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Department of Psychology College of Arts and Sciences

ABM/MA in Psychology

Advance Your Future in Psychology

UAB’s Master of Arts (M.A.) in Psychology offers flexible pathways designed to meet your academic and professional goals. Whether you are interested in research, applied work, or teaching, our program provides rigorous training, hands-on experiences, and personalized mentorship to prepare you for the next step in your career.

We also offer an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s (ABM) option for highly motivated undergraduates who want to fast-track their graduate education. Current UAB psychology undergraduates can apply to the ABM program, allowing you to earn graduate credit while completing your bachelor’s degree. This pathway reduces time and cost, fast-tracking you toward your career goals.

Choose Your Path: Plan I vs. Plan II

You have two options for completing our M.A. in Psychology, Plan I and Plan II. The key distinction is that Plan I requires a thesis, while Plan II replaces the thesis with additional coursework, and applied experiences designed to strengthen your professional skills.

  • Plan I: Thesis Track

    Plan I is designed for students interested in academic, research-focused careers. It is ideal for those planning to work in research settings or pursue doctoral study. Students in this track engage in mentored research culminating in a Master’s thesis, which may be developed as a publishable scientific manuscript.

    Career Outcomes:

    • Research assistants, analysts, or coordinators in academic institutions
    • Data analysts or evaluation specialists in research, education, or industry settings
    • Research coordinators in healthcare or public health organizations
    • Program coordinators or managers in nonprofit, healthcare, or community organizations
    • Policy, outreach, or communications roles in governmental or advocacy organizations
  • Plan II: Non-Thesis Track

    Plan II does not require a thesis. Instead, students complete additional coursework such as a teaching practicum, which may include serving as a teaching assistant or instructing an undergraduate course. Students may also complete additional applied training opportunities such as community-based practica, and advanced coursework across psychology subfields.

    Career Outcomes:

    • Program coordinators or managers in nonprofit, healthcare, or community organizations
    • Data analysts or evaluation specialists in research, education, or industry settings
    • Policy, outreach, or communications roles in governmental or advocacy organizations
    • Academic advising, student success, or other higher education support roles
    • Compliance manager, employee trainer, recruiter, sales representative, or customer services officer
    • Post-secondary psychology instructor

    Program Highlights

    • Flexible Scheduling: Choose from full-time or part-time enrollment.
    • Multiple Start Dates: Begin your program in either Fall or Spring semester.
    • Hybrid Learning Options: Access select courses online for added convenience.
    • Dedicated Mentorship: Receive personalized guidance from faculty in research, teaching, and career development.

Why Choose the M.A. in Psychology at UAB?

  • Learn from nationally recognized faculty who are leaders in research and practice.
  • Engage in collaborative research opportunities across psychology and the health sciences.
  • Receive career-focused training tailored to your individual goals and interests.
  • Develop teaching, leadership, and applied skills through hands-on experiences.
  • Prepare for a wide range of careers, including human resources, coaching, case management, outreach, research, and program coordination.
  • Build a strong foundation to pursue advanced doctoral programs in psychology.

Application

The ABM application will be open for Fall and Spring admission and the application deadlines are July 1 for Fall admission and November 1 for Spring admission:

  1. Two (2) letters of recommendation. For students applying to Plan 1, one letter should be from their undergraduate research mentor.
  2. Personal statement explaining why you are applying to ABM in Psychology and how it will benefit your professional development
  3. Resume or CV
  4. The ABM form
  5. Plan 1 or 2 supplemental question

ABM Requirements

  • Current students may apply once they have earned 60 or more undergraduate hours, at least 36 of which must be earned at UAB.
  • Students must have a 3.50 overall undergraduate GPA
  • Students must have completed a statistics course such as PY 216, MA 180, SOC 410, CJ 302, SW 321, or HCM 360 with a B or better.
  • Students must have completed a research methods course such as PY 316, SW 320, CJ 300, CMST 494, AAS 350, SOC 484, BMD 380 with a B or better.
  • Students in Plan 1 must have completed at least one term of PY 398, NBL 398, BY 398, STH 398, or have equivalent research experience before applying.
  • Students in Plan 1 must have identified a research mentor who is able to serve as their thesis mentor

The MA application will be open for Fall and Spring admission and the application deadlines are July 1 for Fall admission and November 1 for Spring admission:

  1. Two (2) letters of recommendation. For students applying to Plan 1, one letter should be from their undergraduate research mentor.
  2. Personal statement explaining why you are applying to MA in Psychology and how it will benefit your professional development
  3. Resume or CV
  4. Application form
  5. Plan 1 or 2 supplemental question
  6. Official transcripts: Provide official transcripts from every college-level institution attended. If you have completed coursework outside the United States, you must also provide a course-by-course foreign college transcript evaluation from any NACES accredited evaluation company.

MA Requirements

  • Students must have a 3.50 overall undergraduate GPA.
  • Students must have completed an undergraduate statistics course and a research methods course with a C or better.
  • International students have additional requirements and are strongly urged to consult the UAB Graduate School before seeking admission to the MA Program.
  • Students in Plan 1 should have at least one semester of mentored research experience before applying.
  • Students in Plan 1 must have identified a research mentor who is able to serve as their thesis mentor.