Saint Leo University Online Master of Arts in Psychology

Why Saint Leo University? 

Saint Leo, a mid-sized private university in St. Leo, Florida, is located near Tampa. It is a Catholic institution. It offers a Master of Arts in Psychology degree via online learning. Applicants need to demonstrate completion of undergraduate coursework in Introduction to Psychology and Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology. Their undergraduate Grade Point Average should be above 3.0. If they do not meet this requirement, applicants can submit GRE scores to demonstrate their potential for graduate studies. Otherwise, no standardized test results are required by the university’s Graduate School.

Program Snapshot

University Name Saint Leo University
Location St. Leo
State Florida
Niche.com Grade B-
Name of Degree Master of Arts in Psychology
School or Department Administering Program Graduate School
Credits 36
Cost per credit $720.00
Tuition for Entire Program $25,920.00
Test Requirements GRE if GPA is below 3.0
Minimum GPA 3.0
Prerequisite Courses and Skills Introduction to Psychology, Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology
Campus Visit Required? no
Typical Time to Complete 2 years
When Can Students Start the Program? multiple times per year
Program Concentrations none
Synchronous classes both
Required Courses
  • Classroom Management
  • Ethics and Diversity in the Classroom
  • Research Methods I and II
  • Psychological Learning Theories in Instruction
  • Instructional Strategies for Content Areas in Psychology
  • Learning Outcomes, Test Construction, and Assessment
  • Thesis/Capstone Project I and II
Does the Program Include a Capstone? Yes
Does the program include a practicum or internship? No
Other Features that Make the Program Unique 8 week courses; many international students; Catholic perspective; preparation for careers outside academic psychology such as program evaluation and research analyst
Program Objectives (quoted directly from the program)
  • Comprehensive global understanding of human behavior
  • Knowledge of a wide range of psychological theory and practice
  • Practical skills related to data analysis, research and teaching
  • Respect for ethical decision making, critical thinking, and problem solving
  • Sensitivity to the diversity of the human community
Program Description The program’s 36 credits can be completed within 2 years, and include a required capstone project. The curriculum is taught from a generalist perspective and there are no offered concentration subjects. Students gain knowledge and understanding of a wide range of psychological theories and concepts. They become competent researchers, able to display ethical professional behaviors and values. 

What will I Learn?

If you want to gain the skills and knowledge necessary for a global understanding of human behavior, then the Saint Leo curriculum meets that objective. Graduates will gain practical skills related to data analysis, research and teaching. They will respect ethical decision making as problem-oriented professionals. The program emphasizes cultural competence and respect. y to the diversity of the human community.

A distinctive aspect of this program’s curriculum is the emphasis on classroom techniques in the following courses: Classroom Management: Ethics and Diversity in the Classroom, Psychological Learning Theories in Instruction and Instructional Strategies for Content Areas in Psychology. Students learn key professional techniques in Research Methods I and II. They then specialize further in Learning Outcomes, Test Construction, and Assessment. Students devise and execute a complex research project in Thesis/Capstone Project I and II.

How much will the program cost?

Students finish their degree within 2 years and pay $720.00 per credit for a total of 36 credits, or just under $30,0000 for the entire degree.

How does the program fit into my life?

The learning paradigm of this master’s program combines both synchronous and asynchronous instruction. In some classes, students meet every week at the same time with their instructor, who conducts an online class via video conferencing. In asynchronous classes, instruction occurs via self-paced activities such as practice exercises, quizzes, and responses to prerecorded videos. 

This program offers flexible scheduling and can be completed within two years. 

Summary

Applicants should carefully consider the value proposition of this higher-cost program at a smaller, less prestigious school. The opportunity to receive personalized instruction within a generalist curriculum may be attractive to some applicants, as would the chance to study within a community of global learners. Students also gain very practical classroom skills. The Catholic worldview espoused by the institution may be pro or con depending on the applicant’s perspectives.