The Master’s of Arts in Psychological Research (MAPR) program is designed to provide foundational graduate education in the content areas and research of general psychology to prepare for a master’s-level career or entrance into a doctoral program. All graduate seminar courses have an enrollment of 15 or fewer students which facilitates close communication and intellectual stimulation among participants. The program is designed to be completed in two years.
The Master of Arts in Psychology, Option in Psychological Research (MAPR) program is designed to provide graduate education in the content areas and research of general psychology in order to prepare students for doctoral work or for master’s-level careers. It is a two-year, full-time program.
The core seminars cover basic areas of psychology including cognition, learning, physiological/sensory psychology, social, personality, health, clinical, developmental psychology and quantitative methods. Students are required to complete a research thesis as their culminating experience.
Faculty work closely with students to provide training and hands-on cutting-edge research experience. This mentor/mentee relationship leads to co-authorships, conference presentations and laboratory experience that fully prepares you for either the doctorate or workforce route.
MAPR STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Knowledge base in Psychological Research
By the time of completion of the MAPR degree, students will:
Summarize and critique the psychology literature including core theories, particularly within their chosen area of specialization.
Research Design and Methods
By the time of completion of the MAPR degree, students will:
Demonstrate their understanding and ability to implement basic and applied research designs used to address psychological issues.
Statistics
By the time of completion of the MAPR degree, students will:
Demonstrate knowledge of the range of analytic techniques that are used in psychology.
Communication
By the time of completion of the MAPR degree, students will:
Communicate both orally and in writing at a level that is appropriate for professionals in their chosen area
September 2025
College of Liberal Arts
California State University, Long Beach,
1250 Bellflower Blvd.,
LONG BEACH,
California,
90840, United States
You must have a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from a four-year accredited college or university, or a bachelor’s in another area and the equivalent of four lower division and eight upper division CSULB courses
Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Paper-based 550; Internet-based (iBT) 80
IELTS 6.0 each sub-section
Pearson Test of English 58
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.