COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Arts in Psychology at University of New Hampshire is a 30-credit graduate program designed to provide advanced training in psychological research methods, statistical analysis, and scholarly writing, preparing students for doctoral study or research-oriented careers in psychology and related fields. The program is heavily focused on developing strong quantitative and methodological skills through a structured sequence of core research courses. Students complete PSYC 805 Research Methodology and Statistics I, PSYC 806 Research Methodology and Statistics II, and PSYC 907 Research Methods and Statistics III, which collectively build competence in experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation of psychological data using advanced statistical techniques. A major component of the degree is a substantial research project, which can be completed either as PSYC 894 Paper of Publishable Quality (PPQ) or as PSYC 899 Master’s Thesis, both of which require students to conduct original research and demonstrate the ability to contribute meaningful findings to the field. In addition to the research requirement, students must complete at least two advanced psychology seminars, totaling a minimum of 8 credits, allowing them to deepen their knowledge in specialized areas of psychology such as cognitive processes, social behavior, developmental psychology, or neuroscience-related topics. Most students complete the PPQ option, which emphasizes producing a manuscript suitable for publication in a peer-reviewed journal, while the thesis option requires formal submission and an oral defense with earlier deadlines. Throughout the program, students work closely with faculty mentors who guide their research development, methodological training, and academic progress. The structure of the program ensures that graduates gain strong analytical, research, and writing skills, making them well-prepared for competitive Ph.D. programs or research careers in academic, clinical, or applied psychological settings.