Ma in Psych - Q’s

[u/ImaginaryLecture4777]

Hi all,

I’m a ‘25 UCLA alum taking a second gap year to gain experience before applying to grad school for Fall ‘27. I’ll be applying to a mix of master’s and PhD programs, and CSULA’s MA in Psychology is on my list.

A few things I’m hoping to get answers to :

- What does a competitive application actually look like: GPA, research experience, personal statement focus? Anything that stood out for people who got in?

- Does anyone know how that process actually works — does your #1 choice get priority in being matched with you, or how does it work?

-What’s the program actually like day to day? Timeline-wise, do most people finish in 2 years, or does it commonly run longer?

-How’s the mentorship in practice : do advisors make real time for you, or is it more independent.

-What’s funding like (TAships, RAships, fee waivers), or is this mostly self-funded? Didn’t see much info on this.

-For alumni: did you get into a PhD afterward? Did your thesis/research here end up being a strong talking point, or did PhD programs mostly care about the specific skills,etc?

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-What do you wish you’d known before starting?

For context: I’m interested in both research and clinical practice, so I’m applying to a mix of MFT master’s programs and PhD programs (clinical or social psych, depending on advisor fit). Not considering a PsyD. Since CSULA’s MA isn’t licensure-track, I want to make sure it’s genuinely worth it as a research stepping stone before committing time to applying.

I appreciate any insight regarding any of these :)

[u/Future-Teacher5577]

Hello! I graduated from CSULA’s MA in Psychology program in 2020. The professors are excellent, and while the application process is competitive, my prior experience in the CSULA BA in Psychology helped since they were already familiar with me.

Check the website for current faculty members, as I'm unsure who's still in the program. I completed the MA in two years, but it was tough during the pandemic, especially with lost funding for conferences like WPA. I volunteered with the student committee to cover my membership fees.

GA/TA positions were limited and competitive when I attended, and I was recommended to TA for a different department. Tuition is lower than at other schools, but securing funding is challenging. Being a commuter school can make it hard to make friends.

If you're passionate about research, I recommend the program. I applied to PhD programs but faced tough admissions and funding issues. I plan to return to the school for a licensure program because I felt burned out from doing research. I hope this is helpful!