Northcentral University Online Master of Arts in Psychology

Why Northcentral University? 

This online program leads to the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology. It is offered by a small private online-only university in San Diego, California. Applicants do not have to submit any standardized test results. The university does not require a minimum GPA for admission. Administered by the university’s School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, the program has no requirements for prerequisite courses completed during undergraduate work. 

Program Snapshot

University Name Northcentral University
Location San Diego
State California
Niche.com Grade Not rated
Name of Degree Master of Arts in Psychology
School or Department Administering Program School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Credits 30
Cost per credit $856.00
Tuition for Entire Program $25,680.00
Test Requirements none
Minimum GPA none
Prerequisite Courses and Skills none
Campus Visit Required? no
Typical Time to Complete 18 months
When Can Students Start the Program? every week
Program Concentrations Gender and Sexual Fluidity; General Psychology
Synchronous classes no
Required Courses
  • Foundations for Graduate Study in Psychology
  • Professional Ethics, Law and Psychology
  • Theories of Human Development and Functioning
  • Research Design
  • 5 specialization courses
  • Capstone course
Does the Program Include a Capstone? yes
Does the program include a practicum or internship? no
Other Features that Make the Program Unique no group work; 100% doctoral faculty; not a licensure program; 1:1 learning format with mentorship from faculty; ability to start very frequently; specialization in gender and sexual fluidity
Program Objectives (quoted directly from the program)
  • Ability to analyze psychological principles and apply them in your field of specialization and field of psychology in general
  • Ability to think critically and apply problem-solving and creative thinking skills to problems with behavioral, emotional and cognitive processes, while adhering to ethical principles in research and academic studies
Program Description The program’s 30 credits can be completed within 18 months, and include a required capstone project. No internship is required. Students can specialize within two concentration areas: General Psychology and Gender and Sexual Fluidity. Students will develop the ability to analyze and apply psychological principles, as well as critical thinking and research skills.  

What will I Learn?

Graduates of this program will be able to analyze psychological principles and apply them to psychological problems within their field of specialization. They will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Behaving as ethical professionals, they will gain competence in research methods and techniques.  

Students start the curriculum by learning fundamental concepts in classes such as Foundations for Graduate Study in Psychology, Professional Ethics, Law and Psychology and Theories of Human Development and Functioning. Students gain fundamental skills while taking Research Design. The remainder of the required credits are earned through five additional courses leading to the student’s desired specialization. As a capstone to the curriculum, students are required to take a capstone course.

Gender and Sexual Fluidity or General Psychology are the two concentrations available.

How much will the program cost?

Students finish their degree within 18 months and pay $856.00 per credit for a total of 30 credits, or just under $25,680.00 for the entire degree.

How does the program fit into my life?

Featuring asynchronous instruction, students work independently to complete course materials. They receive regular opportunities to interact with their instructor in a one-on-one format.  The program offers a variety of online activities to engage students, such as watching prerecorded lectures, completing hands-on practice activities, testing their ideas via short quizzes, and completing more traditional assignments. Students do not visit the campus unless they wish. 

Typical time to complete the degree is 18 months. Students can start the program whenever they desire, and can begin completing their coursework at weekly intervals. 

Summary

This program features a distinctive 1:1 learning format in which each student completes coursework independently accompanied by regular mentorship of a faculty member. Applicants will be attracted by the ability to begin the program whenever they desire, with new start times every week of the year. The concentration area in Gender and Sexual Fluidity is unique among the programs profiled here. The program boasts that students will complete no group work: this prospect may be more or less attractive depending on the applicant’s desire for collaborative experiences.