Graduate Programs
Master of Arts in Psychology
The Master of Arts in Psychology program prepares students for
careers that require the application of psychological principles to
the workplace or community settings. The program involves training
in theory, research design and statistics, and the application of
principles to real world situations.
The program provides advanced training both for recent graduates and for individuals
who have been in the work force for a number of years. Although some students
subsequently enter doctoral programs and complete Ph.D.s, many
immediately accept challenging jobs in the public, private or
non-profit sector.
Students may complete the program on a full- or
part-time basis, however to ensure the timeliness of training, all
program requirements must be completed within five years from
admission.
There are two program concentrations reflecting the
strengths of our faculty: Health Psychology and Quantitative Methods and
Research Design. Both concentrations offer thesis and non-thesis
options.
The program is research oriented and provides many
opportunities to gain valuable experience in conducting research and
includes experimental studies working with human participants in a
variety of areas. See faculty interests and on-going projects on the
department People Page.
Potential applicants should be aware that the M.A. in Psychology
Program is not designed to prepare students for professional
practice as a psychologist. Further, completion of an M.A. in Health
Psychology is not adequate preparation for either the practice of
psychology or use of the term “psychologist,” both of which are
regulated by state statute. Students interested in the practice of
psychology should consider the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program
described at
Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program page.
Student Learning Outcomes for Master of Arts Program with Health Psychology Emphasis
By the end of the MA in psychology program with health psychology emphasis,
students will demonstrate that they can:
1.
Apply theoretical principles from psychology to the development of prevention
interventions aimed at a range of health-related problems.
2.
Summarize and critique the psychology literature, particularly within the field of
health psychology.
3. Design empirical studies which allow for the testing of a health psychology hypothesis.
4.
Demonstrate knowledge of the range of univariate and multivariate statistical techniques
that are used within the field of health psychology.
5.
Communicate both orally and in writing at a level that is appropriate for professionals
in either the applied or academic health psychology field.
Student Learning Outcomes for the Master of Arts Program
with Quantitative Methods/Research Design Emphasis By the
end of the M.A. program in psychology with quantitative
methods/research design emphasis, students will demonstrate that
they can:
1.
Summarize and critique the psychology literature, particularly
within their chosen area of specialization.
2.
Demonstrate their understanding of the range of experimental and
non-experimental research designs used in psychological research.
3.
Develop research instruments and demonstrate their psychometric
properties.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the range of univariate and multivariate
statistical techniques that are used in psychology.
5.
Communicate both orally and in writing at a level that is
appropriate for professionals in either their chosen area of area of
concentration.
Thesis Option: Those students who hope to pursue
additional graduate training (i.e., Ph.D.) are strongly encouraged
to select the thesis option. Students who select this option work
closely with their M.A. thesis adviser to develop an empirical
project, which is evaluated and approved by a committee chosen by
the student and his/her adviser. Students are expected to work
independently during all aspects of the thesis, including design,
data collection, analysis, and write-up. A final report is written
by the student, approved by the thesis committee, and submitted to
the Graduate School for credit towards the master's degree. The
thesis must fulfill the requirements of the School of Graduate
Studies, described in the Graduate Catalog. A minimum of 36 credit
hours are required, including six hours of supervised research
(Psych 5590).
Non-Thesis Option: Those students who seek to
immediately apply their skills in work settings and do not plan to
pursue additional graduate training (i.e., Ph.D.) are encouraged to
select the non-thesis option. A minimum of 36 credit hours are
required, including six hours of supervised research (Psych 5590)
resulting in an independent project.
Suggested
Plan of Study: Master of Arts Program with Quantitative
Methods/Research Design Emphasis
The Quantitative Methods/Research Design concentration is designed for
students who seek rigorous training in research design and
statistical analysis.
Acquiring skills in these areas will prepare
students for additional graduate training as well as for immediate
application in a work setting. Quantitatively skilled professionals
are employed in a variety of settings including: university
departments such as psychology, marketing, management, education,
medical and biological research programs, personnel management
programs, government, industry, market research firms, large-scale
mental testing corporations, software development companies and
consulting firms.
One key component of training is six credit hours
of research and thesis (thesis option) or directed research
(non-thesis option) in which students will, under the direct
supervision of faculty, apply the skills they have learned in the
classroom to real-world problems and research questions. With the
support of their faculty mentor, students in the non-thesis option
can collaborate with other professionals outside of the department.
Thesis Option:
| Psych 5516 |
Advanced Quantitative Methods | 3 |
| Psych 5517 |
Multiple Regression and Multivariate Analysis
| 3 |
| Psych 5538 |
Development and Evaluation of Assessment Tools
| 3 |
| Psych 5601 |
Experimental Methods in Design and Analysis I
| 3 |
| Psych 5580 |
Addressing Health Disparities
through Community-Based Participatory Research | 3 |
| Psych 5599 |
Research and Thesis
| 6 |
Psychology Elective* 3
Electives** 6
Total Hours: 30
Non-Thesis Option
| Psych 5516 | Advanced Quantitative Methods | 3 |
| Psych 5517 | Multiple Regression and Multivariate Analysis | 3 |
| Psych 5538 | Development and Evaluation of Assessment Tools | 3 |
| Psych 5601 | Experimental Methods in Design and Analysis I | 3 |
| Psych 5580 |
Addressing Health Disparities through
Community-Based Participatory Research | 3 |
| Psych 5590 | Directed Research | 6 |
Psychology Electives* 9
Electives** 6
Total Hours: 36
* Psychology electives must be 5500 level or above, unless prior written approval is obtained
from your psychology adviser and the course instructor. Documentation of completion of additional work in
undergraduate courses must be filed with the department in order to obtain graduate credit.
** Courses at the 5500 level or above from other UMKC departments may be used to fulfill these requirements; however, prior written
approval from your psychology adviser is required.
Suggested Plan of Study: Master of Arts Program with Health Psychology
Emphasis
The Health Psychology concentration offers students the opportunity
to develop an understanding of the impact of behavioral, biological,
cognitive, environmental and social variables on mental and physical
health. Drawing on the research strengths of our faculty, the
concentration is particularly appropriate for students who need
advanced work to strengthen their profiles in preparation for
application to Ph.D. programs, or for those who wish to explore
graduate-level work before making a commitment to Ph.D. training.
Students take core classes in the major areas of Health Psychology
and can develop expertise in a chosen area via additional course
selections and research.
Thesis Option:
| Psych 5516 | Advanced Quantitative Methods | 3 |
| Psych 5517 | Multiple Regression and Multivariate Analysis | 3 |
| Psych 5601 | Experimental Methods in Design and Analysis I | 3 |
| Psych 5580 |
Addressing Health Disparities through Community-Based
Participatory Research | 3 |
| Psych 5631 | Theoretical Fnds of Health Psychology | 3 |
| Psych 5599 | Research & Thesis | 6 |
Psychology Elective (Select One)
| Psych 5504 | Contemporary Issues in Learning | 3 |
| Psych 5505 | Motivation | 3 |
| Psych 5507 | Cognitive Psychology | 3 |
| Psych 5518 | Advanced Biopsychology | 3 |
| Psych 5538 | Development and Evaluation of Assessment | 3 |
| Psych 5612 | Program Evaluation and Research Dissemination | 3 |
Psychology Elective (Select One)
| Psych 5512 | Contemporary Issues in social Psychology | 3 |
| Psych 5522 | Contemporary Issues in Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| Psych 5523 | Seminar Personality Theory and Methodology | 3 |
| Psych 5533 | Experimental Methods in Design and Analysis I | 3 |
| Psych 5638 | Seminar in Health Care Leadership | 3 |
Psychology Elective* 3
Total 30
Non-Thesis Option:
| Psych 5516 | Advanced Quantitative Methods | 3 |
| Psych 5517 | Multiple Regression and Multivariate Analysis | 3 |
| Psych 5601 | Experimental Methods in Design and Analysis I | 3 |
| Psych 5580 |
Addressing Health Disparities through Community-Based
Participatory Research | 3 |
| Psych 5631 | Theoretical Foundations of Health Psychology | 3 |
| Psych 5590 | Research & Thesis | 6 |
Psychology Elective (Select One)
| Psych 5504 | Contemporary Issues in Learning | 3 |
| Psych 5505 | Motivation | 3 |
| Psych 5507 | Cognitive Psychology | 3 |
| Psych 5518 | Advanced Biopsychology | 3 |
| Psych 5612 |
Program Evaluation and Research Dissemination |
3 |
Psychology Elective (Select One)
| Psych 5512 | Contemporary Issues in Social Psychology | 3 |
| Psych 5522 | Contemporary Issues in Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| Psych 5523 | Seminar Personality Theory and Methodology | 3 |
| Psych 5538 | Development and Evaluation of Assessment | 3 |
| Psych 5533 | Experimental Methods in Design and Analysis I | 3 |
| Psych 5638 | Seminar in Health Care Leadership | 3 |
Psychology Elective* 3
Elective**3
Total Hours: 36
Psychology Electives
* Psychology electives must be 5500 level or above, unless prior written approval is obtained
from your psychology adviser and the course instructor. Documentation of completion of additional work in
undergraduate courses must be filed with the department in order to obtain graduate credit.
** Courses at the 5500 level or above from other UMKC departments may be used to fulfill these requirements; however, prior written
approval from your psychology adviser is required.
Requirements for Retention
A detailed list of requirements for retention can be found in the Master of Arts section in the
Psychology Degree Program handbook.
