MS in Applied Psychology
New Degree Program
This degree will be available starting in fall 2025.
GW's Master of Science in Applied Psychology provides students with comprehensive knowledge in how to use psychology to inform and improve real-world operations and outcomes. Students will develop professional proficiency in a wide range of psychological theories, methods and techniques through a sequence of courses, including social and clinical psychology, cognitive neuroscience, research methods and statistical and qualitative analysis. Elective courses, extracurricular research and applied work experience are also available to further bolster students' chosen area(s) of expertise.
Join the Graduate Programs Open House: October 21–November 1
Registration is now open for GW's Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (CCAS) Graduate Programs Open House! The event features program-specific information sessions and opportunities to interact with current graduate students, faculty and our admissions team.
The Psychological and Brain Sciences Department will host a virtual information session for our new MS in Applied Psychology program on Thursday, October 24 at 2 p.m. EDT. Attendees will receive an application fee waiver.
Professional Applications
The job market has a growing need for employees who are proficient with “mixed methods” techniques—those who are capable of executing and evaluating both qualitative and quantitative methods. The MS in Applied Psychology provides graduates with these tools, enabling them to succeed in a variety of professional fields, ranging from the corporate environment to the nonprofit and government sectors.
Course Requirements
This program will begin in the fall 2025 semester. Applications are currently being accepted.
The following requirements must be fulfilled:
The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate Programs.
36 credits, including 12 credits in research methods and statistics courses, 12 credits in core courses, and 12 credits in selected courses. Students can choose to complete an optional research track by taking 3 credits in PSYC 6295, 3 credits in PSYC 6296, and 6 credits in selected courses to fulfill the selected course requirement.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| Research methods and statistics courses | ||
| PSYC 8202 | Psychological Research Methods and Procedures | |
| PSYC 8205 | Multiple Regression Analysis in Psychological and Social Sciences | |
| PSYC 8258 | Qualitative Research and Analysis | |
| PSYC 8261 | Introduction to Machine Learning for Applied Psychology | |
| Core courses | ||
| PSYC 6100 | Applied Psychology Professional Development Seminar | |
| PSYC 8211 | Community Psychology I | |
| PSYC 8250 | Foundations in Cognitive Neuroscience | |
| PSYC 8253 | Social Cognition | |
| Selected courses | ||
| Four courses (12 credits) selected from the following in consultation with the program’s director of graduate studies: * | ||
| ECON 6323 | Applied Behavioral Economics | |
| ECON 6379 | Causal Inference and Research Design | |
| PPPA 6014 | Microeconomics for Public Policy II | |
| PPPA 8022 | Econometrics for Policy Research | |
| PPPA 8100 | Seminar: Literature of Public Administration | |
| PPPA 8105 | Public Finance and Human Capital | |
| PSC 8220 | Public Opinion and Political Psychology | |
| PSC 8286 | Selected Topics in American Politics | |
| PSYC 6286 | Applied Psychology Externship | |
| PSYC 8206 | Multivariate Analysis and Modeling | |
| PSYC 8210 | Developmental Theories and Issues | |
| PSYC 8212 | Community Psychology II | |
| PSYC 8218 | Evidence-Based Interventions | |
| PSYC 8239 | Lifespan Developmental Psychopathology I | |
| PSYC 8245 | Seminar: Organizational Behavior | |
| PSYC 8253 | Social Cognition | |
| PSYC 8254 | Social Influence | |
| PSYC 8255 | Attitudes and Attitude Change | |
| PSYC 8256 | Introduction to Survey Research | |
| PSYC 8257 | Current Topics in Social Psychology | |
| PSYC 8259 | Psychology of Individual and Group Decision Making | |
| PSYC 8277 | Health Psychology | |
| PSYC 8279 | Special Topics in Health Psychology | |
| PSYC 8289 | Seminar: Current Topics in Experimental Psychology | |
| SOC 6238 | Development of Sociological Theory | |
| SOC 6239 | Contemporary Sociological Theory | |
| Optional research track ** | ||
| Students pursuing the optional research track fulfill the selected courses requirement (above) by taking the following: | ||
| PSYC 6295 | Independent Research (3 credits) | |
| PSYC 6296 | Capstone Research (3 credits) | |
| And 6 credits in selected courses from the list above. | ||
*Students are encouraged to work with the program’s director of graduate studies to choose courses that best align with their career interests.
**Students who wish to pursue the optional research track must have the approval of the program's director of graduate studies and a faculty supervisor.