Master of Arts in Psychology (code PSY_MA01)
Master of Science in Psychology, Option in Human Factors (code PSY_MS04)
Master of Science in Psychology, Option in Industrial and Organizational Psychology (code PSY_MS05)
For information about graduate programs go to www.csulb.edu/psychology, select “Graduate Programs.”
The Department offers the following graduate programs: Master of Arts degree in Psychological Research; Master of Science degree, option in Human Factors and option in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. In each option a basic core of courses, including a thesis, is required; however, there is the opportunity for additional work in areas of special interest.
An application for admission may be obtained on the Psychology Department web site (go to www.csulb.edu/psychology, select “Graduate Programs”). Acceptance by the department is contingent upon (a) GPA based on last 60 semester units available at time of application; (b) Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores on the verbal and quantitative sections; and (c) three letters of recommendation. For entry in the fall semester, all application materials, including complete transcripts, GRE scores and letters of recommendation, must be received by the department Graduate Advisor by February 8 for the Master of Science – Industrial/Organizational option, February 21 for the Master of Arts – Psychological Research option, and March 1 for the Master of Science – Human Factors option.
Students accepted into the graduate programs may apply for graduate assistantships (which provide monthly stipends) in Psychology or related departments on campus. Federal Work Study assignments are available in the Department, but must be applied for through the University Financial Aid Office one or two semesters prior to obtaining the assignment; other aid available includes the Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF). One student from the Master of Arts – Psychological Research and the Master of Science – Industrial/Organizational Psychology programs’ entering class may be awarded a J. Robert Newman Scholarship. Boeing University Relations Human Factors Graduate Scholarship and MASA University Research Centers Scholarships are offered through the Master of Science – Human Factors program.
This is a 30-unit degree program.
Prerequisites
All students fulfill the requirements in Item #1 and choose either Item #2 or Item #3.
1. Take six units of college level work in chemistry, physics, biology or mathematics as approved by the graduate advisor. No more than three of the six units may be in approved mathematics courses.
2. A bachelor’s degree with a major in psychology that includes:
3. A bachelor’s degree with a major other than psychology and 24 units of upper division psychology substantially equivalent to those required for the baccalaureate degree at this university, including:
Advancement to Candidacy
Advancement to Candidacy is the next step after achieving classified status and confers catalog rights to graduate students. It also signifies approval of a plan of study by the graduate student’s major, department, and college.
Advancement requirements are:
Requirements
1. The student must complete, as a graduate student, 30 units of graduate coursework (501-698), 24 of which must be in Psychology (not including PSY 697) including:
2. With graduate advisor’s approval a maximum of six units from related areas may be used for six of the 30 units.
3. Attendance at six Department Colloquia, four of which must be completed prior to preliminary oral examination, all six must be completed prior to final oral examination.
4. Completion of all requirements as established by the M.A. Psychological Research Committee.
5. Comprehensive examinations taken in three of the four required graduate seminars, as outlined in 1C and 1D above.
6. A preliminary oral examination on the thesis proposal and a final oral examination in defense of the completed thesis.
Prerequisites
1. An undergraduate major in Psychology or in another field with 24 units of upper division psychology. A minimum grade point average of approximately 3.0 for the last 60 semester units (90 quarter units) and for all PSY units.
2. Take all following courses or their equivalents:
PSY 310, 331, 332
Students lacking only PSY 310 may be admitted to the program but must complete the course their first semester in attendance.
Recommended: CECS 174 or any course in computer programming; One of the following psychology courses or their equivalents: PSY 340, 341, 342.
Advancement to Candidacy
Satisfy the general requirements of the university for advancement to candidacy.
Requirements
This is a 36-unit program.
Prerequisites
Students may be admitted to the MSIO program if they lack only one required course. The missing course must be completed within the first year of graduate study. However, PSY 314 or 315 AND 351 or 453/553 must be completed prior to MSIO program entry, as they are prerequisites for the first semester MSIO program coursework. Students missing more than one prerequisite course at the time of application may be offered provisional admission if they submit an approved plan to take the missing courses prior to admission to the program.
Advancement to Candidacy
Advancement to Candidacy is the next step after achieving classified status and confers catalog rights to graduate students and signifies approval of a plan of study by the graduate student’s major, department, and college. The prerequisite to advancement are:
Requirements
