Program Description

The Master of Science in Psychology degree program provides advanced psychology training for students interested in nationally prominent doctoral programs in psychology and for those who hope to pursue applied careers such as research science, data analysis, and program management. The curriculum introduces students to advanced psychology coursework, hands-on research experiences and ongoing professional development opportunities. 

This research-focused program pairs students with a research mentor, providing opportunities to participate in laboratory-based research projects and complete an independent research study. With four major fields to choose from — Developmental Psychology, Cognition, Social/Personality Psychology and Neuroscience — students develop the expertise and skills needed to pursue a variety of exciting career paths. 

Benefits

The psychology master’s program ensures that students gain a broad understanding of their discipline, apply their knowledge and analytical skills to create effective and novel solutions to practical problems, and communicate and work effectively in collaborative environments. 

Other benefits include: 

• World-Class Faculty: The program is led by faculty of the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences who are widely cited experts in their respective fields.
  
• Comprehensive Curriculum: Courses in the Psychology master’s program will introduce students to new ideas, technologies, and competencies while preparing them to succeed in competitive, ever-changing industries. 
• Specializations: Students in the program have the opportunity to specialize in one of four major fields, working with faculty whose expertise aligns with students’ research interests and career aspirations.  
• Facilities: The School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences is housed in the Erik Jonsson Academic Center and research is enhanced through faculty and student participation in six centers in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
• Labs and Internships: Students have the opportunity to conduct research at one of the more than 50 labs across campus and within the School’s centers and institutes.
• Location: Situated in the greater Dallas region — recently rated by Forbes magazine as the #1 “Best City for Jobs” — UT Dallas provides students with easy access to employers and internship opportunities, not to mention a large and supportive alumni population. 

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the psychology master’s program have gone on to pursue professional careers in a wide variety of fields. Recent graduates have found jobs such as:

• Program specialist
• Research manager
• Project coordinator
• Data analyst

The program does not provide clinical training or licensure as a counselor or psychologist. Instead, it prepares students for corporate, government and nonprofit job opportunities while also equipping students to succeed in doctoral and professional degree programs.

Marketable Skills

Review the marketable skills for this academic program.

Application Deadline and Requirements

Please take note of all application deadlines and visit the Apply Now webpage to begin the application process. See the Psychology website for additional information.

Applicants to the Psychology master’s degree program should have: 

• A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. In general, applicants to this program will have undergraduate backgrounds in psychology. Although students’ qualifications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, most students accepted for this program will have had courses in statistics and research design, developmental psychology, cognitive psychology, social psychology, personality psychology, and abnormal psychology. 
• A grade point average (GPA) in undergraduate-level coursework of 3.0 or better on a 4.0-point scale. 
• Test Scores: Both GRE math and verbal scores are required to be considered for admission.
• Letters of Recommendation: Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation from individuals able to judge the candidate’s potential for success in the master’s degree program. 
• Admissions Essay: Applicants must submit an essay outlining their research experiences and interests, as well as their research fit with potential UT Dallas Psychology faculty mentors. 
• International applicants must submit a TOEFL score of at least 80 on the internet-based test. Scores must be less than two years old. See the Graduate Catalog for additional information regarding English proficiency requirements for international applicants.

The application deadline is February 15th. Applicants are selected once a year to begin the program in the fall semester.