University of West Alabama Online Master of Science in Experimental Psychology

Why University of West Alabama?

This small public university in Livingston, Alabama, recruits applicants for its online Master of Science in Experimental Psychology program. Offered through UWA Online, the program requires applicants to have completed at least 9 credits of undergraduate psychology. Applicants must submit GRE results to be considered for admission. Students must have completed their undergraduate studies with a minimum 3.0 GPA to be considered.

Program Snapshot

University Name	University of West Alabama
Location	Livingston
State	Alabama
Niche.com Grade	B
Name of Degree	Master of Science in Experimental Psychology
School or Department Administering Program	UWA Online
Credits	36
Cost per credit	$429.00
Tuition for Entire Program	$15,444.00
Test Requirements	GRE
Minimum GPA	3.0
Prerequisite Courses and Skills	at least 9 credits of undergraduate psychology
Campus Visit Required?	no
Typical Time to Complete	2 years
When Can Students Start the Program?	Multiple times per year
Program Concentrations	General Clinical Psychology Sports Psychology
Synchronous classes	both
Required Courses	Statistics and Research Methods I and II Research Methods and Evaluation 3 courses in psychology theory 4 elective courses Thesis
Does the Program Include a Capstone?	Yes
Does the program include a practicum or internship?	No
Other Features that Make the Program Unique	Thesis or comprehensive exam; Additional courses required for clinical option;  Courses taught by PhD faculty; one on one mentoring; affordable; preparation for further study or careers in social or behavioral sciences, medical research, etc.
Program Objectives (quoted directly from the program)	Principles of scholarly research Critical  thinking Search methods Qualitative and quantitative analysis Research presentation
Program Description	This program covers principles of scholarly research, critical  thinking, qualitative and quantitative analysis, research presentation; and other topics within 3 concentration areas: General; Clinical Psychology and Sports Psychology. The program’s 36 credits can be completed within 2 years. Students complete a thesis or comprehensive exam as a capstone experience.

What will I Learn?

The program seeks to offer a broad and in-depth curriculum that addresses the following goals: Principles of scholarly research, critical thinking, search methods, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and research presentation. Students gain fundamental skills while taking required courses in Statistics and Research Methods I and II, and Research Methods and Evaluation. They are also required to take three courses in psychology theory and four elective courses. As a capstone to the curriculum, students may choose to complete a research thesis or take a comprehensive exam.

Students can choose to follow a generalist track in their degree, or can choose to specialize in clinical psychology or sports psychology. Students following the clinical track will need to complete additional coursework.  Clinical psychology is the branch of psychology that consists of assessing and treating mental health problems through ongoing clinical care. It can include providing care for individuals, couples, and groups, as well as consulting, training, supervision and research on clinical topics. Sports psychology is a branch of psychology that examines how athletes perform on the field, how athletes feel about themselves, how people interact with one another while they play sports, and how society views sports in general.

How much will the program cost?

Students finish their degree within 2 years and pay $429.00 per credit for a total of 36 credits, or just over $15,000 for the entire degree.

How does the program fit into my life?

Courses may be taught synchronously, meaning that students attend online classes at a specified time along with their instructor and classmates. Some courses may be taught asynchronously, meaning that students are not required to attend an online class at a specified time, but instead complete online activities on their own schedules. Videos of lectures, discussions in groups, practice problems, and other activities might be found in online resources.No campus visit is required. The majority of students finish the program in 2 years.Multiple start dates per year are offered, allowing students to begin the program shortly after being accepted. The program’s curriculum is flexible, allowing students greater choice over which courses to take and when to take them.

Summary

This affordable program at a well-regarded public university provides an opportunity for applicants to pursue specialization in clinical practice through online education, setting it apart from many other programs which do not offer a clinical-focused degree pathway. The specialization in sports psychology meshes well with the strong culture of collegiate athletics in Alabama.

While some applicants might enjoy the chance to review and evaluate their knowledge through a comprehensive exam, this choice might not be suitable for all students. Fortunately, there is also the option of a thesis. The program at UWA boasts that all courses are taught by PhD faculty and that students receive one-on-one mentoring from UWA faculty as they work towards further study or careers in the social and behavioral sciences.