Psychology (MS)
The Department of Psychology offers two pathways to a master’s degree: in-person or online. Self-motivated students who are pursuing a specific area of study and interested in advancing to doctoral candidacy can participate in our in-person Individualized Master’s Program. Students interested in a career in the social service fields, or professionals working in those fields, can pursue a degree online through our online master’s in psychology program.
Graduate students seeking masters-level training will have a variety of professional goals. The Psychology program provides two separate opportunities: Online Master's Degree Program and Individualized Master's Degree Program. Our general learning outcomes and assessments are listed below, but these may vary in their detail according to the primary career aims of the student.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Professional Ethics: Demonstrate knowledge of ethical and professional behavior related to academic and research integrity.
- Core Knowledge: Demonstrate a working knowledge of major theories, research findings and methodological approaches within Psychology.
- Data Analysis: Demonstrate a working knowledge of analytical and statistical techniques.
- Scientific Inquiry: Achieve a deep fluency in the scientific literature and compelling questions within a primary field of research, and (for empirical research studies) achieve proficiency in relevant experimental design, methodology, and data analysis/statistical methods.
- Scientific Communication: Demonstrate effective written scientific communication skills.
Online Master’s Degree Program
The Online Master’s in Psychology program is designed to benefit people with bachelor’s degrees working in community-based organizations and public agencies that address social and mental health needs. This terminal master of science (MS) degree requires 50 credits of coursework distributed over 6 consecutive term (9 credits per term), including summer. All courses are delivered asynchronously online. Students receive advanced training in program evaluation and the brain science of development and behavior change and complete a capstone research project. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to (a) evaluate current interventions delivered in their home agencies, (b) make informed selections of evidence-based programs to deliver, and (c) have a working knowledge of the basic psychological and neural processes at play in their clients as they participate in behavior change programs. This program does not provide clinical training.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 615 | Community Needs Assessments | 4 |
| PSY 616 | Implementation with Community and Cultural Perspectives | 3 |
| PSY 619 | Intervention Science | 4 |
| PSY 628 | Methods of Program Evaluation | 4 |
| PSY 630 | Translational Neuroscience in Early Childhood | 3 |
| PSY 631 | Translational Neuroscience in Adolescence | 3 |
| PSY 632 | Translational Neuroscience in Adulthood | 3 |
| PSY 672 | Trauma Informed Interventions | 3 |
| PSY 690 | Capstone Research | 17 |
| Choose Two Electives From The Following: | 6 | |
| Seminar: [Topic] (Child Psychology and Neurological Development) | ||
| Seminar: [Topic] (Special Topics in Neuroscience) | ||
| Seminar: [Topic] (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Research and Policy) | ||
| Fast Program Refinement | ||
| Substance Use and Addiction | ||
| Total Credits | 50 | |
Individualized Master's Degree Program
The individualized master’s degree program does not lead to a PhD. This program is designed to provide advanced training for a small number of individuals who have a clearly focused research interest and an academic plan. Unlike other master’s programs, this program is not designed for general master’s level training in psychology. We expect persons entering the master’s program to be highly self-motivated, with the goal of acquiring conceptual and research skills appropriate to their own work plans. Each program of master’s study will be tailored to the individual student’s goals within the discipline, so long as it satisfies core master’s degree requirements. This program does not provide clinical training.
The master of science (MS) requires 45 credits of work. Program requirements and application information may be obtained from the department website. Clinical training is not available in the master’s program.
- 45 credit hours in courses approved for graduate credit
- 24 of the 45 credits must be UO graded graduate credits (B- or higher)
- 30 of the 45 credits must be Psychology graduate credits
- 9 of the 45 credits must be in 600-level courses
- 2 approved graduate-level statistics courses (grade of B- or higher)
- Psy 607 Sem Research Ethics
- Completion of an approved research paper or thesis
- Maintain a UO Cumulative Graduate-Level GPA of 3.0 or higher
The Department expects that most students will complete the Master's degree in 1-2 years