Marietta College

What you'll study

The curriculum totals 36 credit hours (12 courses): 24 hours of advanced general psychology coursework, 6 hours of experiential electives tied to an internship or other applied professional experience in psychology, and 6 hours of empirical thesis research. The thesis component culminates in a written document and a successful oral defense to a committee. Coursework covers the major subfields of psychology and supports student-selected research concentrations (clinical, cognitive, social, physiological, developmental).

Entry requirements

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree with a major or minor in psychology from an accredited institution or have completed at least 12 undergraduate psychology credit hours. Required undergraduate preparation includes Introductory Psychology, Behavioral Statistics, and Research Methods. Candidates must normally have a minimum 3.0 GPA both overall and in their psychology coursework; case-by-case exceptions may be considered. Review of applications is continual; students may begin in fall or spring. Early submission is encouraged (March for fall priority, November for spring priority).

Career prospects

The program’s stated aims are to prepare graduates for entry into doctoral programs in psychology or for employment at the master’s level in psychology-related roles. The emphasis on research, thesis completion, and applied internships provides experience valued by doctoral admissions committees and employers in research, assessment, program coordination, and other psychological services settings.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

MAP offers several competitive Graduate Assistantships each academic year. Assistants work up to 15 hours per week in the psychology department, receive a stipend of approximately $4,000 per academic year, and gain professional training relevant to doctoral study and employment. Assistantship applicants must be full-time MAP students in good academic standing and submit a Graduate Assistant–Stipend application; appointments are awarded by departmental faculty.