Psychological Science (MS)
This program was approved for students entering the university in the Summer 2025-Spring 2026 catalog year. For more information about catalog year, go to Catalog Year Information.
Master of Science in Psychological Science
Unit: College of Arts and Sciences (GA)
Department: Psychological and Brain Sciences
Academic Plan Code(s): EPSYMS, EPSYMS ACC
Program Information
Psychological scientists conduct research to better understand human and animal behavior. Their scientific findings provide insights that improve teaching and learning methods, promote healthy child development, and improve visual and hearing aids, to list a few examples.
The MS in Psychological Science program is only open to students accepted in the Accelerated BS/MS or the combined MS/PhD programs in Psychological Science at the University of Louisville.
Admission Requirements
The MS in Psychological Science program is only open to students accepted in the Accelerated BS/MS or the combined MS/PhD programs in Psychological Science at the University of Louisville.
Accelerated BS/MS Application Requirements
Students must be admitted majors to the BS in Psychology or the BS in Neuroscience at UofL and in good academic standing.
Interested students must apply to the program by December 1 of their Junior year. Applicants must have completed PSYC 201, PSYC 301, PSYC 302*, and PSYC 491 or PSYC 492 prior to application. Applicants must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and a 'C' grade or better in courses required for their BS. Students must maintain a GPA of greater than 2.5 during their enrollment in the BS/MS program. Students must enter the BS/MS program with no more than 24 credit hours remaining to complete their BS degree, and they must enter the program with 9 hours of elective credit credit remaining in their BS degree.
* Students may be currently enrolled in PSYC 302 when applying to the BS/MS program.
For more information on admission requirements to the Accelerated BS-MS program, please visit the BS in Psychology or BS in Neuroscience page.
MS-PhD Application Requirements
For admission requirements to the combined MS-PhD program, please visit the PhD in Psychological Science page.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 610 | Advanced Statistics I | 3 |
| PSYC 611 | Advanced Statistics II | 3 |
| PSYC 605 | Independent Study (Research) (or PSYC 500-level Research) | 12 |
| Select two PSYC 600-level core courses from the following list: | 6 | |
PSYC 621 | Cognitive Processes | |
or PSYC 638 | Cognitive and Behavioral Decision Sciences | |
PSYC 631 | Sensation and Perception | |
PSYC 642 | Behavioral Neuroscience | |
or PSYC 645 | Cognitive Neuroscience | |
| 500- or 600-level Electives 1 | 6 | |
PSYC 661 | Advanced Developmental Psychology | |
| Minimum Total Hours | 30 | |
- 1
500-level courses taken as electives must be offered for graduate credit.
To earn the MS degree, with an approval of the student’s mentor, the student will prepare a portfolio of written work featuring research efforts and training primarily undertaken as a graduate student in the program at the University of Louisville. The portfolio should demonstrate scope and quality of research commensurate with the degree. The portfolio is typically completed in or after the summer of the second year and must be approved by the student’s Master’s Portfolio Committee. After approval of the MS portfolio and completion of 30 credit hours of graduate study, including the Statistics and Program Core and electives, the student is awarded the Master of Science degree.
Important Notes for Program Pathways
It is recommended (but not required) that Accelerated BS-MS students attend PSYC 602 (Research and Professional Development Seminar – RAPDS).
Students in the MS-PhD program must take additional courses during their MS degree years required for the PhD program (e.g., PSYC 602 during both Fall and Spring, and PSYC 605 in the summer). Please visit the PhD in Psychological Science catalog page for more information.