How to Get a Master's Degree in Psychology and Behavior

If you enjoy working with people and are interested in the mental processes that drive behavior, a career in psychology may be a good fit. Psychology affects all aspects of our lives, from how we learn to how we make decisions, and a master's degree in psychology trains students to apply psychological principles to people's everyday lives.

The field of psychology and behavior encompasses several specializations, many of which offer their own master's degree programs. While licensing requirements vary by state, a master's degree in psychology (or a specific discipline, such as marriage and family therapy) is usually required to begin working as a counselor. Be sure to check your state's licensing requirements up front to determine the required level of education. Even if you don't have the time or resources to return to school full time, a Web-based graduate school program may allow you to earn a master's degree online without leaving your current job. Whatever field you decide to specialize in, a master's degree is often the first step to a rewarding career in psychology.

An Overview of the Master's Degree in Psychology

Most master's degree programs in psychology require at least two years of full-time study and involve a combination of classroom and clinical experience. Depending on the program and area of specialization, a master's degree in psychology can have the following technical names:

• Master of Arts (MA): Common for clinical counseling programs
• Master of Science (MS): Common for psychology, human behavior, or forensic psychology specializations
• Master of Education (MEd): Common for school counseling programs

Master's in psychology programs generally require students to take a set of core courses in addition to courses in their area of specialization. Because research is an important part of the psychology field, psychology students must also learn statistics and research methods. Many master's degree programs require students to culminate their degree with an original research paper or project.

After graduating from a master's degree program, psychology students are prepared to begin working in a supervised environment. Most states require counselors to complete a given number of supervised clinical hours before they can begin practicing on their own. Whether you decide to pursue a traditional graduate program or earn a master's degree online, you can expect to take courses in human growth and development, career development, counseling techniques, assessment, social and cultural diversity, relationships, and research and program evaluation.

How to Choose a Program

With dozens of traditional and online psychology master's programs to choose from, deciding which schools to apply to can feel like a daunting task. The purpose of this guide is to take the guesswork out of the process, so you can feel confident in your final application decisions. Using this step-by-step approach, you can methodically evaluate your choices and create a final list based on preliminary requirements, academic interests, and program features.

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How to Get a Master's Degree in Psychology and Behavior

If you enjoy working with people and are interested in the mental processes that drive behavior, a career in psychology may be a good fit. Psychology affects all aspects of our lives, from how we learn to how we make decisions, and a master's degree in psychology trains students to apply psychological principles to people's everyday lives.

The field of psychology and behavior encompasses several specializations, many of which offer their own master's degree programs. While licensing requirements vary by state, a master's degree in psychology (or a specific discipline, such as marriage and family therapy) is usually required to begin working as a counselor. Be sure to check your state's licensing requirements up front to determine the required level of education. Even if you don't have the time or resources to return to school full time, a Web-based graduate school program may allow you to earn a master's degree online without leaving your current job. Whatever field you decide to specialize in, a master's degree is often the first step to a rewarding career in psychology.

An Overview of the Master's Degree in Psychology

Most master's degree programs in psychology require at least two years of full-time study and involve a combination of classroom and clinical experience. Depending on the program and area of specialization, a master's degree in psychology can have the following technical names:

• Master of Arts (MA): Common for clinical counseling programs
• Master of Science (MS): Common for psychology, human behavior, or forensic psychology specializations
• Master of Education (MEd): Common for school counseling programs

Master's in psychology programs generally require students to take a set of core courses in addition to courses in their area of specialization. Because research is an important part of the psychology field, psychology students must also learn statistics and research methods. Many master's degree programs require students to culminate their degree with an original research paper or project.

After graduating from a master's degree program, psychology students are prepared to begin working in a supervised environment. Most states require counselors to complete a given number of supervised clinical hours before they can begin practicing on their own. Whether you decide to pursue a traditional graduate program or earn a master's degree online, you can expect to take courses in human growth and development, career development, counseling techniques, assessment, social and cultural diversity, relationships, and research and program evaluation.

How to Choose a Program

With dozens of traditional and online psychology master's programs to choose from, deciding which schools to apply to can feel like a daunting task. The purpose of this guide is to take the guesswork out of the process, so you can feel confident in your final application decisions. Using this step-by-step approach, you can methodically evaluate your choices and create a final list based on preliminary requirements, academic interests, and program features.

Step 1: Make a Comprehensive List

Your first task in the application process is to make a comprehensive list of master's degree programs that meet your basic requirements. This step shouldn't require any in-depth research, and websites like WorldWideLearn.com can help you perform a broad search of existing programs. For each program you find, evaluate the following attributes to see if the program meets your basic graduate school requirements:

Accreditation

For a school or degree program to become accredited, it must undergo peer review and meet the quality standards of a regional or national accrediting agency. While some schools choose not to seek accreditation, you should be careful and perform extra research when considering an unaccredited master's program. To find out whether or not a graduate program is accredited, check the U.S. Department of Education's "Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs."

Educational Format
Before listing possible programs, decide which educational format is best for you. Taking your schedule and career goals into account can help you decide between an on-campus, online, or hybrid program.

Schedule
Will you work full time while earning your master's in psychology, or will you be a full-time student?

Full-time Job: If you plan to work full time while earning your degree, an online master's degree program may make the most sense. Online programs offer flexible class schedules and give you access to course materials around the clock, so you can earn a master's degree online without sacrificing income.

Full-time Student: If you don't need to work full time while earning your master's in psychology, you may enjoy a traditional, on-campus program. As a full-time student, you'll have time to take advantage of on-campus resources and engage in the campus community.

Career Goals
Do you plan to use your master's degree to establish a career as a psychology professional, or do you hope to enter academia as a PhD student or researcher?

Professional: Online degree programs serve professional career goals by allowing you to work and enhance your resume while earning a degree.

Academic: If you hope to enroll in a PhD program or work in a research lab after earning your master's in psychology, an on-campus program can give you valuable exposure to top-notch facilities and the academic community.

Location
For on-campus and hybrid master's degree programs, location can be a limiting factor. Unless you would consider relocating to attend your dream school, limit your search to online grad schools or programs within commuting distance.

After assessing your basic requirements and performing a search for schools, you should have a substantial list of possibilities. For your next step, you should dig deeper into each program and discover those that align with your interests.

Step 2: Narrow Your Focus

Because the field of psychology and behavior includes a variety of specializations, not all psychology master's programs will fit your academic interests and career goals. At this point in the research process, take some time to evaluate where your true interest lies--do you see yourself as a school counselor, or would you rather work with lawyers as a forensic psychologist? The following concentrations are among the most common offered by psychology master's degree programs:

• Clinical Psychology: Clinical psychologists focus on the treatment of mental, behavioral, and emotional disorders. Some clinical psychologists focus on a specific illness or age group, while others treat a wide variety of patients.
• School Counseling: School counselors work with students of all ages to help them assess their abilities, find motivation, and cope with the pressures of school life.
• Mental Health Counseling: Mental health counselors work with individuals and groups to address problems of depression, stress, low self-esteem, anxiety, and other mental and emotional health problems. They often work in group settings and collaborate with psychologists and psychiatrists.
• Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counseling: Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors offer support and coping strategies to individuals struggling with addiction or behavioral disorders. They often counsel groups and create recovery plans for patients battling drugs, alcohol, gambling addiction, or eating disorders.
• Marriage and Family Therapy: Marriage and family therapists specialize in family dynamics and relationships between couples. Rather than focusing on the individual, they assess how family members interact with one another and try to foster communication.
• Educational Psychology: Educational psychologists study how effective learning takes place. They consider factors such as teaching style, student motivation, and the effect of race and culture on a student's learning environment.
• Forensic Psychology: Forensic psychologists apply psychological principles to legal matters. They often help judges and attorneys evaluate child custody cases, assess the mental competence of defendants, and interpret eyewitness testimonies.
• Industrial/Organizational Psychology: Industrial/organizational psychologists use psychology to evaluate ideal work environments for employees. They often work as human resource specialists or management consultants to increase productivity and employee satisfaction.

It's clear that there are many different specializations and careers within the psychology and behavior field. Use school websites, admissions counselors, and course catalogs to learn more about programs that offer the specialization you want to pursue. When you've finished your research, eliminate schools from your list that don't offer courses in your field of interest.

Step 3: Finalize Your List

Once you have a list of schools that meet your academic requirements and career goals, it's time to compare the programs to one another to make any final cuts. The list you arrive at should reflect programs that align with your academic goals and offer a reasonable chance of acceptance. When evaluating what each school has to offer, consider the following attributes:

• Faculty: Whether you earn a master's degree online or attend an on-campus program, you get a valuable opportunity to connect with instructors and establish lasting relationships. School websites offer basic information about faculty members, and you can use library search engines to search professors' publication records. Make a note of instructors whose academic interests are compatible with your own.
• Reputation: A graduate program's reputation can come into play later when applying for jobs, so ask others in your industry which programs they recommend.
• Graduation and Placement Rates: School websites, admissions counselors, and alumni officers can often provide information about program graduates, including what percentage successfully graduate and what industries they tend to enter.
• Funding: Well-funded programs offer advantages like top-notch technology, expert faculty, student funding, and increased course offerings, so try to get a sense of which psychology programs on your list are well funded. You can research funding by talking to financial aid officers, visiting the campus, and considering the number of course offerings and faculty members.
• Acceptance Rate: Unfortunately, many of the best funded programs with flawless reputations are also the hardest to get into, so consult school websites and admissions officers to determine what percentage of applicants are accepted. You can use the average GPA, GRE scores, and experience level of successful candidates to assess your own chances.

Your final list should reflect a group of programs that meet your basic requirements, align with your academic interests, and have a lot to offer. After you have a manageable list, you're ready to start the application process!

How to Apply for a Master's Degree Program in Psychology and Behavior

With the research stage complete, you're ready to start applying to master's in psychology programs. Most master's degree applications require several components, including test scores, letters of recommendation, transcripts, and essays, so planning ahead is essential for staying organized and stress free. You should give yourself at least six months to complete all of the application requirements, which often include the following:

• Testing: Some master's degree programs require applicants to submit scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), which tests applicants' verbal, mathematics, and writing skills. You should give yourself at least two or three months to study for this exam.
• Letters of Recommendation: You may be asked to submit up to three letters of recommendation written by former professors, employers, or co-workers. Thoughtful letters can make a difference, so be sure to ask your recommenders for their help well ahead of time.
• Transcripts: You'll need to submit official transcripts from any postsecondary school you've attended. Admissions committees consider your GPA and courses taken when making their decision.
• Personal Statement: Also called a "statement of purpose," your personal statement should express why you want to earn a master's in psychology and what you can bring to the program.
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV): Many master's degree programs want to evaluate your former work experience using a resume or CV.

Application requirements and deadlines vary from program to program, so be sure to read carefully and be aware of due dates. By taking the time to submit thoughtful applications, you can increase your chances of admission and give yourself options down the road.

Aiming for a Career in Psychology and Behavior

A master's degree in psychology opens the door to a variety of careers, including school counseling, mental health counseling, forensic psychology, addiction counseling, and other psychology professions. Not only do counselors establish steady careers, they enjoy a sense of fulfillment through improving the lives of their patients. Whether you earn a master's degree online or attend a traditional, on-campus program, you can develop the skills to help others and build a career you're passionate about.

Sources

• American Psychological Association, Getting Ready to Work in Psychology
• American Psychological Association, Some of the Subfields in Psychology
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Counselors
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Psychologists
• Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology, Application Materials
• U.S. Department of Education, Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs

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