CSUF Department of X
Department of Psychology
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Dept. of Psychology

2576 E. San Ramon ST11

Fresno, CA 93740

Phone: 559.278.2691

Fax: 559.278.7910

 

M.A. students may select an emphasis in one of the following areas:
  • General Experimental
  • Cognitive
  • Developmental
  • Social/Personality
  • Pre-Clinical
  • Or, with an advisor, construct a specialized area of emphasis

The Master's of Arts (M.A.) program in Psychology offers a choice of experimental (cognitive, social/personality, developmental) or pre-clinical emphasis. Students completing this program receive a thorough grounding in psychology as an empirical science. Both experimental and pre-clinical students are prepared in the foundations necessary to successfully enter and complete doctoral programs - broad scholarship, quantitative methods, experimental design, psychological theory and research experience. About half of previous M.A. program graduates have continued their studies in academic or applied doctoral programs; others work in program evaluation, administration and junior college teaching.

Although in years past a Master's degree in Psychology was sometimes sufficient to allow one to work in applied settings (e.g., performing counseling and therapy), the contemporary practice of Clinical Psychology in California and most other states requires at least a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D., or equivalent) along with additional supervised training and experience. Applicants who intend to seek the Master's degree in Psychology as a direct means of gaining entry into the human services job market should not apply to the Master of Arts in Psychology program, but instead seek further information from CSUF's Department of Social Work Education or the Department of Counseling and Special Education.

Please go to the "Prerequisites" page under Graduate Overview for a list of the prerequisites for this program.