Advance Your Future in Psychology

We 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.

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.

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.

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
• Students in Plan 1 must have identified a research mentor who is able to serve as their thesis mentor.

Certificate in Social & Behavioral Statistics

The range of statistical methods that are used in the behavioral sciences is extraordinarily broad. Most graduate programs in the social and behavioral sciences focus their training on core content and research methods, with only basic coverage of the most widely used statistical methods. This certificate program provides students with structured, extensive training in statistical methods to enhance their future research careers.

This Graduate Certificate in Social & Behavioral Statistics includes training in:

• Data analysis workflow
• Multivariate statistical methods
• Longitudinal data analysis
• Structural equation modeling
• Categorical data analysis

The Graduate Certificate in Social & Behavioral Statistics is available to students currently enrolled in a graduate program at UAB who have a 3.0 GPA or higher.

These 15 hours of supplemental coursework provide valuable training for doctoral students to further develop their skills in statistical methods to prepare them for research and applied careers.

Requirements and program information can be found in the UAB Graduate Catalog.

Questions?

Contact Dr. Sylvie Mrug, Program Director.

Graduate Contacts

Questions about any of the Psychology doctoral programs may be directed to Terri M. Roberson, Graduate Programs Manager. Potential applicants can also contact the directors of the individual graduate programs.

Graduate Programs Manager

Terri M. Roberson
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(205) 934-8723

Behavioral Neuroscience

Dr. David Knight
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(205) 996-6344

Developmental

Olivio Clay
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(205) 934-2728

Medical/Clinical Psychology

Edwin W. Cook III
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(205) 934-8723

Course Scheduling Plan

For course descriptions consult the Psychology/Courses tab in the UAB Graduate Catalog.

Courses are subject to change. Check with the Psychology Graduate Programs office or refer to the online class schedule regarding the availability of a class in a particular term.

Download course scheduling plan.

Fall Courses

Spring Courses

Summer Courses

Notes

This listing presents classroom-based and lab courses only. Research, practicum, and internship courses (PY 698, 699, 790, 795, 796, 797, 798, and 799) are available every term for varying numbers of credits as listed in the class schedule. Consult the Psychology course listing in the Graduate Catalog for further information.

Special Topics courses (PY 520 and 620) have varying topics and not regularly scheduled. See class schedule or check with your graduate program director for current and upcoming offerings.

Revised June 2025

International Students

One of the best things about UAB is its amazing diversity of its students. We value every student and the richly different perspectives, characteristics, and life experiences that contribute to UAB’s unique environment. We want you to have every opportunity to succeed in your course work and college life. Here are some easy tips for you to follow:

• Visit the UAB International Student and Scholar Services website. They have all sorts of forms, guides, and helpful links to make your life easier.
• Don’t be shy. Let your instructors know that English is your second language.
• Meet regularly with your professors and program director.  All of the Psychology graduate program directors encourage, arrange, and welcome such meetings.
• Visit the UAB English Language Institute. They will give you assistance with both oral and written English.
• Visit the UAB Writing Center. They have tutors and instructional workshops.
• Consider Graduate School classes for professional development.
• Make friends with fellow graduate students and work in your campus office.
• Frustrated and out of options? UAB counselors are there for you.

We invite you to explore all of the programs and services offered to international students. International Student and Scholar Services will be able to advise you about how to apply and who to contact for information. Please visit their website, or send general questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

And remember — you are not alone! There are other international students/non-native English speakers in graduate programs across campus.