Master’s in Psychology: General Psychology Emphasis

The MS in Psychology program is a graduate-level degree designed to help you become a more impactful and effective teacher, practitioner or researcher. You can benefit from the diverse perspectives of your peers and knowledgeable instructors as you consider the factors that contribute to human behaviors and thought patterns.

As a private Christian university, GCU integrates the Christian worldview throughout the curriculum. You’ll receive a college education rooted in the Bible with faith-integrated courses that encourage you to strive toward a Christ-like character. There is an emphasis on professional ethics and servant leadership. 

If you choose to take general psychology online courses, our e-learning platform allows you to benefit from academically stimulating interactions, while enjoying the convenience and flexibility of working through the coursework from virtually anywhere. 

As you explore the program curriculum, you’ll be taught a diverse range of skills intended to make you more competent within the behavioral health field. You’ll be encouraged to consider ways in which these skills can allow you to make a more meaningful and positive impact on the people with whom you interact in professional settings. Skills taught in this program include:

• The application of ethical best practices to contemporary issues in the psychology field
• How to design graduate-level research studies from qualitative, quantitative or mixed design approaches
• The application of statistical methods, including probability, descriptive and inferential analyses of data
• The development and presentation of original research ideas

GCU seeks to transform you into an analytical thinker and ethical leader, capable of communicating complex information to a range of stakeholders. As you work through the master’s in psychology curriculum, you will be taught relevant general psychology topics in human development, health psychology, social and cultural psychology and cognition.

You will explore the following core competencies in psychology:

• Ethical issues pertaining to animal research, forensic psychology, psychotherapy, research and writing
• The physical, social, cognitive, personality, spiritual and moral developments of a person throughout all stages of life
• Theoretical and applied aspects of experimental design and research methodology, including quantitative, qualitative and mixed designs
• The interaction of biological, psychological and social factors with health-promoting and illness-preventing behaviors

The MS in Psychology program does not require the completion of a thesis. Instead, you are required to complete a capstone course. This course allows you to explore and present your original research ideas. Through this occupational research, you will have the opportunity to build a roadmap for your future career or continued academic pursuits.

An understanding of how people think and why they behave the way they do can be valuable in many fields or industries. Knowledge of psychological principles can support meaningful interactions with colleagues, clients and family members, and it may also encourage personal growth. As a graduate of the Master of Science in Psychology degree program, you may wish to pursue employment opportunities in the behavioral and mental health field, which has a variety of options to consider. With a firm foundation of psychological principles and practices, individuals may apply to positions at:^1,2

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates job growth for social and community service managers to be 9% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than average. This indicates that employers expect to hire about 16,200 of these professionals during this time period.³ Furthermore, according to the BLS, social and community service managers had a median annual salary of $77,030 as of May 2023.⁴

This master’s degree in psychology does not lead to professional licensure; therefore, there is no course requirement for field experience or an internship. Different states have varying requirements, but individuals are typically required to obtain a specified amount of supervised field experience in order to obtain licensure as a psychologist.⁵ 

GCU is proud to be an institutionally accredited university, as this designation reflects the strength of our commitment to thoroughly preparing our students to make a positive impact on their communities. The Higher Learning Commission has continually accredited GCU since 1968. 

Before enrolling, it can be helpful to learn more about the field, your career options and what to expect in a degree program. GCU has compiled the following frequently asked questions and answers to guide your decision-making process.