Master of Arts in Psychology,
General Psychology Specialization

Pursue your Master of Arts in Psychology (MA), General Psychology Specialization degree at University of the Rockies' campus located in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Program Emphasis:

In the General Psychology Specialization, you will build a solid foundation of knowledge in the science of psychology, including psychometric theory, statistics and research methodology, human development, learning theory and behavior, and the biological, cognitive, emotional, and social bases of behavior. This non-practitioner degree is a good fit for you if you are looking for a program that will prepare you to pursue potential careers such as teaching Psychology at the community college level or becoming a researcher or technician.

The General Psychology Specialization can be pursued as either a Thesis or Non-thesis degree program. If you plan to seek this degree to prepare for a career in behavioral or mental health research or to prepare for entry into doctoral study, you are strongly encouraged to elect the thesis option.

Additionally, this program is well suited to those intending to progress into a doctoral program after gaining experience and education in psychological foundations and research methodologies in order to demonstrate the ability to succeed in graduate level work and in conducting graduate level research.

Degree Completion Requirements:

To fulfill the requirements for the Master of Arts in Psychology, General Psychology Specialization, you must successfully complete the following:

  • Program coursework of 39 credits
  • A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00
  • Master's Thesis or a pass of the Comprehensive Exam
  • Submission of the Petition to Graduate form and applicable fees

Program Outline:

Take advantage of the flexible course offerings, as follows:

  • Evening and/or weekend courses are offered.
  • Evening courses meet for four hours one night per week over a nine-week term.
  • Weekend classes meet on three weekends over the nine-week term from Friday at 12:00 noon through Sunday at 1:30 PM.
  • The typical course load is two courses per term.
  • Courses are listed in the proposed sequence. You will have assistance from the Registrar for scheduling your courses.

Courses:

PSY 6300 Adult Development (3 credits)

This course explores the major theories of adult development related to emotions, personality, cognitive functioning, social and family influences, and physical functioning. Current theoretical approaches and research related to adult development are emphasized as well as practical applications in the therapy setting. Prerequisite (for clinical programs only): PSY 5300 or equivalent.

PSY 5510 Biological Bases of Behavior (3 credits)

This course is designed to provide the student with a foundation of human physiology including the nervous, hormonal, reproductive, and sensory systems, and the attendant functions of digestion, sleep, learning and memory, emotion and other human biological functions. The course provides an essential knowledge base for most other offerings in the field of psychology.

PSY 6290 Learning Theory & Behavioral Applications (3 credits)

This course surveys traditional areas of learning theory, including classical and instrumental conditioning paradigms, motivation, reinforcement variables, stimulus discrimination, generalization and transfer, habituation, and memory. Also reviewed are models of social learning theory, modeling, and behavioral rehearsal. Behavioral approaches to therapy that focus on modifying specific, observable behaviors, using the principles of learning theory such as systematic desensitization, cognitive-behavioral approaches, and dialectical behavioral therapy. Prerequisite: PSY 6510 or equivalent.

PSY 6521 Principles of Social Psychology (3 credits)

This course provides an introduction and overview of the principles and theories of social psychology. The course includes exploration of behavior in groups, group impacts on individual behavior and the ways in which organizational rules and norms impact behavior. Constructs of social psychology, including social influence, social thinking, and attitude formation are covered and related to sociological and psychological research.

PSY 5400 Statistics & Psychometrics (3 credits)

This course emphasizes statistical concepts related to distributions and methods most appropriate to data and theories in psychology. The focus is on a quantitative approach to the concepts and methods of statistical inference. Topics include sampling, frequency distributions, estimation, and testing. Statistical techniques in analysis and interpretation of experimental data include estimation and testing, analysis of variance, experimental designs, linear regression, and correlation. Various statistical models are discussed including analyses of variance, covariance, and multiple regression; non-parametric statistics; components of variance; and designs and analyses for multi-factor experiments. Emphasis is placed on the role quantitative methodologies play in the quest to discover what the world is like.

PSY 5100 Assessment - Tests & Measurements (3 credits)

This course involves the study of the theory and practice of psychological measurement. The focus is on the process of measuring and differentiating variables of psychological interest. Students explore basic concepts of measurement and the principles of test construction. The course familiarizes the prospective professional psychologist with the common tests used in psychological and educational practice. These include intellectual, aptitude, and achievement tests; interest inventories; personality tests; and social measures.

PSY 6400 Quantitative Research & Development (3 credits)

This course extends a student's knowledge of the principles and procedures involved in complex behavioral sciences research. The goal is to provide the student with an educational experience that allows him or her to become an informed consumer of scholarly psychological research. The course also prepares the student to conduct advanced research. Topics include philosophy of science, advanced research methods, and analysis of variance. Prerequisite: PSY 5400 or equivalent.

PSY 6510 Cognitive & Affective Bases of Behavior (3 credits)

This course studies the science of the cognitive and affective bases of behavior. The course reviews the contributions of cognitive psychology and also studies the effect of emotion and motivation on behavior. Cognitive psychology emphasizes perception, attention, memory, reasoning, language, imagery, and problem solving. Affective psychology focuses on emotional arousal, motivation, attribution, and mood. Students are thoroughly acquainted with research and research methods in this area and also focus on how this information applies in clinical practice. Prerequisite: PSY 5510 or equivalent.

PSY 5500 History & Systems of Psychology (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the theoretical systems, methods of inquiry, and terminologies associated with the history of psychology. The course is grounded in a broad historical understanding that builds a framework for understanding the contemporary field of psychology. The focus is on the major systems of Associationism, Structuralism, Functionalism, Behaviorism, Gestalt, Psychodynamic, and Existential/Humanistic.

PSY 5600 Family Systems (3 credits)

This course is an introduction to the systems approach to intervention with families. It includes a historical perspective on family theory development. The focus is on obtaining knowledge and theory about the nuclear family in traditional and alternative forms. Normal family patterns of interaction, family life cycle, family of origin, family subsystems, and societal influence are explored. Contemporary issues and outcome research literature are reviewed. This course serves as a knowledge base for further study of assessment, treatment, and intervention with families.

PSY 5300 Child & Adolescent Development (3 credits)

This course surveys the major theoretical perspectives on life span development from conception through adolescence. Developmental processes related to physical, cognitive, moral, and emotional functions are reviewed as well as societal and cultural aspects of development. In addition, applications to the counseling psychology therapeutic approach are covered.

PSY 6501 Psychology of Personality (3 credits)

This course explores the major theories of personality including Psychodynamic, Behavioral, Biological, Cognitive, Trait-Factor, and Humanistic/Existential approaches. Students study individual theories and compare and contrast these theoretical positions in terms of current research. In addition, students explore the relevance and application of personality theories to the profession of psychology.

Non-Thesis Option ***

Choose one of the electives below and Comprehensive Exam:

ORG 6525 International Leadership (3 credits) OR ORG 6700 Substance Abuse & Dependence (3 credits)

Thesis Option ***

9 weeks, 1 credit each, 3 credits total

  • PSY 6990 Master's Thesis (1 credit)

PSY 6990 Master's Thesis (1 credit)

This course involves the student designing, conducting, and presenting independent research, under the supervision of a Thesis Advisor and faculty committee. The student submits a full research proposal, in addition to collecting, analyzing data, interpreting results, and presenting findings in a professional written form and oral defense before his/her thesis committee. Prerequisite: PSY 6400.

Total Credits 39


*** Students must choose either the Comprehensive Exam or Thesis option prior to enrolling in Thesis or before completing 30 total credits in the program. Students enrolling in Thesis are given three consecutive nine-week periods or 27 total weeks to complete this requirement. Students not completing their Thesis during that period and not enrolled in any other course will register in PSY 6991 Thesis Extension at one credit each for nine weeks to remain in the program. Students may take up to 3 total credits of Thesis Extension. Students who have not completed Thesis after three extensions will be dismissed from the program. Students choosing the comprehensive examination normally take the exam after all coursework has been completed. To be eligible to take comprehensive examinations, a student must have completed 36 credit hours in the program and be in good academic standing with no outstanding grades of U or I.