Master of Arts in Psychology

Format: Online
Application Deadlines
  • Spring 2024 Priority Deadline: November 2, 2023
  • Spring 2024 Regular Deadline: December 7, 2023

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

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 two letters 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 2024 Priority Deadline: November 2, 2023
  • Spring 2024 Regular Deadline: December 7, 2023
Apply Now

Student/Alumni Profiles

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.”

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."

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."

Recent News About Master of Arts in Psychology

Cover of American Psychologist

Looking Within: Elevating Black Scholarly Contributions to Empirical Approaches in Developmental Science

September 18, 2023

American Psychologist: May-June 2023

Isabelle Elisha, associate director for the Psychology program, collaborated with CUNY alum Juliana Karras and CUNY professor Martin Ruck to publish “Looking Within: Elevating Black Scholarly Contributions to Empirical Approaches in Developmental Science” in the May-June issue of American Psychologist. The article explores how Black scholars have designed, applied, and promoted nuanced approaches to the study of human growth and development.
Photos of CUNY SPS faculty and psychology professionals Dr. Mahoney and Dr. Paisha-Zaidi

Latest Installments of Speaker Series Connect Students with Educational Psychologists

September 07, 2023

In two talks offered as part of the Day in the Life speaker series, Dr. Mahoney and Dr. Pasha-Zaidi spoke about their careers in educational psychology.

Speakers Share Their Stories at CUNY SPS First-Generation Student Event Held In Spring 2023

Latest Installments of First-Gen Student Series Provide Career Toolbox And Guidance from Professors

August 17, 2023

In two events held this spring, guest speakers and faculty offered career networking and confidence-building tips for first-generation students.

CUNY SPS Student Smiling While Talking to Faculty Member

CUNY SPS Faculty Members Awarded CUNY Career Success Fellowship

April 24, 2023

Dr. Isabelle Elisha and Dr. Joseph Foy are among the nearly 50 faculty across CUNY selected for this important career readiness initiative.