Master's degree programs can provide career-oriented training in such fields as counseling, industrial, and quantitative psychology. Master's programs can also prepare students for doctoral programs if the appropriate courses are chosen. Students whose academic records are not quite strong enough for immediate admission into a doctoral program, or who currently have limited geographic mobility but intend to pursue doctoral studies later, should benefit from a master's program with a doctoral preparation emphasis. Doctoral Programs . The Ph.D. is the traditional professional degree for psychologists.
Students apply to a Ph.D. program for study in a specific specialty area.
Many professional schools and some universities offer a Psy. The information presented here is particularly relevant for students applying to doctoral programs. Students applying to the M.A. program at CSUS should read the Graduate Program information presented on this website. Selection Criteria Doctoral programs usually select a rather small number of new students from a large number of applicants each year, so the admissions process can be very competitive. A personal statement describing your academic and professional goals is also usually required.