MSAP Online Degree Courses
The Master of Applied Psychology from Sacred Heart University is built on a research-driven core curriculum built on a scientist-practitioner model and covering fundamental psychological concepts. Students choose a general track or one of two concentrations and have the option to implement a real-world psychological research project or begin the research and developmental groundwork for doctoral work in psychology.
The program consists of 12 courses totaling 38 credit hours. Courses are available exclusively online in a part-time format. There are six (6) semesters per year, each eight (8) weeks in duration.
The following is an outline of the MSAP curriculum:
| Prerequisite Course | Credit Hours | |
| PS 450 | Foundations for Psychological Science | 4 |
| Core Curriculum (6 courses, 20 credits) | Credit Hours | |
| PS 500 | Foundations of Applied Psychology | 4 |
| PS 520 | Developmental Issues Across the Life Span | 3 |
| PS 525 | Identifying and Managing Psychopathology in Community Settings | 3 |
| PS 550 | Applied Research Methods and Statistics | 4 |
| PS 551 | Individual Psychological Assessment and Appraisal | 3 |
| PS 552 | Program Development and Evaluation | 3 |
Concentrations (4 courses, 12 credits)
| Industrial Organizational Psychology | Credit Hours | |
| PS 530 | Personnel Psychology | 3 |
| PS 531 | Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| PS 532 | Job Analysis, Competency Modeling and Criterion Development | 3 |
| PS 533 | Employee Training and Development OR appropriate BU course | 3 |
| Community Psychology | Credit Hours | |
| PS 540 | Foundations of Community and School Counseling | 3 |
| PS 541 | Theories of Counseling and Personality | 3 |
| PS 542 | Counseling Methods and Techniques | 3 |
| PS 543 | Community Health Psychology | 3 |
General Track
- Four electives, chosen in consultation with an academic advisor from above concentrations.
| Capstone Experience (2 courses, 6 credits) | Credit Hours | |
| PS 590 | Comprehensive Exam | 3 |
| Elective | Capstone Elective | 3 |
PS 450 Foundations for Psychological Science – 4 Credits This course is designed to provide those that did not major in Psychology with a scientific foundation of psychology theory. It is a required prerequisite course that may be waived, by the director, if sufficient past coursework has been completed. The course will present key elements of the five major perspectives of psychology while incorporating both social and natural science aspects of psychology. The course will also cover key elements of the history, systems, and theory of psychology. Throughout the course, research methodology is incorporated to highlight the application of psychology within each perspective. A minimum grade of B is required to continue to PS 500.
PS 500 Foundations of Applied Psychology – 4 Credits This course provides a foundation in the application of psychology in workplace, school, and community settings. Particular emphasis is placed on ethical, legal, and multicultural diversity issues. Following the principles and guidelines established by the American Psychological Association, students will examine the ethical and legal issues involved when psychological science is applied in the workplace, schools, or the community at large. Students will understand how cultural diversity impacts group dynamics and how to effectively manage and evaluate multicultural organizations.
PS 520 Developmental Issues Across the Life Span – 3 Credits Students will examine and understand human development from childhood to old age with emphasis on developmental milestones and their influence on human behavior. Students will compare recent and historical perspectives on development and apply critical thinking and a scientific approach to understand challenges faced at each stage of development.
PS 525 Identifying and Managing Psychopathology in Community Settings – 3 Credits Students will learn to identify individuals at risk for psychopathology, as defined by the current Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders. Students will also explore how to manage and refer those afflicted and consider the multicultural, legal, and ethical issues in identifying mental illness.
PS 530 Personnel Psychology – 3 Credits Students in this course will learn how to apply psychological research and principles to make employees and organizations more effective. With particular attention to hiring practices, training/development, and performance evaluation, students will examine how the proper application of psychological theory can solve real-world human resource problems.
PS 531 Organizational Behavior – 3 Credits Through case studies, experiments, and discussion of management concepts and challenges, students will explore their own behavior and that of others in a variety of group and organizational environments. The course focuses on how differences in personality, culture and socialization affect group dynamics and the implementation of decision-making skills, conflict resolution, and change management.
PS 532 Job Analysis, Competency Modeling and Criterion Development – 3 Credits Examines the use psychological concepts to help identify the right person for the right job in any organization. Students in this course will learn to develop analysis criteria and competency models to help create job descriptions and job analysis reports.
PS 533 Employee Training and Development – 3 Credits Examines the design, administration, and evaluation of training programs using modern adult learning theories. Students will explore different approaches to training, such as computer-assisted instruction, simulation, and behavior modification, and will learn to identify and address performance gaps.
PS 540 Foundations of Community and School Counseling – 3 Credits This course explores the similarities and differences between counseling in community and educational environments. In addition to counseling strategies for students in kindergarten through 12th grade, students will learn how to organize and manage community counseling agencies.
PS 541 Theories of Counseling and Personality – 3 Credits This course examines how to apply different fundamental schools of psychotherapy to various types of personalities. Students will critically evaluate and compare/contrast each counseling style and learn about its development and application.
PS 542 Counseling Methods and Techniques – 3 Credits Examines how different counseling theories are put into practice. Common counseling techniques are identified and students then explore unique methods among the major types of counseling--psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, social-cognitive, humanistic, and interpersonal.
PS 543 Community Health Psychology – 3 Credits This course will examine the multidimensional field of community health psychology, including advocacy, community organizing, health promotion, and social change. Students will also explore the social determinants of health and illness.
PS 550 Applied Research Methods and Statistics – 4 Credits Students will review the basic principles of psychological research and focus on the challenges of conducting research in a real-world setting, such as a workplace, school, or community agency. This course lays the foundation for advanced courses in Applied Psychology.
PS 551 Individual Psychological Assessment and Appraisal – 3 Credits This course examines how tests and test scores are used in applied psychological settings. Students will learn the meaning and value of test scores when evaluating individuals and explore the practical and ethical consequences of using test results to make decisions in corporate and educational environments.
PS 552 Program Development and Evaluation – 3 Credits Students in this course will learn how to create a program to respond to a specific psychological need in the workplace or community. Students will discover how to assess the need for a program and learn how to design, implement, and evaluate it. Skills will be put into practice as students serve as a consultant during a sample project for a particular agency or community.
Capstone Experience (2 courses, 6 credits)
The capstone experience for the Master of Science in Applied Psychology culminates with an elective course as well as an applied comprehensive exam. The elective course choices come from the concentration courses offered or a course approved by the director. The comprehensive exam is designed to demonstrate the knowledge gained in the MSAP program through a series of applied essays. In rare cases, students may be approved to complete a capstone research project.
Elective Course - 3 credits
Comprehensive Exam (PS 590) - 3 credits This is a three-credit experience that is taken as the last three credits in the Master's program. You will take the exam in stages over an eight-week period. You will be given a selected bibliography corresponding to the content of each course in the Master's program (prepared by the instructor of that course). Each week, you will be expected to review the material for one of these courses, then write an essay (1500 to 2500 words) in response to a question posed by the instructor. The question will be comprehensive enough so that it incorporates the most important material from the course as well as the content from the bibliography. The first six weeks correspond to the major classes in the program (PS 500, PS 520, PS 525, PS 550, PS 551, and PS 552). The last two weeks will cover the content from two of your concentration courses.
Have questions about the MS in Applied Psychology curriculum? Call us at 877-791-7181 or request more information online.
