research, teaching, field work, program evaluation, practice) as listed below.
   • Demonstrate ongoing professional development.
   • Collaborate and contribute effectively in a research environment.
   • Develop, evaluate, and/or provide services to the broader community (e.g., promoting health, evaluating programs).
   • Develop and/or implement pedagogically sound teaching practices.

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 36 units from the following:
   

• Statistics and Research Methods (9 units):

  • PSY 625, PSY 673 (6 units)
  Select one from the following:
  • PSY 666, PSY 667, PSY 725 (3 units)

•  

  Area courses (minimum 15-21 units):
  
  Select additional courses from the following:

  • PSY 620, PSY 621, PSY 622, PSY 623, PSY 633, PSY 635, PSY 636, PSY 650, PSY 665, PSY 666, PSY 667, PSY 670, PSY 678, PSY 725 (18 units)
  Select either the Thesis or Non Thesis option to complete degree requirements:
  
  Thesis Option (6-12 units):
  • PSY 685 (with a limit of 6 units toward degree)
  • 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. (3-6 units)
  Non Thesis Option (6-12 units):
  • PSY 608 or PSY 685 (3 units)
  • PSY 679 (3 units)
  • Additional electives approved in consultation with your Graduate Curriculum Committee. 
  Be aware that all classes are not offered every semester.

   

• 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.

---