Admission information

Psychology, MS

Is this program right for me?

If you are interested in preparing yourself to be a strong candidate for admission into a doctoral program in Psychology or related fields, then this program is for you! You will get extensive hands-on research experience with your advisor, which will help you refine and strengthen your research program. Additionally, you will take coursework in your content area of interest as well as quantitative methods and statistics. Our students go onto a variety of PhD programs in Psychology, including Clinical, Counseling, Social, Development, and Cognitive, as well as PhD programs in Communication, Political Science, Sociology, and Social Work.

If you are interested in preparing yourself for a professional career in research or helping others, then this program is for you! Through our coursework and research experience, you will obtain the necessary skills to work as a research coordinator, consultant, or specialist in hospitals, non-profits, government agencies, and schools.

If you are looking to challenge yourself, then this program is definitely for you! We pride ourselves on a collegial and supportive environment combined with a rigorous program of study – all with the goal of helping you realize your dreams whether they be admission into a doctoral program or professional career enrichment.

If you are looking to gain the credentials for licensure to be a therapist or counselor, then this program is NOT for you. We are not a counseling program and, thus, are not structured or accredited to prepare students for licensure. If you are interested in being a licensed therapist or counselor, please see ASU’s Master in Counseling program.

Program at a Glance

Campus Immersion Details

Location: West Valley Campus
Credit Hours: 36
Schedule: day and evening classes
Time to Completion: 4 semesters within 24 months (cohort-based)
Admit Term: Fall
Application Deadlines

Program Handbook PSY Coursework Program Advising

Pursuing a graduate degree represents a pivotal juncture in your academic and professional path. We are committed to ensuring that you are well-informed and well-prepared for this significant journey. To facilitate your exploration and understanding of the program, we encourage you to delve into our advising website. Here, you can access vital information regarding program prerequisites, course offerings, and the expertise of our esteemed faculty.

We particularly recommend a thorough review of the curriculum check sheet and the program handbook. These documents offer an insightful glimpse into what you can expect during your academic journey, helping you gain a comprehensive understanding of the program's requirements and guidelines. Your time spent exploring these resources will be invaluable as you embark on this next chapter of your education.

Pre-Recorded Information Session

Find us in the Community

Application Deadlines

Opportunities for Study

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Application Components

Completed applications must be electronically submitted to ASU and include the following:

photo of students sitting at table in courtyard

photo of students sitting at table on Fletcher lawn

Letters of recommendation help support your graduate school application by providing a third-party view of your ability to perform well in graduate school. It is preferred that the letters of recommendation are from faculty members who know the applicant's work well; if these are not available, then recommendations should be from individuals in supervisory or professional roles. Two letters of recommendation are required. However, three letters of recommendation are strongly recommended.

This is your opportunity to introduce yourself, share your goals and explain why you decided to pursue this particular program. Please provide a statement no longer than three pages double-spaced describing your research experience and interest overlap with the identified ASU program faculty.

A unique feature of our program is our research clusters. In order for us to make the most informed admission decision, we need to understand where your interests will best match within our program. Thus, when applying to our program, please take the time to consider which research cluster best fits your research interests. You will be asked to list 3 potential faculty advisors and explain in your statement of purpose which research cluster you are most interested in and why you are interested in the three faculty you chose.

Cognition, Behavior and Information (CBI)

Psychology and Law

Resilience in Social Environments (RISE)

Use the link below to learn more about our three research clusters and the faculty in each cluster along with their research interests.

Learn More

Applicants must provide evidence of successful completion of an undergraduate, or graduate, social science statistics and research methods course. Typically, these pre-requisite courses should be in a social science field; however, applicants may apply with courses outside of a social science field.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in applicable master's degree program. Priority is given to applicants who have achieved a 3.25 GPA or higher.

This program strongly suggests the submission of your professional resume or curriculum vitae as part of your application materials.

International applicants should review details online to determine if a TOEFL or IELTS score must be submitted. Information can be found by visiting students.asu.edu/graduate/proficiency.

Review Process

Review of applications for admission are done on a rolling basis. Typically decisions are returned within 14 calendar days from the date the application is ‘in review’. The decision timeframe may increase during peak cycles.

Applicants can view the status of their application online via My ASU. The New College may reach out to request additional information or provide updates so it is important to check your email regularly.

After submitting your application please contact ncgradadmissions@asu.edu with any questions.

While you wait for a decision we recommend that you:

explore resources available to all ASU Graduate Students available here.
submit your FAFSA, for more information visit: https://tuition.asu.edu/financial-aid

Accelerated Options

New College offers a number of accelerated master's programs, providing top undergraduate students in select programs the flexibility to begin taking classes (up to twelve credit hours) toward their master’s degree during their senior year. By combining undergraduate and graduate coursework in your senior year for shared credit, you’ll save up to an entire year of schooling and receive both degrees in as little as five years. *Accelerated Master's options are available to current ASU undergraduate students in select programs. To learn more approved programs and requirements, click here.

Helpful Links

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On This Page:

Is this program right for me?

Program at a Glance

Campus Immersion Details

Opportunities for Study

Thesis / Applied Project Track

Behavioral Data Science Capstone

Positive Psychology Concentration

Sport Psychology Concentration

Application Components

Letters of Recommendation

Statement of Purpose

Research Clusters

Required Courses

GPA Requirement

Professional Resume

English Proficiency

Review Process

While you wait for a decision we recommend that you:

Accelerated Options

Helpful Links