Requirements for the Master of Arts (M.A.) in General Psychology
The Master of Arts in General Psychology is a 36-credit program that can be completed on a part-or full-time basis. The program serves three broad groups: students who wish to acquire knowledge in psychology to advance an already established career path; students who have an interest in future doctoral level training, but who need additional preparation to apply competitively for such a program; students who have a general interest in learning more about psychology and human behavior.
Graduates with an M.A. in general psychology may obtain employment in a range of settings including but not limited to research laboratories, mental health clinics, social work agencies, law enforcement agencies, or private industry. The M.A. in General Psychology does not provide training that leads to NY State licensure and therefore, does not lead to independent practice.
The Master of Arts in General Psychology student must take 12 courses (3 credits each), where five are required core courses in the foundations of psychology. The remaining seven are electives that allow the student to tailor course selections to their individual needs. Students may choose electives from a specific area of focus. Students may declare a Concentration in Human Resource Management or Substance Abuse Counseling.
Students who take a specific track of Human Resource Management courses, offered in conjunction with the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business, will be eligible for a Certificate in Human Resource Management in addition to their earned Master’s Degree in Psychology. Students who take a concentration in Substance Abuse Counseling will have satisfied the required 350-hour educational requirement by New York State. They will receive a Certificate of Completion and are eligible for the Credential in Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counseling Trainee certificate (CASAC-T).
Passing the Comprehensive Exam is required for students to receive their Master of Arts in General Psychology, unless they have elected to complete a Master’s Thesis Research study. In order to be eligible to take the Comprehensive exit exam, students must first take and pass the required core courses-Psychopathology, Developmental, Research, and either Consciousness and Cognition or Contemporary Views.
An Alternative to the comprehensive exam is to successfully complete and defend a Master’s Thesis, under the supervision of a full time faculty member and a secondary reader. Students are required to present their research at Adelphi University’s spring research conference.
Admission Requirements
Students are admitted to the M.A. in General Psychology on a rolling admission basis. Students may start in the fall, spring, or summer. Admission requirements for the M.A. in General Psychology program include: a minimum 3.0 GPA, two letters of recommendation; a personal essay; transcripts from all previously attended schools; a listing of grades in all undergraduate and graduate psychology courses; prerequisite courses (or equivalents): General Psychology and one additional psychology course; general GRE scores recommended (not required)