MA in Psychology

Program Description | Admission | Degree Requirements | Courses

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Program Description

The MA in Psychology concentrates on the scientific sub-disciplines of psychology. It does not provide training in the delivery of psychological services, but it does allow more flexibility than do our other programs. Thus, students are provided the opportunity to pursue their personal academic and research interests, and concentration in other fields such as Criminal Justice and Business are possible. Both a thesis track and a non-thesis option are available.

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Admission

Requirements for admission include:

1. 18 hours of coursework in undergraduate Psychology that includes a course in Research Methods and a course in Statistics;
2. a minimum of a 3.0 undergraduate grade point average;
   
3. three letters of recommendation;
   
4. a statement of personal interests and goals;
5. submission of scores on the General Test of Graduate Record Examination (GRE);
6. submission of a Graduate Studies Application and fee;
7. submission of official transcripts from the baccalaureate detree-granting institution; and
8. submission of scores on the Psychology Subject Test of the GRE is recommended but not required.

Ordinarily, the most useful letters of recommendation come from university faculty who are able to describe the applicant’s potential for success in graduate study. The Department does not use a recommendation form but rather asks referees to send letters on their own letterhead. Please submit all documents to:

Office of Graduate Studies
Box 2478 SHSU
Huntsville, TX  77341-2478

Students admitted to the Master’s programs in Psychology at SHSU have average undergraduate GPAs of 3.5 and average GRE scores (Verbal & Quantitative combined) of 1091. Those whose scores are not that high still may wish to apply. We recognize that students do not always demonstrate their potential for professional success through such traditional criteria. We seek promising students from all backgrounds who will enhance our program and, later, professional psychology. High test scores and grades do not guarantee acceptance, and students whose lower scores are offset by other exceptional qualifications may be admitted. In any case, all applications must be complete (with transcripts, GRE scores, letters, and a personal statement of interests and goals) before any admission decision is made.

Students are admitted each fall and are expected to begin their studies during the fall semester. The application deadline for admission is February 15. Complete applications are evaluated immediately after the deadline and offers of admission are made as quickly as possible. Please note that several of our admission requirements, policies, and deadlines differ from those of other programs at SHSU.

Inquiries about the Psychology Master’s programs may be directed to:

Jeffrey S. Anastasi, Ph.D.
Coordinator of PSY Master’s Study
Department of Psychology and Philosophy
Sam Houston State University
Box 2447
Huntsville, TX 77341-2447
Telephone: (936) 294-3049
Email: jeff.anastasi@shsu.edu

Information and materials are also available at https://www.shsu.edu/~psy_www/GradMA.html.

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Degree Requirements

Plan 1 - MA in Psychology (Non-thesis)

Item	Requirement	Options	Hours Required
1	Specified Courses	Choose all from: PSY 531 <PSYC 5331> Graduate Seminar in General Psychology PSY 532 <PSYC 5332> Advanced Social Psychology PSY 536 <PSYC 5336> Advanced Cognitive Psychology PSY 560 <PSYC 5360> Advanced Physiological Psychology PSY 581 <PSYC 5381> Advanced Learning Theory PSY 587 <PSYC 5387> Advanced Statistics PSY 588 <PSYC 5388> Introduction to Experimental Design PSY 597 <PSYC 5397> Advanced Developmental Psychology	24
2	Electives	Choose four from: Graduate courses in an approved field1	12
TOTAL			36

Notes:

1	Selections should be made in consultation with the Graduate Advisor and cannot include PSY 595 <PSYC 5395>, PSY 596 <PSYC 5396>, nor any thesis courses.

 

Plan 2 - MA in Psychology (Thesis)

Item	Requirement	Options	Hours Required
1	Specified Courses	Choose all from: PSY 532 <PSYC 5332> Advanced Social Psychology PSY 536 <PSYC 5336> Advanced Cognitive Psychology PSY 560 <PSYC 5360> Advanced Physiological Psychology PSY 581 <PSYC 5381> Advanced Learning Theory PSY 587 <PSYC 5387> Advanced Statistics PSY 588 <PSYC 5388> Introduction to Experimental Design PSY 597 <PSYC 5397> Advanced Developmental Psychology	21
2	Electives	Choose three from: Graduate courses in an approved field1	9
3	Thesis	Choose all from: PSY 698 <PSYC 6398> Thesis I PSY 699 <PSYC 6399> Thesis II2	6
TOTAL			36

Notes:

1	Selections should be made in consultation with the Graduate Advisor and cannot include PSY 595 <PSYC 5395>, PSY 596 <PSYC 5396>, nor any thesis courses.
2	Once enrolled in PSY 699 <PSYC 6399> Thesis II, students must enroll in this course in every semester until graduation.

 

Students in all of our Master’s programs must pass a written Comprehensive Exam at the close of their training in order to obtain an MA degree. Students must be enrolled in the University during the semester or summer session in which the comprehensive exam is administered.

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Courses

Psychology (PSYC)

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