Master's Degree in Research and Experimental Psychology
This master's degree trains students in research methods and experimental psychology, preparing them for roles in academic, clinical, or applied psychology research.
About
The Master's Degree in Research and Experimental Psychology is designed for students interested in understanding human behavior through scientific methods. It is aimed at those who want to deepen their knowledge of psychological theories and research techniques. This degree prepares graduates for careers in research settings, higher education, or roles requiring strong analytical and experimental skills in psychology.
- The program focuses on advanced psychological theories and experimental methods.
- It suits students who have completed a bachelor's degree in psychology or related fields.
- Graduates can work in academic research, clinical studies, or applied psychology.
- The degree also supports those aiming to pursue a PhD or research-intensive careers.
- It is offered by universities across the United States, following national standards for graduate education.
What you study
The curriculum covers a broad range of topics in experimental psychology, combining theory and practical research. Students learn to design experiments, analyze data, and interpret psychological phenomena. The program typically spans one to two years, with a progression from foundational courses to specialized research projects.
- Early courses include research design, statistical analysis, and cognitive psychology.
- Later stages involve advanced experimental methods and data interpretation.
- Students participate in laboratory work and conduct independent research.
- A thesis or research project is often required to demonstrate applied skills.
- The program emphasizes critical thinking and scientific communication.
How to get in
Admission to this master's program requires a relevant bachelor's degree, usually in psychology or a related discipline. The selection process is competitive and includes evaluation of academic records and research potential. Applicants may need to submit letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose.
- Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in psychology or a related field.
- Universities often require transcripts and GRE scores (Graduate Record Examination).
- Research experience or internships strengthen applications.
- Strong motivation for research and analytical skills are expected.
- Admission procedures vary but generally include an interview or written statement.
Day to day
The academic year combines coursework, research activities, and practical training. Students attend lectures, participate in seminars, and spend time in labs conducting experiments. They often collaborate with faculty on research projects and may complete internships to gain experience.
- The workload includes weekly classes and laboratory sessions.
- Students dedicate time to data collection and analysis for their research projects.
- Internships or assistantships with research teams are common.
- Regular meetings with supervisors guide thesis progress.
- Time management is important to balance theory and practice.
Careers this degree leads to
Graduates find opportunities in research institutions, universities, healthcare settings, or private companies. They may work as research assistants, data analysts, or in roles supporting psychological studies. The job market values their ability to conduct experiments and interpret complex data.
- Possible roles include research psychologist and clinical research coordinator.
- Employment sectors include academia, healthcare, and market research.
- The degree supports careers in psychological testing and behavioral research.
- Insertion into the workforce is generally smooth for motivated graduates.
- Some graduates continue with doctoral studies to specialize further.
Careers after further study
These careers require a higher level of study than this degree.
Continuing your studies
After completing this master's degree, students can pursue a PhD in psychology or related fields to deepen their research expertise. Alternatively, they may transition into professional psychology programs or specialized certifications depending on their career goals.
- Common next steps include a doctoral degree (PhD) in psychology.
- Some students choose professional training in clinical psychology or neuropsychology.
- Others may explore interdisciplinary fields such as cognitive neuroscience.
- The master's degree provides a solid foundation for various research careers.
Where to study this degree (200)
Liste des 200 établissements
- Palo Alto UniversityPalo Alto
- Tennessee Wesleyan CollegeAthens
- Boston UniversityBoston
- Colorado CollegeColorado Springs
- Duke UniversityDurham
- Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale
- University of Michigan–FlintFlint
- Paine CollegeAugusta
- Lebanon Valley CollegeAnnville
- Southeast Missouri State UniversityCape Girardeau
- Bryn Mawr CollegeBryn Mawr
- St. John's UniversityQueens
- Averett UniversityDanville
- Emporia State UniversityEmporia
- Iona CollegeNew Rochelle
- Truman State UniversityKirksville
- University of Saint FrancisFort Wayne
- University of ConnecticutStorrs
- California State University, San BernardinoSan Bernardino
- University of Wisconsin–OshkoshOshkosh
- Fort Hays State UniversityHays
- Colorado Christian UniversityLakewood
- University of California-DavisDavis
- University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn Arbor
- University of California-Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara
- University of California-IrvineIrvine
- Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus
- University of California, RiversideRiverside
- University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignUrbana
- New York UniversityNew York
- Montclair State UniversityMontclair
- University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPittsburgh
- University of UtahSalt Lake City
- University of Washington-Seattle CampusSeattle
- University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles
- University of South Carolina-ColumbiaColumbia
- University of California, MercedMerced
- University of OregonEugene
- University of North FloridaJacksonville
- University of Tennessee at KnoxvilleKnoxville
- Indiana University BloomingtonBloomington
- University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley
- Purdue University West LafayetteWest Lafayette
- American Public University SystemCharles Town
- Metropolitan State University of DenverDenver
- Brigham Young UniversityProvo
- University of DelawareNewark
- Tulane UniversityNew Orleans
- University of RochesterRochester
- Columbia UniversityNew York
- Washington University in St LouisSaint Louis
- Capella UniversityMinneapolis
- University of North GeorgiaDahlonega
- Park UniversityParkville
- Northeastern State UniversityTahlequah
- University of ArizonaTucson
- Sacred Heart UniversityFairfield
- University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeMilwaukee
- Kansas State UniversityManhattan
- University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis
- Brandeis UniversityWaltham
- Teachers College at Columbia UniversityNew York
- Florida Atlantic UniversityBoca Raton
- Georgia College & State UniversityMilledgeville
- Northeastern UniversityBoston
- Harvard UniversityCambridge
- Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimore
- University of ChicagoChicago
- Tufts UniversityMedford
- University of California-San DiegoLa Jolla
- The University of Texas at DallasRichardson
- University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia
- Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia
- Boston CollegeBoston
- Barnard CollegeNew York
- Smith CollegeNorthampton
- Creighton UniversityOmaha
- Yale UniversityNew Haven
- Vanderbilt UniversityNashville
- University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusDenver
- Mount Holyoke CollegeSouth Hadley
- St. Olaf CollegeNorthfield
- Wellesley CollegeWellesley
- Pace UniversityNew York
- Murray State UniversityMurray
- Amherst CollegeAmherst
- University of Central MissouriWarrensburg
- Brown UniversityProvidence
- Colgate UniversityHamilton
- Lake Forest CollegeLake Forest
- George Washington UniversityWashington
- Northcentral UniversitySan Diego
- University of North AlabamaFlorence
- Claremont Graduate UniversityClaremont
- Northwest Missouri State UniversityMaryville
- Stanford UniversityStanford
- Walden UniversityMinneapolis
- Purdue University Fort WayneFort Wayne
- Occidental CollegeLos Angeles
- Gettysburg CollegeGettysburg
- Whitman CollegeWalla Walla
- Wesleyan UniversityMiddletown
- Dartmouth CollegeHanover
- Pennsylvania Western UniversityCalifornia
- Davidson CollegeDavidson
- Bates CollegeLewiston
- Princeton UniversityPrinceton
- Lafayette CollegeEaston
- Denison UniversityGranville
- Vassar CollegePoughkeepsie
- Union CollegeSchenectady
- Canisius CollegeBuffalo
- University of Nebraska at KearneyKearney
- Baldwin Wallace UniversityBerea
- Western Kentucky UniversityBowling Green
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State AbingtonAbington
- Macalester CollegeSaint Paul
- Middlebury CollegeMiddlebury
- Jackson CollegeJackson
- University of KansasLawrence
- Trinity CollegeHartford
- Scripps CollegeClaremont
- Georgia Institute of Technology-Main CampusAtlanta
- St. Francis CollegeBrooklyn
- The Chicago School at Los AngelesLos Angeles
- Eastern Washington UniversityCheney
- College of WoosterWooster
- Northwestern UniversityEvanston
- Ozarks Technical Community CollegeSpringfield
- Utica CollegeUtica
- Fordham UniversityBronx
- Claremont McKenna CollegeClaremont
- Hunter CollegeNew York
- Niagara UniversityNiagara University
- Trinity UniversitySan Antonio
- Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusUniversity Park
- University of Nevada, RenoReno
- Trinity Washington UniversityWashington
- Mount St. Mary's UniversityEmmitsburg
- Washington and Lee UniversityLexington
- Texas A & M University-College StationCollege Station
- Hamilton CollegeClinton
- Texas Christian UniversityFort Worth
- Bowdoin CollegeBrunswick
- Swarthmore CollegeSwarthmore
- Carleton CollegeNorthfield
- Gordon CollegeWenham
- Albion CollegeAlbion
- Agnes Scott CollegeDecatur
- Florida International UniversityMiami
- Bay Path UniversityLongmeadow
- Earlham CollegeRichmond
- University of Maryland-College ParkCollege Park
- Oglethorpe UniversityAtlanta
- Ball State UniversityMuncie
- Regis UniversityDenver
- Reed CollegePortland
- Grinnell CollegeGrinnell
- Knox CollegeGalesburg
- LeTourneau UniversityLongview
- CUNY Graduate School and University CenterNew York
- Luther CollegeDecorah
- Texas State UniversitySan Marcos
- The Ohio State University NewarkNewark
- Haverford CollegeHaverford
- Centre CollegeDanville
- Villanova UniversityVillanova
- Pitzer CollegeClaremont
- Pomona CollegeClaremont
- College of Coastal GeorgiaBrunswick
- Emmanuel College - MassachusettsBoston
- Duquesne UniversityPittsburgh
- University of Massachusetts BostonBoston
- Florida Institute of TechnologyMelbourne
- Wabash CollegeCrawfordsville
- Missouri State UniversitySpringfield
- University of GeorgiaAthens
- Northeastern University Professional ProgramsBoston
- Tiffin UniversityTiffin
- Westminster UniversitySalt Lake City
- The Ohio State University at MansfieldMansfield
- Illinois Institute of TechnologyChicago
- Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe
- Savannah State UniversitySavannah
- Metropolitan State UniversitySaint Paul
- University of Notre DameNotre Dame
- Lehigh UniversityBethlehem
- University of Missouri-ColumbiaColumbia
- Centenary College of New JerseyHackettstown
- Eckerd CollegeSaint Petersburg
- Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew Brunswick
- University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles
- Macomb Community CollegeWarren
- California Institute of Integral StudiesSan Francisco
- Cornell UniversityIthaca
- Temple UniversityPhiladelphia
- Stony Brook UniversityStony Brook
- Kent State University at KentKent
- DePaul UniversityChicago
- The University of Texas at El PasoEl Paso
Frequently asked questions
What background do I need to apply for this master's degree?
You typically need a bachelor's degree in psychology or a related field. Having research experience or coursework in psychology strengthens your application.
Is this program more theoretical or practical?
The program combines both theory and practice, with courses on psychological theories and hands-on experimental research, including a thesis project.
Can I work while studying this master's degree?
While some students may work part-time, the program requires significant time for research and coursework, so balancing both can be challenging.
Does this degree lead directly to clinical psychology jobs?
This degree focuses on research and experimental psychology; clinical roles usually require additional professional training or certification.
Are internships part of the curriculum?
Many programs encourage or require internships or research assistantships to gain practical experience in real research settings.
What are the career prospects after this degree?
Graduates often find jobs in research, academia, healthcare, or private companies, and many continue their studies with a PhD.
Is the GRE exam required for admission?
Some universities in the US require GRE scores as part of the application, but requirements vary by institution.
Can I specialize in a specific area of psychology during the program?
Yes, as you progress, you can focus on areas like cognitive psychology, neuroscience, or psychometrics through elective courses and research projects.



























