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Graduate Program - Masters of Science in Psychology

The Master’s of Science in Psychology* prepares students for careers that will advance the discipline and profession of psychology and prepare students for doctoral study in Psychology and careers in the public sector, academia/education, health care, business, research, and beyond. 

  •  Students who graduate with their M.S. in Psychology will have advanced disciplinary knowledge, methodological and quantitative skills, enhanced professional and communication skills, and will be well-versed in ethical and professional standards, all in-demand skills.
  • Students will also gain valuable research experience by partnering with a faculty member on empirical research and working towards completion of a thesis project. 
  • Through this program, students also have the opportunity to incorporate and serve a local community site as a part of their thesis project. 
  • Research and related travel will be well-supported financially, with some guaranteed funding for research, travel to conferences, or other professional development opportunities.
  • Students will enjoy a close-knit community among fellow students, Psychology and Neuroscience faculty members.
  • The program includes a professional development series that will enhance professional identities and build preparedness for what’s next in students’ careers.

Who is the M.S. in Psychology for?

Students who are interested in doctoral admissions in Psychology, or those who aim to obtain a job using the knowledge and skills of psychology that is outside of licensure-based mental health services will benefit from this program. Skills developed in the program, including advanced research skills, are in high demand in a variety of sectors. 

Does this degree allow you to practice as a licensed mental health practitioner?

The program is a General Psychology degree, which means that it does not prepare students for licensure as a mental health practitioner (though students will be more competitive for such doctoral programs upon completion of the degree). 

Curriculum for the Program

The Master’s of Science in Psychology requires completion of 11 academic units designed to build advanced knowledge and skills of the discipline of psychology, including supervised research and completion of a thesis project. 

Course Requirements:

  • Methods/Statistics Core: PSYC502 (1 unit), PSYC503 (.5 unit), PSYC504 (1 unit), and PSYC505 (.5 unit)
  • Disciplinary Seminars (1 unit each): PSYC521, PSYC531, PSYC541, PSYC551
  • Professional Development (.25 units each): PSYC510, PSYC511, PSYC512, AND PSYC513
  • Supervised Research and Thesis: Two Supervised Research Courses (PSYC580/582 or PSYC584/586; .5 units each) and Two
  • Thesis Study courses (PSYC590/592 or PSYC594/596; 1 unit each)
  • Click here to access a two-year course sequence map.

 For your application you will need the following:

  • All transcripts for college coursework (undergraduate and graduate if applicable)
  • Contact information for two people who can write letters of recommendation, at least one from a professor
  • A personal statement that addresses the following in 500-1200 words:
    • Your areas of interest within psychology
    • Your educational and career goals
    • Your educational, research, work and other relevant experiences that have contributed to your skills and development.
  • You will also be asked to provide your thoughts regarding who you may prefer to work with for supervised research and completion of a thesis. Brief descriptions of faculty members’ work can be found here: Faculty Pages  
  • For more information, reach out to Danielle Findley-Van Nostrand at findley @roanoke.edu

Ready to apply? https://enroll.roanoke.edu/apply/ 

* Program pending accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). We are expecting to have approval prior to Fall 2026 .