Master of Social Work - Traditional
The traditional Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the University at Buffalo is des...
M.A. in Psychology
Buffalo, New York
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The M.A. in General Psychology at UB is a 30-credit hour program. It is a mentor-based program where students are admitted to work with an individual faculty member, allowing for personalized guidance and deep engagement in specific research areas. The program emphasizes the scientific understanding of psychology and allows students to choose a concentration within general psychology through appropriate elective courses. This program is ideal for students seeking to strengthen their research skills and theoretical knowledge in psychology, either as a stepping stone to a Ph.D. or for direct entry into research-focused roles in various sectors.
Curriculum: The 30-credit curriculum for the M.A. in Psychology includes core requirements such as one graduate statistics course (e.g., Advanced Statistical Methods) and one distribution course from each of the department's four key areas: Behavioral Neuroscience, Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, and Social-Personality Psychology. Beyond these required courses, students complete 15 credits of electives, which allows for specialization. No more than 6 credits of research (PSY 600 or 799) are typically counted towards the degree. A significant component of the program is a mentored M.A. project, supervised by the student's faculty mentor, which culminates in a well-organized and thoroughly documented scholarly paper with an identifiable research question.
Research Focus: The M.A. in Psychology at UB has a strong emphasis on research and scholarship, aiming to contribute to the scientific understanding of psychology. The program's mentor-based structure allows students to become fully immersed in laboratory activities and gain hands-on research experience directly with faculty members. Research interests within the department span diverse areas, including behavioral neuroscience, clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, and social-personality psychology. This includes investigations into areas such as the biological bases of behavior, developmental psychopathology, cognitive processes (like perception, memory, and psycholinguistics), and advanced social psychology. The program's goal is to ensure students have both broad and deep exposure to current ideas and evidence in the study of behavior, evidenced by successful completion of required and elective courses and the culminating mentored research project.
Industry Engagement: While the M.A. in Psychology at UB is primarily research-oriented, it provides graduates with a versatile skill set highly valued in various industries. The program prepares students for roles in research, data analysis, and understanding human behavior, which are crucial in fields like market research, human resources, public health, and non-profit organizations. Many M.A. graduates apply their advanced training to work as researchers, mental health workers (though not as licensed therapists), managers, and administrators. The strong emphasis on quantitative skills through required statistics courses also makes graduates competitive for roles requiring data analysis and interpretation in social sciences. Although not a clinical licensure program, the understanding of psychological principles is broadly applicable.
Global Perspective: The M.A. in Psychology at UB inherently fosters a global perspective by engaging with the universal aspects of human behavior and cognition, while also acknowledging cultural variations. The broad research areas within the department often involve studies that can be applied across diverse populations. As a major public research university, UB attracts a diverse international student body and faculty, which enriches the classroom and research environments with varied cultural insights and psychological perspectives from around the world. This exposure helps students develop a nuanced understanding of psychological phenomena within a global context, preparing them to engage with diverse populations and contribute to a global scientific community.
Location
Buffalo, New York
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 28210
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 90 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 61 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 120.
The University at Buffalo (UB) offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid opportunities specifically aimed at supporting international students who wish to pursue their studies in the United States. These scholarships are designed to reward academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement, helping to make education more affordable for talented students worldwide.
Merit-Based Scholarships: UB provides competitive merit scholarships to outstanding international undergraduate and graduate students. Awards such as the International Student Academic Excellence Scholarship recognize high-achieving students based on their academic records, standardized test scores, and extracurricular involvement.
Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships: Graduate international students can apply for teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and fellowships which offer tuition remission and stipends. These opportunities allow students to gain valuable teaching and research experience while offsetting the cost of their education.
Departmental Scholarships: Many academic departments at UB offer scholarships tailored to students in specific programs or fields of study. These awards may consider academic merit, research interests, or financial need.
External Scholarships: UB encourages international students to explore external scholarship options from private organizations, governments, and international foundations that support study in the U.S. The university’s International Student Services office provides guidance on identifying and applying for such funding sources.
An M.A. in Psychology from UB equips graduates with advanced analytical, research, and understanding-of-human-behavior skills, making them valuable in numerous sectors, even without direct clinical licensure.
Research Assistant/Associate: Work in university labs, government agencies, non-profits, or private companies (e.g., pharmaceutical, market research) conducting studies, collecting and analyzing data, and contributing to scientific publications.
Data Analyst (Social Science/Behavioral Data): Utilize statistical and research methods to interpret complex behavioral or social data for organizations in healthcare, marketing, human resources, or public policy.
Human Resources Specialist/Manager: Apply knowledge of human behavior, motivation, and group dynamics to roles in recruitment, training, employee relations, and organizational development within companies.
Market Research Analyst: Conduct research on consumer behavior, preferences, and trends to help businesses develop products, services, and marketing strategies.
Program Coordinator/Manager (Non-profit/Social Services): Oversee and develop programs in non-profit organizations, community services, or public health initiatives, often related to mental wellness, education, or social support.
Behavioral Health Technician/Case Manager: Work under supervision in mental health settings, assisting individuals with behavioral issues, coordinating care, and implementing treatment plans (note: this is not a licensed therapist role).
Educational Researcher/Consultant: Analyze learning processes, develop educational materials, or conduct assessments for schools, educational technology companies, or curriculum developers.
Survey Researcher: Design, administer, and analyze surveys for polling organizations, government agencies, or market research firms, interpreting public opinion or behavioral trends.
Usability/User Experience (UX) Researcher: Apply psychological principles to understand how users interact with products, websites, and software, conducting studies to improve user experience and interface design.
Further Doctoral Studies: The M.A. program provides excellent preparation for students who wish to pursue a Ph.D. in various areas of psychology (e.g., Clinical, Cognitive, Social, Behavioral Neuroscience) to become licensed psychologists, researchers, or university professors.
