Psychology (MA) Requirements
The Master of Arts in Psychology has as its goal to offer theoretical and practical education leading to the formation of professionals in this field following the standards of certifying organizations in Puerto Rico and the United States. The courses and the practices expose students to topics and fundamental experiences for understanding and handling the diverse manifestations of human behavior produced in Puerto Rican society. The Program also has as its goal to offer the required preparation for students and professionals who aspire to continue studies at the doctoral level.
The following specializations are offered:
- Psychological Counseling
- School Psychology
- Organizational and Work Psychology
The Metropolitan and San Germán campuses are authorized to offer this Program.
Competencies Profile of Graduates
The Program is designed to allow the development of the following core competencies:
Knowledge
- Describe the biological, cognitive, affective, social and multicultural foundations of human behavior.
- Ponder individual differences in typical and atypical human behavior and development.
Skills
- Evaluate scientific literature related to psychology as a guide for professional practice.
- Perform different interview approaches to diverse populations as a means for understanding human behavior.
Attitudes
- Value ethical behavior in providing professional services.
Admission Requirements
People who seek admission to the Master of Arts in the Psychology Program must meet the admission requirements established in the section Admission Requirements for Master’s Programs at the time of their admission. In addition, they must satisfy the following conditions:
- Holds a Bachelor in Psychology from an accredited university with a minimum academic index of 3.00 in the last sixty (60) credits of academic work and in their major. Those who have a bachelor’s degree in another field from an accredited university with an academic index of 3.00 in the last sixty (60) credits, must satisfy the courses indicated in section 2 and a general psychology course with a minimum grade of B.
- Provide official evidence of having passed with a minimum grade of B, the courses at the undergraduate level (or its equivalent) that are indicated below:
| Statistical Methods |
3
|
Biological Bases of Behavior or Physiological Psychology or Introduction to Neuropsychology
|
3
|
Experimental Psychology or Research Methods
|
3 or 4
|
- Have passed, during the last five years prior to the date of the application for admission, the Examen de Admisión a Estudios Graduados (EXADEP) with a minimum score of 400 or its equivalent in the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
- Present a Negative Criminal Record Certificate issued by the Police Department of Puerto Rico (original).
- Have an interview with the Program’s Admissions Committee and be recommended favorably by it.
Norms and Procedures
Academic Progress
The student will comply with the norms established in the Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements section and with the norms indicated below:
It is a requirement to pass all courses leading to the degree with a minimum grade of B and with a minimum score of 80 for the practicum experience courses. The student who does not pass a course with a minimum grade of B will not be able to enroll in any course that has this course as a prerequisite. The student will have the opportunity to repeat only twice a course or practicum which he has failed.
It is a requirement to pass the Comprehensive Exam or the Integrative Seminar with a minimum grade of 80 percent equivalent to P (approved).
Conduct
Students of the Program must at all times comply with the norms, policies and procedures established in the Program, as established in the Psychology Program Graduate Student Manual as well as in the General Student Regulations of Inter American University of Puerto Rico.
Any violation to the established norms will be sufficient reason to apply disciplinary sanctions. Any student who is suspended from the Program due to violation of the norms cannot be re-admitted to the Program in any campus.
Internal Transfers
Students of Inter American University of Puerto Rico, who wish to transfer to another unit of the System to complete the Requirements of the Master of Arts in Psychology, must comply with the following requirements:
- Have admission as a regular student of the Program.
- Request the transfer of their academic file to the unit to which they wish to transfer.
- Have an interview with the Admissions Committee of the Program of the unit to which they wish to transfer.
- Present a letter of the official in charge of the Program certifying that they fulfill the norms of conduct and satisfactory academic progress of the Program.
Transfers
Students will comply with the norms of transfer contained in the section Admission of Transfer Students to Master’s Programs and the norms indicated below:
- Present a letter of the official in charge of the Program from the unit of origin certifying that they fulfill the norms of conduct and satisfactory academic progress of the Program.
Graduation Requirements
To obtain a Master of Arts in Psychology, the student must meet the academic requirements of the master's degree described in this Catalog. In addition, the student must meet the following specific program requirements:
- Approve all courses of the program with a minimum general average of 3.00.
- Pass the Integrative Seminar with a minimum grade of 80 percent equivalent to P (approved).
Requirements for the Master of Arts in Psychology
Specialization in Psychological Counseling
| Core Course Requirement |
28 credits |
| Specialization Requirements |
34 credits |
| Total |
62 credits |
Specialization in School Psychology
| Core Course Requirement |
28 credits |
| Specialization Requirements |
34 credits |
| Total |
62 credits |
Specialization in Organizational and Work Psychology
| Core Course Requirement |
27 credits |
| Specialization Requirements |
36 credits |
| Total |
63 credits |
Core Course Requirements for the Specializations of Psychological Counseling and School Psychology - 28 credits
Core Course Requirements for the Specialization of Organizational and Work Psychology - 27 credits
Specialization Requirements
Specialization in Psychological Counseling - 34 credits
Specialization in School Psychology - 34 credits
Specialization in Organizational and Work Psychology - 36 credits
List of courses under each specialization.