Deepen your understanding of human behavior through advanced study and scientific research in UNC Greensboro’s M.A. in Psychology. The primary goal of the master of arts in psychology is to develop competence in the core areas of psychology and their methods. Before graduating, students will demonstrate competence in research and have the skills and moral standards to apply the knowledge of the discipline competently and ethically in their daily lives and careers.
The program culminates in an original research thesis, providing advanced training in psychological science and preparing graduates to apply their knowledge thoughtfully and ethically in research, professional, and academic settings.
the master’s in psychology PROGRAM DISTINCTIONS
- Study psychology as a scientific discipline. Develop a deeper understanding of behavior, cognition, and emotion through advanced coursework grounded in research, experimentation, and observation.
- Build expertise in the core areas of psychology. Explore major branches of the field, including cognitive, developmental, social, biological, quantitative, and psychopathology-focused psychology.
- Strengthen your research and analytical skills. Gain advanced training in research design, statistical methods, scientific reasoning, and the evaluation of psychological literature.
- Learn in a research-intensive environment. Access specialized facilities, cutting-edge research tools, and resources that support the study of human thought, behavior, and mental processes. Research equipment includes:
- 64-channel Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system (Brain Products: actiCHamp and actiCap active electrodes system)
- remote eye-tracking system (SensoMotoric Products)
- access to a 3T scanner (Siemens Magnetom Trio)
- Benefit from personalized mentorship. Small faculty-to-student ratios provide individualized guidance as you develop your academic interests and professional goals.
Why would I choose a terminal master’s in psychology rather than the master’s for the PhD track?
- If you want to get into a career as a counselor faster, a terminal master’s will give you the knowledge and experience to obtain a state license for work in schools, nonprofits, or teach psychology.
- It’s a less competitive and easier track with hands-on clinical work, without the heavy math and years of working in a science lab.
- If you want to boost your resume and eventually apply for a doctoral program, the terminal master’s in psychology is a good way to go.
THE psychology Master’s STUDENT EXPERIENCE
- Customize your graduate experience. Work closely with faculty mentors to tailor your coursework, thesis research, and professional development to your interests and career goals.
- Engage with a vibrant scholarly community. Attend departmental colloquia, guest lectures, and lab meetings that expose you to new ideas, methodologies, and areas of psychological research.
- Develop expertise through original thesis research. Design and conduct an independent research project, analyze data, and communicate findings that contribute to the field of psychology.
- Gain hands-on experience with psychological science. Use specialized research facilities and tools while building practical skills in research design, data collection, statistical analysis, and scientific writing.
- Connect psychology to real-world impact. Explore applied learning opportunities, including experiences through the Psychology Clinic and other settings that demonstrate how psychological science informs mental health, education, and community well-being.
“Psychology of intelligence is generally tested by the things you know. Psychology of creativity is broader than that…You can learn a lot about a person by the sorts of thing they find funny.”
–Meriel Burnett ’25, MA in Social Psychology
AFTER GRADUATIng with your master’s in psychology
After graduating with an M.A. in Psychology from UNCG, you’ll be prepared to apply advanced research, analytical, and communication skills across a variety of professional and academic settings. The program’s emphasis on psychological science, research methodology, and ethical practice provides a strong foundation for careers that involve understanding human behavior and using data to inform decision-making.
A master’s degree in psychology opens doors for high demand work in mental health, education, and corporate business. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects a 6% job growth for these positions in the next decade. Recent graduates may also go on to obtain doctoral degrees in psychology, although most of these would pursue UNCG’s master’s to PhD track in psychology.
Psychology masters who want to counsel must obtain a state license for the following positions:
- mental health counselor
- marriage and family therapist
- school psychologist
- counselor for a nonprofit organization specializing in addiction, trauma, or other mental health complications
Psychology masters can also apply their degrees in business, research and human resource positions:
- recruitment manager
- human resource trainer
- employee relations manager
- consumer behavior analyst
- psychology teacher
- psychology researcher
Program Details
Degree Type: Master's
College/School: College of Arts and Sciences
Program Type: Majors & Concentrations
Class Type: In Person
Catalog Name: Psychology, M.A.
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Contact Us
Paul Silvia
Graduate Program Director
Department of Psychology
p_silvia@uncg.edu