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Masters of Science (MS) in Psychology

Harold Abel School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Department of Psychology

General Psychology specialization

This online General Psychology specialization allows you to gain a broad introduction to the field of psychology, then use electives to focus your study in particular fields. Choose established areas of psychological study such as addiction, family, or health psychology, or design an interdisciplinary program that blends psychology with education, business, or human services courses. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing specialist or supervisory positions in mental health and other human service and health care organizations, or wish to explore a broad psychological curriculum in preparation for doctoral studies within a more focused area of interest.
 
This specialization is not designed to meet licensure requirements for the counseling professions. If you are seeking information on professional licensure, please visit our Licensure Resource site.

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Total Program: 65 quarter credits
Up to 15 quarter credits may be transferred into this specialization
Admission Requirements Icon indicating PDF
Next Start Date: March 5, 2012
Credit: $423

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Gain more value from your degree

Expand your educational and career opportunities by choosing one of Capella's degree enrichment options.

  • Add a concentration to gain deeper expertise

    Delve more deeply into a specific knowledge area by earning a concentration that will be included on your transcript and can enhance your career opportunities. If you have elective courses in your degree program, you may be able to use them to fulfill both your degree and concentration requirements at the same time. However, completing a concentration may extend your total credits beyond the requirements of your degree.

    Concentrations available as part of this specialization include:
    • Family Psychology Concentration

Required Courses (each course 5 quarter credits unless noted)

  • PSY5002 - Orientation to Graduate Learning in Psychology
  • PSY7210 - Lifespan Development
  • PSY7411 - Learning Theories in Psychology
  • PSY7421 - Cognitive/Affective Psychology
  • PSY7520 - Social Psychology
  • PSY7543 - Ethics and Multicultural Issues in Psychology*
  • PSY7610 - Tests and Measurements
  • PSY7620 - Inferential Statistics
  • PSY7650 - Research Methods
  • PSY5201 - Integrative Project for Master's Degree in Psychology*

Three Elective Courses

  • Choose any graduate courses, excluding introductory and special topics courses, lectures, seminars, practica, internships, and any Capella-designated first course.
  • OR
  • For a Family Psychology concentration:
  • PSY6505 - Principles of Family Psychology*
  • AND
  • Choose two from the following courses:
  • PSY6510 - Family Systems Theories
  • PSY6540 - Current Issues and Methods in Family Research
  • PSY6545 - Couples Within Family Psychology
Courses without a PSY designation may be worth fewer than five quarter credits. Learners must carefully plan their elective courses to ensure that total credit requirements for the degree are met. Special topics courses in the Harold Abel School of Psychology can be used as an option to complete the total required credits needed for graduation.
* This course has a prerequisite. Contact an enrollment counselor for more information.

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Master's degree





my experience

November 23, 2010Diane I have been taking courses for the master's degree in general psychology since sept. 08. Until recently I have taken one class at a time. I am quite busy with my life, raising 4 kids and many other demanding obligations. Capella works very well for me in that I need flexibility around my kids and obligations. Time management is critical, and after a bit one develops sort of a sixth sense about how to accomplish the requirements. I have taken a variety of courses, all of which I have enjoyed. I plan to pursue the Phd program and have found the counseling department very helpful. Actually all of the departments, such as learner services, tech, the library, have all been prompt and very helpful. My experience was going so well with one course at a time, I decided to bulk up with two. I am equally enjoying my experience, as I enjoy the interaction and feedback with other students and faculty.

Comment on my General Psychology Masters Program

November 22, 2010Bonnie I have been taking my different Master courses since December 2009 and I have been enjoying all of them very much. I am learning alot of very interesting and helpful things for the career I want to get into (Either a Nursing Home or Hospice helping the residents or patients to accept, adapt to and go on with living fulfilling lives with the way in which they are able to). I am also learning some about myself in the classes I have taken so far. All of the instructors I have had thus far have been helpful and understanding about several situations (medical) I have had come up, Capella has several different areas to go to for assistance, my guidence counselor has been very helpful to me, and I have had many different classmates that have been of assistance in our different classes. I would recommend Capella to anyone because it is a great caring University. Bonnie Jo

Experience

November 23, 2010Teresa I found Capella to be a very good school to attend. The instructors were informative and prompt. Student services were always there to help. I only have one major complaint regarding the program. The Comprehensive Exam process seems unfair. The guidelines allow the student to retake the exam, but the same 3 faculty that graded the first exam also grade the second. It seems that it would have been a much more fair process if a different pool of faculty would have been chosen, that could not possibly have resentment that I appealed the exam they graded the first time.

MS and PhD in Psychology Rewarding Experience

November 23, 2010Taylor I love the Capella approach to graduate learning. The courses are well organized and build upon each other. As I near completion of my program I have a portfolio of properly formatted research papers and other work that is tailored toward my specialization. Assignments are flexible allowing you to choose topics that appeal and apply toward your career goals. Instructors are willing to help and present in the courseroom. If you are able to drive yourself and meet structured deadlines the programs of Capella may be of interest.
Image of enrollment counselor who specializes in Capella's psychology graduate programs and online psychology degrees
Image of enrollment counselor who specializes in Capella's psychology graduate programs and online psychology degrees

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