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M.A. in General Theoretical Psychology

The general-theoretical program is designed to provide preparation for (a) further study at the doctoral level in more specialized substantive areas or (b) careers in industry (e.g., advertising/market research, organizational consulting), government (e.g., program evaluation, criminal justice research), education, or health sectors. The program is expected to take two years to complete for full-time students, but can be completed on a part-time basis for those working full-time. Students can be accepted for either the Fall or Spring semester; there are no application deadlines.

All MA students can tailor their elective courses to fit their areas of interest. The following are example elective concentrations (note, up to 6 credits can be taken outside of psychology):

Clinical Psychology: students interested in applying for doctoral programs in clinical psychology could take Psychopathology, Theories of Personality, Developmental Psychology, Biological Bases of Behavior

Social/consumer psychology: students interested in careers in market research could take Applied Social Psychology along with courses from the Silberman College of Business such as Marketing Research and Consumer Behavior

 Organizational psychology: students interested in applying for doctoral programs in industrial/organizational psychology or in obtaining research-related careers in industry could take Applied Social Psychology along with courses from the Silberman College of Business such as Organizational Behavior and Strategic Human Resource Management
Behavioral Research Scholar Track. The Behavioral Research Scholar track (BRST) in the general-theoretical program is a selective, research-focused track for MA students with superior academic qualifications (i.e., GRE scores, undergraduate GPA, research experience). The BRST is differentiated form the standard MA program in that BRST students take the same sequence of research-related courses (research methods and two statistics courses) as students in our clinical Ph.D. program (this option is exclusive to students in the BRST). BRST students are also encouraged to complete a master’s thesis. Admission into the BRST is limited to the Fall semester only; the application deadline is May 1st.
Admission Requirements for standard M.A Program
  1. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Applicants must submit official transcripts from all post-secondary school academic work. (Note: all former undergraduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University must request their official transcripts from their campus Office of Enrollment Services).
  2. Applicants must submit an official score report for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), (the subject test in Psychology is not required). The schedule of testing dates can be obtained from Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, or by visiting www.gre.org.
  3. Applicants must have taken (1) general/introductory psychology, (2) statistics and (3) experimental psychology/research methods on either the undergraduate or graduate level.
  4. Three letters of recommendation.
Admission Requirements for M.A Program Behavioral Research Scholar Track
 
  1. A bachelor's degree and official transcript from an accredited college or university. It is recommended that applicants have a 3.25 GPA or higher.
  2. Applicants must submit an official score report for the verbal and quantitative sections of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the equivalent sections in the GMAT. It is recommended that applicants score at the 50th percentile or higher in these sections.
  3. Applicants must have taken general psychology, statistics and experimental psychology/research methods on either the undergraduate or graduate level with grades of “B” or better.
  4. Three letters of recommendation.

All applicants must submit a graduate studies application and a nonrefundable application fee. When the credentials supporting an application are complete, the applicant may be requested to have a personal interview with the M.A. program director. Selection for graduate study is based on academic and personal qualifications for graduate study.

Materials can be sent to the Graduate Admissions Office, Fairleigh Dickinson University, 1000 River Road, T-KB1, Teaneck, NJ 07666. Applicants who have not completed all requirements for admission to the degree program may be permitted to enroll in classes for credit on a nonmatriculated or nondegree basis.

For further information about General Theoretical Psychology program, please contact:

Dr. Stephen Armeli
Director, B.A/M.A. Program in General/Theoretical Psychology 
Voice: (201) 692-2309 
E-Mail: armeli@fdu.edu

 

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