Degrees and Certificates

Graduate

Applied Developmental Psychology concentration in the PhD in Psychology

The PhD concentration in applied developmental psychology is concerned with enhancing developmental processes and preventing developmental disorders in individuals and families across the life span. It uses the knowledge base and methodologies of developmental science to assist the development of individuals who vary in cultural and ethnic backgrounds; economic and social opportunities; physical, social, emotional, and cognitive abilities; and conditions of living (e.g., families, neighborhoods, communities, and physical settings). The program's emphasis is on child development (infancy, early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence), and students may focus their studies on the cognitive, social, emotional, language, personality, or physiological aspects of development.

Clinical Psychology concentration in the PhD in Psychology

The clinical psychology concentration is committed to the clinical science model. Our goal is to train clinical psychologists who are capable of integrating research and applied clinical activities. Many of our faculty approach clinical psychology from social psychological and contextual perspectives. A social psychological approach uses theory and research from social psychology to understand emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and interpersonal functioning. A contextual perspective stresses the impact of social and cultural factors on the individual and vice versa. Most of the faculty members employ cognitive-behavioral and interpersonal approaches to research and clinical practice, but students also receive exposure to humanistic, existential, and psychodynamic perspectives.

Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience concentration in the PhD in Psychology

This concentration focuses on studying biological substrates of behavior. Core and affiliated faculty study areas as diverse as neural control of behavioral development; brain systems in substance abuse; animal models of learning and memory and their disorders (such as Alzheimer’s); human brain systems involved in cognition, perception, human error, decision making, and movement; the relation of neural activity to human performance; and cognitive aging. A focus of the program is on translational neuroscience-complementary study of neural systems in humans and animals, including application of animal research to human behavior.

Human Factors/Applied Cognition concentration in the PhD in Psychology

The Ph.D. program in Human Factors and Applied Cognition provides instruction and research training for students wishing to pursue careers in the academic, public, and private sectors. Across all areas, a strong emphasis is placed on students developing a good understanding of cognitive theory, acquiring advanced methodological and statistical skills, and learning how to apply these tools to real-world human factors problems.

Industrial-Organizational Psychology concentration in the PhD in Psychology

The industrial/organizational psychology concentration focuses on multiple aspects of behavior in organizational settings, including personnel selection, quantitative analysis, teams, leadership, work and family issues, and organizational health issues. Mason’s graduate work in this area emphasizes research as the key to knowledge in both academic and applied settings.

PhD in Psychology

The goal of the doctoral program is to train students in the principles and applications of psychology. The program provides knowledge of the basic content areas in psychology and practical experience in applying this knowledge to solving human problems in life, work, and school.

Applied Developmental Psychology concentration in the MA in Psychology

The concentration in applied developmental psychology focuses on child development. It provides basic knowledge about normal development, skills for assessing developmental level, and techniques for planning and evaluating programs that foster optimal development. Graduates are prepared for employment at agencies concerned with educational and health programs for children, enrichment programs for infants and preschoolers, and education programs for parents.

Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience concentration in the MA in Psychology

A focus of the program is on translational neuroscience-complementary study of neural systems in humans and animals, including the application of animal research to human behavior.

Human Factors/Applied Cognition concentration in the MA in Psychology

Students in our MA program can elect to focus on either professional training or preparation for a doctoral program. Both tracks stress the analytic and empirical methodologies that are used in all phases of interactive systems design (where this is broadly defined to include any human-machine system). The power and interpretation of these techniques reside in their close ties to cognitive theory. The professional training track emphasizes coursework and practical experience; the doctoral preparation track involves students in ongoing research projects.

Industrial-Organizational Psychology concentration in the MA in Psychology

The industrial/organizational psychology concentration trains students in the conduct and application of psychological research in work settings. Mason’s graduate work in this area emphasizes research as the key to knowledge in both academic and applied settings. The program fosters a peer-oriented environment whereby students collaborate on numerous projects in addition to engaging with faculty members in many different areas of industrial/organizational psychology.

MA in Psychology

The master’s degree in psychology has concentrations in applied developmental psychology, cognitive and behavioral neuroscience, human factors/applied cognition, and industrial/organizational psychology. The department does not offer a master’s degree in clinical psychology, except for those who have been admitted to the clinical doctoral program. An accelerated master’s option is offered in the cognitive and behavioral neuroscience concentration and is available to students in the psychology bachelor’s program (BS or BA).

MPS in Applied Industrial-Organizational Psychology

George Mason’s online Master of Professional Studies in Applied Industrial and Organizational Psychology delivers the research-backed methods and understanding of data and analytics HR professionals and business professional need to foster a culture of innovation — where each employee feels empowered and motivated to contribute new ideas, effect change, and do their best work every day.

Accelerated MA in Psychology (with a Concentration in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience)

The accelerated MA in psychology is available only to students pursuing the MA in psychology with a concentration in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience. The degree is open to any major (Psychology, Neuroscience and Biology majors might find this program particularly appealing), provided that the appropriate prerequisite courses have been taken. Note that this is a joint undergraduate/graduate degree program.

Graduate Certificate in Applied Psychology

The Psychology program offers a certificate in Applied Psychology under the auspices of the Human Factors/Applied Cognition program. With this program, students will choose a concentration in Usability or Transportation.

Graduate Certificate in Cognitive Neuroscience

The Department of Psychology offers a graduate certificate in cognitive neuroscience under the auspices of the program in Human Factors/Applied Cognition.

The graduate certificate in cognitive neuroscience may be pursued on a part-time or full-time basis.

Transportation Human Factors concentration in the Graduate Certificate in Applied Psychology

The Department of Psychology offers a graduate certificate in transportation human factors under the auspices of the program in Human Factors/Applied Cognition.

Usability concentration in the Graduate Certificate in Applied Psychology

The Department of Psychology offers a graduate certificate in usability under the auspices of the program in Human Factors/Applied Cognition

Undergraduate

Clinical Psychology concentration in the BA in Psychology

This concentration focuses on how psychologists assess and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Prepare for a career in clinical or counseling psychology by gaining in-depth knowledge of normal developments, psychological disorders, psychological theories, and treatment techniques.

Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience concentration in the BA in Psychology

This concentration focuses on laboratory experience in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience and in depth courses that will broaden student's understanding of brain and behavior.

Developmental Psychology concentration in the BA in Psychology

The developmental psychology concentration is designed to provide students with understanding in the many ways in which peoples thinking and abilities change over time. Coursework provides for a broad foundation in psychology across the lifespan while also allowing for students to focus on a developmental period (e.g. childhood).The concentration in developmental psychology may be of interest to students who are planning to attend graduate school in developmental psychology or a related field, such as human development and family studies, school psychology, or clinical child psychology.

Educational Psychology concentration in the BA in Psychology

Educational psychology as a field focuses on learning processes. This concentration focuses on the theoretical and applied aspects of learning, motivation, human development, personality, assessment, teaching, and evaluation in educational settings.

Forensic Psychology concentration in the BA in Psychology

The forensic psychology concentration is designed to supplement the study of psychology, criminology, or other justice-related areas with an overview of the intersection of psychology and the criminal justice system. The concentration focuses specifically on mental illness in the criminal justice system, the psychological experiences of the victims, psychological science in the courtroom, and psychological factors related to criminal behavior.

Health Psychology concentration in the BA in Psychology

The health psychology concentration is designed to help students better understand psychological factors that influence overall health. The courses provide instruction on factors that have the potential to impact both physical and psychological health. These include the roles of cognitive processes, health beliefs and behaviors, emotions, psychosocial circumstances and personality traits, all factors that may influence overall health and well-being.

Human Factors and Applied Cognition concentration in the BA in Psychology

Students pursuing the BA with a concentration in human factors and applied cognition take 12-13 credits. Students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 in all coursework applied to the concentration.

BA in Psychology

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology focuses on liberal arts and general education courses including a foreign language requirement, within the psychology field. A broad range of courses includes social psychology, abnormal psychology, cognitive psychology and biopsychology, as well as several of the department's special topics courses such as forensic psychology and romantic relationships.

Work and Organizational Psychology concentration in the BA in Psychology

Students pursuing a BA in psychology can fulfill the applied psychology requirement by completing the concentration in Work and Organizational Psychology (12-13 credits).

Note: a concentration is a narrow specialization within a student’s major/field of study. This is different from a minor, which is a secondary field of study a student pursues outside of their major.

Clinical Psychology concentration in the BS in Psychology

Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience concentration in the BS in Psychology

This concentration focuses on laboratory experience in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience and in depth courses that will broaden student's understanding of brain and behavior.

Developmental Psychology concentration in the BS in Psychology

Educational Psychology concentration in the BS in Psychology

Forensic Psychology concentration in the BS in Psychology

Health Psychology concentration in the BS in Psychology

Human Factors and Applied Cognition concentration in the BS in Psychology

Students pursuing the BS with a concentration in human factors and applied cognition take 12-13 credits. Students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 in all coursework applied to the concentration.

BS in Psychology (On-Campus option, Online option)

The Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology focuses on math and science within the psychology field. A broad range of courses includes social psychology, abnormal psychology, cognitive psychology and biopsychology, as well as several of the department's special topics courses such as forensic psychology and romantic relationships.

Work and Organizational Psychology concentration in the BS in Psychology

Students pursuing a BS in psychology can fulfill the applied psychology requirement by completing the concentration in Work and Organizational Psychology (12-13 credits).

Minor in Brain, Body and Behavior

The courses included in this minor emphasize the behavioral consequences of both normal and abnormal neuronal and physiological processes. These in-depth courses will broaden the students' knowledge in understanding brain and behavior, specifically, but not exclusively, the cognitive aspects.

Minor in Clinical Psychology

The required courses of the minor provide a foundation in psychology and focus on assessment and treatment of distress and dysfunction. The electives provide in-depth knowledge of normal development, psychological theories, psychological disorders, and treatment techniques.

Minor in Developmental Psychology

The developmental psychology minor is designed to provide students with an understanding of the ways in which humans change over time. Course work provides for a broad foundation in psychology across the lifespan while also allowing for students to focus on a developmental period (e.g. childhood).

For policies governing all minors, see the Undergraduate Policies section of the catalog.

Minor in Forensic Psychology

The forensic psychology minor is designed to supplement the study of psychology, criminology, or other justice-related areas with an overview of the intersection of psychology and the criminal justice system. The minor focuses specifically on mental illness in the criminal justice system, the psychological experiences of victims, psychological science in the courtroom, and psychological factors related to criminal behavior.

For policies governing all minors, see the Undergraduate Policies section of the catalog.

Minor in Health Psychology

The health psychology minor is designed to help students better understand psychological factors that influence overall health. The courses provide instruction on factors that have the potential to impact both physical and psychological health. These include the roles of cognitive processes, health beliefs and behaviors, emotions, psychosocial circumstances and personality traits, all factors that may influence overall health and well-being.

Minor in Industrial/ Organizational Psychology

Develop further knowledge on topics such as leadership, occupational health, motivation, personality, research methods and more. Students will learn the foundations of work/organizational psychology including important theoretical aspects of the field.

Minor in Psychology

Coursework in psychology can enhance many different majors. The psychology minor is available to students in any major at Mason.