CSULB MASTER OF ARTS IN
RESEARCH
PSYCHOLOGY
OVERVIEW
The Master of Arts, Research Option (MA-R) program
is designed to provide basic graduate education in the content areas and
research of general psychology in order to prepare for doctoral work or
for Master's level careers. It is a two year, full-time program.
The core seminars cover basic areas of psychology
including cognition, learning, physiological/sensory psychology, social,
personality, developmental psychology and quantitative methods. Students
are required to pass comprehensive examinations in three areas and complete
a research thesis.
Doctoral programs frequently prefer students with
the training and experience provided by the MA-R program. More than
half of the students completing the MA-R degree enter doctoral programs
throughout the country. Faculty members and the graduate coordinator
actively guide and assist students in the Ph.D. program selection and also
in job placement. Of those graduates who elect not to pursue a doctoral
degree the majority hold positions that make use of their training in psychology.
These include positions in community colleges, laboratories using physiological
and behavioral research methodologies, social service agencies, business,
industry and government.
The MA-R program also makes possible some degree
of specialization. Suggested clusters of courses which specialize
in content areas of general research psychology are listed below. All graduate courses have an enrollment of 15 or fewer
students, which facilitates close communication and intellectual stimulation
among participants. A total of 30 graduate units is required for
the MA-R program and it typically takes two years for a student to complete
the MA-R degree.
FACILITIES
The department has several laboratories for research
in many areas of psychology. Among these are laboratories for neuroscience,
sensation/perception, cognition, and social/personality research.
In addition, the department is equipped with state
of the art computer facilities for graduate students and faculty.
Other resources include access to psychological test materials and a video
studio.
Psychology Department * CSULB * 1250 Bellflower Blvd. * Long Beach, CA 90840-0901 * 562-985-5001