Psychology

The full-time program begins with the first summer school session and includes the second summer session and the next two academic semesters. The program is generalist in its orientation and provides advanced education that will transfer well either to a career right after graduation or to further graduate education in a variety of fields such as law, business, medical school, social work, and psychology. Specific applied training leading directly to professional licensure is not provided. Instead, the students in the MA program receive traditional and general grounding in psychology via courses chosen from our regularly offered graduate courses.

A faculty director specifically for the MA program is available for consultation on course selection, career opportunities, and professional development. In addition to courses in developmental, clinical, social/health, cognitive/experimental, and biological psychology, professional development workshops that address concerns about graduate school, career and personal choices, professional presentation, are a regular part of the curriculum. Depending on the interests and qualifications of the students, there is the opportunity to engage in research under the direction of Psychology Department faculty. “Brown bag” seminars in Social, Cognitive/Experimental, or Biopsychology provide awareness of ongoing research at Stony Brook and that of guest speakers at other research institutions.

• A bachelor’s degree with a major in psychology, or in a program providing adequate preparation for the intended area of study (ordinarily including statistics, research methodology, and/or psychology laboratory).
• An average of 3.25 or better in all graded academic undergraduate coursework.
• One official copy of all previous college transcripts, with certified English translations of any transcripts in a foreign language.
• Letters of recommendation from three instructors or academic advisors.
• The GRE is not required.
• For international students, TOEFL or IELTS scores (unless their native language is English) and the International Student Financial Affidavit.
• Students who do not meet these requirements may also apply if they feel that special circumstances should be considered.
• Acceptance by the department and Graduate School.

Scholarships

• W. Burghardt Turner Fellowship 
• Elisabeth Luce Moor Fellowship
• Pride Scholarship Endowment Fund
• Life Member Award