COURSE CURRICULUM

The General Theoretical Psychology MA program at Fairleigh Dickinson University is structured to allow students to customize their academic training according to their professional or doctoral study goals, while maintaining a strong foundation in research methods, statistics, and core psychological theory. The curriculum begins with core methodological training through courses such as PSYC6121 Statistics and Research Methods and PSYC6129 Research Methods and Psychometrics, which build essential skills in data analysis, experimental design, and psychological measurement. Students then complete at least 15 additional credits from a wide range of graduate-level psychology courses, allowing them to tailor their studies toward areas such as social psychology, personality theory, psychopathology, developmental psychology, cognitive processes, and biological bases of behavior. Up to 6 of these credits may be dedicated to independent research or a master’s thesis option, providing hands-on experience in academic inquiry and empirical investigation. Beyond coursework, students must pass a comprehensive examination, which serves as a key milestone assessing mastery of psychological theory and research skills; this exam may be attempted up to three times under strict academic guidelines, with remediation required after failures before a final attempt. The program is designed to be completed within five years, ensuring flexibility while maintaining academic rigor. Students can also align their elective choices with career pathways such as clinical psychology preparation (e.g., psychopathology, personality, developmental psychology), social and consumer psychology (including market research applications), or industrial-organizational psychology, sometimes supplemented with business-related courses in areas like marketing research or organizational behavior. Overall, the program emphasizes adaptability, research competence, and theoretical depth, preparing graduates for both doctoral study and applied psychology careers in industry, government, education, and health sectors.