MA Psychology

Psychology has become one of the most opted Medical Science courses both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. From Child Psychology and Theories of Counselling to Developmental and Biopsychology, pursuing Psychology courses will give an in-depth understanding of various facets of the field. Though bachelor-level courses like BA/BSc Psychology can open a wide range of opportunities in Rehabilitation Centres, Welfare Organisations, Research Centres, etc, enrolling on a master’s level course like MA Psychology will help you gain advanced knowledge and will aid in skill development.

Moreover, at the master’s level, you can specialize in a subfield like Industrial Psychology, Community Psychology, Counselling Psychology, etc. Apart from an MSc, a Master of Arts in Psychology is a popular choice amongst students wherein they read intensively about all the nuances of the field, to which they were introduced at their graduation level. So, if you want to build a successful career in Psychology and are planning to pursue an MA Psychology degree then here is a blog that will shed light on the key details pertaining to this course. 

Who Should Opt for this Course?

Although an interesting specialization course but the type of work Psychologists have to go through is satisfying but excruciating. So, ask yourself some questions before going deeper into the course like:

• Can you handle tense situations patiently?
• Do you have good analytical skills?
• Are you sympathetic and empathetic towards others?

For those of you who could answer these questions affirmatively then, pursuing Psychology courses is best suited for you!

MA Psychology Overview

Master of Arts or MA Psychology is a postgraduate course in which students learn about human behaviour and psychology along with conflict resolution techniques, reactions, mental processes, experimental psychology, human development, etc. Running for a period of 1-2 years, this course aims to train the students to identify, assess, and manage the emotional and behavioural patterns of humans. 

Course Level	Masters
Curriculum Type	Semester/Yearly
Duration of Program	Maximum 2 Years
Job Prospects	Clinical Psychologist, Psychology Practitioner, Counselor, Mentor, Marriage Counselor, Career Counselor, Therapist, etc.

Why pursue an MA in Psychology?

Humans may know a lot about the outside world, but we lack an understanding of ourselves. We are moving away from ourselves as the world becomes more complex. Studying this subject aids in bridging that gap.

• By 2025, job growth in the Department of Psychology is expected to increase by 25%.
• More psychiatrists are needed in the world to deal with stress, high pressure, and growing loneliness among people. This is a field that the modern age has created, and it will only grow with it.
• Following an MA in Psychology, students have a plethora of research opportunities.

MA Psychology Admission Process

MA Psychology admissions are typically based on merit, but some colleges, such as Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya and Hindu College, hold their own entrance exams. In India, there are two types of admission processes: merit-based and entrance exams.

Merit Basis

Candidates for MA Psychology are admitted based on their merit in their respective colleges after completing their graduation. This criterion is followed by the following colleges:

• Fergusson College Pune
• IGNOU
• Banasthali University, Jaipur

Entrance Exam

For taking admissions in MA Psychology, the scores of the entrance test conducted by the University of Delhi are accepted by colleges like:

• Daulat Ram College
• Indraprastha College for Women
• Zakir Husain College

MA Psychology Entrance Exams

Exam name	Registration date	Exam date
BHU UET	1st week of May to 1st week of June	June/ July
PUBDET	4th week of March, to 2nd week of April,	2nd week of August
APU UG NET	December (last)	19th December
UPSEE	1st week of April to the Last week of May	Last week of June
TS EAMCET	4th week of March to 3rd week of May	1st to 2nd week of July

Subjects Taught

With a special focus on research methods and theories, there are scores of subjects taught in master-level Psychology courses. Although the course curriculum can vary from one university/country to another, the gist remains the same. Enlisted are some of the subjects or topics that are covered in an MA Psychology course: 

• Applied Psychometry
• Social Psychology
• Emotions in Everyday Life
• Paradigms of Psychology
• Appreciating Diversity
• Human Resource Practices
• Group Processes in Organizations
• Training and Development
• Psychology of Advertising
• Neuro-sensory
• Listening and Communicating
• Development of Theories of Mind

Note: This is a generalized list of subjects and can vary from one university and country to another. 

Top Universities Offering MA Psychology

With the increase in demand for trained Psychologists, academic institutions across the world now offer a comprehensive MA Psychology course with an option for the students to specialize in a subfield of their choice. The universities listed below not only offer quality education but also provide state-of-the-art facilities, highly experienced academic staff, and labs equipped with basic amenities amongst others. MA Psychology rankings by QS Rankings are mentioned below-

• Harvard University
• Stanford University
• University of Oxford
• University of Cambridge
• University of California, Berkeley
• University of California, LA
• Yale University

Note: The above-mentioned colleges are meticulously picked as these are the colleges which specifically teach MA Psychology courses. Furthermore, the universities offering this course are not limited to only this list.

Want to know more about the fee structure and the VISA application process? Then, register yourself here to get a free counselling session! 

MA Psychology Eligibility

Be it MA/MSc Psychology, the students have to fulfil eligibility criteria as specified by the university concerned. Though the prerequisites will vary based on the study abroad destination and university, here are some generalized conditions to pursue MA in Psychology:  

• This is an open post-graduation course which means, a prior degree in the same is not necessary but is advised. 
• Candidate must hold a graduation degree from a recognized university in Psychology with a minimum percentage. Usually, the mark lies between 45%-55%. 
• Scores of universities also require a valid GRE scorecard. 
• The applicant should also have a valid scorecard of English-language proficiency tests like IELTS/TOEFL/PTE.
• A statement of purpose [SOP], Letter of Recommendation [LORs], transcripts, and updated CV/resume are other required documents. 

While some admit on merit bases, you may be required to clear the entrance test of a college/university [if any]. It is thus advised to read everything there is to know about the college that you are applying to.

MA Psychology Skills Required

Numerical ability	Science skills
Work ethics	Emotional stability
Research skills	Problem-solving
Analytical skills	Communication skills

Scope of MA Psychology

The M.A. Psychology curriculum is designed to help students not only gain a basic understanding of domain-specific ideas but also to improve overall interpersonal and leadership skills. Because this field is so diverse, job opportunities can be found in NGOs, rehabilitation centres, juvenile justice departments, educational institutions, government organisations, and the sports industry, to name a few.

Students with an M.A. in Psychology can go on to earn an M.Phil. or PhD in Psychology or a related field. This will enable you to pursue higher-paying positions, further broadening your horizons. Clinical Psychology and psychiatry are two other important courses in this field.

MA Psychology: Career Prospects

Upon completing an MA Psychology course, one can always go for an M.Phil or PhD in Psychology to advance further in the field. But, for all the students seeking employment opportunities after their MA, this is a choice section of the blog for them. The major recruiting industries and profiles have been given a rundown below: 

Top Recruiters

• Vcare Counseling Centre
• Medanta
• Veda Rehab and Wellness Private Limited
• The Mind Clinic
• Fortis
• Mind Care Centre for Counselling
• Apollo
• Institute Of Psychiatry
• Delhi University
• Jamia Millia Islamia University
• Over a Cup of Tea – Psychological Wellness Centre
• Central Institute of Psychiatry

FAQs

Bringing peace in a life of chaos, the job of a Psychologist and counsellor can thus be tough yet satisfying. If you are interested in pursuing an MA Psychology course from a university abroad but are unsure about the specialization most suited for you then, take the psychometric test at Leverage Edu. The team of experts will gauge your profile and recommend the best-suited course as well as the educational institute to kickstart your career abroad!