PSYC:MS - Master of Science in Psychology

Master of Science in Psychology: Major in Applied Social and Cultural Psychology

The Master of Science in Applied Social and Cultural Psychology (ASCP) will train students to become action scientists, helping to understand and transform the social and cultural systems in which humans interact. Students will receive training in psychological theories and translational methods to understand and intervene on the socio-cultural pathways by which health disparities emerge; to leverage the strengths of diverse communities to ameliorate them; and to assess and impact social settings, systems, and policies. Areas of research can include gender-based violence, reproductive justice, homelessness and poverty, minority stress, mental health, youth development, human service systems, acculturation, global health, and discrimination in educational, workplace, and community settings. Practical components of the program will prepare students to engage in community-partnered and participatory-action research for public benefit by collaborating with local, state, and national organizations and institutions as researchers, and employing effective and culturally-meaningful communication tools to support individual, family, and community well-being.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Psychology, Major in Applied Social and Cultural Psychology, requires a minimum of 48 semester credits of graduate work beyond the baccalaureate, including a non-thesis masters project based on the student’s original research. A maximum of 9 credits may be transferred into the Applied Social and Cultural Psychology major from a previously completed master’s degree program with the approval of the major director.

Master of Science in Psychology: Major in Behavior Analysis

The Behavior Analysis area focuses on the experimental, theoretical, methodological, and applied analysis of behaviors of individuals, their antecedents and their consequences, and how the changes are produced that denote different types of learning or learning problems.  The processes at issue have become efficient bases for understanding, and for changing, conduct problems and such behavioral disorders as are termed Autism Spectrum Disorder. Students completing the M.S. degree and having received the required amount of supervised fieldwork experience, may qualify to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) examination.

The Behavior Analysis major consists of core, knowledge-based, courses, a selection of seminars and supervised fieldwork.  Also encouraged are involvements in program events, regional and national conference attendance and presentations.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Behavior Analysis requires a minimum of 45 semester credits of graduate work beyond the baccalaureate. Students must maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and earn at least a B- in all courses. If a grade lower than a B- is earned, the student may be allowed to repeat the course, at the discretion of the program.

Master of Science in Psychology: Major in Clinical Science in Child and Adolescent Psychology

The clinical science in child and adolescent psychology major is consistent with the clinical science model of clinical psychology training articulated by the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science. Clinical Science is defined as a “psychological science directed at the promotion of adaptive functioning; at the assessment, understanding, amelioration, and prevention of human problems in behavior, affect, cognition or health; and at the application of knowledge in ways consistent with scientific evidence.” The emphasis on the term "science" underscores the commitment to evidence based approaches to the assessment and treatment of human problems, as well as the integration of research and theory of other relevant sciences. The emphasis on the term "science" also underscores that training students in clinical science focuses on training students for careers in which they skillfully produce, and/or apply scientific knowledge. The focus of the major is on child, adolescent and family clinical psychology within a multicultural context.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science Major in Clinical Science requires a minimum of 36 semester credits of graduate work beyond the baccalaureate, including a non-thesis research project based upon the student’s original research. A maximum of 6 credits of post-baccalaureate course work may be transferred from another institution with the approval of the Director of Clinical Training.

Master of Science in Psychology: Major in Counseling Psychology

The Counseling Psychology Masters major area is designed to prepare students for the independent and licensed professional practice of counseling and psychotherapy. The major offers students a solid foundation in counseling psychology that focuses on evidence-based practices in mental health counseling.  Opportunities for specializing in a range of clinical problems and diverse populations are offered through faculty guided and clinical training in the FIU Center for Children & Families and/or supervised clinical experience in community-based clinical settings.    

Completion of the major requirements leads to a Master of Science in Psychology and eligibility for a license to practice as a Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Florida.  The core curriculum is intended to engage students in the advanced study of psychology with a focus on developing applied counseling for working in multicultural environments with populations that range across the life span from childhood to later adulthood.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Counseling Psychology requires a minimum of 60 semester credits of graduate work beyond the baccalaureate. A maximum of 6 credits of post-baccalaureate course work may be transferred from another institution with the approval of the Advisory Committee.

Master of Science in Psychology: Major in Developmental Science

The program in Developmental Science provides students with the skills to describe and explain change over time in humans and other organisms. Students gain knowledge of cutting-edge developmental methods and theories while developing expertise in their specialty topic area. A unique aspect of the program is a focus on advanced training in statistics/methodology beyond the department common core courses. Students can specialize in any phase of the lifespan or on any issues or topics that span phases of the lifespan.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Developmental Science requires a minimum of 36 semester credits of graduate work beyond the baccalaureate, including a master’s project based upon the student’s original research. A maximum of 6 credits of post-baccalaureate course work may be transferred from another institution with the approval of the student’s advisor.

Master of Science in Psychology: Major in Industrial-Organizational Psychology

The Industrial Organizational (I/O) Psychology major focuses on issues such as the psychology of Human Resource Management, Group Behavior, Cultural Diversity in Organizations, Personality, Team Effectiveness, Personnel Selection, Leadership, Organizational Stress, and Training and Development.  The major emphasizes a commitment both to research and application as a part of individual specialty area development.  Students master a series of core courses designed to provide a thorough grounding in theory, methodology, and content in applied and basic research in psychology.  These courses are taught by faculty who are involved in research and practice in the relevant areas.

In addition, seminars reflecting the specialized foci of the Industrial-Organizational area faculty are offered. There are also opportunities for practice and occasional internships for students to gain firsthand experience in the application of psychological knowledge to real challenges of organizations.  Students are also encouraged to participate in professional conferences.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology requires a minimum of 36 semester credits of graduate work beyond the baccalaureate. A maximum of 6 credits of post-baccalaureate course work may be transferred from another institution with the approval of the Advisory Committee.

Master of Science in Psychology: Major in Legal Psychology

Legal psychology is a growing and popular field that sits at the nexus of psychology and law. This program offers students broad training in psychology and in-depth training in legal psychology as well as more traditional concentrations (e.g., social psychology, cognitive psychology). Research, professional, and pedagogical skills are strongly emphasized. Students may also obtain significant field experience in the legal system by participating in applied research, expert witness cases, providing assistance to trial consultants, and through other formal training experiences, such as collaborations with FIU’s law school.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science Major in Legal Psychology requires a minimum of 36 semester credits of graduate work beyond the baccalaureate, including a thesis research project based upon the student’s original research.

Students who have already completed a thesis in a relevant area of research while enrolled in another program, with program director approval can have the thesis project requirement waived. 9 credits of common core requirements are included in these requirements in order to meet the Board of Governors’ Policy on degree structures.

Master of Science in Psychology: Organizational Science

Organizational Science focus on the cognitive, social and behavioral bases of employee motivation and behavior, and using that knowledge to design effective systems to enhance productivity. By providing a rigorous foundation in theory, research methods, and the practice of I/O psychology, this program prepares students for advanced study in psychology as well as training practitioners and researchers who can function in a wide variety of applied settings. Students are trained to utilize and apply principals of I/O Psychology to issues of critical relevance to organizations including: 1) recruitment, assessment, and personnel selection; 2) training needs assessments and design; 3) performance measurement and talent management; 4) workplace health promotion 5) employee satisfaction, morale, and work-life balance; and 6) team and group dynamics.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Organizational Sciences requires 36 semester credits of coursework at the graduate level and includes a terminal project focused on a workplace issue.

Admissions Requirements for the Master of Science (MS) in Psychology (major: Applied Social and Cultural Psychology*)

Students will apply and be admitted directly to the doctoral program in Applied Social and Cultural Psychology based on the following criteria (applications will not be accepted and students will not be admitted for a terminal M.S. degree):

(1) Hold a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited college or university.

(2) Have a 3.0 average or higher during the last two years of the undergraduate program.

(3) Arrange to have three letters of recommendation evaluating the applicant’s potential for graduate work sent to the Psychology Graduate Program Director.

(4) Submit a brief essay stating reasons for interest in the program and career goals; include a current resume.

(5) Receive approval from the Departmental Graduate Education Committee.

 *These are minimum requirements. Admission is competitive.

Admissions Requirements for the MS in Psychology (major: Behavior Analysis*)

To be admitted into the Master’s degree program in Behavior Analysis, a student must:

(1) Hold a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited college or university.

(2) Have a 3.0 average or higher during the last two years of the undergraduate program.

(3) Submit Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores.

(4) Arrange to have three letters of recommendation evaluating the applicant’s potential for graduate work sent to the Psychology Graduate Program Director.

(5) Submit a brief essay stating reasons for interest in the program and career goals.

(6) Receive approval from the Departmental Graduate Education Committee.

 *These are minimum requirements.  Admission is competitive.

Admissions Requirements for the MS in Psychology (major: Clinical Science in Child and Adolescent Psychology*)

Students will apply and be admitted directly to the doctoral program in Clinical Science in Child and Adolescent Psychology based on the following criteria (applications will not be accepted and students will not be admitted for a terminal M.S. degree).

(1) Hold a Bachelor’s degree or a Master’s degree in psychology or a related field from an accredited college or university.

(2) Have a 3.0 GPA or higher during the last two years of the undergraduate program.

(3) Arrange to have three letters of recommendation evaluating the applicant’s potential for graduate work sent to the Psychology Graduate Program Director.

(4) Receive approval from the Department Graduate Education Committee.

 *These are minimum requirements. Admission is competitive.

Admissions Requirements for the MS in Psychology (major: Counseling Psychology*)

To be admitted into the Master’s degree program in Counseling Psychology, a student must:

(1) Hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or in a relevant discipline from an accredited college or university.

(2) Applicants with an out of field major must have completed four courses in (1) introductory psychology, (2) abnormal psychology or theories of personality, (3) statistics, and (4) psychology research methods.

(3) Have a 3.0 in the last 60 credits of upper-level work. Students with nonpsychology majors may apply for admission if they have completed specific courses.

(4) Arrange to have three letters of recommendation evaluating the applicant’s potential for graduate work sent to the Psychology Graduate Program Director. The University Graduate School offers a recommendation form, though this is not required. Letters should be written on letterhead or stationery.

(5) Submission of a CV or Resume is required; and should include previous experience, education, honors, awards, interests, community service and achievements.

(6) Submission of two academic writing samples is required; one must be academic, and the other may be work-related.

(7) International students whose native language is not English must submit acceptable scores verifying English language skills which meet university standards. See FIU Graduate Admissions Requirements for more information.

(8) Submit a brief video statement which includes a discussion of your educational and career objectives and the specific relationship of the master’s degree to achieving of those objectives.

 *These are minimum requirements.  Admission is competitive.

Admissions Requirements for the MS in Psychology (major: Developmental Science*)

Students will apply and be admitted directly to the doctoral program in Developmental Science based on the following criteria (applications will not be accepted and students will not be admitted for a terminal MS degree):

(1) Hold a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited college or university.

(2) Have a 3.0 average or higher during the last two years of the undergraduate program.

(3) Have completed an undergraduate or graduate research methods course as a prerequisite.

(4) Arrange to have three letters of recommendation evaluating the applicant’s potential for graduate work sent to the Psychology Graduate Program Director.

(5) Send a brief essay stating reasons for interest in the program and career goals to the Psychology Graduate Secretary.

(6) Receive approval from the Departmental Graduate Education Committee.

(7) International students whose native language is not English must submit acceptable scores verifying English language skills which meet university standards. See FIU Graduate Admissions Requirements for more information.

 *These are minimum requirements.  Admission is competitive.

Admissions Requirements for the MS in Psychology (major: Industrial-Organizational Psychology*)

To be admitted into the Master’s degree program in I/O Psychology, a student must:

(1) Hold a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited college or university.

(2) Have a 3.0 average or higher during the last two years of the undergraduate program.

(3) Arrange to have three letters of recommendation evaluating the applicant’s potential for graduate work sent to the Psychology Graduate Program Director.

(4) Send a brief essay stating reasons for interest in the program and career goals to the Psychology Graduate Secretary.

(5) Receive approval from the Departmental Graduate Education Committee.

 *These are minimum requirements.  Admission is competitive.

Admissions Requirements for the MS in Psychology (major: Legal Psychology*)

Students will apply to be admitted directly to the doctoral program in Legal Psychology based on the following criteria (applications will not be accepted and students will not be admitted for a terminal degree).

(1) Hold a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited college of university.

(2) Have strong GPA during their undergraduate program.

(3) Arrange to have three letters of recommendation evaluating the applicant’s potential for graduate work sent to the Psychology Graduate Program Director.

(4) Receive approval from the Departmental Graduate Education Committee.

 *These are minimum requirements.  Admission is competitive.

Admissions Requirements for the MS in Psychology (major: Organizational Science*)

Admissions will be based on the following criteria:

(1) Hold a Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited college or university.

(2) Have a 3.0 average or higher during the last two years of the undergraduate program.

(3) Arrange to have three letters of recommendation evaluating the applicant's potential for graduate work sent to the Program Director.

(4) Send a brief essay stating reasons for interest in the program and career goals to the program director.

(5) International graduate student applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit a score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A total score of 92 on the iBT TOEFL (equivalent to 580 in the TOEFL) is required.

*These are minimum requirements. Admission is competitive.

There are no tracks, specializations, concentrations, areas of emphasis, or other curricular offerings associated with this program.