About the M.A. in Psychology: Illinois
National Louis University's Master of Arts in Psychology will introduce you to the advanced study of human behavior and prepare you for diverse career options in counseling, business and education, as well as further graduate study. The degree can be completed online or on-campus in 18 months.
Program coursework includes the opportunity to choose concentrations in General Psychology, Community Psychology, Psychological Assessment, or Teaching of Psychology.
Program Highlights
Flexible Classes
Choose between fully online or blended (online courses with in-person meetings) formats. Fit your degree around your busy schedule.
Career Preparation
Jumpstart your career with career planning services woven throughout the program. We’ll help you hone your interests and connect you to the right career path.
Renowned Faculty
Learn from faculty who are not only skilled educators and respected scholars, but bring years of real-world experience to the classroom. Classes are designed according to the most current research and best practices in the field.
Customized Path
Select one of four different concentrations and shape your degree to match your career interests and goals. You can also choose to enroll in a stand-alone Psychology certificate program that does not require enrollment in the Master’s program.
Psychology Concentrations
Concentrations allow students the opportunity to focus on a specialized topic of interest and clearly indicates an area of expertise. M.A. in Psychology students will select a concentration in one of the following areas:
- General Psychology—Students will obtain a strong foundation in psychology including coursework in biopsychology and career development.
- Community Psychology—Students will delve into how individuals relate to their communities and how communities impact individuals, as well as study behavioral science-informed approaches to solving community challenges.
- Psychological Assessment—Students gain training in the advanced skills of individual and organizational assessment, including hands-on training in the administration of psychological assessment tools (available in blended format only).
- Teaching of Psychology—Students acquire specialized knowledge and skills in best practices for college-level teaching and learning, instructional design, and distance education, as well as college-level practicum experience.
Psychology Certificates
NLU offers two stand-alone Certificate programs for students seeking to advance their knowledge in the field of psychology without enrolling in a full Master’s degree program or as a part of their Master's degree:
- Graduate Certificate in General Psychology—available in both blended and online formats
- Graduate Certificate in Psychology: Psychological Assessment—available in a blended format only
What You Will Learn
58% Core Courses, 33% Concentration and Electives, 9% Capstone
Research and Analysis
Qualitative and quantitative research design; Interpreting and critiquing published research; Data collection and analysis; Software for statistical analysis; Ethical considerations.
Social Psychology
Theories of self, cognition and social perception; Biases and relationships; Violence and aggression; Impact of culture on social interaction; Group processes.
Assessment
Assessments of personality and intellect; Objective, projective and evaluative tests; The validity and reliability of instruments; Understanding gathered data.
Core Theories
Abnormal psychology; Diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders; Social, political and cultural contexts; Developmental and cognitive psychology; Construction of knowledge; Development of moral and ethical principles; Language development; Memory and perception; Socio-cognitive aspects of human interaction.
Concentration Courses
Nine semester hours will be dedicated to courses specific to your chosen concentration in General Psychology, Community Psychology, Psychological Assessment, or Teaching of Psychology
To cap off the NLU Master's in Psychology program, you will also write a thesis or take a comprehensive examination seminar.
Career Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,* employment opportunities for Psychologists are expected to grow 3 percent from 2019-2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations. However, Illinois is one of the top 5 states in employment of clinical, social, and school psychologists. These positions are well-compensated, too, as the median salary in 2019 was $80,370.
With an M.A. in Psychology, you'll also be prepared for these growing careers:
- Clinical Psychologist
- Counselor
- School Psychologist
- Social Service Manager
- Market Researcher
- Forensic Psychologist
- Human Resource Manager
- Research Assistant
- Psychology Instructor
- Data Analyst
Employment growth will vary by specialty, but more professionals will be needed to, for example, provide services to an aging population, veterans suffering from war trauma, other trauma survivors and individuals with autism.
*https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm
