The Master of Science in Psychology

Course Requirements for the Master's Degree: 60 units

Continuous enrollment is required. At the discretion of the academic program, a maximum of 30 percent of the units counted toward the degree requirements may be special session credit earned in non-matriculated status combined with all transfer coursework.  This applies to special session credit earned through Open University, or in courses offered for academic credit through Regional and Continuing Education.

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 MS 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 February 15 for consideration for fall admission.

Area of Specialization:

MS Psychology/Marriage and Family Therapists:

The Master of Science in Psychology degree meets the educational requirements for the Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT) license in the State of California (MFT licensing law SB-33; Section 4980.36).

For specific advisory patterns and recommended course sequence in the MS Psychology program's specialization, MS admits should consult the MS Psychology Coordinator.

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. Completion of either the Graduate Record Examination Aptitude Test or the Miller Analogies 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 10 years: one course in research methods for psychology; one course in developmental or child psychology; one course in statistics; and one course in abnormal psychology.

Advancement to Candidacy:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

1. Classified graduate standing and completion at the University of at least 18 units of the proposed program, including PSYC 573, PSYC 670, PSYC 673A, and 9 units selected from remaining eligible program course requirements with at least a B average in these courses.

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

3. All "Incomplete" grades 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 MS Psychology Coordinator and the graduate advisory committee, and approved by the Graduate Coordinator.

6. Demonstrated ability to provide competent service, in accordance with the current versions of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists' Code of Ethics, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy's Code of Ethics, the American Counseling Association's Code of Ethics, and the American Psychological Association's Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct.

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

Requirements for the MS Degree in Psychology:

Completion of all requirements established by the department graduate committee, the graduate advisory committee, and the Office of Graduate Studies.

MFT Coursework:

Students seeking eligibility for the California Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) license must complete at least 60 units of coursework, including PSYC 697R (Analytical Review) or PSYC 699T (Master's Thesis) as designated by the department, the courses listed below (under Requirements for the MS Degree in Psychology ), and any elective units needed to attain this 60-unit minimum.

1. Completion of an approved program consisting of 60 units of 500/600-level courses as follows:

18 courses required:

3 units selected from:

(a) At the discretion of the academic program, a maximum of 30 percent of the units counted toward the degree requirements may be special session credit earned in non-matriculated status combined with all transfer coursework. This applies to special session credit earned through Open University, or in courses offered for academic credit through Regional and Continuing Education. (Correspondence courses and UC Extension coursework are not acceptable for transfer).

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

(c) 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 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 and PSYC 629B).

(d) With the exception of Master's Thesis (699T), all coursework included in the approved program must be taken for a letter grade.

2. Completion and final approval of a thesis or an 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.

Graduate Requirement in Writing Proficiency:

Writing proficiency is a graduation requirement.

Psychology MS 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 before advancement to candidacy.

Graduate Grading Requirements:

All courses in the major (with the exception of 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 699 and courses outside the major).

Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average in each of the following three categories: all coursework taken at an accredited institution subsequent to admission to the master's program; all coursework taken at CSU, Chico subsequent to admission to the program; and all courses on the approved master's degree program.

All courses in the major (with the exception of Master's Thesis-699T) must be taken for a letter grade.

Graduate Advising Requirement:

Students should consult the MS Psychology Coordinator in planning their MS 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.