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The Master of Arts in Psychology

Course Requirements for the Master's Degree: 30 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 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 February 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 pursuing the Psychology Science Option must have completed the following five course prerequisites within the last 10 years: psychological research methods; one course in statistics for psychology; and three upper division psychology content courses which cover at least three of the following nine areas: learning/behavior analysis, cognition/perception/educational psychology, developmental/life-span psychology, personality/social/cross-cultural psychology, abnormal/clinical psychology, biopsychology/neuroscience, community/health psychology, evolutionary/comparative psychology, and/or industrial/organizational behavior.

Students pursuing the Applied Option (School Psychology Credential/Pupil Personnel Services) must have completed the following five course prerequisites within the last 10 years: one course in psychology of learning; one course in developmental or child/adolescent psychology; one course in statistics; one course in cognition; and one course in psychological measurement.

Advancement to Candidacy:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

1. Classified graduate standing and completion of at least 12-13 units of the proposed program:

  1. Psychological Science Option: PYSC 600, PSYC 610, PSYC 611, PSYC 695 and either PSYC 560 or PSYC 615 with at least a B average in these courses;
  2. 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:

  1. Course Requirements:
  2. SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
    Prerequisites: A course in statistics including research design.
    Basic psychological measurement theory and principles of test construction. 2 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. (007960)
    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)
    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)
    Prerequisites: PSYC 466 or PSYC 362, faculty permission.
    Factors contributing to acquisition, performance, and retention. The methods of evaluating learning. 3 hours seminar. (008020)
    Survey of topics in general psychology and recent relevant research. Particular emphasis on major theoretical positions. 3 hours seminar. (008002)
    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)
    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)
    Prerequisites: Graduate standing in psychology, faculty permission.
    Comprehensive consideration of issues in teaching at the college level and techniques related to successful instruction. 1 hour seminar. (008012)
    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)
    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)
    Prerequisites: PSYC 600 or its equivalent, faculty permission; PSYC 611 is recommended.
    Theoretical development and design of an empirical research study to further develop skills and completion of a written research proposal by the student, with faculty assistance and supervision. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 1 hour seminar. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 2.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (008089)
    Prerequisites: Advancement to Candidacy, faculty permission.
    Faculty supervision of an empirical research study designed by the student. Student responsibilities include data collection, data analysis, and the final submission of a complete, professionally written research report. This course is offered for 1.0-6.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (021384)

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

    SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
    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)
  3. 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.
  4. 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.)
  5. Not more than 15 units taken before admission to classified status.
  6. Not more than a total of 10 units of Independent Study (697) and Master's Thesis (699T) or Empirical Research Manuscript (697P); not more than 6 units of Master's Thesis (699T) or Empirical Research Manuscript (697P). Enrollment in PSYC 699T or PSYC 697P is restricted to students who have been advanced to candidacy; students may not enroll in 699T or 697P for more than three semesters. Not more than 4 units of Research Assistantship (PSYC 694). Not more than 1 unit of Seminar in Research Problems. (PSYC 695).
  7. With the exceptions of Research Assistantship (694), Seminar in Research Problem (695), Empirical Research Manuscript (697P), 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 Master's Thesis or Empirical Research Manuscript 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:

  1. Course Requirements:
  2. 4 courses required:

    SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
    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)
    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)
    Prerequisites: PSYC 466 or PSYC 362, faculty permission.
    Factors contributing to acquisition, performance, and retention. The methods of evaluating learning. 3 hours seminar. (008020)
    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. Formerly PSYC 696. (015916)

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

    SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
    Prerequisites: Advancement to candidacy, faculty permission.
    Culminating 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
    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 II (696B).

    3 courses selected from:

    SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
    Prerequisites: 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)
    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)
    Prerequisites: PSYC 573 with a grade of B or higher, faculty permission.
    The theory, research, and laboratory practice of group counseling techniques with small groups and families. 2 hours seminar, 3 hours laboratory. (007977)
    Prerequisites: PSYC 573 (may be taken concurrently), 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)
  3. Two or three elective courses.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.)
  6. Not more than 15 units taken before admission to classified status.
  7. Not more than a total of 10 units of School Psychology: Comprehensive Exam II (696B), Independent Study (697), and Master's Thesis (699T) combined; not more than 3 units of School Psychology: Comprehensive Exam II (696B) or 6 units of Master's Thesis (699T). (Enrollment in 696B, 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).
  8. With the exception of School Psychology: Comprehensive Exam II (696B) 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: 67 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 67 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.

Foundation Courses (First Year)

Fall 1 Semester

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
Prerequisites: 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)
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)
Prerequisites: PSYC 466 or PSYC 362, faculty permission.
Factors contributing to acquisition, performance, and retention. The methods of evaluating learning. 3 hours seminar. (008020)
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)

Spring 1 Semester

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
Prerequisite: PSYC 573 with a grade of B or higher.
This course covers organization, planning, management, and evaluation of comprehensive counseling programs within the school setting; appropriate roles and functions of school psychologist as counselor at various school levels coordination of professional services; and professional issues such as ethics and associations as they specifically relate to provision of counseling and mental health services are included. 3 hours clinical. (022060)
This is an introductory graduate course designed to provide students with theoretical background in school-based psychological consultation. Students are exposed to a variety of theoretical models of consultation (behavioral, mental health, ecological, instructional, organizational), and have opportunities to develop relevant skills (problem solving, communication/interpersonal). 3 hours clinical. (022059)
This course is designed particularly for students who intend to work in schools or with other child and adolescent populations to examine diversity. Emphasis is placed on previously learned knowledge and skills as applied to culturally diverse populations and intersectionality, which describes the merging or intersection of multiple marginalized identities. Addressing the multiple dimensions of identity and the potential for discrimination expands school professionals'' ability to advocate for a free and appropriate public education (FAPE), with accessible academic and mental health services, for all students. Models for change at various levels are addressed. 3 hours clinical. (022058)
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)

Practicum Courses (Second Year)

Fall 2 Semester

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
Prerequisites: PSYC 573, PSYC 632, PSYC 680, all with grades of B or higher.
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)
Prerequisites: PSYC 605, PSYC 650, faculty permission.
Directed consultation experience in school setting to effect changes in behavior for particular children or classrooms. 3 hours clinical. (008025)
Prerequisites: PSYC 605, PSYC 660.
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. 3 hours clinical. (008024)
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)
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)
Prerequisite: Open only to students admitted to the School Psychology Program.
Supervised school psychology practicum experience in the school setting. 9 hours supervision. (022065)

Spring 2 Semester

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
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)
Prerequisites: PSYC 660, PSYC 661, PSYC 661P; School Psychology Credential/PPS students only; faculty permission.
Corequisite: 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)
Prerequisites: PSYC 660, PSYC 661, PSYC 661P; School Psychology Credential/PPS students only; faculty permission.
Corequisite: PSYC 662.
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)
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)
Prerequisites: PSYC 688A, open only to students admitted to the School Psychology Program.
Supervised practicum experience in the school setting. 9 hours supervision. Formerly PSYC 688. (008082)

Internship Courses (Third Year)

Fall 3 Semester

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
Prerequisites: Open only to approved candidates for School Psychology.
Internship in selected school psychology setting. 15 hours supervision. (008084)
Prerequisite: Open only to students admitted to the School Psychology Program.
Cogrequisite: PSYC 689A.
Designed for School Psychology students who have chosen the comprehensive exam as a culminating activity. The exam includes passing a written portion in the fall semester of the internship year. 9 hours supervision. (022066)

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

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
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)

Spring 3 Semester

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
Prerequisites: Open only to approved candidates for School Psychology.
Internship in selected school psychology setting. 15 hours supervision. (008085)
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. Formerly PSYC 696. (015916)

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

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
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: PSYC 699T should be taken for 3 units twice for a total of 6 units.

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, Seminar in Research Problems - 695, School Psychology: Comprehensive Exam II - 696B, Empirical Research Manuscript - 697P, 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, 695, 696B, 697P, 699T, and courses outside the major).

All courses on the student's program, with the exception of Research Assistantship (694), Seminar in Research Problems (695), School Psychology: Comprehensive Exam II (696B), Empirical Research Manuscript (697P), 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:20