Program: General Psychology, (MS) - University of Memphis

Jun 14, 2025

2025-2026 GRADUATE CATALOG

With our emphasis on flexibility, experiential learning, and individualized mentorship, we strive to equip our graduates with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in diverse career paths. Specifically, our program is designed with the following key goals in mind:

Selection of Specialty Study in Psychology. The MSGP program offers students an opportunity to explore various facets of psychology. We aim to assist students in discovering their passion and selecting a specific area of concentration. This focused approach provides a solid foundation for their future applications to Ph.D. programs. Current research concentrations include behavioral neuroscience, child and family studies, clinical health psychology, cognitive psychology, & psychotherapy.

Opportunity to Enhance their Record. For students with above-average academic abilities, the MSGP program offers them the opportunity to improve their chances of entering a PhD program through rigorous coursework, professional development, and research experiences.

Training to Function at the Masters Level. Our program also prepares students for masters-level positions in various professional domains within psychology, such as psychological examiner, industrial/organizational analyst or consultant, scientific researcher or data analyst, etc.

Improvement of Current Job Prospects. For some students, the MSGP program can help advance their career outcomes. Whether passionate about research or not, our program has options to help students move up in their own careers.

Masters Degree in General Psychology (MSGP)

Program Admission and Prerequisites

All application information must have been received by May 1 for a candidate to be considered for admission to the MS degree program in General Psychology. The following items are required for consideration for admission:

A completed application form that can be accessed at https://apply.memphis.edu/portal/graduate_application. Include in the application the psychology-related courses taken, along with grades, any academic honors, awards, publications, presentations, and/or research and work experiences in psychology.
An official transcript of all undergraduate and graduate coursework must be sent. An undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.5/4.0 is required for admission without special permission.
Applicants must have at least 12 undergraduate hours in psychology, including courses in general psychology, research methods, and statistics.
Personal Essays (3). Two double-spaced pages (max) or 500 words (max) for each of the following prompts: (1) Discuss why you want to work with the three faculty members you listed as potential advisors in your application. Describe your research or practical experiences that make you well-suited to work in their labs. (2) What is the primary reason you are applying to the MSGP program, and how would a master’s degree align with your long-term personal or career goals? (3) How have your experiences prepared you for graduate study in psychology? What are your specific strengths that make you a good candidate for the MSGP program at the University of Memphis?
Analysis Essay Prompt. Click on this link {https://www.memphis.edu/psychology/resources/documents/analysis_essay.pdf} and describe the results displayed in the graph. What do the results mean for patients’ depression symptoms in treatment A and those in treatment B? How do the treatment types interact with different dosages of the drug? (a) Limit your response to 150 words. (b) Upload your response under the “Materials” link in the application portal. Select “Essay” from the “Material” dropdown menu.
Letters of recommendation from at least three persons familiar with the applicant’s academic background and aptitude for graduate work in Psychology.

GRE scores are not required and should not be submitted.

Applications to the MS in General Psychology program are considered once a year to determine enrollment for the following fall semester. Meeting the minimum department standards does not entitle an applicant to admission; meeting such standards only ensures consideration of the application.

Further information about applying may be found at: https://www.memphis.edu/psychology/graduate/apply.php

Program Requirements

Admission to the MS in General Psychology program does not require a student to take a minimum number of credits per semester. The only constraint on the pace at which the student pursues the degree is that credits older than six years may not be counted toward the degree.

Retention Requirements

All students in the MS in General Psychology program must be in good academic standing to continue in the program. A student with a cumulative psychology GPA below 3.00 will be placed on academic probation. If a student remains on probation for two consecutive semesters, they may be removed from the program.

Specific Course Requirements

Statistics Course Requirement (6 Hours)

PSYC 7301 - Research Design & Meth Credit Hours: (3) or equivalent
PSYC 7302 - Adv Statistics Psych I Credit Hours: (3) or equivalent

Professional Development (3 Hours)

Students are strongly encouraged to take PSYC 7621 in their first semester.

PSYC 7621 - Research Practicum Credit Hours: (3)

Breadth Course Requirement (6 Hours)

Students must take at least two of the following:

PSYC 7000 - History/System Psyc Credit Hours: (1)
PSYC 7207 - Developmental Psyc Credit Hours: (3)
PSYC 7213 - Cognitive Science Credit Hours: (3)
PSYC 7217 - Social Psychology Credit Hours: (3)
PSYC 7219 - Soc/Persnlty Devel Credit Hours: (3)
PSYC 7222 - Psychology Human Memory Credit Hours: (3)
PSYC 7303 - Adv Statistics Psych II Credit Hours: (3)
PSYC 7304 - Meas Th & Psychomet Credit Hours: (3)
PSYC 7306 - Linear Struct Modeling Credit Hours: (3)
PSYC 7407 - Cognition & Emotion Credit Hours: (3)
PSYC 7412 - Psychopathology Credit Hours: (3)
PSYC 7416 - Child Psychopathology Credit Hours: (3)
PSYC 7428 - Foundatns Clinical Psyc Credit Hours: (3)
PSYC 7430 - Clin Assessment/Ability Credit Hours: (3)
PSYC 7432 - Clinic Asses/Case Cncpt Credit Hours: (3)
PSYC 7434 - Clin Psychotherapies Credit Hours: (3)
PSYC 7435 - Intro To Psychotherapy Credit Hours: (1-3)
PSYC 7440 - Behavioral Medicine I Credit Hours: (3)
PSYC 7701 - Behavioral Neuroscience Credit Hours: (3)
PSYC 7705 - Neuropsychopharmacology Credit Hours: (3)
Note. There are other options for breadth courses, including those in other departments. Course availability varies by semester and priority may be given to more advanced students. Students can search the graduate catalog for more details about offered courses.
PSYC 7800 - Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues in School Psychology Credit Hours: (3)

Thesis (3 Hours)

Students must take 3 hours of thesis credits during the semester they plan to graduate. If the project is not completed in the intended semester, they must take at least 1 thesis credit per semester until they finish the program.

PSYC 7996 - Thesis Credit Hours: (1-3)

Specialty Review Paper (6 Hours)

Students who opt to complete an Specialty Review Paper (SRP) instead of a thesis, need to take 3 hours of SRP credits in the semester in which they plan to graduate (6 credits total). Students are required to take at least 1 SRP credit per semester until they complete the program.

PSYC 7997 - Specialty Review Paper (MSGP) Credit Hours: (1-3)

Other Course Options (1, 2, or 3 Hours)

Students are encouraged to discuss enrolling in these research practicum or research hours under their major professor. These are hours that will count toward your overall credit requirement and can be used to work on research in your lab or research relevant to your thesis project.

PSYC 7601 - Res Prac Gen Psych Credit Hours: (1-3)
PSYC 7603 - Res Prac Exp Psych Credit Hours: (1-3)
PSYC 7606 - Res Prac Clinical Psyc Credit Hours: (1-3)