Department of Psychology

Master Program in Psychology

The master’s program in Psychology offers two tracks to suit your academic and professional goals. Whether you aim to pursue a research-intensive career or apply psychological science in real-world settings, our program provides the foundation you need to succeed.

Recent graduates of our master’s program have gone on to pursuits such as doctoral programs, research assistants, clinical research coordinators, education administrators, consultants, advisors and project managers, as well as to careers in marketing, finance, government, tutoring and law.

Master of Science (MS) Track

The MS track is designed for students with a strong interest in scientific inquiry and hands-on research experience. From the start of the program, you’ll join a faculty mentor’s lab, develop advanced methodological and analytic skills, and contribute to innovative research. The program culminates in a master’s thesis – a tangible product that demonstrates your readiness for PhD-level research or research positions in academia, healthcare, or industry.

Ideal for: Students with prior lab experience who want to deepen their research expertise and strengthen their research portfolio under close faculty mentorship.

Master of Arts (MA) Track

The MA track is designed for students who wish to apply psychological insights to make an impact in education, policy, health, or business. The MA track offers a flexible, coursework-focused program designed to broaden your knowledge and strengthen your skills. You can choose to complete a short-term lab rotation for hands-on research experience or focus on advanced coursework in statistics, programming, or theory. The MA track provides a strong foundation for careers in which psychological insight, data literacy, and behavioral science expertise are valued. It also is a great match for those exploring psychology before committing to doctoral or clinical training.

Ideal for: Students and professionals seeking to expand their understanding of human behavior and data-driven decision-making in fields such as education, health, communications, or organizational settings.

Choosing the Right Track

Choosing the right track will depend on your goals. Below are questions to consider, or review a side-by-side comparison of the MS and MA track.

• What are your long-term career goals?
• Are you interested in research or applied work?
• How much of a time commitment are you willing to make?
• Do you have prior research experience outside of course work?
• Do you have a strong fit to the research interests of a faculty member?

Track Comparison Chart

We understand goals and plans can change. There are possible pathways to change your track. To learn more about how this would work check out MS to MA track and MA to MS track.

Application and Acceptance

During the application process, applicants are encouraged to indicate which track they prefer to enter (MS or MA track).

Read an overview of application deadline, requirement, and process.

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If accepted:

• Students in the MS track will be placed in thesis labs where they develop and work on an empirical master thesis, starting the Fall of their first year and throughout their time in the program.
• Students in the MA track won’t be placed in thesis labs. Instead, they will take a lab rotation course. 

Please note that acceptance into this program, which leads to a terminal Master of Arts/ Master of Science degree in general psychology, is separate from the PhD program. To pursue a doctoral degree, you must apply separately to that program.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Brandeis offers generous scholarships and financial aid; for more information, please visit Financial Aid.