Psychology (M.A.)

The M.A. Psychology is only available as part of the accelerated B.A./M.A. program and thus not open for admission to students outside of UNH.

The Department of Psychology offers an accelerated B.A to M.A in experimental psychology that can be accomplished in a total of 5 years.  The basic goal of the program is the development of behavioral scientists who have a broad knowledge of psychology and can carry out sound research in an area of specialization. Although some students seek employment outside academia, the program is oriented toward developing the skills required by the research psychologist who intends to seek admission to a non-clinical Ph.D. program. Students who wish to apply to this program should submit a complete graduate application to the graduate school during the fall or spring of the student's third year. As well, they should arrange to work with a particular faculty member who will serve as a preceptor for the Paper of Publishable Quality - Thesis project.

Areas in which the student may specialize are brain, behavior and cognition; developmental psychology; or social psychology/personality. The department does not offer training in clinical or counseling psychology.

The first step toward applying to the program is to contact a faculty member whose research is in a topic that matches your interest in order to arrange support for your thesis or paper of publishable quality. Interested students must submit a full graduate application to the graduate school during their junior year.

For additional information, please contact the department at 603-862-2360 or at psyc-grad.admission@unh.edu.

Degree Requirements

The M.A. requires a minimum of 30 graduate credits.

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Most students complete the master’s research project in the form of a PPQ. Those selecting the thesis option should note that the thesis deadlines for the final oral and submission of the final thesis copy are about three weeks earlier than the deadlines for the PPQ option.

Accelerated Master's Overview

Accelerated Master’s programs offer qualified University of New Hampshire undergraduate students the opportunity to begin graduate coursework in select graduate programs while completing a bachelor’s degree. Accelerated master's programs are designed to provide students with an efficient and cost-effective pathway to earn both a bachelor's and master's degree or graduate certificate, enhancing career opportunities and long-term earning potential. 

Accelerated Master's Highlights

• Begin studying advanced topics while an undergraduate student with the opportunity to complete a master’s degree or graduate certificate early.
• Master’s degree program students: Earn up to 12* graduate (800-level) course credits while completing a bachelor’s degree. This coursework will count as dual-credit toward both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
• Graduate certificate program students: Earn up to 8* graduate (800-level) course credits while completing a bachelor’s degree. This coursework will count as dual-credit toward both the bachelor’s degree and the graduate certificate.
• Students complete the bachelor’s degree, and then officially matriculate into the master’s or graduate certificate program to complete the remaining required graduate-level coursework.

*Some exceptions apply. 

Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements

• A minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA is required.*
• A minimum of 90 undergraduate credits must be completed prior to enrolling in graduate (800-level) courses.
• Streamlined Graduate School Application (two letters of recommendation; most standardized tests and application fee are waived).*

*Some exceptions apply.

Accelerated Master's Requirements

• Students must attend a mandatory orientation session.
• Students must submit a special registration form each semester for dual-credit courses and note any DegreeWorks exceptions.
• Students may defer graduate matriculation for up to one year after earning their bachelor’s degree in most programs.
• See the Accelerated Master’s Catalog Policy and Accelerated Master’s Website for additional information and a list of programs. Note that some programs have additional requirements (e.g. higher-grade expectations) compared to the general policy.

Psychology (M.A.) Accelerated Option

This graduate degree program is approved to be taken on an accelerated basis in articulation with the following undergraduate program(s): 

Additional Information

The accelerated B.A. to M.A. program in experimental psychology aims to:

1. Improve opportunities for excellent undergraduates to prepare for competitive Ph.D. programs or add an additional credential before entering a competitive job market; and
2. Allow students interested in experimental psychology to advance and further specialize their psychology education in only one additional year at UNH.

The Psychology M.A. requires completing a minimum of 30 graduate credits. Twelve (12) credits will count towards both the bachelor's and master's degree. This coursework counts as electives and does not count towards the core requirements for the undergraduate program. Students must fulfill all programmatic requirements for the master's degree program, as well as fulfill all programmatic requirements for the bachelor's degree.

Sample Degree Plan Bachelor's/Master's

¹

12 credits of the MA (PSYC 805 Research Methodology and Statistics I,  PSYC 806 Research Methodology and Statistics II, Advanced Seminar) will also count as elective credits towards the undergraduate program.

²

Most students complete the master’s research project in the form of a PPQ. Those selecting the thesis option should note that the thesis deadlines for the final oral and submission of the final thesis copy are about three weeks earlier than the deadlines for the PPQ option.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Have a mastery of the field of psychology sufficient to teach introductory courses in psychology.
• Demonstrate an understanding of statistics and research design, and the ability to evaluate the quality and implications of scientific research by completing a research project (supervised by a faculty member).
• Write empirical research reports and literature reviews in American Psychological Association style.
• Demonstrate competence in oral communication and understanding of scholarly research by giving a conference style presentation.
• Assessment: Each student presents an oral defense of their Masters Thesis or paper of publishable quality.