Requirements for a Master’s in Psychology

A master’s in psychology degree program may serve as a steppingstone on the path to future doctoral study and/or an opportunity to study relevant skills and knowledge in preparation for pursuing potential career paths in the field. This article will begin by exploring whether there is a difference between Master of Science (MS) and Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology programs and then move on to exploring the nitty-gritty details of how to earn a master’s in psychology, specifically, master’s in psychology requirements for admission and program completion.

MA vs. MS in Psychology: What Is the Difference?

One of the first decisions confronting any learner who would like to earn a master’s in psychology is whether to pursue an MA or MS. Unfortunately, there is no rule that can sum up the differences in MA vs. MS in Psychology degree programs in a way that holds true in all cases. For example, one school’s MS in Psychology degree program may be designed to help learners prepare for clinical practice, while another school’s MS degree program may instead be designed to help learners develop foundational skills and knowledge applicable to non-clinical settings.

So, rather than excluding MA or MS in Psychology degree programs based on generalizations, expand your search instead, and try to look at each master’s in psychology program from a fresh perspective. Ask yourself whether the curriculum will cover topics that you are interested in and whether you could emerge from the program with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue your academic goals.

CalSouthern’s MS and MA in Psychology Degree Programs

California Southern University offers both MA and MS degree programs in psychology.

MA in Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy: This online degree program is designed for learners who hold a bachelor’s in psychology or a related field and who are interested in pursuing a career path as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) and/or as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). Courses cover an array of topics, including psychological theories, assessment, diagnosis, interventions and evidence-based practices.

MS in Psychology: The MS in Psychology online degree program is also designed for learners who hold a bachelor’s in psychology or a related field. It focuses on scientific research applicable to non-clinical settings and offers learners the option to select a degree specialization in Advanced Addiction Studies, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Pastoral Counseling or Sport Psychology.

Both master’s degree programs are designed to help learners develop the educational foundation needed to pursue future doctoral study (PsyD) at CalSouthern.

Master’s in Psychology Admission Requirements/Prerequisites

To apply to a master’s degree program at CalSouthern, prospective learners must submit the following:

• The Enrollment Application for Admission
• Official transcripts from previously attended educational institutions, military training and for College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or DANTES Subject Standardized Test Program (DSST) results (if applicable).
• A copy of the certified DD‑214 or 5454R Military Evaluation (if applicable).
• The application fee.

Prerequisites for the master’s-level psychology degree programs at CalSouthern also include holding a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field from an accredited or approved post-secondary institution. Additional documents may be required for international students.

Master’s in Psychology Program Requirements

CalSouthern offers both MA in Psychology and MS in Psychology degree program options. The MA degree program may be a better fit for learners who wish to pursue opportunities in clinical practice, while the MS degree program may be more suitable for those who wish to apply psychological skills and knowledge in non-clinical settings.

MA Coursework

Learners in the MA in Psychology degree program must complete 60 credit hours of coursework. The curriculum comprises required courses only (i.e., there is no elective option/requirement). A psychology practicum is required, and the practicum courses account for 9 credits out of the required 60. For the MA in Psychology, no master’s dissertation or master’s thesis is required.

Practicum requirement

Practicums are field experiences for future clinicians that provide opportunities to apply psychological knowledge and theories in supervised, real-world clinical settings. Master’s in psychology degree programs may or may not include a practicum requirement.

Learners in CalSouthern’s MA in Psychology degree program must complete three practicum courses—Practicum I, II and II. These courses provide an opportunity to utilize various counseling theories and techniques and practice interpersonal skills while working with individuals, couples, families and/or groups in a supervised setting.

MA in Psychology: Additional Requirements

In addition to the above, graduate learners pursuing an MA in Psychology must fulfill a personal therapy requirement. Between the date of enrollment and prior to the practicum, learners must complete 16 hours of individual personal therapy. This requirement is intended to help learners develop a deeper understanding of personal factors that could potentially affect their performance as clinicians.

MS Coursework

Learners in the MS in Psychology degree program must complete 42 credit hours of coursework. The curriculum requires a combination of core courses, elective courses, an applied course or a practicum and completion of a master’s thesis on a psychology-related topic that makes a significant contribution to the field and/or the learner’s discipline.

Applied Concepts or Supervised Practicum in Advanced Addiction Studies

After completing all academic requirements for the MS program (except for the master’s thesis), most learners are required to complete PSY 6802 Applied Concepts. This course requires learners to apply psychopathological constructs, counseling theories and ethical considerations that they have previously studied in the program.

Learners enrolled in the Advanced Addiction Studies (AAS) concentration are required to fulfill a psychology practicum requirement in lieu of the Applied Concepts course. AAS learners must instead complete PSY 7508, Supervised Practicum in Advanced Addiction Studies, which provides an opportunity to gain experience interacting with members of diverse populations in a supervised clinical setting approved by California Southern University.

MA vs. MS in Psychology

Learners in the MS in Psychology degree program are also required to complete a master’s thesis. PSY 6899 is a required six-credit course designed to help the graduate learner prepare for the development of their master’s thesis. In this course, the learner will identify a problem in the field of psychology and a plan for conducting a literature review of the subject that will lead to the problem’s resolution.

¹ Many factors can impact your time to completion such as course loads, course extensions or repetitions, transfer or proficiency credits, and approved leaves of absence. The program length provided does not include these adjustments. Program completion time also depends on an individual learner’s time needed to complete required practicum courses and/or concentration selected.
² CalSouthern cannot guarantee employment, licensure, salary, or career advancement.

Not all programs are available to residents of all jurisdictions.

REQ2069767 9/2024