STUDENTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD CHOOSE NYU

A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM TO ACHIEVE YOUR CAREER GOALS:

FLEXIBILITY

The flexibility of the M.A. Program suits a broad range of students. Some students have decided on a particular focus when they enter our program, and take courses that fit these interests. However, students are not required to choose an area of focus. Some students enter our program with the intention of exploring the field of psychology. In these cases, students often take a variety of electives in order to see where their interests lie.

Common areas of focus are:
Social Psychology
Cognition/Perception & Neuroscience
Clinical Psychology*
Clinical Neuroscience*
Forensic Psychology
Social & Consumer Psychology

* The M.A. Program prepares students for doctoral study in clinical or counseling psychology, but is not an accredited clinical training program leading to licensure at the M.A. level.

CURRICULUM OPPORTUNITIES

Our program requires the completion of 12 courses and either a thesis or comprehensive exam. Students are required to take Statistics, Research Methods, and 3 core Psychology courses (see Program Requirements). Of the remaining seven electives, three must be taken within the Psychology Department, while up to four can be taken elsewhere at NYU, with advisor permission. As the largest private university in the U.S., NYU has many schools, centers, and departments, and courses from outside the Psychology Department can broaden students’ perspectives. Students select courses in consultation with M.A. Program advisors.

SMALL CLASS SIZES

Our classes have an average size of 15 students. The small class size allows students to get to know professors and each other. Individual and team projects, debates, oral presentations and written papers are included in classes in order to prepare students for careers in academia and/or business environments.

Most of our classes are offered in the evenings to accommodate students who are employed, taking a fieldwork course, or involved in daytime research internships. Full-time students typically take three courses per semester and finish the program in four semesters (two years). US or permanent resident students have the option of taking fewer than three courses per semester, but must complete the program within five years. International students must be enrolled in courses full-time (3 courses per semester)

FACULTY

M.A. Program classes are taught by full-time Psychology Department faculty as well as adjunct faculty who are seasoned practitioners, organization professionals or business leaders. All faculty members have Ph.D. degrees. In addition to M.A. Program courses, students may take doctoral courses with permission from faculty and advisor approval. Many M.A. students obtain research experience by working in the labs of faculty in the Psychology Department.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Many students join research labs while enrolled in the M.A. Program, in order to gain hands-on experience. These research labs may be in the Psychology Department, in other departments at NYU, or at other universities, institutions or organizations in the New York metro area. Research experience helps students to develop specific skills and knowledge needed for doctoral study or research-based employment.

Our program also offers students opportunities to develop research and quantitative skills through coursework in research design, statistics and computational methods, which can be helpful for careers in both academia and business.

INTERNSHIPS AND JOBS

Many of our students are employed, either full-time or part-time, while enrolled in the M.A. Program. Some students participate in internships (paid or unpaid) to gain experience related to clinical or forensic psychology, marketing, or other areas of research and applied psychology. Postings of job opportunities and internships are regularly passed on to students. The NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development also provides many resources for students who are seeking internships and jobs.

VIBRANT STUDENT COMMUNITY

Our program offers opportunities for getting to know people from diverse cultural backgrounds. Students come from many different countries and from across the United States. Several student groups within the M.A. Program organize events for networking, professional development, and social interaction. The Graduate Psychology Association includes all students in the M.A. Program. Special Interest Groups are smaller and include students interested in particular focus areas. The M.A. Program also has an International Student Club. Student groups hold regular meetings to hear invited speakers, discuss topics of interest, mentor each other and socialize.

M.A. RESEARCH CONFERENCE

Every year, the Psychology Department holds an M.A. Research Conference that is modeled after professional conferences. The conference offers M.A. students the opportunity to create a poster and present it to a panel of judges. Conference presentations give students experience in discussing professional work, which is useful for job and doctoral program interviews.

THE MASTER’S COLLEGE

The Graduate School of Arts and Science’s Master’s College provides access to information, advisement, and resources for prospective and current master’s students as they focus on their scholarly, professional, and personal development. Founded by Dean Emeritus Catharine R. Stimpson in 2007, the Master’s College is an innovative initiative in higher education which demonstrates our commitment and dedication to master’s education and students.

GSAS THREESIS CHALLENGE

Every year the Master’s College holds a Threesis Event. The Threesis showcases scholarly work from Master’s students across many departments at NYU GSAS. Each participating student presents a research project to a panel of faculty judges in language appropriate for a non-specialist audience.  Students receive mentoring and presentation skills training that are useful for both academic and non-academic careers.

OPPORTUNITIES AFTER GRADUATION

Some students enter our program in order to prepare for doctoral studies in psychology or business, or for professional fields such as law. Our curriculum and the research opportunities offered through our program have helped many students gain admission to the doctoral programs of their choice.

We also have students who enter our program in order to prepare for employment in institutional, organizational or corporate settings. Our graduates have gone on to work in diverse areas, including academic research, applied psychology, human resources, marketing, market and insight research, and user experience design.

OUR MA PSYCHOLOGY STUDENTS WON THREE MAJOR GSAS AWARDS THIS YEAR!

GSAS Master’s Student Award for Academic Achievement

Sara Rutter

GSAS Dean’s Fellowship for Distinguished Master’s Students

Abdullah Althenayyan

GSAS Master’s College Threesis Academic Challenge

First Place Award – Ehimamiegho Idahosa-Erese

Programs of Study  (Graduate Programs / Diplomas)

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO STUDY?