Why Earn an MA in Psychology?

Some reasons you may want to choose our program:

• To be sure of your chosen field of study before applying to a doctoral programs in psychology.
• To strengthen your application for doctoral programs by getting valuable research experience, adding to your knowledge base, and/or improving your grades. 
• This program's required empirical MA thesis is valued by PhD programs as it bears on an applicant's research potential.
• The research skills acquired through the program's MA thesis are valued in a variety of fields that make use of and conduct behavioral research. These include social service non-profit organizations, as well as marketing, and advertising companies. 
• Because having the degree will give you a raise, promotion, or allow you to apply to new jobs. 
• To expand your knowledge in an area that interests you. 

MA Program in General Psychology (30 credits)

Students are exposed to the various aspects of psychology, but may focus their courses, independent study and thesis research in one of the three content areas described below:

• Applied and Evaluative Psychology
  Faculty research interests include topics in personality, psychopathology, theories of therapeutic methods, group dynamics, biofeedback, health and gender, stress and stress management, substance use, tests and measurements. The department does not offer supervision in counseling or therapy.

• Social, Cognitive and Developmental Psychology
  Faculty research interests include multicultural issues, cognitive and linguistic development, discursive social psychology, gender and cognition, attitudes, political psychology, psycholinguistics, decision-making, and memory functions in different populations.

• Biopsychology and Comparative Psychology
  Faculty research interests include hormonal influences on and neural control of avian, mammalian and fish behaviors; mechanisms of drug abuse; developmental neuroscience; color vision; animal learning, orientation and communication. Students interested in comparative psychology and animal behavior may elect to complete a concentration in the area (see below).

Program Requirements

The Psychology program consists of 30 credits (12 credits of required coursework, 9 credits across the 3 breadth areas and 9 elective credits). Students satisfy the breadth requirement by taking a 3-credit course in each of the three content areas listed below. Students can choose courses from any content area to fulfill the elective requirements. All courses listed carry three credits.

I. Required Core Courses (3 cr. each): 12 credits

II. Breadth Requirement (3 cr. each): 9 credits

Choose one course in each of the following three content areas:

*PSYCH 64600 is recommended for MA General Psychology students.

III. Elective Courses (3 cr. each): 9 credits

Students can choose courses from any content area to fulfill the elective requirements.

Templates for Coursework and Roadmapping

Click here for the Masters in General Psychology Program Tracker

Graduate Level Psychology Courses Available for Non-Degree Students

The MA Program in General Psychology invites students interested in taking advanced psychology courses at Hunter to register.

Minimum requirements: Bachelor's degree, 12 credits in Psychology and an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.
For more information, please contact the MA program advisor Ms. Nicolina Steinoff at gr_psych@hunter.cuny.edu.

Click here for the Graduate Non-Degree Admission Application

Contact

Interim Graduate Advisor: Nicolina Steinhoff, M.A.
Email: gr_psych@hunter.cuny.edu

For more information on Graduate Admissions at Hunter College, please click here.