Format: Online
Application Deadlines
- Spring 2023 Priority Deadline: November 3, 2022
- Spring 2023 Regular Deadline: December 8, 2022
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
- Human Services Advancement Scholarship
Meet Some of Our Faculty
- Delia Baron, PhD
- Sara Bielek, PhD
- Isabelle Elisha, PhD
- Cait Field, PhD
- Ryan Camire, LCSW, CASAC
- Clemente Diaz, MA
- Shlomo Hollander, PhD
- Tara Lally, PhD
- Richard Perrone, PhD
- Allison Pulizzi, PhD
- Debangshu Roygardner, PhD
- Lauren Roygardner, PhD
Admissions Criteria
Applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree from an 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 2023 Priority Deadline: November 3, 2022
- Spring 2023 Regular Deadline: December 8, 2022
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
Crain's Notable 2022 HR Leaders
October 20, 2022
Crain's New York
Michael Katzab, a student in the CUNY SPS MA in Psychology program, has been named a Notable 2022 HR Leader by Crain's New York. The magazine highlighted his achievements in a special editorial feature that profiles top HR leaders who have demonstrated the ability or power to affect change. Katzab, who is currently the chief human resources officer at NYC Health + Hospitals, was nominated by his employer.
SUNY and CUNY Will Each Receive $2 Million To Support Students Underrepresented in Mental Health Degree Programs
August 29, 2022
New York State Governor's Press Office
The CUNY School of Professional Studies is highlighted as one of 18 CUNY campuses that will receive federal funding from New York State to support underrepresented students entering or enrolled in mental health degree programs. Under a partnership with the New York State Office of Mental Health, SUNY and CUNY will each be provided $2 million to support tuition assistance, paid internships, and direct stipends for minority and multilingual students.
How an online master’s in psychology boosted the careers of these 3 professionals
June 03, 2022
Fortune Education
CUNY SPS MA in psychology alumni Jennifer Holland and Nivi Toth are featured in the piece "How an online master’s in psychology boosted the careers of these 3 professionals." The article, published in Fortune Education, describes how Holland and Toth were able to use the skills and knowledge from their degrees to become more effective in their work.
Resilience: Within-Group Variations in the Impact of Racial Discrimination on Black Youth's Mental Health
February 25, 2022
Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences
Dr. Isabelle Elisha, the associate director of the CUNY SPS psychology program, and Rayven-Nikkita Collins, an MA candidate in psychology, have co-written the article “Resilience: Within-Group Variations in the Impact of Racial Discrimination on Black Youth's Mental Health." The piece, published in the journal Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, discusses the importance of recognizing the diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and needs of Black youth in order to promote better mental health outcomes.