Mission & Overview
This program provides graduate level training to prepare students for doctoral programs or employment in research and/or academic-related settings.
Both concentrations emphasize graduate-level training in research methods and statistics, while also allowing students to customize their education to specific professional goals. The concentrations also emphasize the development of critical thinking skills, oral and written communication competency, professional ethics, and practical experience.
What Makes Us Unique?
We offer a wide range of courses, research experiences, and:
- a customizable path to your degree
- professional development opportunities
- enough flexibility for students to complete a second Master's degree or a certificate in an area of interest
- amazing faculty that, through their unique perspectives and experiences, create a learning environment that encourages students to explore different theoretical perspectives and approaches to psychology and research
- GRE Test scores are not required
What It's Like to Pursue a Master of Arts in Psychology at Ball State
What Can You Do with a Master of Arts in Psychology?
Our program prepares students for doctoral studies or employment after graduation. Example jobs include:
Learn more about the jobs of program alumni and how the MA in psychological science helped to prepare them for these jobs.
View Alumni Profiles
Recent graduates have also been accepted into a variety of doctoral programs. Examples include:
- Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience PhD (e.g., Wayne State University)
- Cognitive Psychology PhD (e.g., University of New Hampshire)
- Communication Studies PhD (e.g., Ohio University)
- Counseling Psychology PhD (e.g., Howard University)
- Educational Psychology PhD (e.g., Ball State University)
- Experimental Psychology PhD (e.g., Texas Tech University, Florida International University)
- Human Development PhD
- I/O, Marketing, Human Factors PhD (e.g., Wright State University)
- Neuroscience PhD (e.g., University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee)
- Kinesiology PhD with an emphasis in Exercise Psychology (e.g., Iowa State University)
- Social-Cognitive Psychology PhD (e.g., University of Nebraska-Lincoln)
- Social Psychology PhD (e.g., Miami University)
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Master of Arts in Psychological Science at Ball State University is based on applicants’ academic preparation, relevant experiences, and potential to succeed in graduate training. Applicants are evaluated using standardized, merit-based criteria, with additional consideration given to the alignment between their research interests and the expertise of our department’s faculty:
To apply, candidates must submit:
- A professional statement and curriculum vitae showing that our program would be a good fit. The professional statement should address the program’s track fit and career goals, research and applied experience, research interests and student–faculty research match, and any additional qualifications you wish to share.
- Two positive letters of recommendation providing evidence that you have the skills and characteristics to succeed.
- Evidence of a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from a bachelor’s degree-granting institution. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted; however, official transcripts will be required if accepted for admission.
- Undergraduate coursework in psychology that includes experimental design, research methodology, and statistics. Applicants without a psychology major will be considered; if admitted, non-majors may need to take additional courses to prepare for required graduate coursework, which may extend the program’s completion.
- We do not require the GRE.
International students are urged to review the International Department's website, as they have additional application requirements. Please contact them with questions about English proficiency and NACES-evaluated transcript. Applications will be considered incomplete and unreviewed until all required documents are received. Our program has no official STEM designation.
All qualified applicants are given full consideration for admission without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, age, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and applicants are not required to hold or profess specific beliefs to gain admission.
Application Deadline
For full consideration our priority application deadline is February 1st. The graduate school will continue to accept applications after this date, but we may not be able to consider you for admission or a Graduate Assistantship in the department if your application is submitted after this date.
All accepted students will begin their studies in August.
Program Requirements
This program consists of 30 credits of required graduate-level psychological science courses, plus 6 elective credits. Our curriculum provides enough flexibility to double Master's in quantitative psychology or receive a certificate in an area of interest.
Credits
Total: 36
- Required Courses: 30 credits
- Electives: 6 credits
Courses
A few of the classes you will take include:
- PSYS 680 Research Methods in Psychology
- PSYS 681 Applied Research Methods
- PSYS 616 Perception and Cognition
- PSYS 697 Diversity Issues in Psychological Research
- PSYS 613 Developmental Psychology
- PSYS 623 Theories of Personality
- PSYS 668 Physiological Psychology
For a complete list of all the courses you will take and their descriptions, please see our Graduate Catalog.
View Catalog