Psychology, M.A.

The degree of Master of Arts in Psychology is designed as a general experimental psychology track to prepare students for employment in a related field and/or to continue their graduate studies at the doctoral level. Students iattend on a full-time basis.

Students must maintain a semester grade point average of 3.000 or higher to remain in good standing. The degree of Master of Arts in Psychology will be awarded only to candidates who have completed all coursework and attained a GPA of 3.000 or higher and have both successfully defended their thesis and demonstrated their knowledge of the general field of psychology during an oral comprehensive exam. The oral exam is administered in the spring semester of the second year. There is a 6-year time limit to complete all program requirements. If the thesis has not been defended after the second year of enrollment in the Master’s program, the student is expected to be enrolled in PSYC 790 , Continuous Major Research (3 credit hours) each Fall and Spring semester until the thesis is defended and deposited in the library or the student has reached the 6 year limit for the Master’s program.

Admission Requirements

In order to apply, all materials must be received by the annual February 1st deadline.

Go to http://www.xavier.edu/psychology-grad/experimental-admission.cfm to reference the specific admission requirements.

Summary List of Admission Requirements for MA in Psychology

To be eligible for admission, applicants should submit the following items to the School of Psychology before the February 1st deadline:

A completed application form either by paper or on-line at https://www.xavier.edu/apply/grad/.
Non-refundable $35.00 application fee.
One copy of all official transcripts from all previous colleges and universities attended. (A minimum 3.000 overall undergraduate grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) and a minimum 3.000 average in all Psychology courses is required.)
Three letters of recommendation.
Resume or vita.
A written personal statement (2-3 pages) that provides the opportunity to introduce yourself to the School and give reasons for pursuing a graduate degree at Xavier, as well as possible plans after completion of studies.
GRE scores: General Knowledge (verbal, quantitative and analytical) area is required. Psychology Subject Test is required for those without psychology as their undergraduate major or minor.
A completed Application for Financial Assistance form for possible financial aid, if interested.
Any other information that might aid in the selection process.

A minimum of 18 semester undergraduate hours in psychology is required which must include courses in general psychology, statistics, research methods class, and psychology tests and measurements. Courses in college mathematics are also recommended as a preparation for graduate studies. An undergraduate course in industrial-organizational psychology is necessary for students pursuing the industrial/-organizational program. At times, a personal interview may be required by the Admissions Committee of the School of Psychology. Any other questions regarding the program should be directed to the School of Psychology Assistant Director for Enrollment and Student Services at 513 745-1053, or the Director of the specific program to which the student intends to apply.

Grading Policy

Grades are based on a student’s performance meeting the standards established and communicated in writing by the professor of the course. A semester grade point average of 3.000 or higher is required for a student to remain in good standing. Any student whose semester (Fall, Spring, Summer) GPA falls below 3.000 or who earns a grade of “C (including C+)” or “F” in any 2 credit hour course will be placed on “WARNING” by the Dean of the College of Professional Sciences and remains on WARNING throughout the remainder of the program. Once on warning, any student whose semester (Fall, Spring, Summer) GPA falls below a 3.000 may be dismissed. In addition, once on warning, any student who earns a grade of “C” or “F” in any course is subject to dismissal. A student who earns a grade of “C” or lower in 4 hours or more of course credit in one semester may be subject to dismissal immediately. The following interpretation of letter grades is used by the department A=excellent, B=good, C=minimal, and F=failure. Faculty may use a +/- system in grading. Students receiving a “C” in a course may be required to retake the course or do additional work to satisfy specific deficiencies. This will be determined by the professor of the course and will be discussed with the student and his/her advisor. The student may be required to register for a one hour tutorial (PSYC 900) to complete the necessary remedial work, for which he/she must earn a grade of “Pass” to fulfill the requirements for the additional work. The work must be completed by the student during the following academic semester. Students receiving an “F” in a course are required to retake the course. A cumulative GPA of 3.000 or higher is required for graduation, based on a 4.000 scale. An A=4 points, a B=3 points and a C=2 points. Pluses and minuses alter the merit points by .3.

Requirements for M.A. in Psychology

The program embraces a 45-credit hour requirement extending over two full-time academic years. Three themes run through the program and are reflected below:

1. General Psychology

Four core courses that help assure basic knowledge within the general field of psychology (12 credit hours).

PSYC 506 - Social Aspects of Behavior

PSYC 509 - Cognitive Aspects of Behavior

PSYC 502 - History & Philosophical Issues

PSYC 608 - Integrative Life Span Psychology

2. Research

Other core courses reflect the importance of a research foundation in psychology (15 credit hours).

PSYC 511 - Advanced Statistics I

PSYC 512 - Advanced Statistics II

PSYC 520 - Computer Statistical Language I

PSYC 521 - Computer Statistical Language II

PSYC 621 - Advanced Research Design & Analysis

PSYC 699 - Master’s Thesis (6 credit hours)

3. General Experimental Concentration

18 credit hours of related elective courses to fit student’s professional interests.

Thesis

The required thesis carries 6 credit hours and takes the form of an empirical research study. Under the supervision of an advisor, the student develops a thesis proposal and presents this to a three member committee made up of faculty members and/or interested psychologists from the Cincinnati community. Upon completion, the student presents the thesis to the same committee. A single final grade is assigned to the thesis.

Language Requirement

Students must demonstrate proficiency in a computer language, typically gained through the courses PSYC 520 and PSYC 521, Computer Statistical Language I and II.