Graduate Studies in Psychology
M.A. in Psychology
For additional information contact program director:
Mission Statement
The overall goal of the Master of Arts in Psychology degree program is to educate students about the major content areas and the science of psychology. Students will attain an understanding of psychological theory and principles, an understanding of the scientific method of inquiry and data analysis, the ability to be critical consumers of psychological literature, and the ability to conduct independent research. The program helps to prepare students to integrate psychological principles and methods of inquiry in applied and/or research settings.
Objectives
- To gain knowledge of the major concepts and theoretical perspectives in psychology.
- To understand research design and analysis in psychology.
- To conduct an independent empirical research project or an original theoretical analysis.
- To write effectively and professionally about psychology.
Program Details
- A minimum of 30 credits to complete
- Small class sizes
- Evening classes available
- All classes are offered at night (no earlier than 4pm)
- Students may attend part-time or full-time (9+ credits)
- Students may gain specialized knowledge in applied areas such as health psychology, psychology and the law, or organizational psychology
- Financial aid available (see below)
Graduates of the M.A. in Psychology Program have gone on to attend Ph.D. programs, undertaken research careers, and worked in a variety of settings.
Please note: The M.A. in Psychology program does not prepare students to be a licensed psychologist. If you wish to be a licensed counselor, it is recommended that you examine the programs offered by the
Counseling and Educational Psychology Department. If you are planning to attend a Ph.D. program in clinical psychology at a later point in time, you should talk to the Directors of both programs to decide which will best fit your needs.
Admission Requirements
- A completed
application form accompanied by a fifty-dollar nonrefundable application fee.
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate records.
- Prior course work in research methods and statistics, PLUS in at least three of the following areas: cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, learning, personality theory, and social psychology. Minimum 75th percentile score on the GRE Psychology subtest may be substituted for the three additional courses.
- A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale in undergraduate course work.
- An official report of scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test.
- A statement of professional goals and how the program will help to prepare for them
- Three letters of recommendation that address potential to succeed in a graduate program. Must include at least one letter from a psychology professor or from a professional within psychology or related field.
- A plan of study approved by the advisor and appropriate dean.
- An interview may be required.
BA/MA in Psychology Admission Option
Undergraduate students matriculated at Rhode Island College can apply for conditional admission to the Master of Arts in Psychology program after completing 60 undergraduate credits. Students conditionally admitted to the MA program begin taking graduate courses after completing 90 undergraduate credits. If the student remains in good standing and continues to meet admission requirements upon completion of the undergraduate degree, they are changed to full admission to the MA program. Application requirements remain the same as above with the following exceptions: The GRE General Exam will be waived for BA/MA applications if the applicant has a 3.0 GPA overall, and grades of B or higher in all courses required for admission to the MA program. Students under the BA/MA admissions plan must complete the coursework required for admission and the 47x lab requirement prior to starting graduate level coursework. BA/MA students may count up to 9 graduate credits toward their undergraduate degree.
Click here to learn more.
Plan of Study
After being conditionally accepted into the program, applicants will be assigned an academic advisor and must consult with this advisor to develop a Plan of Study (POS). The POS lists the required and elective courses that the student will take to fulfill the requirements of the program, and is filed with the Director of Graduate Programs in the School of Arts & Sciences. The POS and all changes to the POS require prior approval of the Advisor, the department Chair, and the Dean of Arts and Sciences. FORMAL ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAM IS NOT COMPLETED UNTIL THE PLAN OF STUDY IS ON FILE IN THE GRADUATE OFFICE.
Course Requirements
Click here for course details.
Financial Aid
A limited number of graduate assistantships are available within the Psychology Department and at the College. A scholarship is available for first-year students in the M.A. in Psychology program based on merit and financial need. Inquiries should be made to the Director of the Graduate Program (psychgradprgm@ric.edu). Applications for assistantship or scholarship must be received by the March 1 deadline.
Graduate Program Policies
Students must adhere to and are responsible for following all the general policies of Graduate Programs at RIC. A copy may be obtained from the following link:
Graduate Studies Manual
For Application Form and Assistantship/Scholarship Applications:
All application forms are available at
http://www.ric.edu/facultyartssciences/Pages/Admission-Requirements-and-Application-Forms.aspx
Deadlines for admission are
March 1 and
November 1 for the following semester. Applications received after these deadlines will be considered for admission so long as there are available seats. Please note that applications received after these deadline may not be processed in time to register for the next semester.
Program Goals
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of the major concepts and theoretical perspectives in psychology.
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of research design and analysis in psychology.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to conduct independent research from project conception through data analysis and interpretation.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to write effectively and professionally about research.
