Why Earn Your Psychology Degree at Saint Leo University?
Saint Leo University, internationally recognized and accredited, earns high rankings as one of the best regional universities in the South and one of the best values in higher education as seen in the US News World Report on Best Colleges. The online Masters in Psychology program offers a broad-based, general degree providing students advanced knowledge and skills in psychological science. The curriculum provides a comprehensive, global understanding of human behavior and focuses on a wide range of psychological theories and practice.
In addition to exposing students to course work in general psychology, the online Masters of Science in Psychology program focuses on practical skills related to data analysis, research and teaching. Our training fosters a respect for ethical decision making, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and sensitivity to the diversity of the human community. This degree is optimal for those interested in employment requiring knowledge and application of human behavior and analysis; requiring advanced data analysis and research skills; other advanced training related to psychology (e.g., MBA); preparation for Ph.D. psychology programs; an advanced degree for job promotion; and educational fields, such as teaching at the college level.
This grounding in general Psychology, combined with applied skills, prepares students for a variety of employment opportunities in business, organizations, management, government, non-profits, healthcare, human resources, the military, and educational settings.
Learning Experience:
Online
Est. Time to Complete:
2 years
Credit Hours:
36 hours
Master's in Psychology Program Details
The Masters in Psychology Program is fully online and asynchronous. It requires 36 credit hours. Terms are 8 weeks each and it takes 18-24 months to complete the program. It follows a flexible cohort model and a student-centered approach, including student-led discussions. Students typically take one course per 8-week term, but excellent students will be allowed to take 2 courses at a time.
Specialization Options
Saint Leo University offers four specialization options for psychology students. You can customize your degree to match your passions by choosing one of the following concentrations.
This track offers a solid grounding in General Psychology, combined with applied skills. It prepares students for a variety of employment opportunities in business, government, human resources, non-profits, military and educational settings. This degree is optimal for those interested in employment requiring advanced data analysis and research skills; employment requiring knowledge and application of human behavior and analysis; other advanced training related to psychology (e.g., MBA); Ph.D. preparation for general or experimental psychology programs; an advanced degree for job promotion; and educational fields, such as teaching at the college level.
The Industrial/Organizational Psychology Specialization will prepare students for careers in the field of Industrial/Organizational psychology. It prepares individuals who want to apply the study of human behavior to the workplace, corporations, organizations, government, and academia. Graduates will work in a variety of settings, including careers in management, human resources, organizational development, training, consulting, career planning, research, and college teaching.
The Health Psychology specialization offers students the opportunity to develop and apply information about the biological, psychological, motivational, emotional, and sociocultural factors that affect human health and illness and health behaviors. This specialization is broadly applicable to a variety of career paths. Career options from this specialization include wellness, public and occupational health, health coaching and counseling, stress management, smoking cessation, weight loss, pain management, and research in disease prevention and health and wellness. Graduates can work in a variety of settings including healthcare, private practice, hospitals, with doctors and as a technician/behavior specialist for a psychologist or psychiatrist.
The Teaching of Psychology specialization will offer students the ability to acquire specific content knowledge and instructional strategies for many of the areas of psychology. This specialization offers career options for students preparing to teach at the undergraduate college level. This specialization will also offer students education and training related to teaching that will help them prepare for a teaching related field, such as curriculum development, and administration.
Master’s Thesis/Capstone Project Options
In the final Master’s Thesis/Capstone Project, students choose an area of interest in the field and engage in either research design and analysis or an extensive literature review. Ethical decision making, research skills and writing excellence are emphasized.
The student can choose one of two options:
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Empirical thesis – a research project conducted with faculty supervision.
- Capstone Project - a non-empirical, extensive literature review or teaching project, depending on the specialization.
Career Outlook
No matter which learning experience you choose, you will receive plenty of professional development opportunities, industry knowledge from expert professors, and support from the Saint Leo community. All this together means that you will be ready for a successful career or continued studies upon graduation.
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What skills you will learn?
- Research skills
- Writing skills
- Ethical decision- making
- Critical thinking
- Problem-solving
- Sensitivity to diversity
Organizations and Conferences
Students will be encouraged to join the Southeastern Psychological Association (SEPA), the American Psychological Association (APA), Society for Industrial/Organizational Behavior (SIOP), and/or Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, and to attend regional or area-specific conferences related to their areas of interest within the program. These conferences offer discounted rates that enable students to begin networking in the profession.
What can you do with a Master's in Psychology?
The Masters in Psychology prepares graduates for careers in management, data analysis, market and survey research, program evaluation, research analysis/project management, statistical counseling, human resources, assessment, training, and teaching at the college level. It is also beneficial in positions requiring an advanced degree for job promotion (business, military, and government, secondary education) and complements other advanced training related to psychology such as an MBA as well as providing preparation for a doctoral program.
Career paths include:
- Researcher
- Research assistant/laboratory manager
- Market and Survey researcher
- Data analyst
- Statistical Consultant
- Wellness and health counselor/coach/educator
- Researcher in disease prevention, health and wellness
- Healthcare coordinator
- Public and occupational health
- Human Resources professional
- Trainer
- Career planner
- Consultant
- Organizational Development and Effectiveness professional
- Manager/Executive/Administrator
- Project Manager
- Executive coach
- Team developer
- College instructor
- Curriculum developer
- Educational consultant
- Academic Administrator
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What are the benefits of earning your psychology degree online?
Saint Leo University’s online learning experience provides students a well-rounded education with the flexibility to tailor their course of study to meet their individual needs. We know our students have lives outside school, and we seek to meet them where they are. Taking online classes affords students the opportunity to learn while maintaining a job. Online classes give flexibility to study at times that work better with students’ schedules and allow them to utilize resources such as the library 24 hours a day. Online students can count on receiving excellent academics as well as opportunities for hands-on learning, such as research projects and opportunities to attend national and regional psychology conferences.
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Taking online classes has afforded me the opportunity to learn while maintaining a job. They give me some flexibility to study at times that work more cohesively with my schedule and allow me to utilize resources such as the library 24 hours a day.
Bentley Streat | Hayes, VA