The Psychological Science M.A. degree is an ideal program for those:
Planning to apply to Ph.D. programs but needing additional Psychology experience.
Looking to gain additional Psychology research experience.
Hoping to change their field of study if they lack a Psychology undergraduate background.
Overview
The M.A. in Psychological Science is a thesis-optional terminal degree awarded after 31 hours of coursework. Required courses are designed to provide training in statistics and research methodology and a breadth of coverage in several content areas including clinical, cognitive, developmental, experimental, neuroscience, and social psychology.
Strengths of the Psychological Science Program
95% of students complete the program in 2 years, with no summer requirements.
Our match rate for students applying to doctoral program exceeds the national average: this past year, 100% of our students were accepted into doctoral programs.
All of your classes are with Ph.D. students in doctoral-level courses. This means that many Ph.D. programs will allow you to transfer these credits.
A diverse selection of classes allows you to tailor your studies to your interests.
Many opportunities to work as a Research Assistant in faculty labs. Our M.A. students have the opportunity to conduct independent research projects while in the program.
Take advantage of being in Washington, D.C., by working as a Research Assistant at local institutions. Recent placements include: Children's National Medical Center, Veteran's Administration Medical Center, National Institute of Health (NIH), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), and many others.
Opportunities to be authors on journal articles and conference paper and poster abstracts.
Supportive faculty who are invested in your professional development and available to advise you on job opportunities and graduate school applications.
A supportive student body.
The option to complete a thesis.
The Psychological Science master's program is an appropriate program for students with many different backgrounds and is designed for individuals who either:
Intend to seek a Ph.D. or Psy.D. in psychology but do not have adequate undergraduate training and/or research experience. Recent students in the Psychological Science program who completed a Research Assistantship have been very successful in being accepted into clinical, counseling, developmental, and experimental psychology Ph.D. and Psy.D. programs.
Hope to find career opportunities in areas related to psychology. Our M.A. degree in Psychological Science is valued in many different employment settings such as human relations, marketing, advertising, education, management, arbitration, lobbying, and business.
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution
May 2025
CUA Campus
620 Michigan Ave., N.E.,
Washington,
District of Columbia,
20064, South, United States
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution
August 2025
CUA Campus
620 Michigan Ave., N.E.,
Washington,
District of Columbia,
20064, South, United States
Applicants for graduate programs who hold undergraduate degrees from foreign institutions of higher education must provide, as part of the application process, a degree equivalency evaluation from a reputable credentials evaluation service recognized by The University. This ensures that applications are given full consideration by University officials who may not be familiar with the education program of that specific institution.
Acceptable Test Scores
TOEFL - 80 Internet (should have at least 20 out of 30 in each category); 550 Paper; 213 Computer.
IELTS - varies by program, generally around 6.5
Duolingo - 105
PTE - 58
Application deadlines: November 1- for Spring; July 1- for Fall.
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
Catholic University is an academically and spiritually driven research university with a diverse student population, based in Washington, D.C., USA
