Whether you plan to pursue a Master’s Degree in psychology online or in the classroom, each program will have a set of entrance requirements for all applicants. What many people do not realize is that entrance into a Master’s Program in Psychology can be very competitive. Most graduate programs receive many more applications than available slots. This means that students applying to these programs must be aware of the requirements and work to meet them in order to gain entrance. Making yourself an ideal candidate will help increase your chances of acceptance into your desired program.
Undergraduate Degree Requirement
While some Master’s Programs offer an option for students to earn their Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in one program, students applying to these programs typically are required to hold a Bachelor’s Degree. Some programs will have restrictions on the major of your undergraduate degree. In some cases a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology or a related field will be required. However, many programs do not adhere to this limitation and will accept undergraduate degrees in almost any major, as long as they were earned at an accredited college or university. If your bachelor’s degree was earned online, it is important to be sure that the graduate programs you apply to do not have limitations on degrees earned online. Most graduate programs are happy to accept undergraduate degrees earned online, however there are some schools with limitations.
Undergraduate Curriculum Requirements for Online Master’s Degree Program in Psychology
Many graduate programs in psychology will have specific course requirements in addition to the degree requirements. Programs may ask that students have completed a specific number of credit hours or have specific courses they would like students to have completed. Coursework like Statistics, Abnormal Psychology, Child or Developmental Psychology or a number of other topics may be required for entrance into a Master’s Program. If a student has not completed these courses they may have the option to complete the courses as a non-matriculating student (either at that school or another) and be considered for acceptance into the program.
Research Requirement for Online Master’s Degree Program in Psychology
Some graduate programs in psychology show a preference towards students who have experience participating in research. Graduate programs with a strong focus on the scientific approach to psychology prefer applicants who have a strong foundation in the scientific method. While it may not be a requirement, it is often a benefit to students applying to Master’s Programs in Psychology.
Graduate Record Examination Requirement for Online Master’s Degree Program in Psychology
Almost all graduate psychology programs will require students to have successfully completed the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and in some cases the GRE Subject Test in Psychology. The GRE is a standardized test that measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, analytical writing, and critical thinking skills that have been acquired over a long period of time and that are not related to any specific field of study. Potential graduate students take this test across many fields of study. The GRE Subject Test looks at a student’s breadth of knowledge within the field of psychology. The required scores vary greatly between schools but the minimums are typically easy to find for each college or university.
As a student prepares to apply to graduate programs in psychology, they must become educated on what each school is seeking in potential students. By gaining this information, you can increase your chances of becoming an attractive candidate to your chosen programs. Knowing the requirements to enter an online Master’s Degree Program in Psychology will help get you where you want to be.