Applicants with a Master's Degree

What credits earned for a Master's Degree at another institution will transfer into the program?
        Generally, at least some credits transfer, though not all of them.  Usually, the basic content classes are accepted.  Often, methodological and statistics classes are accepted as well. When you come to CSU, we want to be sure that you graduate with a solid background. Therefore, you may still have to take content courses at CSU to fulfill our requirements for the PhD.

At what level will a new student entering with a Master's Degree be placed in the program?
        This depends on the individual.  Usually, someone with a Master's Degree places into roughly the second year of the CSU curriculum. Again, the student may or may not have to take all of our content courses, even after entering with a Master's degree.

Can a new student entering with a Master's Degree test out of courses?
        Yes. We place students out of courses on a case-by-case basis. Students should provide a class syllabus, readings, and other relevant class materials. Based on an evaluation of this information, students are typically placed out of overlapping courses. Such decisions are made graduate curriculum committee, which has a faculty representative from each program.

Will the program accept the Master's thesis of a new student?
        Generally we will, though we review it before giving a final answer.  The more questionable cases are likely to come when a student has a thesis in an area other than psychology, such as business. We require an empirical master thesis, so if your master thesis was not an empirical one, you'll have to complete one here at CSU before moving to doctoral candidacy.