Master of Arts in Psychology

Request Info
Application Deadlines
  • Spring 2027 Priority Deadline: November 5, 2026
  • Spring 2027 Regular Deadline: December 3, 2026

Please note there is no application fee for graduate applications submitted by the Priority Deadline.

The MA in Psychology online degree program prepares students for employment opportunities and advanced studies that require a deeper understanding of behavior motivations, along with strong research, communication, and teamwork skills. The program’s fully online format makes it the first and only degree of its kind offered at the City University of New York (CUNY). The online format allows students to read course materials, participate in class discussions, and complete assignments on a more flexible schedule. 

Students specialize in one of two areas:

Industrial/Organizational Psychology: The study of human behavior in organizations and in the workplace including recruitment, training, performance management, quality of work life, and organizational development.

Developmental Psychology: The study of human growth throughout the entire lifespan, from infancy through adulthood.

Students in this program:

  • Acquire knowledge of core concepts, theories, and applications in three of the following five areas: learning and cognition, biological bases of behavior, social behavior, theories of personality, and psychopathology.
  • Gain in-depth knowledge of at least one of the following specializations in psychology: Industrial/Organizational Psychology or Developmental Psychology.
  • Show mastery of all phases of the research process in psychology, including:
    • Locating, synthesizing and critically evaluating information related to a specific research question
    • Generating testable research hypotheses and related research designs
    • Enaging in data collection activities that reflect professional practices, standards, and requirements
    • Analyzing data and displaying results using appropriate statistical procedures and software
  • Identify and apply ethical standards in the conduct of human subject and animal research.
  • Articulate values and act in ways that are respectful of cultural differences and diversity at local, national, and global levels.

Career and Academic Prospects

Graduates of the Master’s Degree in Psychology are prepared for a range of careers and job opportunities in human and social services, personnel and training, human resources, marketing and market research, as well as research and data analysis, among others. The program also prepares students for further graduate study should they choose to apply to doctoral programs after completing the master’s degree. 

Note: This program has two concentrations, Developmental Psychology and Industrial / Organizational Psychology, neither of which qualifies graduates to practice as a Clinical Psychologist, Counseling/Marriage, Family, and Child Therapist, or as a School Psychologist nor does it qualify students for licensure by the State of New York, which requires a doctoral degree (in most cases) among other requirements. However, students may choose this program as a terminal degree or as a bridge to a doctoral program.

Scholarship Opportunities

Meet Some of Our Faculty

Request Info

Academic Director, Psychology

Full Curriculum Apply Now

Admissions Criteria

Applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Applicants are required to write a personal statement, upload a resume, and provide a letter of recommendation. Letters of recommendation may be submitted before or after submitting an application. Please note that an individual interview may be necessary.

Students are not required to have an undergraduate major in Psychology, but they must have completed courses in Introductory Psychology, Statistics, and Research Methods with grades of B or better. Applicants without this coursework may be admitted to the program conditionally and required to take courses before matriculating.

Transfer of Credit Policy

In general, we will consider up to six credits (2 classes) for transfer. 

Application Deadlines

  • Spring 2027 Priority Deadline: November 5, 2026
  • Spring 2027 Regular Deadline: December 3, 2026
Apply Now

Student/Alumni Profiles

Headshot

Greg DeLillo

MA in Psychology

"I hope to synergize the master’s program with my undergraduate degree in order secure a job that allows me to help protect the United States from future attacks."
Nikia Isaac

Nikia Isaac

MA in Psychology 2018

"The most important thing I’ve learned at CUNY SPS is to trust yourself and what you have to offer.”
Headshot

Kendall Harford

MA in Psychology

"I look forward to asking questions and learning how to do the research to get them answered. I have so many ideas running around in my head, and knowing that I will one day have the educational background to be able to put them into practice is really exciting."

Recent news about Master of Arts in Psychology

What It Means to Be a “Floater Friend”—and Why It Can Feel So Lonely

July 06, 2026

Real Simple

In this Real Simple feature story, CUNY SPS Psychology program faculty member Dr. Lauren Mahoney is frequently quoted for her expert testimony. The article examines people who have multiple social circles, or "floater friends." As Dr. Mahoney points out, “Being a floater friend can absolutely be a strength. These individuals are often socially intelligent, emotionally perceptive, adaptable, curious, and capable of connecting with people from very different backgrounds." But sometimes floater friends can feel that they lack the deeper friendships people often need for support. According to Dr. Mahoney, “We need to feel remembered, prioritized, emotionally safe, understood, and valued for who we are rather than for the role we play.” However, she also points out that if the floater friend feels fulfilled with their diverse social life, then there is "nothing to fix."

A Full-Circle Cycle

July 02, 2026

CUNY SPS blog

This post from the CUNY SPS blog is the first segment of the new “Alums Making the Grade” series. The Q&A feature profiles CUNY SPS alum Dr. Steven Samrock (MA Psychology ‘18), who will be returning to CUNY SPS in the fall to teach at his alma mater.
Dr. Steven Samrock, MA in Psychology alum and CUNY SPS Professor

CUNY SPS Alum Shares Inspiring Story at Psychology Speaker Series Event

July 01, 2026

CUNY SPS alum Dr. Steven Samrock recounts his rich and varied path in the latest segment of the Psychology Program's series, "A Day in the Life." Dr. Samrock, who returns to CUNY SPS this fall as a faculty member, credits that varied background for deepening his clinical insight.

Parenting May Permanently Improve Brain Health for Mums and Dads

June 24, 2026

NewScientist

CUNY SPS Psychology programs faculty member Dr. Lauren Mahoney is quoted in this NewScientist report on changes in the brain that result from parenting. These changes, which may ultimately even stave off Alzheimer's disease, are a direct result of the parent's brain adapting as the parent develops child-rearing skills. “The brain is becoming more specialised, rather than impaired,” said Dr. Mahoney. “[It] appears to prioritise information that is relevant to caregiving, threat detection, emotional interpretation and rapid environmental monitoring.”

How Peer Mentors Combat Summer Melt

June 15, 2026

Inside Higher Ed

In this Inside Higher Ed article, Morgan Wong, a CUNY SPS student who is pursuing a master's degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, is featured as a Bridge Coach in CUNY's College Bridge for All program. Wong, who has been in the University-wide program for four years, helps graduating high school seniors navigate the transition to college and draws on her own experience as a NYCPS alum to build trust with the students she mentors.