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GCU seeks to transform you into an analytical thinker and ethical leader, capable of communicating complex information to a range of stakeholders. As you work through the master’s in psychology curriculum, you will be taught relevant general psychology topics in human development, health psychology, social and cultural psychology, psychopathology and cognition.
This master's program does not require the completion of a thesis. Instead, you are required to complete the Professional Capstone. This course allows you to explore and present your original research ideas. Through this occupational research, you will have the opportunity to build a roadmap for your future career or continued academic pursuits.
In the general psychology classes, you will explore the following core competencies:
The Master of Science in Psychology with an Emphasis in General Psychology does not lead to professional licensure. This means that there is no course requirement for field experience or an internship. Different states have varying requirements, but all states require a specified amount of field experience in order to obtain licensure as a psychologist.
An understanding of how people think and why they behave the way they do can be valuable in many fields or industries. Knowledge of general psychology can support meaningful interactions with colleagues, clients and family members, and it may also encourage personal growth. As a graduate of the Master of Science in Psychology with a general psychology emphasis program, you may wish to work in the behavioral and mental health field, which has a variety of options available for you to pursue.
A general psychology emphasis can open doors to career opportunities in mental health, research, education and beyond. Get started on your master’s at GCU.
Family services worker, group home coordinator and health project coordinator are a few of the jobs that may be related to this degree. Other MS in Psychology job possibilities may include compliance manager, employee trainer and research assistant.
You may apply for positions at the following types of organizations:
Nonprofit organizations
For-profit companies
Governmental agencies
Social service agencies
Educational institutions
Community outreach organizations
Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements in transfer (whichever is less)
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Master's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).
GCU's master’s in psychology program will teach you to apply the Christian worldview and the principles of servant leadership to your professional career.
You will be encouraged to develop your leadership qualities, sharpen critical thinking skills and enhance your communication abilities as you gain insights into human behavior and thought patterns.
1 Psychology.org Staff. (2022, Dec. 15). Master’s in Psychology Degree Overview. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
With GCU’s flexible learning options, you can earn your MS in Psychology degree in a way that fits your lifestyle. The general psychology emphasis is offered through on-campus evening courses or through a digital online learning platform.
If you are interested in pursuing a master’s in psychology with a focus in general psychology, read our answers to these commonly asked questions and get started on your advanced degree.
There are many different types of online master’s in psychology programs to choose from. The one you do choose is based on your interests and what specialized field you wish to go into. For example, this general psychology emphasis teaches a broad scope of psychology practices so you can help make an impact in different fields.
Depending on the program, the individual classes you take in your chosen psychology emphasis can range from topics about health and wellness, cultural psychology or life coaching. Conduct in-depth research to find the degree that is right for you.
Earning a PhD takes time and effort, but it can be a worthy addition to your education and practice, showing your dedication and expertise in your field. GCU offers a few different PhD in psychology programs, which you can take after you earn your MS in psychology degree.
If you have a desire to help people but are also looking to step into a specialized field of psychology, pursuing a master’s degree is required. Psychology is a field with a variety of specialized professions, each having their own requirements. Specializing in psychology can provide opportunities to gain further certifications, if pursuing a program that leads to this, which may help you meet your career goals in your area of interest.1
An MA in psychology will include a more research-based curriculum. Many courses may overlap between the two, but an MS in psychology program, like this one at GCU, has a deeper focus on the science and behavior of the human brain.
Applicants to GCU’s master’s in psychology with general psychology emphasis are required to have a bachelor’s degree from an approved accredited college or program, with a minimum 2.8 GPA. For those who do not meet the GPA requirement, you may be eligible with an approved, accredited graduate degree and passing GMAT and GRE test scores. For more details on GCU’s admission requirements, please visit our admissions page.
At Grand Canyon University, the Master of Science (MS) in Psychology degree with a general psychology emphasis is a graduate-level program designed to help you become a more impactful and effective teacher, practitioner or researcher. Offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, this graduate program aligns with the standards established by the American Psychological Association (APA).
