The Master of Arts in Psychology (MA PSYCH) is a two-year graduate program that enhances and builds upon the knowledge and skills gained from an undergraduate psychology program. It is designed to teach various theories, methods, techniques, and principles in the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. The program intends to prepare students to practice in the areas of psychological assessment and diagnosis, counseling, group influence, and psychological research.
Recommended Undergraduate Program
Students who wish to pursue a graduate degree in MA in Psychology should have an undergraduate degree in psychology and the social sciences field. However, students who do not hold an undergraduate program in those fields but still wish to pursue the program are encouraged to take at least 18 units of courses in the relevant fields.
Subjects and Curriculum
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Development of Psychological Thought
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Experiment Design
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Statistics in Behavioral Sciences
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Advanced Psychometrics
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Advanced Theories of Personality
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Personality Assessment
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Clinical Psychology
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Psychotherapy
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Advanced Social Psychology
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Human Resource Development and Management
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Industrial/Organizational Psychology
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Developmental Psychology
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Career Guidance
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Psychology of Social Change
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Community Psychology
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Psychology of Poverty
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Cultural Psychology
Admission Requirements
Qualifications
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The student must have an undergraduate degree relevant to the program
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An applicant with a degree not in line with the psychology and social science field may still be admitted to the program as long as they take the pre-requisite courses. However, some colleges and universities admit any bachelor’s degree holders.
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The student must pass the Graduate Admissions Test of the university
Basic Requirements
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Undergraduate Transcript of records (Original and Photocopy)
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Recommendation letters from former professors, deans, or colleagues
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Letter of intent
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Most recent medical and dental health record
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Copy of NSO Certified birth certificate
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Copy of undergraduate diploma
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(1) Latest 2”x2”ID Picture
Areas of Specialization
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Clinical Psychology
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Cognitive Psychology
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Counseling Psychology
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Developmental Psychology
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Educational Psychology
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Forensic Psychology
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Health Psychology
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Human Factors Psychology
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Industrial/Organizational Psychology
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Physiological Psychology
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School Psychology
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Social Psychology
Program Outcome
Graduates of MA in Psychology are expected to be able to:
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Discuss and analyze Psychology’s major theories and concepts
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Apply the methods of psychological research
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Demonstrate the application of psychological theories and methods in a professional and personal setting
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Show capability for self-reflection and independent learning
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Abide with ethics in the practicing Psychology
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Create a harmonious interpersonal relationship in a diverse cultural setting with colleagues and clients
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Conduct psychological assessments and evaluation
Board Exam
Graduates may choose from the following licensure exams:
To become a Registered Psychometrician in the Philippines, a graduate of MA in Psychology needs to pass the Psychometrician Licensure Exam. The examination is conducted by the Board of Psychology under the supervision of the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC).
To be a Licensed Psychologist in the Philippines, a graduate of MA in Psychology needs to pass the Licensure Examination for Psychologist. The examination is conducted by the Board of Psychology under the supervision of the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC).
To become a Licensed Guidance Counselor in the Philippines, a graduate of MA in Guidance and Counselling needs to pass the Guidance and Counseling Licensure Examination. The examination is conducted by the Board of Guidance and Counseling under the supervision of the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC).
Career Opportunities
Graduates of MA in Psychology may pursue a career path in human resource departments, educational institutions, research institutions, and community and private mental health centers. They may apply as a college psychology professor, educational psychologist, clinical psychologist, organizational psychologist, forensic psychologist, engineering psychologist, rehabilitation psychologist, a sports psychologist, guidance counselor, behavior analyst, or a behavior specialist.
When considering a career in psychology, you will likely wonder how much time it will take to become licensed and what type of degrees you’ll need to attain. The answer is not always so cut-and-dry. The amount of time it takes to complete your college education depends largely on your specialty area and career interests.
In most cases, becoming a licensed psychologist can take as little as eight years or as long as 12 years.
If you are considering a career in psychology, it is important to be aware of all of the educational and training requirements it takes to become a licensed psychologist. Take the time to research all of your options and carefully examine your goals before you decide if this is the right career for you.
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Illustration by Joshua Seong, Verywell
Educational Requirements
At a minimum, you will want to earn your undergraduate degree in psychology or in a related field such as sociology, education, anthropology, or social work. Then, you will want to decide if you want to earn a doctorate-level degree.
The reason you should make a decision at this point is due to the fact that many programs do not offer a terminal master’s degree in psychology. In such cases, you will enroll in a graduate program after earning your bachelor’s degree and then spend four to seven years working on your doctorate.
To become a clinical psychologist, you will need an undergraduate degree (four to five years of college) plus a doctorate degree (four to seven years of graduate school). For this specialty area, most people will spend between eight to 12 years in higher education.
Of course, there are other career options in psychology that do not require as many years of college. For example, you could become a licensed marriage and family therapist with a master’s degree, which would require two to three years of graduate study.
If you decide not to pursue a doctorate at this point, you should start looking at different master’s degree programs in psychology or in related fields such as counseling or social work.
Bachelor’s Degree
You might want to begin by earning your undergraduate degree in psychology, but some people choose to pursue a degree in a related social science field. While it depends upon the requirements of the individual graduate school you attend, some programs also accept students who have undergraduate degrees in a subject unrelated to psychology or social science.
If you have a degree in a different field and want to become a psychologist, you may need to complete a number of prerequisites before you would be accepted into a graduate program.
Master’s Degree
A master’s degree can be a great way to delve deeper into a specific field of interest. However, a master’s degree is not always necessary. If you are interested in what is known as a terminal master’s degree in a field such as counseling, social work, or school psychology, you can often enter the workforce immediately after earning your degree.
In other cases, you might use your master’s degree as a stepping stone toward a doctorate, or you might choose to forgo a master’s program and go directly into a Ph.D. or Psy.D. program immediately after earning your bachelor’s degree. The path you take depends largely on your career goals as well as the graduate offerings at the school you choose to attend.
Doctorate Degree
The length of your doctoral program depends on many factors, including the specialty area you are pursuing as well as whether or not you already earned a master’s degree. In order to become a licensed psychologist, you will need to earn either a Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) or a Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology).
As with your master’s degree, the doctorate degree you pursue really depends on your career goals. If you are interested in a career in research, a Ph.D. might be the best choice. Ph.D. programs place greater emphasis on research, experimental methods, and training graduates to work as scientists.
If you are more interested in starting a private therapy practice, consider a Psy.D. The Psy.D. option tends to be more centered on professional practice and clinical work, preparing graduates to enter careers in mental health.
The American Psychological Association recommends that you enroll in an accredited program. Accreditation provides public notification that an institution or program meets certain standards of quality.
In addition to your doctorate, you will be required to complete a year-long postdoctoral training period before you can be fully licensed to practice in your state.
Degree Requirements
Becoming a licensed psychologist working in the field of mental health is certainly not the only career option if you are interested in working in the field of psychology. Licensing requirements for psychologists vary by state and specialty. Careers in forensic or sports psychology, for example, have differing requirements.
Please note that these represent the minimum educational requirements in these fields. Job opportunities and pay are generally greater with advanced training. Learn about different degree options and requirements for various careers in psychology.
A Word From Verywell
Becoming a psychologist requires a substantial commitment of time, but this can be a rewarding and challenging career. Before you decide if becoming a psychologist is the right choice for you, consider your goals and resources as well as some of the potential alternatives. There are many different types of mental health professionals.
You might find that being a psychologist is the perfect choice for you, or you may find that an alternative career path is better suited to your needs. For example, you might also consider becoming a psychiatrist, counselor, physical therapist, or some other career centered on helping people. There are also a number of types of psychologists and each field has its own educational and training requirements.
