MA in Psychology
Build a strong foundation in psychological science
Our MA in Psychology program prepares students for success in research, education and professional fields where understanding behavior makes a difference. Graduates leave ready to enter the workforce or continue their education in areas such as law, business, economics, health sciences, social work, public health, geography and psychology.
As a student in UB’s Department of Psychology, you’ll join a research-intensive program designed to deepen your understanding of the mind and behavior. You’ll work closely with faculty mentors who are nationally and internationally recognized in their fields and gain the skills needed to design studies, analyze data and share results.
UB’s Psychology MA program emphasizes collaboration, mentorship and hands-on research, giving you the experience and confidence to apply psychological science in academic, clinical and professional settings.
Many of our MA graduates go on to work as researchers, mental health professionals, managers or administrators, while others continue on to earn a PhD.
- Degree type: Master of Arts (MA)
- Field: Psychology
- Program length: Typically 2 years
What makes this MA stand out
- Mentor-based learning: Work directly with faculty researchers in Behavioral Neuroscience, Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Psychology or Social-Personality Psychology
- Flexible electives: Tailor your coursework to align with your career interests or future study plans
- Hands-on experience: Gain practical training through active participation in labs and research projects
- Career-ready preparation: Build analytical, statistical and critical thinking skills valued across industries
You’ll graduate with a broad and deep understanding of psychology and the tools to apply it in diverse settings. Students will:
- Demonstrate competence in statistical methods
- Gain broad and deep exposure to current ideas and evidence in the study of behavior
- Plan and write a well-organized scholarly paper on a psychological research topic
- Understand ethics in research and responsible conduct of research
Please note: While this program offers valuable training, it does not qualify graduates to practice independently as professional psychologists.
Core courses and requirements:
- One graduate-level statistics course
- One distribution course from each of the department’s four areas: Behavioral Neuroscience, Clinical, Cognitive and Social-Personality
- Electives and mentored research experience
- A final mentored MA project demonstrating scholarly research and writing
Graduates of UB’s MA in Psychology program are prepared for a wide range of research, teaching and professional roles. The skills gained—critical thinking, data analysis, communication and problem solving—translate across many sectors.
Common career paths include:
- Research associate or analyst in universities, hospitals or government agencies
- Project coordinator or program manager in health or nonprofit organizations
- Data analyst, human resources specialist or market researcher in business or industry
- Academic or lab manager supporting faculty or research teams
- Preparation for doctoral study in psychology or related disciplines
UB’s strong mentorship model and research emphasis give graduates an edge when pursuing advanced education or competitive positions in psychology-related fields.
Ready to advance your study of psychology?
For more information, please reach out to us!
