Share this post

Millennials are more self-aware than generations before ever have been, they actively indulge in finding themselves to understand their motivations and traumas. Consequently, they throw in buzzwords like transference, Parkinson’s law, and reverse psychology to sound perceptive and sharp.

This highlights why Psychology has gained popularity in the last few years, and why students are taking a newfound interest in it. The new career prospects leading to various opportunities have prompted more and more students to take up Psychology.

The potential in terms of research that can be done is vast, which led to reputed global universities appreciating its importance. Psychology subject is a combination of understanding how the human mind works and the impact of society or environment on it. Hence, psychology is a mixture of the intricacies of the human mind and behaviors governed by its surrounding.

Eligibility for Psychology Degree

The basic requirements necessary for applying for a Masters in Psychology are listed below:

  • A bachelor level degree or equivalent to it in Psychology with a GPA of 3 or above. This condition varies from university to university.
  • A detailed resume or curriculum vitae needs to be submitted along with your application.
  • If your first language is not English, then an English language proficiency test score is mandatory for application. The test might be TOEFL or IELTS, depending on the university.
  • Letter of recommendations (LORs), three or four, from your professor or employer.
  • GRE score above 300 could be one of the criteria.
  • Internship experience of 2-3 months in the field of Psychology.
  • A strong and convincing statement of purpose (SOP).

Masters in Psychology degree

A Masters in Psychology full-time course takes one year for completion while a part-time course takes up to 2 years. The course structure for a degree abroad consists of completing five subjects per semester.

Specializations that can be pursued for a Masters in Psychology are as follows:

  • Masters in Clinical Psychology
  • Masters in Social Psychology
  • Masters in Forensic Psychology
  • Masters in Child Psychology
  • Masters in Business/ Corporate Psychology
  • Masters in Health Psychology
  • Masters in Sports Psychology

These are just a few of the specializations available.

Top 20 Universities for Masters in Psychology

If you have decided on pursuing MS in Psychology, take a look at the universities we have shortlisted for you below:

  1. Harvard University, US
  2. Stanford University, US
  3. University of Cambridge, UK
  4. University of Oxford, UK
  5. University of California, Berkeley, US
  6. University of California, Los Angeles, US
  7. UCL- London, UK
  8. Yale University, New Haven, US
  9. Massachusetts Institute of Technology- Cambridge, US
  10. The University of Michigan- Ann Arbor, US
  11. New York University, US
  12. Columbia University, US
  13. University of British Columbia, Canada
  14. University of Pennsylvania, US
  15. University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
  16. University of Chicago, US
  17. Princeton University, US
  18. The University of Melbourne,  Australia
  19. University of Toronto, Canada
  20. King’s College London, UK

MA in Psychology

MA degree in Psychology focuses on the study of liberal arts, and the curriculum is organized in such a way that greater emphasis is placed on humanitarian study and counseling.

The university might require a bachelor’s in Psychology or at least having studied the psychology subject during their graduation. With the rising demand for psychiatrists due to stressful times, this degree is in demand, and job prospects are looking up.

Masters in Psychology or an MA in Psychology – Which one to go for?

A Masters in Psychology and MA Psychology both cover the general foundations of psychological theories, practices, and scientific methods in their curriculum.

The deciding factor regarding which degree to pursue depends upon the student’s ultimate career goal. If the student wishes to pursue a doctoral degree in Psychology or do research in the future, then MS is essential. Also, students who want to take up a specialization and pursue it further must go for a Master’s in Psychology. However, if a student wants to take up general counseling, teaching, or any other work related to a similar field such as social sciences, then an MA degree is a good fit for the student.

A Master’s degree focuses on advanced statistical analysis and research methodology, which allows students to have a career within professional psychology. MA degree offers the opportunity of a career in the field of mental health industries, schools, and private industry opportunities.

Students can complete their Masters in Psychology as an MS or MA degree. Both degrees have a few common subjects, but their focus is different. Depending on the student’s direction of a career, the best-suited degree should be picked.

Want expert help to reach your target Masters program in Psychology? Connect with us for a free 15 minute session and we will chart out your admissions roadmap!

Share this post