Illinois Colleges with Psychology Masters

Written by: Heather Marie Kosur • Edited by: Trent Lorcher
Updated May 11, 2011 • Related Guides: Illinois State University

Psychology is the study of human mental functions and behaviors. Graduates with a master's in psychology can find jobs as clinicians, counselors, and social workers. This article outlines the best colleges that offer a master's in psychology.

Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of the mental functions and behaviors of humans (as well as animals). People who work in the field of psychology are referred to as psychologists. The field of psychology encompasses many more specific subfields including biological, clinical, cognitive, comparative, consulting, counseling, developmental, educational, industrial-organizational, personality, quantitative, school, and social psychology. Earning a master's degree in psychology opens up many career options such as clinical work, counseling, and social work. If you are a student looking for the best college in Illinois to get a master's in psychology, a look at these graduate programs in psychology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois State University, and DePaul University may help you make a decision

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, is not only one of the best graduate schools for psychology in Illinois, it's also recognized as one of the top five psychology schools in the United States. The Psychology Department at UIUC is organized into nine divisions of study: biological, brain and cognition, clinical/community, cognitive, developmental, quantitative, social-personality, industrial-organizational, and visual cognition and human performance. The MA in psychology is awarded as an intermediate degree to students who then pursue a PhD in psychology from UIUC. The MS in psychology is awarded as a terminal degree to students who do not plan to pursue a PhD. Applicants should have earned a bachelor's degree in an applied psychology curriculum that is similar to the undergraduate program offered at UIUC and must have had a minimum GPA of 3.0. Applications for prospective students must be received by the beginning of January each year for fall admission.

Illinois State University

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Illinois State University, which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, is also one of the best colleges in Illinois from which to earn a master's degree in psychology. The Department of Psychology at ISU offers two master's program: clinical-counseling psychology and psychology. Four additional sequences are also available to graduate students pursuing the psychology master's degree: cognitive and behavioral sciences, developmental psychology, industrial/organizational-social psychology, and quantitative psychology. Applicants for any program must have a bachelor's degree with an undergraduate minor in psychology with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and must have taken the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test. New graduate students wishing to admitted for the fall semester should be aware that applications are due annually on January 5.

DePaul University

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DePaul University, which is also accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, is another top Illinois school that offers a master's degree in psychology. The Department of Psychology at DePaul offers four MA programs and one MS program: Clinical (Child and Community) MA, Community MA, Experimental MA, Industrial/Organizational MA, and General Psychology MS. Only students who will continue on to the PhD psychology program are admitted into the MA programs. The MS program is a terminal degree for students who do not plan to pursue a doctoral degree. Although prospective students who have completed a bachelor's degree in psychology are given preference, students who have also demonstrated a high level of undergraduate achievement may also be considered for admittance into the program. Students are also recommended to have had previous research experience. Application deadlines vary by degree program.

Earning a master's degree in psychology will create numerous career opportunities including jobs as counselors, consultants, and social workers. If you are looking for the best college in Illinois from which to earn a master's in psychology, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois State University, and DePaul University are your three best options.

Sources

Career Options with a Graduate Degree in Psychology: http://psychology.about.com/od/careersinpsychology/a/graddegree.htm
DePaul University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: Graduate Programs: http://las.depaul.edu/psy/Programs/GraduatePrograms/index.asp
Illinois Psychology: Graduate Studies: http://www.psych.illinois.edu/graduate/index.php
Psychology at Illinois State University: Graduate Programs: http://psychology.illinoisstate.edu/grad/index.shtml