The MA in psychology is distinguished by its emphasis on basic research and the application of research to solve practical problems in families, industry, government, and health care settings. Because of the program’s proximity to Washington D.C., students have access to many employment and continuing education opportunities in research, academia, and consulting within government, public, and private settings.
The psychology MA offers the following concentrations:
- applied developmental psychology
- clinical psychology
- cognitive and behavioral neuroscience
- human factors/applied cognition
- industrial/organizational psychology
While the department does not offer a master's degree in clinical or counseling psychology, a master's degree in psychology with a concentration in clinical psychology is available for students who have been admitted to the doctoral program concentration in clinical psychology.
Admissions
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions. For information specific to the MA in psychology, see Application Requirements and Deadlines.
Provisional Admission
Students who are admitted provisionally are required to take 12 credits in psychology and earn a minimum GPA of 3.25 in those courses to qualify for removal of the provisional qualifier. Programs may add other conditions to provisional admission. Individualized study courses cannot be used toward the 12 credits.
Policies
For policies governing all graduate degrees, see Graduate Policies.
In addition to satisfying the requirements for all master's degrees, students pursuing a master's degree in psychology must successfully complete 30-32 credits of required coursework. They complete this coursework in one of five concentrations.
A maximum of 6 credits of thesis proposal and thesis research (PSYC 798 Thesis Proposal, PSYC 799 Master's Thesis) may be applied to the master's degree. A maximum of 9 credits of thesis courses (PSYC 798 Thesis Proposal, PSYC 799 Master's Thesis), Directed Reading and Research (PSYC 597 Directed Reading and Research), and Practicum (PSYC 792 Psychology Practicum) may be applied to the degree.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: 30-32
Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.
Choose one concentration and complete the requirements therein.
For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
Concentration in Applied Developmental Psychology (APD)
The concentration in applied developmental psychology focuses on child development. It provides basic knowledge about normal development, skills for assessing developmental level, and techniques for planning and evaluating programs that foster optimal development. Graduates are prepared for employment at agencies concerned with educational and health programs for children, enrichment programs for infants and preschoolers, and education programs for parents.
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 704 | Life-Span Development | 3 |
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Cognitive Bases of Behavior | ||
| Biological Bases of Human Behavior | ||
| Social Bases of Behavior | ||
| Emotional Bases of Behavior | ||
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Quantitative Methods
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 642 | General Linear Modeling I | 4 |
| PSYC 643 | General Linear Modeling II | 4 |
| Total Credits | 8 | |
Developmental Specialized Content
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Cognitive and Perceptual Development | ||
| Language Development | ||
| Developmental Psychopathology | ||
| Social and Emotional Development | ||
| Applied Developmental Psychology | ||
| Special Topics 1 | ||
Other developmental courses chosen with advisor approval | ||
| Total Credits | 6 | |
- 1
When topic is Adolescent Development, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Child Development and Social Policy, Executive Function(s) Development, or developmental in content with advisor approval.
Thesis or Practicum/Research Experience
Choose either a thesis or practicum/research experience (4 credits)
Thesis Option
The thesis includes a combination of PSYC 798 Thesis Proposal/PSYC 799 Master's Thesis. Per the University Catalog, at least 3 hours must be PSYC 799 Master's Thesis; these 3 hours must be taken the first semester in which PSYC 799 Master's Thesis is registered. Thus, this is generally a combination of 1 credit of PSYC 798 Thesis Proposal and 3 of PSYC 799 Master's Thesis.
Students should be aware of the policies governing theses. They must follow the thesis enrollment policy of the university and once enrolled in PSYC 799 Master's Thesis, maintain continuous enrollment. See Academic Policies.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 4 credits from the following: | 4 | |
| Thesis Proposal | ||
| Master's Thesis (minimum of 3 credits) | ||
| Total Credits | 4 | |
Practicum Option
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 4 credits from the following: | 4 | |
| Psychology Practicum (take 3 credits) | ||
| Directed Reading and Research (take 1 credit) | ||
| Total Credits | 4 | |
Professional Seminar
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Two credits of 1 | 2 | |
| Seminar in Professional Psychology | ||
| Total Credits | 2 | |
- 1
Students should take 1 credit in fall and 1 credit in spring of their first year.
Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 4 credits in consultation with your advisor | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 4 | |
Students complete the 30 credits required for this degree through additional coursework, including courses not listed above, within or outside the department, with prior approval of the graduate advisor.
Concentration in Clinical Psychology (CLN)
The clinical psychology concentration trains students to have flexibility to fill the evolving functions of clinical psychologists, including research, direct provision of clinical services, supervision, program development and evaluation, and consultation.
The clinical psychology MA concentration is not a terminal degree. Students who have been admitted to the doctoral program with a concentration in clinical psychology may apply to receive the MA in psychology on completion of 31 credits of coursework. Students must also be in good standing in the program, as determined by the director of clinical training.
Foundation Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 810 | Psychological Assessment I | 4 |
| PSYC 811 | Psychological Assessment II | 4 |
| PSYC 822 | Scientific Foundations of Clinical Psychology I | 3 |
| PSYC 864 | Foundations of Evidence-Based Psychotherapy | 3 |
| Total Credits | 14 | |
Practicum Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 861 | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Youth | 3 |
| PSYC 862 | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adults | 3 |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Advanced Statistics and Research Methods
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 644 | Methods for Social Research | 3 |
| PSYC 642 | General Linear Modeling I | 4 |
| PSYC 643 | General Linear Modeling II | 4 |
| Total Credits | 11 | |
Concentration in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience (CBNR)
The concentration in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience focuses on studying biological substrates of behavior. Core and affiliated faculty study areas as diverse as neural control of behavioral development; animal models of learning and memory and their disorders (such as Alzheimer's); human brain systems involved in cognition, perception, human error, decision making, and movement; the relation of neural activity to human performance; and cognitive aging. A focus of the program is on translational neuroscience-complementary study of neural systems in humans and animals, including application of animal research to human behavior.
Specialized Content
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 531 | Mammalian Neurobiology | 3 |
| or NEUR 603 | Mammalian Neuroanatomy | |
| PSYC 558 | Neuronal Bases of Learning and Memory | 3 |
| or PSYC 685 | Cognitive Neuroscience | |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Additional Course
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Neuroimaging | ||
| Behavioral Chemistry | ||
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Quantitative Methods
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 642 | General Linear Modeling I | 4 |
| PSYC 643 | General Linear Modeling II | 4 |
| Total Credits | 8 | |
Electives
Students complete the 30 credits required for the degree through additional credits of coursework, including courses not listed above within or outside the department, with prior approval of the graduate advisor.
Some options for fulfilling this requirement:
PSYC 592 Special Topics
PSYC 892 Special Topics in Psychology
NEUR 602 Cellular Neuroscience
NEUR 689 Topics in Neuroscience
BIOL 585 Eukaryotic Cell Biology Laboratory
BIOS 740 Laboratory Methods in Functional Genomics and Biotechnology
Practicum, Research or Thesis
Students may choose to do either a 6 credit Psychology Practicum, a 6 credit research experience or a thesis. All options require at least 6 credits total. Students should be aware of the policies governing theses. They must follow the thesis enrollment policy of the university and once enrolled in PSYC 799 Master's Thesis, maintain continuous enrollment. See Academic Policies.
Psychology Practicum Option
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 792 | Psychology Practicum | 6 |
Psychology Research Option
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 597 | Directed Reading and Research | 6 |
Thesis Option
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
| Thesis Proposal | ||
| Master's Thesis (minimum of 3 credits) | ||
Concentration in Human Factors/Applied Cognition (HF)
The human factors/applied cognition concentration trains students in the application of cognitive science to real-world problems. Students gain expertise in such areas as human/computer interaction, cognitive system engineering, cognitive ergonomics, and transportation. Faculty members help place students who do not have real-world experience in a part- or full-time practicum before completing the degree.
Core Course
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 737 | Psychology of Human-Technology Interaction | 3 |
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Quantitative Methods
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 642 | General Linear Modeling I | 4 |
| PSYC 643 | General Linear Modeling II | 4 |
| Total Credits | 8 | |
Specialized Content
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 530 | Cognitive Engineering: Cognitive Science Applied to Human Factors | 3 |
| PSYC 645 | Research Methods in Human Factors and Applied Cognition | 3 |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Additional Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select two courses from the following: 1 | 6 | |
| Seminar in Human Factors and Applied Cognition | ||
Topics may include: Python for Psychologists, Eye Tracking, Usability & Product Design, Other topics introduced by the program | ||
| Advanced Topics in Cognitive Science | ||
Topics may include: Cognitive Neuroscience of Attention, Individual Differences in Cognition and Performance, Ergonomics, Human-Systems Interaction, Affect and Performance, Technology, Stress, and Work, Other topics introduced by the program | ||
| Total Credits | 6 | |
- 1
These courses may be repeated.
Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Students complete the 30 credits required for this degree through additional coursework, including courses not listed above, within or outside the department, with prior approval of the graduate advisor. | 0-7 | |
| Total Credits | 0-7 | |
Optional Practicum
Students need an advisor's approval to register for practicum.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Six credits of | 6 | |
| Practicum in Applied Psychology | ||
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Optional Thesis
Students need the chair's approval to register for thesis. Students should be aware of the policies governing theses. They must follow the thesis enrollment policy of the university and once enrolled in PSYC 799 Master's Thesis, maintain continuous enrollment. See Academic Policies.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
| Thesis Proposal | ||
| Master's Thesis | ||
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Concentration in Industrial/Organizational Psychology (IO)
The industrial/organizational psychology concentration trains students in the conduct and application of psychological research in work settings. Expertise can be developed in a variety of areas, including personnel selection, training, leadership, motivation, and human performance assessment.
Statistics
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select at least 11 credits of the following: | 11 | |
| General Linear Modeling I | ||
| General Linear Modeling II | ||
| Psychometric Methods | ||
or PSYC 633 | Evaluative Research in Psychology | |
| Total Credits | 11 | |
Survey of Content
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 636 | Survey of Industrial-Organizational Psychology | 3 |
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Specialized Content and Optional Thesis
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Complete 15 credits from the following: | 15 | |
| Organizational Change and Development | ||
| Industrial and Personnel Testing and Evaluation | ||
| Training: Psychological Contributions to Theory, Design, and Evaluation | ||
| Techniques in Industrial/Organizational Psychology | ||
| Behavior in Small Groups and Teams | ||
| Personality: Theoretical and Empirical Approaches | ||
| Social Bases of Behavior | ||
| Issues in Personnel Psychology | ||
| Psychology of Work Motivation | ||
| Careers | ||
| Behavior and Performance at Work | ||
| IO Psychology and Legal Issues in Employment Discrimination | ||
| Seminar in Industrial/Organizational Psychology | ||
Other graduate courses with permission of I/O faculty | ||
| Optional Thesis | ||
An optional thesis of 6 credits can be used toward the specialized content requirement. | ||
Students need the chair's approval to register for thesis. Students should be aware of the policies governing theses. They must follow the thesis enrollment policy of the university and once enrolled in PSYC 799 Master's Thesis, maintain continuous enrollment. See Academic Policies. | ||
| Thesis Proposal | ||
| Master's Thesis (at least 3 credits required) | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Professional Development
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select at least 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Practicum in Applied Psychology | ||
| Special Topics in Psychology | ||
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Psychology, BA or BS/Psychology, Accelerated MA (Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Concentration)
Overview
Highly qualified undergraduates may be admitted to the bachelor's/accelerated master's program and obtain a BA/BS in Psychology and an MA in Psychology, with a concentration in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience, in an accelerated time-frame after satisfactory completion of a minimum of 138 credits.
See AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees for policies related to this program.
Students in an accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6. Graduate Policies.
BAM Pathway Admission Requirements
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions Policies and Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree policies. For information specific to this accelerated master's program, see Application Requirements and Deadlines.
Students will be considered for admission into the BAM Pathway after completion of a minimum of 60 credits, and completion of 12 hours of psychology coursework including one of the following combinations of courses:
PSYC 300 Statistics in Psychology
PSYC 372 Biopsychology
OR
PSYC 300 Statistics in Psychology
PSYC 375 Brain and Sensory Processes and PSYC 376 Brain and Behavior
Students are strongly encouraged to have obtained previous research lab experience and to have one reference letter from the faculty member who will serve as their advisor.
Students who are accepted into the BAM Pathway will be allowed to register for graduate level courses after successful completion of a minimum of 75 undergraduate credits.
Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements
Students already admitted in the BAM Pathway will be admitted to the MA program, if they have met the following criteria, as verified on the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition form:
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.25
- Successfully meeting Mason's requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and completing the application for graduation.
Accelerated Pathway Requirements
To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, undergraduate students interested in taking graduate courses must choose from the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Standing courses (up to 12 credits) | ||
| PSYC 531 | Mammalian Neurobiology | 3 |
| or NEUR 603 | Mammalian Neuroanatomy | |
| PSYC 558 | Neuronal Bases of Learning and Memory | 3 |
| or PSYC 685 | Cognitive Neuroscience | |
| PSYC 555 | Neuroimaging | 3 |
| PSYC 559 | Behavioral Chemistry | 3 |
| PSYC 592 | Special Topics 1 | 1-6 |
| Reserve Graduate Credit courses (up to 6 credits) taken while an undergraduate and will only count for the graduate degree program | ||
| PSYC 531 | Mammalian Neurobiology | 3 |
| or NEUR 603 | Mammalian Neuroanatomy | |
| PSYC 558 | Neuronal Bases of Learning and Memory | 3 |
| or PSYC 685 | Cognitive Neuroscience | |
| PSYC 555 | Neuroimaging | 3 |
| PSYC 559 | Behavioral Chemistry | 3 |
| PSYC 592 | Special Topics 1 | 1-6 |
| PSYC 642 | General Linear Modeling I | 4 |
- 1
When topic is Animal Behavior, Biological Bases of Alzheimer's Disease, Human Brain Stimulation, Cognitive Electrophysiology or Comparative Cognition. Can be repeated if topic differs.
For more detailed information on coursework and timeline requirements, see AP.6.7.Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree policies.
Program Outcomes
- Students will be able to summarize and critically evaluate theoretical and empirical literature within a relevant domain of psychology.
- Students will be able to effectively analyze a set of data to answer questions relevant to solving important practical problems in science, policy, and/or practice.
- Students will be able to communicate psychological knowledge in their area of specialization to a variety of audiences.
- Students will understand ethical principles of discipline and act in an ethical manner with respect to research and practice.