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Psychological Science

MA Program

Welcome to the website for the Master’s Program in Psychological Science at CSU San Marcos! If you are a potential applicant, please start by reading the mission statement, and then read the FAQs that are linked on the left. The FAQs answer many of your questions and will help you decide if our program is right for you. 

Mission statement

The mission of the graduate program in psychological science at CSU San Marcos is to provide graduate education of the highest caliber to qualified students from the local community and beyond, leading to the Master of Arts (M.A.) degree. Our objective is to prepare students for the following: continued study at the doctoral level; a variety of positions in business, industry, and the public sector; and/or academic careers at the two-year college level. It is our belief that excellent graduate education is best accomplished in an atmosphere in which graduate students are treated collegially and are closely mentored by the faculty. We are committed to the study of psychology as a scientific enterprise, and our program will encourage the development of skills that are consonant with the scientific spirit of inquiry and the critical thinking, articulate verbal expression, quantitative reasoning, and healthy skepticism of graduate-level study. In keeping with the mission of CSU San Marcos, we offer our students a curriculum that includes opportunities to enhance professional development and to contribute to the community at large. In addition, our program seeks to recognize the value of multicultural perspectives and to be sensitive to diversity concerns.

Many students pursue graduate training in psychological science with the goal of becoming a clinician, counselor, or licensed mental health professional. There are multiple pathways to these careers, and the best graduate program depends on your long-term goals. We would like to offer some guidance regarding whether the MA or MS may be a better fit for your aspirations.

If your goal is to become a licensed psychologist, you will need to complete a doctoral degree. If you want to earn a master’s degree as a stepping stone to a doctoral program, the MA program in Psychological Science is a better fit for you. Doctoral programs, particularly PhD programs, seek applicants with substantial research experience. This is true for both clinical psychology programs (which train students in clinical practice, research, and/or teaching) and experimental psychology programs (which focus on research and teaching rather than clinical practice).

If your goal is to work as a therapist after earning a master’s degree, the MS in Clinical Counseling Psychology Program is a stronger fit. The MS program will prepare students to pursue licensure as a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC). The MS Program emphasizes the application of research-based clinical approaches, but does not involve a great deal of mentored research in psychology. Students with questions about the MS in Clinical Counseling Psychology Program should explore the linked website or reach out to Dr. Allison Jobin (ajobin@csusm.edu) with further questions about the MS Program.

Our department does not offer course work or training that is specifically aimed at preparing students to become MFTs, MSWs, or to deliver ABA-based services, nor do we offer the courses that are required for becoming a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA). However, our curriculum and research opportunities may be of interest to students who are interested in a research-based training in related topics. 

The M.A. in Psychological Science is guided by programmatic student learning outcomes associated with our curricular and co-curricular offerings.   

Applications

Fall 2025 Admissions

The application window for the Master’s program in Psychological Science closed on February 1. We hope to make admissions decisions and inform applicants by email no later than April 1, 2025. Please refer back to this webpage for any updates regarding the timeline for our decisions.

The next application window for the program in Psychological Science will open in October, 2025, for Fall 2026. Please read the FAQs before you make the decision to apply to our program. The FAQs will answer many of your questions and will help you decide if our program is right for you. Note that these FAQs apply to the Psychological Science program.  FAQs relevant to the upcoming Clinical Counseling program will be available soon.

Applications will be submitted via the Cal State Apply website (see link below).  

A complete application will include:  

  • Transcripts
    You will find the mailing address for transcripts on the Cal State Apply application form. You will need to send official copies of transcripts from all colleges and universities you attended to that address.  You will also need to attach an unofficial transcript from the university from which you graduated, or will graduate, to the Cal State Apply application itself.   
  • GRE scores (optional)
    GRE scores are optional. You may submit GRE scores if you choose to do so. Applicants will not be penalized for failure to take the test or report the scores. If you do opt to take and report GRE scores, please be sure you have taken the GRE in time for the February 1st deadline. Late scores may not be accepted.
  • Three letters of recommendation
    At least two letters must be from college professors who know you. You will provide the names and email addresses of your recommenders on the application. The recommenders will be automatically contacted to submit their letters to us online.
  • Personal Statement (also known as a Statement of Purpose)
    • No minimum or maximum length.
    • Describe your goals, interests, and relevant academic skills and accomplishments. 

    • Include the names of one or two CSUSM tenure-track faculty members with whom you would like to do research, and why. It is critical that you make it clear how your interests, experiences, and training make you a good match for the research our faculty do. A list of faculty and their research interests is linked on the left.

    • Résumés or CVs are optional. 

       

If you have questions that are not answered by the FAQs, write to us at psycma@csusm.edu and we will be more than happy to help. 

Cal State Apply