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Psychology: Master of Arts (MA)

About

Appalachian’s Master of Arts in Psychology program offers advanced study for students interested in the field of psychology, with concentrations in Experimental Psychology and Clinical Psychology.

Students interested in experimental psychology can apply directly to the MA program. The Clinical concentration is only available en route to a PsyD. Interested students should visit the PsyD Program page to learn more about that program.

  • Experimental Psychology – Students gain experience across areas of experimental psychology and learn to become researchers in a subdiscipline of experimental psychology. The program trains students to design and execute original research in the field, especially in preparation for doctoral programs. The program consists of 34 semester hours including a thesis. Course work includes coverage of the major areas of experimental psychology: biological, cognitive, developmental, learning and social psychology, as well as a selected topics course, research methodology, quantitative methods, a four-semester sequence of research-based seminar courses, and thesis research hours. Upon completion of this program, students are prepared to pursue various scientific and applied activities. Learn more
  • Clinical Psychology – The clinical psychology concentration for the MA in Psychology is only earned en route to the university’s new PsyD program beginning in Fall 2019.

Professional Licensure

The clinical psychology concentration of App State’s Master of Arts in Psychology degree program can lead to licensure or certification. App State cannot confirm whether this program will meet the requirements for professional licensure in other states or territories.

If this applies to you, check the Professional Licensure webpage for information on licensure requirements and licensing agencies in other states. Or, you may address questions to State Authorization at App State at stateauthorization@appstate.edu or 828-262-7559.

Courses

  • Graduate Bulletin and Course Catalog
    • Psychology - Clinical Psychology Concentration, MA
    • Psychology - Experimental Psychology Concentration, MA

Application Essentials

Required Entrance Exam: GRE (score must be no more than 5 years old)

Required number of references to specify in the online form: 3

Supplemental Information: Resume (Required upload for application submission); completion of approved course (or demonstrated competence in the subject matter) in General Psychology; completion of approved course in Research Methods (including statistics); statement not exceeding two pages describing the applicant's academic and professional goals (Upload on Additional Information page of application). Applicants should describe their research and identify a potential mentor from the Psychology faculty.

Basic Conditions for Consideration of Admission:  Meeting or exceeding the conditions below does NOT guarantee admission. All applications for a given entry term will be weighed based upon the number of seats available and the quality of the complete application packages. With special permission from the Graduate School, a program may admit a limited number of students with exceptional circumstances who do not meet the graduate school minimums.

Graduate School: 3.0 GPA in the last earned degree and official scores from the appropriate admission test(s), OR 2.5 GPA in the last earned degree and official scores at the 25th percentile level from the appropriate admission test(s).

Admission to Psychology: Both qualitative and quantitative aspects of applications are reviewed in comparison to the current applicant pool.

Doctoral and Terminal Degree Programs

Students have gone on to programs at these and other institutions:

  • The Ohio State University
  • University of Maryland
  • Arizona State University
  • Cornell University
  • University of South Carolina
  • University of Georgia
  • Vanderbilt University
  • Virginia Tech
  • University of Florida
  • University of Iowa
  • Kansas State University
  • Kent State
  • University of Toledo
  • East Tennessee State University
  • Wake Forest University
  • N.C. State University
  • UNC-Greensboro
  • University of Virginia
  • Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

Employers

  • Vanderbilt University
  • Wake Forest Baptist Health, Comprehensive Cancer Center
  • Drexel University
  • SAS
  • RTI International
  • MetLife
  • Kennedy Krieger Institute
  • The New York Times
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Application Deadlines

Fall Admission
April 1, priority deadline February 1 for Experimental

Want to learn more?

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Why Appalachian?

  • Strong training in the practice and science of psychology
  • Small cohorts that facilitate close faculty-student mentoring
  • Excellent placement rates for doctoral programs (Nearly 90% of applicants are successful.)

Location

On campus

Careers

  • Researchers in public, private and government organizations (i.e., animal research facilities, marketing companies, insurance companies, community colleges, research institutes)
  • Statistical Analysts in private industry
  • Doctoral Candidates

Contacts

Program Directors
Dr. Twila Wingrove, experimental track
wingroveta@appstate.edu
828-262-2272 ext. 440
Dr. Lisa Curtin, clinical track
curtinla@appstate.edu
828-262-8936

Department of Psychology

College of Arts and Sciences

  • Dr. Wiley F. Smith Department of Psychology

    Appalachian’s Dr. Wiley F. Smith Department of Psychology serves more than 1,000 undergraduate majors seeking the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in psychology, as well as 80 graduate students in three master’s programs (experimental psychology, school psychology, and industrial-organizational psychology and human resource management) and the clinical psychology (Psy.D.) doctoral program. Learn more at https://psych.appstate.edu.

  • College of Arts and Sciences

    Appalachian’s Largest College

    The College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college spanning the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. The college is dedicated to providing instruction and research essential to the university's mission and seeks to cultivate the habits of inquiry, learning and service among all its constituents.

    By the Numbers

    • 1/3 of the degrees awarded at Appalachian
    • More than 70% of general education courses are taught in the college
    • 93 majors offered
    • 53 minors offered
    • 6,411 undergraduate majors
    • More than 460 full-time faculty members
    • 41,203 living alumni
    • $8,754,800 awarded to the college in external grants during the 2020–21 academic year
    • $236,914 awarded to students through 6 collegewide scholarships and 98 departmental scholarships for the 2020–21 academic year

    Graduate Programs

    Accelerated admissions program opportunities are available in pursuing a master's degree in 12 selected areas: Appalachian Studies, Biology, Computer Science, Engineering Physics, English, Geography and Planning, History, Mathematics, Romance Languages (French/Spanish), Political Science, Psychology (Experimental Science) and Public Administration. Other master’s degrees, graduate certificates and specialist degrees are listed on Appalachian’s School of Graduate Studies website.

    Top Employment Sectors

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    • Nonprofit Organizations

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