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The Master of Arts in Psychology

Course Requirements for the Master's Degree: 30 units

Continuous enrollment is required. A maximum of 9 semester units of transfer and/or CSU Chico Open University coursework may be applied toward the degree.

Graduate Time Limit:

All requirements for the degree are to be completed within five years of the end of the semester of enrollment in the oldest course applied toward the degree. See Master's Degree Requirements in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements.

Application Procedures:

The Department of Psychology admits applicants to its MA program only in the fall semester each year. In addition to the Office of Graduate Studies' admission prerequisites and application procedures (please see the University Catalog , Graduate Education: Application Procedures), the Department of Psychology requires the completion of its own Admissions Application, including a Statement of Purpose, and three letters of recommendation. These application materials are available online at www.csuchico.edu/psy/ and are to be submitted along with transcripts and test scores, by January 15 for consideration for fall admission.

Prerequisites for Admission to Conditionally Classified Status:

1. Satisfactory grade point average as specified in Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Admission Requirements in the University Catalog.

2. Approval by the department and the Office of Graduate Studies.

3. An acceptable baccalaureate from an accredited institution.

4. Applied Psychology Option: completion of either the Graduate Record Examination General Test or the Miller Analogies Test.  Psychological Science Option: completion of the Graduate REcord Examination General Test.  The Graduate Record Examination Advanced Test in Psychology is not required but will be considered if available.

Prerequisites for Admission to Classified Status:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

Students must have completed the following four course prerequisites within the last ten years: one course in the psychology of learning; one course in developmental or child psychology; one course in statistics for psychology; one course in either the psychology of personality, abnormal psychology, or social psychology. Students intending to pursue enrollment in the School Psychology Credential/Pupil Personnel Services specialization have the additional undergraduate prerequisite of one course in psychometrics (psychological measurement).

Advancement to Candidacy:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

1. Classified graduate standing and completion of at least 12 units of the proposed program, including the following four courses: PYSC 600, PSYC 610, PSYC 611 and either PSYC 560 or PSYC 615 for the Psychological Science Option, with at least a B average in these courses; PSYC 660, PSYC 600, either PSYC 603 or PSYC 605, and one elective for the Applied Psychology Option with at least a B average in these courses.

2. Student must pass the writing proficiency requirement in order to be advanced to candidacy.

3. All "Incomplete" grades in courses included in the approved program must be completed before a student will be advanced to candidacy.

4. Formation of the graduate advisory committee.

5. Development of an approved program in consultation with the graduate advisory committee and approved by the Graduate Coordinator.

6. Approval of the graduate committee in the Department of Psychology.

Requirements for the MA Degree in Psychology: Option in Psychological Science

Completion of all requirements as established by the department graduate committee, the graduate advisory committee, and the Office of Graduate Studies, to include:

30 units required:

1. Completion of an approved program consisting of 30 units of 500/600-level courses as follows:

(a) Course Requirements:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
PSYC 560 Principles of Psychological Measurement   3.0 FS  
Prerequisites: A course in statistics including research design.
Basic psychological measurement theory and principles of test construction. 2 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. (007960)
PSYC 600 Research and Evaluation Methods   3.0 FA  
Prerequisites: PSYC 364 or equivalent, faculty permission.
An examination of the nature and process of understanding and evaluating, as well as designing and conducting psychological research and evaluations studies. Important issues and criteria for evaluating quality and drawing conclusions will be emphasized. 3 hours seminar. (007996)
PSYC 603 Advanced Developmental Psychology   3.0 FS  
Prerequisites: PSYC 355, faculty permission.
Study of both typical human development and individual differences. Developmental issues and life events from infancy to old age and their effects upon individuals, couples, and family relationships. Emphasis will be on current theory and research related to social, emotional, and language development, and its relationship to practice. Biological and environmental influences are addressed. 3 hours seminar. (008018)
PSYC 605 Advanced Human Learning   3.0 FA  
Prerequisites: PSYC 466 or PSYC 362, faculty permission.
Factors contributing to acquisition, performance, and retention. The methods of evaluating learning. 3 hours seminar. (008020)
PSYC 610 Advanced General Psychology   3.0 FA  
Survey of topics in general psychology and recent relevant research. Particular emphasis on major theoretical positions. 3 hours seminar. (008002)
PSYC 611 Advanced Statistical Methods in Psychology   3.0 SP  
Prerequisites: PSYC 364, PSYC 600 or faculty permission.
Principles of experimental design and the philosophy of science, with emphasis on the evaluation of multivariate correlational data. 3 hours seminar. (008000)
PSYC 615 Seminar in Contemporary Issues of General Psychology   3.0 SP  
Detailed study and discussion of a specific area in general psychology. Content will reflect instructor's specialization. 3 hours seminar. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (008003)
PSYC 628B Issues in Teaching College Psychology   1.0 FS  
Prerequisites: Graduate standing in psychology, completion of appropriate graduate-level course work, faculty permission.
Comprehensive consideration of issues in teaching at the college level and techniques related to successful instruction. 1 hour seminar. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (008012)
PSYC 629B Supervised Teaching of College Psychology   1.0 FS  
Prerequisites: Graduate standing in psychology, faculty permission.
Supervised teaching of lecture or laboratory work in college-level psychology courses. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 1 hour seminar. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 4.0 units. (008015)
PSYC 694 Research Assistantship   1.0 FS  
Prerequisites: PSYC 364 or equivalent and at least conditionally classified status, faculty permission.
Students learn the research process through active participation in various phases of faculty research, including theoretical development, methodology, data collection, analysis and interpretation, report writing and, when appropriate, conference presentations. 3 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 4.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (008090)

Note: Students may complete 4 units of PSYC 694 in lieu of PSYC 628B and PSYC 629B.

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
PSYC 699T Master's Thesis   1.0 -6.0 FS  
Prerequisites: Advancement to candidacy, faculty permission.
This course is offered for 1.0-6.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (008100)

(b) At least 24 of the units required for the degree must be in 600-level courses. The student's graduate advisory committee and the graduate committee may grant exceptions to this.

(c) Not more than 9 semester units of transfer and/or extension credit (correspondence courses and U.C. extension course work are not <->acceptable).

(d) Not more than 15 units taken before admission to classified status.

(e) At least 9 units completed after advancement to candidacy.

(f) Not more than a total of 10 units of Independent Study (697) and Master's Thesis (699T); not more than 6 units of Master's Thesis (699T). (Enrollment in PSYC 699T is restricted to students who have been advanced to candidacy; students may not enroll in 699T for more than three semesters.) Not more than 4 units of Research Assistantship (PSYC 694). Not more than 2 units of supervised college teaching (PSYC 628, PSYC 629).

(g) With the exceptions of Research Assistantship (694) and Master's Thesis (699T), all course work included in the approved program must be taken for a letter grade.

2. Completion and final approval of a thesis as specified by the student's graduate advisory committee.

3. Satisfactory completion of an oral examination in the field of study.

4. Approval by the departmental graduate committee and the Graduate Coordinators Committee on behalf of the faculty of the University.

Requirements for the MA Degree in Psychology: Option in Applied Psychology

Completion of all requirements as established by the department graduate committee, the graduate advisory committee, and the Office of Graduate Studies, to include:

30 units required:

1. Completion of an approved program consisting of 30 units of 500/600-level courses as follows:

4 courses required:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
PSYC 600 Research and Evaluation Methods   3.0 FA  
Prerequisites: PSYC 364 or equivalent, faculty permission.
An examination of the nature and process of understanding and evaluating, as well as designing and conducting psychological research and evaluations studies. Important issues and criteria for evaluating quality and drawing conclusions will be emphasized. 3 hours seminar. (007996)
PSYC 603 Advanced Developmental Psychology   3.0 FS  
Prerequisites: PSYC 355, faculty permission.
Study of both typical human development and individual differences. Developmental issues and life events from infancy to old age and their effects upon individuals, couples, and family relationships. Emphasis will be on current theory and research related to social, emotional, and language development, and its relationship to practice. Biological and environmental influences are addressed. 3 hours seminar. (008018)
PSYC 605 Advanced Human Learning   3.0 FA  
Prerequisites: PSYC 466 or PSYC 362, faculty permission.
Factors contributing to acquisition, performance, and retention. The methods of evaluating learning. 3 hours seminar. (008020)
PSYC 696 School Psy: Comprehensive Exam   3.0 INQ  
Prerequisites: Advancement to candidacy, faculty permission.
Designed for School Psychology students who have chosen the comprehensive exam as a culminating activity. The exam includes both written and oral components and is offered during the student's last semester of master's study. 9 hours supervision. Credit/no credit grading. (015916)

OR (the following course may be substituted for the above)

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
PSYC 697R Analytical Review   3.0 FS  
Prerequisites: Advancement to candidacy, faculty permission.
Cultimating activity for MS degree program. A comprehensive written critique of the literature in an area of specialization and/or interest and a written examination. 9 hours supervision. (008099)

OR (the following course may be substituted for the above)

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
PSYC 699T Master's Thesis   1.0 -6.0 FS  
Prerequisites: Advancement to candidacy, faculty permission.
This course is offered for 1.0-6.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (008100)

Note: Students pursuing the School Psychology Credential must complete Master's Thesis (699T) or School Psychology: Comprehensive Exam (696).

3 courses selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
PSYC 494 Industrial/Organizational Psychology   3.0 INQ  
Psychological principles and practices in industrial and business settings. 3 hours lecture. (007967)
PSYC 560 Principles of Psychological Measurement   3.0 FS  
Prerequisites: A course in statistics including research design.
Basic psychological measurement theory and principles of test construction. 2 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. (007960)
PSYC 573 Counseling Psychology   3.0 FS  
Prerequisites: PSYC 381 or PSYC 382, senior or graduate standing, faculty permission.
Theory of individual and family counseling and laboratory practice in individual counseling. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (007976)
PSYC 660 Instructionally Focused Assessment in the Schools   3.0 SP  
Prerequisites: PSYC 560, classified status, faculty permission.
Survey of theory and methods of selecting, administering, and interpreting screening instruments, norm-referenced tests, curriculum-based assessments, and observational systems to identify academic and behavioral concerns and design appropriate instructional interventions. Research-based instructional strategies and effective schools/teachers research serve as the basis for intervention designed to help all students reach academic standards. 3 hours clinical. (008030)
PSYC 670 Seminar in Group Counseling   3.0 FS  
Prerequisites: PSYC 573 (with a grade of B or better), faculty permission.
The theory, research, and laboratory practice of group counseling techniques with small groups and families. 2 hours seminar, 3 hours laboratory. (007977)
PSYC 672 Cross-Cultural Issues in Counseling and Research   3.0 FA  
Prerequisites: PSYC 573, faculty permission.
Seminar addressing the evaluation of the various models of psychotherapy as they relate to ethnic minorities and the influence of the mores and values of various ethnic minority populations upon the counseling process. Self-exploration of racial/ethnic perceptions, attitudes, and experiences. Review and evaluation of contemporary examples of cross-cultural research. 3 hours seminar. (008044)

(a) Two or three elective courses.

(b) At least 24 of the units required for the degree must be in 600-level courses. The student's graduate advisory committee and the graduate committee may grant exceptions to this.

(c) Not more than 9 semester units of transfer and/or extension credit (correspondence courses and U.C. extension course work are not acceptable).

(d) Not more than 15 units taken before admission to classified status.

(e) At least 9 units completed after advancement to candidacy.

(f) Not more than a total of 10 units of School Psychology: Comprehensive Exam (696), Independent Study (697), and Master's Thesis (699T) combined; not more than 3 units of School Psychology: Comprehensive Exam (696) or 6 units of Master's Thesis (699T). (Enrollment in 696, 697R, or 699T is restricted to students who have been advanced to candidacy; students may not enroll in 699T for more than three semesters.) Not more than 4 units of supervised college teaching (PSYC 628B, PSYC 629B).

(g) With the exception of School Psychology: Comprehensive Exam (696) and Master's Thesis (699T), all course work included in the approved program must be taken for a letter grade.

2. Completion and final approval of a thesis, comprehensive examination, or analytical review as specified by the student's graduate advisory committee.

3. Satisfactory completion of an oral examination for the thesis option or a written examination for the analytical review.

4. Approval by the departmental graduate committee and the Graduate Coordinators Committee on behalf of the faculty of the University.

School Psychology Credential/Pupil Personnel Services: 66-71 units

Work leading to the School Psychology Credential is offered in conjunction with the MA in Psychology with an Option in Applied Psychology. This is a 66-71 unit program (including the 30 units for the MA). This program meets the State of California's requirements for the School Psychology Credential, and is accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists. Application for this program is made one year after the student has been admitted to the MA program and taken the required first-year course work to prepare for the program. Further information on recommended course sequences and application procedures for this program are available from the School Psychology/PPS Program Coordinator.

23 courses required:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
PSYC 573 Counseling Psychology   3.0 FS  
Prerequisites: PSYC 381 or PSYC 382, senior or graduate standing, faculty permission.
Theory of individual and family counseling and laboratory practice in individual counseling. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (007976)
PSYC 600 Research and Evaluation Methods   3.0 FA  
Prerequisites: PSYC 364 or equivalent, faculty permission.
An examination of the nature and process of understanding and evaluating, as well as designing and conducting psychological research and evaluations studies. Important issues and criteria for evaluating quality and drawing conclusions will be emphasized. 3 hours seminar. (007996)
PSYC 603 Advanced Developmental Psychology   3.0 FS  
Prerequisites: PSYC 355, faculty permission.
Study of both typical human development and individual differences. Developmental issues and life events from infancy to old age and their effects upon individuals, couples, and family relationships. Emphasis will be on current theory and research related to social, emotional, and language development, and its relationship to practice. Biological and environmental influences are addressed. 3 hours seminar. (008018)
PSYC 605 Advanced Human Learning   3.0 FA  
Prerequisites: PSYC 466 or PSYC 362, faculty permission.
Factors contributing to acquisition, performance, and retention. The methods of evaluating learning. 3 hours seminar. (008020)
PSYC 634 Practicum in School Counseling Interventions   3.0 FA  
Prerequisites: PSYC 670, PSYC 673A, PSYC 680, all with grades of B or better.
Examination of a variety of school counseling interventions and roles, including leadership and supervision. Supervised practice in the following activities: a) counseling groups of children, b) classroom instruction in emotional awareness, social skills, and conflict resolution, c) intervention with children in crisis, and d) leading interdisciplinary or other team meetings. 3 hours clinical. (008022)
PSYC 636 Practicum in Behavioral Consultation in Schools   3.0 FA  
Prerequisites: PSYC 605, PSYC 660, admission to PPS Program, faculty permission.
Directed consultation experience in school setting to effect changes in behavior for particular children or classrooms. 9 hours supervision. (008025)
PSYC 639 Practicum in Academic Intervention   2.0 FA  
Prerequisites: PSYC 605, PSYC 636, PSYC 660.
 Corequisites: PSYC 689A.
Concepts, principles, methods, and skills of instructional consultation in the schools. Supervised practice in the design, implementation and evaluation of empirically-based interventions in schools for academic skill deficits. 2 hours clinical. (008024)
PSYC 660 Instructionally Focused Assessment in the Schools   3.0 SP  
Prerequisites: PSYC 560, classified status, faculty permission.
Survey of theory and methods of selecting, administering, and interpreting screening instruments, norm-referenced tests, curriculum-based assessments, and observational systems to identify academic and behavioral concerns and design appropriate instructional interventions. Research-based instructional strategies and effective schools/teachers research serve as the basis for intervention designed to help all students reach academic standards. 3 hours clinical. (008030)
PSYC 661 Assessment of Intelligence and Cognition   2.0 FA  
Prerequisites: PSYC 660, concurrent enrollment in PSYC 661P, faculty permission.
An overview of theories of intelligence, basic concepts related to psychometrics, and issues related to the use and misuse of psychological tests with various populations of school-age children. Stresses a critical analysis of currently used tests of intelligence, with special consideration of the Wechsler scales and Stanford-Binet. 2 hours clinical. (008033)
PSYC 661P Practicum in Assessment of Intellience and Cognition   1.0 FA  
Prerequisites: PSYC 660, concurrent enrollment in PSYC 661, faculty permission.
Practice in the selection, administration, scoring and interpretation of individually-administered tests of intelligence and cognition. Includes training in the preparation of written reports. 1 hour clinical. (008034)
PSYC 662 Social and Emotional Assessment   2.0 SP  
Prerequisites: PSYC 660, faculty permission.
 Corequisites: PSYC 662P.
The assessment of the socio-emotional functioning and behavior of the school-aged child. Understanding of various issues related to personality assessment, test construction and design, and childhood psychopathology is emphasized. Critical examination of numerous instruments and procedures currently used in the social and emotional assessment of children. 2 hours clinical. (008036)
PSYC 662P Practicum in Social and Emotional Assessment   1.0 SP  
Prerequisites: PSYC 660, concurrent enrollment in PSYC 662, faculty permission.
Practice in the selection, administration and interpretation of various tests and procedures used in the socio-emotional assessment of children. Includes training in the preparation of written reports. 1 hour clinical. (008037)
PSYC 663 Advanced Supervision in Psychological Assessment   3.0 FA  
Prerequisites: PSYC 661, PSYC 661P, PSYC 662, PSYC 662P, faculty permission.
Provides advanced training in the meaningful interpretation of various forms of assessment and the communication of this information in the form of a written report. Supervision of cases from field-based practice. 9 hours supervision. (008038)
PSYC 670 Seminar in Group Counseling   3.0 FS  
Prerequisites: PSYC 573 (with a grade of B or better), faculty permission.
The theory, research, and laboratory practice of group counseling techniques with small groups and families. 2 hours seminar, 3 hours laboratory. (007977)
PSYC 672 Cross-Cultural Issues in Counseling and Research   3.0 FA  
Prerequisites: PSYC 573, faculty permission.
Seminar addressing the evaluation of the various models of psychotherapy as they relate to ethnic minorities and the influence of the mores and values of various ethnic minority populations upon the counseling process. Self-exploration of racial/ethnic perceptions, attitudes, and experiences. Review and evaluation of contemporary examples of cross-cultural research. 3 hours seminar. (008044)
PSYC 673A Practicum in Individual Counseling   3.0 FS  
Prerequisites: PSYC 573 (with grade of B or higher), classified status in MA or MS Psychology program, faculty permission.
Stresses skill development in individual counseling in a supervised practicum setting. Instruction and experience includes individual counseling with children and collaborative consultation with schools and family members. May not be repeated more than once without approval of the Psychology Graduate Committee, in consultation with MS subcommittee. 9 hours supervision. (008046)
PSYC 680 School Psychology: Introduction to the Profession, the Education System, and Prevention   3.0 FA  
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.
History and development of the profession; current and emergent roles of school psychologists; introduction to areas of professional expertise; preventive service delivery; and education as a social system. 3 hours seminar. (008057)
PSYC 681 School Psychology: Study of Childhood Exceptionalities   3.0 SP  
Prerequisites: PSYC 680, faculty permission.
Examination of various childhood exceptionalities including specific learning disabilities, mental retardation, behavioral and emotional disorders, low-incidence neurologically-based disorders, and physical and health related handicaps from birth to early adulthood; emphasis on role of school psychologist in identification and intervention; review of special education referral process and service delivery options; overview of classroom modifications, adaptations and inclusionary practices. 3 hours seminar. (008058)
PSYC 682 School Psychology: Legal and Ethical Principles and Preventive Service Delivery   3.0 SP  
Prerequisites: PSYC 680, PSYC 681, faculty permission.
Laws and ethical principles relevant to the practice of school psychology and their application to daily practice and professional dilemmas; program development and evaluation; national standards and models in pupil services; collaborative service delivery models. 3 hours seminar. (008059)
PSYC 688 Fieldwork in School Counseling I   5.0 SP  
Prerequisites: Open only to students admitted to the School Psychology Program.
Supervised practicum experience in the school setting. 15 hours supervision. (008082)
PSYC 689A Internship in School Psychology I   5.0 FA  
Prerequisites: Open only to approved candidates for School Psychology.
Internship in selected school psychology setting. 15 hours supervision. (008084)
PSYC 689B Internship in School Psychology II   5.0 SP  
Prerequisites: Open only to approved candidates for School Psychology.
Internship in selected school psychology setting. 15 hours supervision. (008085)
PSYC 696 School Psy: Comprehensive Exam   3.0 INQ  
Prerequisites: Advancement to candidacy, faculty permission.
Designed for School Psychology students who have chosen the comprehensive exam as a culminating activity. The exam includes both written and oral components and is offered during the student's last semester of master's study. 9 hours supervision. Credit/no credit grading. (015916)

OR (the following course may be substituted for the above)

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
PSYC 699T Master's Thesis   1.0 -6.0 FS  
Prerequisites: Advancement to candidacy, faculty permission.
This course is offered for 1.0-6.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (008100)

School Psychology Credentialing Exam

The School Psychology Program requires satisfactory completion of the national school psychology credentialing exam.

Graduate Requirement in Writing Proficiency:

Writing proficiency is a graduation requirement.

Psychology MA students will demonstrate their writing competence through an essay examination offered once a semester by the Department of Psychology's graduate committee. This requirement must be completed prior to advancement to candidacy.

Graduate Grading Requirements:

All courses in the major (with the exceptions of Research Assistantship - 694, School Psychology: Comprehensive Exam - 696, and Master's Thesis - 699T) must be taken for a letter grade, except those courses specified by the department as ABC/No Credit (400/500-level courses), AB/No Credit (600-level courses), or Credit/No Credit grading only. A maximum of 10 units combined of ABC/No Credit, AB/No Credit, and Credit/No Credit grades may be used on the approved program (including 694, 696, 699T, and courses outside the major).

All courses on the student's program, with the exception of Research Assistantship (694), School Psychology: Comprehensive Exam (696), and Master's Thesis (699T) must be taken for a letter grade.

Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average in each of the following three categories: all course work taken at any accredited institution subsequent to admission to the master's program; all course work taken at CSU, Chico subsequent to admission to the program; and all courses on the approved master's degree program. Students admitted to the School Psychology Credential Program must maintain a 3.4 grade point average in required courses.

Graduate Advising Requirement:

MA Psychological Science students should consult the Psychological Science Coordinator in planning their program.

MA School Psychology students should consult the School Psychology Credential/Pupil Personnel Services Coordinator in planning their program.

Research with Human Participants or Animals:

All research projects which involve human participants must be reviewed for adherence to ethical guidelines as outlined in departmental and University policies (EM 84-03). No project may proceed without prior approval by the department's Ethical Treatment in Human Investigations Committee. All research with animals must adhere to the guidelines outlined in the University Animal Welfare Policy.

Catalog Cycle:13