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Online MS in Psychology: Unveiling the Mind through the Curriculum

Monday, November 4, 2024

ms psychology curriculum sneak peek

Want to know what an online master's degree in psychology from a US university teaches you? Get a sneak peek of the MS Psychology curriculum at SNHU online.


Understanding the Human Mind: A Sneak Peek into the MS Psychology Curriculum 


“The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.” — Plutarch
Mental health awareness is steadily gaining momentum in India. As a result, higher education institutes in the country are witnessing increased enrollments in psychology degree programs (Source: India Today). While there are several Indian universities offering on-campus psychology programs, SNHU’s online MS in Psychology is one of the top choices for those who want the perks of a US degree at an affordable price from the comfort of their homes.

But just because it’s a degree from one of the largest US accredited universities with over 90 years of history in imparting education excellence, doesn’t mean it’s exactly what you’re looking for.

For instance, the masters in psychology degree offered at SNHU online is not a clinical program. So for those looking to graduate with a licensure or certification as a psychologist, our MS in Psychology degree can be a great stepping stone, but won’t in itself get you the license.

On the other hand, having a master’s degree in psychology from a US accredited and renowned university does open the door to numerous global careers in psychology. Graduates of the program can work in the field of school counseling, i/o psychology, human resource management, market research analysis, and much more. It also paves the perfect path for a doctorate degree and higher research.

But to clearly understand whether the program is a right fit for your career aspirations, it is crucial to know what you will learn while pursuing our online Master of Science in Psychology degree.

For that reason, we’re going to take a sneak peek at the curriculum of the MS Psychology program offered by SNHU. Let’s dive in!

MS in Psychology Curriculum Overview 

Talking about the curriculum of the MS in Psychology program from SNHU, faculty member Professor Dr. Meera Iyer said, “The curriculum of the MS in Psychology from SNHU focuses on a holistic approach to understanding psychological concepts, research and real-life practical experience through a capstone project. Some courses, such as research methodology, social psychology, and theories of personality, have wide-reaching applications across diverse professional spheres.” 

Psychology is a field that’s constantly evolving. However, as a science and as a separate field of study, psychology is relatively young. It wasn’t until the late 1800s that psychology was accepted as a distinct discipline. Since then, many prominent psychologists and their theories have dominated the world with their concepts.

The relatively new acknowledgement of psychology as a science allows us to provide a holistic curriculum with a broad range of courses that can be completed in two years without major time commitments. Not only does the program dive deep into contemporary psychology theories, but it also explores various facets of modern psychology and expands on advanced research methodologies to gain even a better understanding of the human mind and behavior in the future.

Taught by industry experts and seasoned educators, the Master of Science in Psychology curriculum at SNHU online is continuously assessed and updated to provide the best outcome for the learners.

The students get to interact with their peers and discuss their learnings frequently during the course of the program. Speaking on the subject of discussions, Dr Iyer added: “The discussion post elements in the program are an effective way to network and gain different perspectives. Students interact with their peers each week through pre-defined discussion exercises.”

Online Masters in Psychology: Curriculum Breakdown

Before we discuss the details of the courses that comprise our online master's in psychology program, let’s briefly talk about whether this degree is right for you. 

If helping others brings you joy, this degree will bring you a step closer to experiencing that joy. Do the workings of the human mind and behavior excite you? You’re in the right place. If you’re someone who’s fascinated by the thought of bringing about meaningful change in the lives of others, this degree is for you.

Moreover, the benefits of online degrees for working professionals are numerous. Not having to quit their jobs to earn a degree is a big one. So, if you’re a working professional who shares any of the interests mentioned in the paragraph above, this degree is for you!

Want to drive impactful change and make a difference in the lives of others? Get an online MS in Psychology - apply now.

SNHU’s online psychology program begins with the theoretical foundations of psychology and academic research, then, dives deep into the science of the human mind to help prepare you for a range of careers in just about any industry. You will master critical areas such as research methods, cognitive psychology, social psychology, learning theory and ethical practice of psychology.

Led by faculty who are experts in the field, this practical course will expose you to real-world case studies and offer you hands-on experience in the field. 

Online MS in Psychology Foundational Subjects

The SNHU online’s MS in Psychology curriculum comprises three foundational courses with 9 credit hours:

  • Foundations of Psychology
  • Foundations in Statistics
  • Foundations in Research Methods
Psychology is an interdisciplinary subject. These courses exist to familiarize learners with the basics before diving into the core of the program. The credit hours from these courses do not count towards the credits required for the degree completion.

Online MS in Psychology Major Subjects


There are eight major subjects in the online MS in Psychology curriculum. Each subject amounts for 3 credits, bringing the total credit weightage of all major subjects combined to 24. These credits will count towards the degree completion. 

Research Methods in Psychology 1: This course familiarizes learners with the various methods that are commonly used in psychological research. Students get to know how to gather and analyze data across various settings.

Research Methods in Psychology 2: In this course, students apply what they have learned in ‘Research Methods in Psychology 1’. They are then introduced to more complex research methods in psychology and learn new skills and technique, including advanced research design and use/interpretation of higher-level statistical tests (ANOVA, regression, etc.).

Social Psychology: The course is designed to teach students about the current social psychology challenges and research. Learners get an in-depth knowledge of how individuals interact with the environment, society and technology. Additionally, students learn about the classic studies and research in the field that is still relevant today. Overall, learners gain a comprehensive understanding of how social psychology can be used to resolve real-world issues.

Cognitive Processes: In this course, students understand how the human brain uses mental operations to perform various cognitive tasks. Students take a deep dive into cognitive psychology topics like learning, language, memory, decision-making, etc. By the end of the course, students can analyze the relevancy of cognitive psychology in solving existing issues.

Measurement and Assessment: The course teaches students about the theory and application of psychometric techniques that are commonly used in psychology. Students are taught how to navigate these tests so they stay reliable, accurate and ethical. Students are familiarized with various psychological methods to test personality, intelligence, aptitude, etc. and their application in real-world settings.

Theories of Personality: The course connects the current theories, research and approaches of personality psychology with the classical theories of prominent figures like Freud and other historical perspectives. In addition to exploring the past and present impact of these theories, the course also analyzes how they impact culturally diverse people. 

Our experienced faculty member, Dr Meera Iyer shares her expert opinion on the course: “Classic theories of personality, including those by Sigmund Freud, form the base of modern psychology. This program explores these theories in depth, providing insights into their historic relevance and present-day cultural contexts.” 

Ethical Practice in Psychology: It is paramount for psychology experts to be ethical in their approach of handling psychology-related assessments, solutions, etc. This course teaches students the principles of ethical practice within the field of psychology. Topics include experimentation, confidentiality, respect, resolving ethical dilemmas, professional standards of conduct and the psychology of ethical behavior.

Capstone in Psychology: The capstone course is designed to assess students’ ability to expand on their learnings throughout the MS in Psychology program and apply them. Instead of introducing new material, this course serves as the final experience of the program, which is designed to help students meet the requirements of the program completion.

Online MS in Psychology Major Electives

Based on their interests and subject availability, learners can pick any 4 major electives, which amount to a total of 12 credits.

Get in touch with us to know what electives are up for grabs at the moment. 

Key Takeaways

According to a report by The Hindu, India is woefully short of psychology experts. There’s a massive demand-supply gap that the nation needs to fill.

The online MS in Psychology program by SNHU is exclusively designed for Indian learners and taught by Indian faculty who are leaders in the field, so the learners are skilled to drive impactful change that the country needs.

Our online learners graduate with a US degree, which not only holds the same value as an on-campus degree, but is also a great addition to your resume. India isn’t the only country facing a shortage of psychology experts. Many other countries like Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Finland, etc. have a high demand for psychology professionals.

With a master’s degree in Psychology from the US, you can attract global employers and drive impactful change in a country of your choice.

Ready to take the first step and get closer to unlocking a career in psychology? Apply today!


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