SPA Coursework
The Social, Personality, and Affective Science (SPA) Psychology M.A. graduate program at SF State provides appropriate preparation and experience to students who intend to pursue a doctorate degree. The program trains students in research design, data collection, and statistical analysis through coursework and research assistantships.
Program requirements include 34 semester units of coursework culminating with a thesis. Classes and research assistantships are coordinated to promote the integration of academic study, original research, and supervised experience in laboratory settings. Completion of the degree typically takes two years. Graduate stipends cannot be guaranteed. Faculty interests include positive psychology (Dr. Ryan Howell); facial expressions and emotion processing (Dr. David Matsumoto); adolescence and time perspectives (Dr. Zena Mello); and, identity and prejudice (Dr. Charlotte Tate). Students may also work with affiliated faculty specializing social cognitive neuroscience (Dr. Ezequiel Morsella, MBB); decision making and emotion (Dr. Gaurav Suri, MBB).
First Semester Courses (1st year)
|
SPA Psychology M.A. Program Courses |
Course Description |
UNITS |
|---|---|---|
|
PSY 740 |
Seminar in SPA Psychology |
3 |
|
PSY 770 |
Research Methods and Techniques |
3 |
|
PSY 771 |
Analysis of Variance and Experimental Design |
3 |
|
PSY 792 |
Pre-Seminar in Psychological Research |
3 |
Second Semester Courses (1st year)
|
SPA Psychology M.A. Program Courses |
Course Description |
UNITS |
|---|---|---|
|
PSY 742 |
Seminar in Survey Methods |
3 |
|
PSY 751 |
Current Trends and Issues in SPA Psychology |
3 |
|
PSY 772 |
Multiple Regression Analysis of Research Data |
3 |
Typical concentration and elective courses (2nd year)
|
Concentration and elective courses |
Course Description |
UNITS |
|---|---|---|
|
PSY 777 |
Multivariate Statistics using R |
4 |
|
PSY 798 |
Research Colloquium |
3 |
|
PSY 891 |
Seminar in Selected Problems in SPA Psychology |
3 |
|
PSY 799 |
Supervised Research |
3 |
|
PSY 898 |
Master’s Thesis |
3 |
Career Opportunities
Graduates have been accepted by doctoral programs at respected institutions including Stanford, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Riverside, the University of Michigan, Yale University, the University of Texas (Austin), the University of British Columbia, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and many others. In terms of job outcomes, with the Master's degree, former students work in such diverse occupations as survey research, evaluation of social programs, environmental education, market research, the major technology corporations based in the Bay Area, conflict mediation, and community college teaching in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.
Admission Requirements
The SPA Psychology program values diversity and encourages applicants from all backgrounds, especially underrepresented backgrounds. We welcome qualified candidates who hold a U.S. bachelor's degree and International candidates who hold the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree. The successful applicant should have a solid background and/or interest in the scientific method—irrespective of undergraduate major. Our graduate coursework will provide a solid foundation in psychological research. To apply, please submit three academic letters of recommendation, an academic personal statement/statement of research interests, and please indicate the advisor with whom you would like to work. The application deadline is in February. Please consult the Psychology Department to determine the exact deadline date.