Advance your career in psychology

DePaul’s MS in Research? Psychology will prepare you for further doctoral training or for a range of psychology-related careers, such as statistical consulting and teaching. You’ll receive a solid grounding in theory, essential training in research methods and breadth of knowledge in several areas of psychology. Contribute to new developments in the field of psychology through a research project you’ll develop with guidance from your faculty mentor.

The MS in Research Psychology program can be completed in two years. Classes are offered during the day on the Lincoln Park Campus.

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Make an impact in the community

DePaul’s connections with community organizations across Chicago give you a variety of opportunities to hone your applied and research skills. You can also gain hands-on research experience within DePaul’s psychology centers and labs.

Application Deadlines

Applications are due April 20 for fall admission.

Admission Requirements

Submit an online application, résumé, personal statement, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, official transcripts and course history list.

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Required Courses

You’ll complete eight core courses, three electives, and a master’s thesis or capstone project.

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98%

of Psychology graduates were employed, continuing their education or pursuing other goals within six months of graduation.

 

$61k

The reported median salary for Psychology alumni was $61,000.

Learn and work with noted experts in the field

Professor Joseph Ferrari has been recognized for his extensive research and mentoring by the American Psychological Association. He’s a pioneering researcher of chronic procrastination and an expert in social-personality and applied social-community psychologies.

“This program taught me how to translate theory to practice, critically analyze research, and to competently and ethically conduct social science research. I was prepared to meet the demands of a doctoral program, having already completed a two-year research thesis project. The faculty are incredibly supportive and knowledgeable, and the training and guidance I received from my advisor was top-notch!”

Jade (MS ’09)

Insights Consulting, Behavioral Consultant and Doctoral Student, Indiana University School of Social Work 

Alumni Network

You’ll find DePaul psychology alumni working in a variety of industries, such as Advocate Health Care, Cisco, McDonald’s Corp. and United Airlines. You’ll be connected to a large network of more than 201,000 DePaul alumni, the majority of whom live in the Chicago area.

Scholarships

Graduate school is an investment in your future. Learn more about the financial aid and scholarship opportunities available to you.

Psychology Admission Requirements

Admission into the MS in Research Psychology program is competitive, based on a combination of grades, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and faculty-student fit.  This program serves as a foundation for students interested in doctoral training.

 

Please read through the the general instructions and those below before completing the online application. Applications are due no later than April 20th, although we do begin the application review and acceptance process as early as April 1st; early application is encouraged. When completing the online application select the Psychology Graduate Programs application, not the College of Science and Health application.

The Master of Science in Research? Psychology faculty review all application materials carefully and evaluate applications with emphasis on the following criteria:

1. Completeness of Credentials: Faculty will only review complete applications submitted before the April 20 deadline. The review process begins earlier for completed applications. 

2. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and Grade Point Average (GPA): Due to current circumstances, the GRE is not required for Fall 2023 Admission but it is highly recommended. Please submit scores directly through the Educational Testing Service (ETS). A GPA of 3.5 or higher is advised. If an applicant is particularly strong in one area, but not another, these criteria may not be rigidly followed?.

3. Undergraduate Preparation: A minimum of six courses in psychology, including a four quarter hour (three semester hour) elementary statistics course, as well as a course in research methods or experimental psychology is required. Applicants who lack prerequisites will be required to take the necessary courses, without graduate credit, before enrolling in the program. Preference is given to those applicants who have a well-balanced background of psychology courses and some background in science and mathematics. Students who do not have an undergraduate major in Psychology, but who otherwise satisfy the following requirements, may apply. Download and complete the Course History List form.
4. Three Letters of Recommendation: Faculty carefully review letters of recommendation. Selected recommenders are encouraged to address the applicant’s academic background and achievements.
5. Personal Statement: No specific prompt is provided in order to allow applicants the freedom to express themselves as they deem appropriate. Applicants are encouraged to highlight their research interests and name faculty with whom they would like to work. A guideline of two to three pages is advised.
6. Minority Status: MS faculty encourage applications from students of minority background.
7. Students with Disabilities: MS faculty encourage applications from students with disabilities.

General Admission Requirements

Please read through the instructions below before completing the online application. When filling out the online application select the Psychology Graduate Programs application, not the College of Science and Health application.?

A completed graduate school application must be accompanied by:

• Resume
• Personal statement
• Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores: highly recommended but not required for Fall 2022?
• Three letters of recommendation
• One official transcript from each institution attended. Unofficial transcripts can be submitted for the application review. Official transcripts will be required upon admission.
• Course history list
• Application fee of $40

Resumes, personal statements and course history lists may be uploaded along with the online application. Official transcripts may also be submitted by email if the issuing institution offers this service. Please make sure that your name and program of interest is on all documents.

Credentials not submitted electronically should be sent to the following address:
Office of Graduate Admission
College of Science and Health
DePaul University
2400 N. Sheffield Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614-2215

Application Fee

Payment
The $40.00 application fee must be paid when you submit your application, unless a waiver is requested. The fee may be paid by credit card when you submit your online application. It may also be paid by check made out to "DePaul University" and sent to the address above. Please be sure to write your name on the check.

Application Fee Waiver
To request a waiver, please submit your online application and select the “pay later” option. Once your application has been submitted, send a request to graddepaul@depaul.edu. The Office of Graduate Admission will process the request and contact you if the fee can be waived. The same process applies to Ronald E. McNair Scholars as well.

Information For International Students

International students (those who were educated outside of the U.S. and/or require an F1 visa) must take additional steps to be considered for admission. The college requires a minimum TOEFL score of 80 on the TOEFL iBT, a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, or a minimum Duolingo score of 115.  The graduate program requires a minimum TOEFL score of 96 on the TOEFL iBT, a minimum IELTS score of 7.0, or a minimum Duolingo score of 125.  ?Please visit our Graduate International Admission site for additional information.?

Degree Requirements

MS Degree Requirements

Course Requirements

?Students must complete at least 48 quarter hours and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.20.

Core Courses

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
PSY 406	PHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESSES	4
PSY 410	ADVANCED STATISTICS I	4
PSY 411	ADVANCED STATISTICS II	4
PSY 420	QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH DESIGN	4
Select one of the following:		4
PSY 439	COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
PSY 554	EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
PSY 555	SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Select one of the following:		4
PSY 404	PERCEPTION AND COGNITION
PSY 426	LANGUAGE AND COGNITION
PSY 473	THE PSYCHOLOGY OF JUDGMENT AND DECISION- MAKING
Select one of the following:		4
PSY 430	SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY OF THE SELF
PSY 435	SPECIAL SEMINAR IN PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE
PSY 556	PREJUDICE AND INTERGROUP RELATIONS
PSY 560	SOCIAL COGNITION

Diversity Core Courses

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
Select one of the following:		4
PSY 520	PRINCIPLES OF HUMAN DIVERSITY
PSY 521	PSYCHOLOGY OF THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHILD
PSY 561	ADVANCED PSYCHOLOGY OF WOMEN AND GENDER
PSY 554	EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
PSY 555	SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
PSY 556	PREJUDICE AND INTERGROUP RELATIONS

Graduate Capstone

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
Select one of the following:		4
PSY 597	MASTER'S THESIS RESEARCH (empirical only)
PSY 592	DIRECTED RESEARCH (empirical only)

Sample Psychology Elective Courses 

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
Select three of the following:		12
PSY 416	METHODS IN QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
PSY 418	MULTIVARIATE STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
PSY 419	FACTOR ANALYSIS AND STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELING
PSY 422	COMPUTING FOR THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENTIST
PSY 435	SPECIAL SEMINAR IN PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE
PSY 440	PSYCHOLOGY OF WORK AND MOTIVATION
PSY 441	PSYCHOLOGY OF LEADERSHIP
PSY 442	PERSONNEL PSYCHOLOGY
PSY 444	PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL
PSY 446	PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORIES OF ORGANIZATIONS
PSY 448	CONCEPTS, METHODS, AND ETHICS FOR INDUSTRIAL-ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
PSY 450	PSYCHOLOGICAL MEASUREMENT
PSY 461	ETHICS & HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY SEMINAR
PSY 473	THE PSYCHOLOGY OF JUDGMENT AND DECISION- MAKING
PSY 486	ADVANCED PSYCHOPATHOLOGY
PSY 487	PSYCHOPATHOLOGY OF THE CHILD
PSY 491	TREATMENT METHODS WITH CHILDREN
PSY 492	PRINCIPLES OF CONSULTATION
PSY 493	ADVANCED COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY
PSY 511	HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
PSY 554	EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
PSY 555	SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
PSY 556	PREJUDICE AND INTERGROUP RELATIONS
PSY 558	SEMINAR IN ADVANCED STATISTICS
PSY 559	SEMINAR IN INDUSTRIAL-ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
PSY 560	SOCIAL COGNITION
PSY 680	INDUSTRIAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY

With the permission of the Program Director, students may be able to substitute other psychology or non-psychology courses for the diversity and elective requirements detailed above.

Additional Requirements

In addition, program requirements include two options for demonstrating successful completion of the program: 1) a traditional master's thesis involving an empirical study; or 2) a research study or program evaluation “Capstone” project based on the student's internship or employment experience. Upon completion of coursework, students are required to maintain active student registration status until graduation. 

??Time Limitation

All degree requirements must be successfully completed within a maximum period of five years.

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