Psychology (MS)
Prepare for a career in education, business, government and more by taking a closer look at human cognition and behavior.
Explore the Human Experience
Ever wonder why people behave the way they do? What we feel, think and remember begins in the brain. Study the mind in all its fullness and complexity at A&M-Commerce. You'll learn the latest psychological research and theories that affect our understanding of the world. From eye-tracking to educational psychology and clinical to school psychology, discover the innovative research happening here. Our graduate program prepares you for further graduate work and a wide variety of careers in education, business and government. You can also become a Licensed Psychological Associate through our Clinical Psychology track or Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (only for students re-specializing) through our Specialist in School Psychology program.
SEE YOURSELF SUCCEED WITH A master’s DEGREE IN Psychology
Understanding human behavior is a marketable skill. From the corporate office to the college classroom, our psychology program prepares you for a variety of careers.
Enjoy the opportunity to learn from home or at one of our campuses with the guidance and mentorship from our renowned faculty.
Join the ranks of our graduates who have gone on to become researchers in behavioral health, geriatrics and experimental psychology.
Whether it's a full year in the classroom, internships or practicum courses, you’ll engage in real-world learning experiences that prepare you for the road ahead.
Located in the Frank Young Education North Building, our Mentor Center provides the information and support you need to reach your career goals.
Focus Your Passion
The Department of Psychology and Special Education offers three tracks toward earning your master's degree. Explore which option works best for your research interests and career goals.
Psychology (MS)
Go deeper into your exploration of the mind by taking a closer look at human cognition and behavior. Our master's degree in psychology prepares you for psychological research and further graduate work. We offer thesis and non-thesis options. If you’re interested in a doctorate program, we recommend the thesis track. (Total Hours: 36)
Psychology (MS) Clinical Psychology Track
Become a licensed Psychological Associate through our clinical psychology track. Our program prepares you for a wide variety of careers in clinical, organizational and educational psychology. Experience hands-on training with our Community Psychology Clinic serving individuals, schools, police departments and community organizations. We offer thesis and non-thesis options. (Total Hours: 63)
Psychology (MS) Educational Diagnostician for School Psychology Track
If you are an educational diagnostician who wants to become a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology, you can complete our re-specialization track. Our program prepares you for a career as an LSSP. Please see the Specialist in School Psychology page. We offer thesis and non-thesis options. (Total Hours: 39-42)
What you will learn
A master’s degree in psychology offers the opportunity to:
- Conduct psychological research with faculty and peers on specialized topics
- Understand the major concepts, theories, empirical findings and historical trends in psychology
- Engage in an environment that encourages critical thinking, understanding and social justice advocacy
- Examine psychological questions relevant to researchers today
- Prepare for professional licensure that applies psychological principles to personal, social and organizational problems
Careers
Gain the recognition you deserve by earning your master's degree in psychology. Pursuing graduate work opens doors to job positions and higher salaries. Making strides in psychological research can result in endless opportunities.
Career Possibilities and Current Median Salaries
US DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2018
Alumni Profiles
Cristina Sifuentes
A&M-Commerce offers so many great opportunities for learning and experience. Get involved!
More About Cristina
Jamie Klugiewicz
I will be forever grateful to [my professors] and the investment they made in my learning.More About Jamie
Kerry Karaffa, Ph.D.
I encourage prospective students to actively seek out research and training opportunities that they find exciting and meaningful.More About Kerry
Julian Sanchez
You don't have to love [research], but you do have to understand it and be able to digest it in order to be a competent professional in any branch of psychology.More About Julian
Featured Courses
Course Delivery and Resources
Earning your degree just got easier at A&M-Commerce. Designed for current educators and working professionals, our psychology program offers online and face-to-face courses at our Commerce campus and the Mesquite Metroplex Center.
Graduate Program Cost
PROGRAM COSTS
Tuition and fees for graduate students taking nine credit hours are $3,669 for Texas residents and $7,341 for non-residents.
Admission
Your Path to Becoming a Lion
Domestic
Deadlines
Applications are accepted throughout the year.
If you are applying to the Educational Diagnostician Re-Specialization for School Psychology, please refer to the Specialist in School Psychology page for admission requirements.
Your Path to Becoming a Lion
Step 1. Submit Application
- Select “Create a new graduate school admissions application.”
- Select “Texas A&M University-Commerce (Commerce)” as your “Target University.”
- Select “Psychology, MS” as your “Major.”
- Pay the $50 application fee.
Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.
- After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Step 2. Submit Documents
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
- Upload your documents at myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores or email your documents to [email protected], unless otherwise specified below.
Official Transcripts
Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to [email protected].
- We recommend that you request transcripts for all of your academic work.
All international transcripts must be evaluated and the evaluation submitted to the Graduate School.
We accept evaluations sent directly from the following Agencies.
- If a normal evaluation is submitted, official original transcripts with all marksheets will still need to be submitted.
- If a WES ICAP or equivalent is submitted, we will not need the official transcripts to be submitted separately.
Undergraduate degree in Psychology or a related discipline from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum grade point average of 3.00.
Postal Alternative
If your institution is unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Attn: Graduate School
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011
We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Three Letters of Recommendation
Request three signed letters of recommendation on letterhead from professionals who can attest to your goals and ability to succeed in the program. Those individuals should:
- Email the letter to [email protected] or
- Send the letter to you. Then, utilize the upload system: myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores
Statement of Goals
Submit a statement of educational and professional goals of 500 words or less on the following prompt:
- Discuss your educational and professional goals and how you believe this graduate degree will help you achieve them.
Resume or CV
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.
Test Scores
You do not need to submit GRE scores if you have:
- a completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university with a 3.25 GPA overall or higher
- a completed master’s degree from a regionally accredited university with a 3.25 GPA overall or higher
If you do not meet the GPA exemption criteria, request that your GRE® scores be sent to Texas A&M University-Commerce (6188) when you register for the test. If you have already taken the GRE®, you can order additional score reports.
Interview
The Psychology Department will contact you to schedule your interview.
Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status
- Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
Step 3. Apply for Financial Assistance
- Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
- Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
- Contact your financial aid advisor with any questions.
Step 4. Register for Classes
Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.
- View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
- To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.
Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.
International
Deadlines
- Fall admission consideration: June 1
- Spring admission consideration: October 15
- Summer admission consideration: March 15
If you are applying to the Educational Diagnostician Re-Specialization for School Psychology, please refer to the Specialist in School Psychology page for admission requirements.
Your Path to Becoming a Lion
Step 1. Submit Application
- Select “Create a new graduate school admissions application.”
- Select “Texas A&M University-Commerce (Commerce)” as your “Target University.”
- Select “Psychology, MS” as your “Major.”
- Pay the $75 application fee.
Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.
- After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Step 2. Submit Documents
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
- Upload your documents at myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores or email your documents to [email protected], unless otherwise specified below.
Undergraduate degree in Psychology or a related discipline from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum grade point average of 3.00.
Official Transcripts
- Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to:
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Attn: Graduate School
2600 S. Neal St.
Commerce, Texas 75428
We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Transcript Evaluation
All international transcripts must be evaluated and the evaluation submitted to the Graduate School.
We accept evaluations sent directly from the following Agencies.
- If a normal evaluation is submitted, official original transcripts with all marksheets will still need to be submitted.
- If a WES ICAP or equivalent is submitted, we will not need the official transcripts to be submitted separately.
Three Letters of Recommendation
Request three signed letters of recommendation on letterhead from professionals who can attest to your goals and ability to succeed in the program. Those individuals should:
- Email the letter to [email protected] or
- Send the letter to you. Then, utilize the upload system: myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores
Personal Statement
Describe your preparation for graduate work, your academic interests and goals in no more than 500 words.
Resume or CV
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.
Test Scores
You do not need to submit GRE scores if you have:
- a completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university with a 3.25 GPA overall or higher
- a completed master’s degree from a regionally accredited university with a 3.25 GPA overall or higher
If you do not meet the GPA exemption criteria, request that your GRE® scores be sent to Texas A&M University-Commerce (6188) when you register for the test. If you have already taken the GRE®, you can order additional score reports.
English Proficiency
You do not need to submit test scores if you have completed (all years) of a bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited university in the United States.
Request that your scores from one of the following be sent to Texas A&M University-Commerce:
- TOEFL (Minimum Scores: IBT 79, or CBT 213, or PBT 550)
- IELTS (Minimum Score: 6.00 band overall)
- PTE (Minimum Score: 53 overall or higher)
- Duo Lingo (Minimum Score: 105)
*Scores must be less than two years old.
Official Sponsor Documents
Submit these documents to the Office of International Programs once you have been admitted
- Official sponsor statement
- Bank statement from the sponsor with a balance of at least $26,025 USD which is less than 1 year old
Interview
The Psychology Department will contact you to schedule your interview.
Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status
- Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
Step 3. Apply for Financial Assistance
- Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
Step 4. Register for Classes
Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.
- View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
- To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.
Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.
We are here to help!
Contact Us
- Psychology and Special Education
- 903.886.5631
- [email protected]
