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The MA in Psychology will prepare you for a career in 𲹰,a career in anapplied field or to enter a doctoral program in Psychology or a related field. We provide rigorous training to ensure you receive an advanced education in Psychology, research methods and skills, and relevant and effective pre-doctoral training.

Whatever your goals, our program provides the flexibility to ensure that you earn the MA that is right for you. You can pursue thesis or non-thesis options for your degree and choose from twotracks of specialization: psychological science track andclinical science track. Together with your faculty advisor, you will tailor a program of study to fit your individual interests and needs.

With our small and intensive classes, you will receive one-on-one guidance from our faculty of innovative researchers and scholars. In the classroom and the laboratory, you will receive individual attention and mentorship to ensure that you get the most out of your education.

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Washington, DC

A Flexible Program with Solid Results

This 33-credit program provides rigorous graduate training in psychology and psychological research while providing you with the flexibility to pursue your academic interests. We offer twotracks of specialization: psychological science and clinical science.

The psychological sciencetrack provides a balance of coursework in different areas of psychology, together with training in research and statistics. This is the most flexible program, offering the most elective courses that can fit your interests. The clinical science track enables you todelve deeper into clinically relevant topics while still receiving a solid foundation in general psychology, research, and statistics.

See complete Admissions & Course Requirements and MA Handbook (PDF).

Knowledgeable Faculty Dedicated To Your Success

Our faculty consists of innovative researchers and prominent scholars in the field of psychology. Thanks to our small class sizes, you will work closely with and receive individual attention from your professors. Upon admission, some students may beassigned to a specific lab in which they develop an individualized program of study. Other students with a research focus are encouraged to join a research lab during their first semester, especially if they hope to choose the thesis option. Students with an applied focus are encouraged to do internships, with academic supervision given by our faculty. Faculty research interests span the breadth of psychology, with particular strengths in different areas of psychology.

Start Your Career in the Capital City

Consistently ranked as one of the best cities for job seekers, DC offers access to an extraordinary array of professional and intellectual opportunities. You can get a head start on your career and gain hands-on experience with one of the area’s many clinical or research institutions. The psychology department has close working relationships with basic and applied research programs at the National Institutes of Health, where students can participate in programs on pain management, neuropsychological assessment, and brain mechanisms in learning and memory. Research opportunities are also available at Georgetown University Hospital and School of Medicine, the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, and other area institutions.

You can earn degree credit while working with autistic children, teaching self-management skills, or working at one of the area’s mental health facilities. Internships and field work opportunities are available in city, county, and private organizations such as the Montgomery County Department of Addiction, Victims, and Mental Health Services; the DC Rape Crisis Center; and patient care and rehabilitation programs at area hospitals.

Recent placements of American University Master's in Economics graduates include the World Bank, the BLS, the Federal Reserve, the Interamerican Development Bank, the Bureau of Economic Analysis, and Booz Allen Hamilton. In addition, many of our graduates have gone on to pursue PhDs in Economics.

Social Sciences at AU