The Master of Arts in Psychology blends scientific theory and principles with academic research, scholarly and technical writing, and applied skills. This online degree program emphasizes the factors related to human behavior, including lifespan development, social and cultural diversity, personality, human relations, and organizational functioning with concentrations available in general psychology, developmental/personality psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, military and trauma psychology, and child life. Through the online classroom, you will interact with peers and instructors who share your passion for the field of psychology. This MA in Psychology has professional application for business, nonprofit, law enforcement, healthcare, research, and child and family services. The degree may also be preparation for further graduate study.
This program does not provide licensure to engage in clinical practice, preparation for licensure, or professional certification.
This program has specific admission requirements.
Degree Program Objectives
In addition to the institutional and degree level learning objectives, graduates of this program are expected to achieve these learning outcomes:
- Demonstrate a broad knowledge of psychology’s core domains, an understanding of psychology as a science, and advanced knowledge in an area of concentration.
- Evaluate research questions and methodology to solve contemporary problems, based on a critical review of psychological and other scientific literature.
- Develop defensible ethical decisions and behaviors based on the Ethical Principles of the American Psychological Association.
- Deliver ideas in a clear and professional manner appropriate to an audience and consistent with style expectations of the American Psychological Association.
- Accurately identify gaps in own knowledge and abilities, and then accept and use constructive feedback to improve academic performance.
- Evaluate own cultural competency and how biases and assumptions can influence how someone interacts with people with diverse identities and backgrounds.
Programmatic Admission Requirements
For this program, the following is required, proof of which must be provided prior to course registration:
- Minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
- An undergraduate degree in psychology or a completed bachelor's degree in another discipline with credit in the following foundational courses:
- Introduction to psychology or general psychology: a course designed to introduce students to the broad discipline and study of psychology, its key historical and contemporary events, publications, practices, and perspectives.
- Research methods in psychology: a course in which students learn how to develop sound laboratory and field behavioral science research protocols.
- Statistical methods in psychology: a course that focuses how to statistically analyze and interpret laboratory and field behavioral science research results. Note: One course that focuses on both statistical and research methods in psychology may be used to fulfill both of the above course requirements.
- For those wishing to pursue the Child Life concentration, an additional prerequisite of a Child Development course covering any age range from birth to 18 (but not all ages) is required.
- A signed Statement of Understanding (SOU) acknowledging that this program does not lead to certification or licensure.
Preadmission courses completed at the undergraduate level must be grade C or better; B or better at the graduate level.
Please visit our AMU or APU graduate admission page for more information on institutional admission requirements.
Need help?
If you have questions regarding a program’s admission requirements, please contact an Admissions Coach at 877-755-2787 or info@apus.edu.
Degree at a Glance
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | 21 | |
| Select one concentration from the following: | 12-15 | |
| Final Program Requirements | 3 | |
| Elective Requirements | 0-3 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 39 | |
Degree Program Requirements
Core Requirements (21 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC503 | Introduction to Scholarly and Technical Writing 1 | 3 |
| PSYC510 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| PSYC601 | Qualitative Methods in Social Science Research | 3 |
| PSYC602 | Quantitative Methods in Social Science Research | 3 |
| PSYC550 | Professional Ethics and Standards | 3 |
| PSYC502 | Tests and Measurements | 3 |
| PSYC610 | Multicultural Issues in Human Behavior | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 21 | |
| 1 | Required as the first course in this program. |
Students must choose a concentration for this degree program and may select from a General Concentration, Concentration in Child Life, Concentration in Cyberpsychology, Concentration in Developmental/Personality Psychology, Concentration in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, or Concentration in Military and Trauma Psychology.
General Concentration (12 semester hours)
The General Concentration allows students to select from a variety of course offerings in various specialties in the field. Coursework provides students with a broad understanding of theory, principles, research, and ideas across multiple psychological domains.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
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Examine historical and contemporary trends occurring across multiple domains of theory, research and practice within the field of psychology.
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Apply core concepts of psychology to normal and abnormal individual, social, cultural, and organizational functioning.
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Construct discipline-relevant research proposals.
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Evaluate scholarly resources pertinent to the discipline.
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Write competently in accordance with the standards of the American Psychological Association;
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Investigate professional opportunities, responsibilities and challenges experienced by practitioners within the discipline.
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Apply the Ethical Principles of the American Psychological Association.
Concentration Requirements (12 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select 4 courses from the following: | 12 | |
| Learning and Cognition | ||
| Introduction to Industrial/Organizational Psychology | ||
| Social Psychology | ||
| Disaster Psychology | ||
| Organizational Behavior | ||
| Leadership and Change | ||
| Crisis and Emergency Intervention | ||
| Deployment Psychology | ||
| Personality and Counseling Theories | ||
| Physiological Psychology | ||
| Substance Abuse and Addiction | ||
| Psychopathology | ||
| Total Semester Hours | 12 | |
Concentration in Child Life (15 semester hours)
The Child Life Concentration allows students to focus on rigorous study of Child Life theory, practice and application. Coursework will promote development of skills needed to work with children and families during times of acute or chronic illness or trauma while preparing students to complete the academic requirements for the Certified Child Life Specialist credential. There are additional requirements regarding clinical hours that the University does not provide and students must secure their own placement. Additional information on those clinical requirements can be found at www.childlife.org.
Note: Completion of this program does not award any professional certifications.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Explore advanced child life theory and practice.
- Discuss the issues faced by children and their families during times of acute or chronic illness or trauma to include physical, developmental as well as psychological impact.
- Gain professional-level academic training in the field of Child Life.
- Apply evidence-based, developmentally appropriate practices to support children and their families during times of acute or chronic illness.
Concentration Requirements (15 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HDFS501 | Advanced Child Life Theory and Practice | 3 |
| HDFS502 | Therapeutic Play | 3 |
| HDFS503 | Death, Dying and Grief - A Child’s Perspective | 3 |
| HDFS540 | Family Systems | 3 |
| PSYC509 | Child Development | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 15 | |
Concentration in Cyberpsychology (12 semester hours)
Cyberpsychology is an emerging subfield within psychology that examines the relationship and implications of artificial intelligence and other technology on human interaction and behavior. This graduate concentration provides students from any disciplinary background with an understanding of the interface between technology and human behavior as viewed through the lenses of marketing, cyberintelligence, psychology, ethics, and the law.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Describe the role and importance of cyberpsychology to human interaction and behavior
- Compare and contrast different modalities of cybercrime
- Apply general principles of law and ethics to online/digital behavior
- Demonstrate the use of psychological tools in informational/deceptive practice
Concentration Requirements (12 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC506 | Cyberpsychology: Where Psychology and Technology Meet | 3 |
| PSYC507 | Social Science Perspectives on Cyberdeviance | 3 |
| LSTD517 | Law, Ethics and Cybersecurity | 3 |
| INTL653 | Deception, Propaganda and Disinformation | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 12 | |
Concentration in Developmental/Personality Psychology (12 semester hours)
The concentration in Developmental/Personality Psychology provides students with in-depth study of theory and research associated with normal and abnormal human development and personality. The topics associated with lifespan development, psychopathology, substance abuse and counseling are addressed.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
-
Compare and contrast major theories of personality and developmental psychology.
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Analyze the impact of development and personality on interpersonal relationships.
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Describe normal and abnormal development and personality, including diagnoses and treatments of the major forms of psychopathology.
Concentration Requirements (12 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC520 | Personality and Counseling Theories | 3 |
| PSYC620 | Substance Abuse and Addiction | 3 |
| PSYC526 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| PSYC509 | Child Development | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 12 | |
Concentration in Industrial/Organizational Psychology (12 semester hours)
The concentration in I/O psychology explores psychological topics related to organizational and workplace settings including, among others: motivation, organizational culture, leadership, and workplace assessment.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
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Apply psychological theory and research to various scenarios in workplace settings.
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Evaluate organizational culture and structure in the context of understanding and responding to organizational and individual employee needs.
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Effectively apply leadership principles to personal and professional settings.
Concentration Requirements (12 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC512 | Introduction to Industrial/Organizational Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC640 | Advanced Topics in Industrial/Organizational Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC521 | Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| PSYC522 | Leadership and Change | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 12 | |
Concentration in Military and Trauma Psychology (12 semester hours)
The concentration in Military and Trauma Psychology prepares students to have a strong understanding of psychology topics uniquely associated with military and trauma settings. Students will focus on learning about disaster management, leadership, deployment, and emergency intervention.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
-
Recognize and define the unique psychological constructs associated with the military experience.
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Apply psychological theory and research to effective leadership in military positions.
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Analyze best practices in response to military related challenges such as PTSD, impact of deployment on families, or disaster management.
Concentration Requirements (12 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC630 | Crisis and Emergency Intervention | 3 |
| PSYC513 | Deployment Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC514 | Disaster Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC522 | Leadership and Change | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 12 | |
Final Program Requirements (3 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC699 | Integrative Capstone Project in Psychology 1 | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 3 | |
| 1 | Taken once all other requirements have been met. |
Elective Requirements (0-3 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select any graduate courses not already taken to fulfill the requirements listed above. | 0-3 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 0-3 | |