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The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences:
MS in Psychology

The MS in Psychology provides students with pre-doctoral training—a background in the development and application of psychological theories, basic scientific methods, and principles of psychological science.

Note: The MS in Psychology program is offered in two different learning modalities: the course-based modality and the competency-based modality, Tempo Learning®.

Note on Licensure

The MS in Psychology is not a licensure program and does not prepare an individual to become a licensed psychology professional.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Describe the foundations of psychology.
  2. Synthesize psychological theory and research to apply in real-world situations, such as in educational, social, organizational, and health settings.
  3. Interpret psychological theory and research.
  4. Describe psychological theory, research, and practice from a multicultural and/or global perspective.
  5. Apply psychological theory, research, and practice to scholarly and/or professional activities that promote positive social change.

Course-Based Program

Degree Requirements

  • 48 quarter credits (63 credits for Applied Behavioral Analysis)
  • Foundation course (3 credits)
  • Core courses (25 credits)
  • Specialization courses (15 credits; 30 credits for Applied Behavioral Analysis)
  • Capstone (5 credits)

Specialization Courses (15 credits; 30 credits for Applied Behavior Analysis)

These courses are dependent upon the particular specialization. Please see the course list on each specialization page.

Curriculum

There are two tracks in the MS in Psychology program:

  • Track 1 is for students who want to advance in their careers. (The Applied Behavior Analysis specialization is for Track 1 students only.)
  • Track 2 is for those who intend to further their studies in a doctoral program.

Track 1

For students who want to advance in their careers. (The Applied Behavior Analysis specialization is for Track 1 students only.)

Foundation Course (3 credits)

Core Courses (25 credits)

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Capstone Course (5 credits)

Course Sequence–Track 1

Students undertake courses in the following sequence.

Quarter Course Credits
Quarter 1

PSYC 6002 - Foundations of Graduate Study in Psychology

 3 credits

PSYC 6200 - Themes and Theories of Psychology

 5 credits
Quarter 2

PSYC 6215 - Lifespan Development

 5 credits

PSYC 6701 - Culture and Psychology

 5 credits
Quarter 3

RSCH 6110 - Research Theory, Design, and Methods

 5 credits

Specialization Course

 5 credits
Quarter 4

PSYC 6800 - Applied Psychology Research Methods

 5 credits

Specialization Course

 5 credits
Quarter 5

Specialization Course

 5 credits

PSYC 6393 - Capstone

 5 credits

Track 2

For those who intend to further their studies in a doctoral program.

Foundation Course (3 credits)

Core Courses (25 credits)

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Capstone Course (5 credits)

Course Sequence–Track 2

Students undertake courses in the following sequence.

Quarter Course Credits
Quarter 1

PSYC 6002 - Foundations of Graduate Study in Psychology

 3 credits

PSYC 6200 - Themes and Theories of Psychology

 5 credits
Quarter 2

PSYC 6215 - Lifespan Development

 5 credits

PSYC 6701 - Culture and Psychology

 5 credits
Quarter 3

RSCH 6110 - Research Theory, Design, and Methods

 5 credits

Specialization Course

 5 credits
Quarter 4

RSCH 6210 - Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis

 5 credits

Specialization Course

 5 credits
Quarter 5

Specialization Course

 5 credits

PSYC 6393R - Capstone (Research)

 5 credits

Tempo Learning® Program

 

Tempo Learning® is Walden’s competency-based education modality, an alternative way of earning a Walden degree offered for some Walden programs. Instead of courses, the Walden Tempo Learning® program is comprised of competencies and rigorous assessments. Students progress through the Tempo Learning® model by successfully passing competency assessments. A student must successfully achieve or master all competency assessments to graduate from the program.

Students earn the same Walden degree whether they choose the course-based or the competency-based modality.

Degree Requirements

  • 48 quarter credits
  • Foundation competencies (3 credits)
  • Core competencies (25 credits)
  • Specialization competencies (15 credits)
  • Capstone competencies (5 credits)

Curriculum

Foundation Competencies (3 credits)

  • GS001 Field of Psychology
    Describe alignment of professional goals for positive social change.
  • GS002 Academic Goals
    Demonstrate skills to further academic goals.
  • GS003 Professional Goals
    Demonstrate skills to further professional goals.

Core Competencies (25 credits)

  • PT001 Psychological Themes and Theories
    Evaluate key concepts in theories.
  • PT002 Human Behavior
    Evaluate how theories relate to human behavior in diverse settings.
  • PT003 Research
    Evaluate how research informs psychological theories.
  • LF001 Theories and Processes of Development
    Evaluate constructs, processes, and theories related to developmental psychology.
  • LF002 Developmental Concepts
    Analyze developmental concepts as applied to the life of an individual.
  • LF003 Lifespan
    Synthesize environmental, biological, and cultural influences on development throughout the lifespan.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • CU001 Culture and Human Development
    Evaluate the effect of culture on social, emotional, and cognitive developmental processes and human behavior to gain a better understanding of individuals across the world. 
  • CU002 Social Roles and Social Behavior
    Analyze how culture influences socialization, social roles, social cognition, and social behavior to gain a greater appreciation of cultural appropriate behaviors in varied settings.
  • CU003 Culture and Psychological Well-Being
    Use cross-cultural strategies to understand psychological disorders and to promote mental health attitudes, beliefs, and practices.
  • CU004 Cross-Cultural Research
    Promote a global perspective of psychology using cross-cultural research and methods to encourage positive social change.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • PS001 Data Collection and Management
    Collect, manage, and clean quantitative data to develop core skills for problem-solving.
  • PS002 Data Analysis
    Analyze quantitative data to answer questions to solve problems in real world situations.
  • PS003 Data Interpretation
    Interpret quantitative data to make generalizations for positive social change.
  • RT001 Philosophy of Science, Theory, and Social Change
    Analyze the roles of philosophy, theory, and social change in research.
  • RT002 Quantitative Research
    Assess quantitative research studies for quality and for alignment among critical research components.
  • RT003 Qualitative Research
    Assess qualitative research studies for quality and for alignment among critical research components.
  • RT004 Mixed Methods Research
    Assess mixed methods research (MMR) studies for quality and for alignment among critical research components.

Specialization Competencies (15 credits)

These courses are dependent upon the particular specialization. Please see the course list on each specialization page.

Capstone Competencies (5 credits)

  • SS001 Research Strategies
    Analyze the research strategies that address contemporary issues or problems based on applied research in the field of psychology.
  • SS002 Issues or Problems in Psychology
    Apply psychology to contemporary issues or problems in either the workplace, community, or world.
  • SS003 Literature Reviews
    Synthesize literature related to the field of psychology that is focused on contemporary issues or problems in the workplace, community, or world.

Note on Curriculum

In an effort to ensure competencies are kept up to date and relevant to meet the learning outcomes of the program, the number and subject matter of individual competencies needed to satisfy program course requirements may change. However, program outcomes and the number and subject matter of courses will not be impacted. As a result, the required competencies listed in a student’s individual learning plan may differ from what is currently listed in the catalog.