The master’s degree program is appropriate for individuals wishing to gain additional research experience prior to enrolling in a psychology doctoral program at Old Dominion University or another university or for those individuals who are seeking the master’s as a terminal degree. The curriculum is designed to provide a strong background in statistics, research methods, and general psychology so that the student will have a wide range of choices for future professional education and development. The program requires a major research project that culminates in the master’s thesis, the focus of which is determined and supervised through one-on-one mentoring with a faculty member with whom the student works throughout their time in the program. Although the master’s degree is not a licensing or practicing degree, it prepares students to be competent researchers, consumers, and interpreters of psychological science.
Program Highlights
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Students work closely with members of the faculty to participate in the research and other professional activities that are available within the department
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Students work closely with mentors who guide the student’s research focus, study design, data collection, and interpretation
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Students concentrate their studies in one of several different areas, driven by their mentor’s research focus, including: Applied Cognitive Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Developmental and Family Psychology , Health Psychology, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Quantitative and Assessment Psychology, and others
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Students frequently present their research at national and international conferences and publish in professional journals
Careers
Check out these ideas from ODU's Center for Career & Leadership Development and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is a midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
Apply principles of psychology to human resources, administration, management, sales, and marketing problems. Activities may include policy planning; employee testing and selection, training and development; and organizational development and analysis. May work with management to organize the work setting to improve worker productivity.
Biostatisticians
Develop and apply biostatistical theory and methods to the study of life sciences.
Business Intelligence Analysts
Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.
Clinical Research Coordinators
Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.
Requirements
All credentials in support of applications should be sent to the Office of Admissions by March 15 at the latest. Review of applications typically begins in late March. Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials well before the deadline. The entire application procedure can be completed via the internet, and applicants are encouraged to submit their applications in the electronic format.
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Undergraduate courses in statistics and experimental psychology and nine additional hours in psychology
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Official scores on the general (aptitude) part of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
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Transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work
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A brief statement by the student outlining personal goals and academic objectives
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Three letters of reference (at least two of which are from college or university faculty) are requested
Cost of Attendance
We believe in providing students with transparent and accessible information about the cost of attendance.
Review the estimated tuition rates for the 2024-25 academic year (subject to change). Non-resident rates are charged for anyone who is not a current Virginia resident, including international students.
Ways to Fund Your Degree
There are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending Old Dominion University, including scholarships, assistantships, and student loans. For more details about financial aid at Old Dominion, visit the Financial Aid Office page.
Teaching Assistantships
In addition to the financial aid offered by the University, occasionally Master of Science students are awarded teaching assistantships through the Department of Psychology or may be funded through faculty research grants, other research assistantships at the university, or student jobs on campus. These awards are rarely made before the student has matriculated.
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