Masters In Psychology in the US can either be pursued as a Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MS). An MS in Psychology focuses on the scientific study of the human mind and behaviour, while an MA in psychology deals with the practical use of psychology.
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Overview of Masters In Psychology In USA
Master in Psychology in the USA is considered a STEM course. One can pursue it as a standalone degree or earn it with a thesis work as a doctoral programme. The duration of the degree is around 1-2 years. It has an approximate cost of around INR 18 lakhs to 43 lakhs. There are many options of financial aid available for international students. After graduating with a degree in psychology, you will have access to a wide range of career opportunities like a forensic psychologist, child psychologist, clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, school counsellor, career counsellor, industrial psychologist and many more. This blog will help you know all about Masters in Psychology in the USA. To know about pursuing psychology in other countries like the UK, Germany, Australia and Canada, you can refer to the blogs on our website.
Scope of Studying Master in Psychology in the USA
- The US is home to many prestigious institutions that offer a psychology degree in their curriculum.
- Universities in the USA offer programs from more than 30 sub-disciplines of psychology, resulting in enhanced growth of career opportunities.
- According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there is a projection of about 14% growth in the employment of psychologists from 2018 to 2028.
- According to the BLS, the median annual pay of a psychologist in the US was about 82,200 USD in 2020.
Read on to learn about the top-ranked universities for master’s in psychology in the USA, the eligibility criteria, cost and the admission process.
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Top Universities for Masters In Psychology In USA
The United States has 374 institutions in the USA that offer a master’s degree in psychology. Some of the top universities are mentioned below, with all the information you need about them.
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, with an acceptance rate of 7%.
Ranking: It is ranked 10th in the QS World University Rankings 2022.
Courses offered: A one-year MA program in Social Sciences – Psychology. Students can apply for the program on the university’s official website.
Application requirements: IELTS and TOEFL are accepted as proof of English language proficiency in the university.
- International applicants are required to score an overall band score of 7, with each section having a band score of 7 in IELTS.
- In TOEFL iBT, the candidate’s scores should not be less than 25 in each of the four sections.
Tuition fee: The program has an annual fee of 49,734 USD.
Financial aid: Candidates requesting financial aid will have their applications reviewed for merit-based scholarships.
- Students do not need to apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify for university fellowships as they are merit-based.
- But for federal student loans, a federal work-study program, and external grants and scholarships, the candidate must have applied to FAFSA.
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California State University
California State University is a public university with 23 campuses in Los Angeles, California. It has an acceptance rate of 76%.
Ranking: It ranks in the top 250 universities in the USA by US Rankings, 2022. for Masters in Psychology.
Courses Offered: MA in Psychology and MS in Psychology.
Application Process: Applicants must apply online via the Cal State Apply Application and keep continuous track of their application.
Tuition Fee: The average annual fee of the program is 38,600 USD for on-campus learning and 38,715 USD for off-campus (online) learning.
Financial aid: The university offers financial aid like scholarships, grants, federal work-study and student loans.
Columbia University
Columbia University is a private Ivy League research institute in New York City with an acceptance rate of 7%.
Ranking: The university is ranked 19th by QS World University Rankings 2022.
Courses offered: MA in Applied Behavior Analysis and MA in Psychology in Education, among others. The duration of the programmes is two years.
Application process: To apply to this university, you have to start the application process online through their website.
- A non-refundable fee of $120 has to be paid as the application processing fee.
- The required TOEFL score to apply to the university is 100.
Tuition fee: The average annual fee of the program is 58,770 USD.
Financial aid: There is no financial aid available at this university.
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private research university in Los Angeles, California, with an acceptance rate of 16%. The university has two schools: Rossier School of Education and Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.
Ranking: It is ranked 112th by the QS World University Rankings 2022.
Courses Offered: MS in Marriage and Family Therapy, ME in School Counseling (online), MS in Applied Psychology, which is also available as an online course.
Application process: The application process has to be started online on the university’s official website.
- A minimum score of 6.5 and 100 is required in IELTS and TOEFL, respectively, to be eligible to apply to this university.
Tuition Fee: The average tuition fee in this university is between 32,560 USD and 49,000 USD.
Financial aid: The university uses federal and state government funds to make financial aid available to students.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for a master’s in psychology in the USA varies for each university, but the general eligibility criteria to study abroad in the US is as mentioned below:
- A bachelor’s degree in the field of psychology or related areas
- A minimum GPA of 3.0-3.5 on a scale of 4.0
- A Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Though no minimum GRE score is required, a score of 310 is considered for admission in the USA.
- An updated CV/resume
- Two to three Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
Cost & Financial Aid for Masters In Psychology in the USA
The average cost of a master’s degree in psychology is around 25,000 USD to 58000 USD. The exact amount of tuition fee differs for each program in different universities. But, apart from the tuition fee, most of the costs incurred depend on the type of accommodation the student chooses. The other living expenses include meals, stationery supplies, transportation, and personal items. The estimated cost of all of it ranges from 2270 USD to 4260 USD. To fund their studies, international students can avail the various scholarships available in their university for tuition fees. Some external scholarships are also available for international applicants to reduce the financial burden of studying in the USA.
Scholarships Available for Masters In Psychology In USA
- Merit Scholarship – 10,000 USD
- QS Leadership Scholarship for Masters – 10,000 USD
- President’s Scholarship – 7,000 USD
- PEO International Peace Scholarship – 12,500 USD
- First Generation Scholarship – 10,000 USD
- American Psychological Foundation Scott and Paul Pearsall Scholarship – 10,000 USD
Application Process
To apply for the courses master’s in psychology US universities offer, a candidate must have a bachelor’s degree in this or related fields. Having minimum work experience is always advantageous for the applicant. You must submit the following documents required during the application process:
- Completed application form of the university
- Official transcripts of the academic years
- Work experience (if any)
- A valid passport
- Mandatory health insurance in the USA
- Proof of finances
- GRE Scores
- Scores of IELTS or TOEFL as proof of English language proficiency
Let us now look at some of the top fields and universities for pursuing a master’s in psychology US programme.
Popular Fields in Psychology
Psychology is a field with many specialisation courses that one can choose to pursue. Some of the most popular and in-demand fields of psychology are:
- Clinical Psychology
- Counselling Psychology
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology
- School Psychology
- Experimental Psychology
Conclusion
The USA has many top universities for pursuing a psychology degree with many options of financial aid available to international students. The country also offers enhanced career opportunities. If you decide to pursue a master’s in psychology in the USA, contact LeapScholar to make your journey to the US smooth.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What job opportunities are available to Masters Graduates in Psychology in the USA?
Graduates can apply to various jobs in schools, colleges and other institutions for the role of industrial-organisational psychologists. They can also apply for roles such as counsellors or therapists in colleges and schools.
2. What are the minimum required scores of IELTS and TOEFL to apply for a Master’s Degree in Psychology in the USA?
A minimum score of 6.5 in IELTS and 79 in TOEFL is required to apply to universities in the US for a master’s in psychology.
3. What are some high-paying job opportunities and their average annual salary in the field of Psychology?
Psychology, being a subject with many sub-disciplines, offers a range of career opportunities. Some of the high-paying job opportunities and their average annual pay package are:
a. Clinical School Psychologist – 121,000 USD
b. Educational Psychologist – 128,000 USD
c. Head of School – 137,000 USD
d. Education Counselor – 95,000 USD
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