M.S. in Psychology: Curriculum

Divine Mercy University’s unique online M.S. in Psychology curriculum provides concentrations in several topical areas tailored to how you intend to use your new skills. The program can be completed in 16-26 months of full-time study, and includes 11 credit bearing courses for a total of 33 credit hours.

The curriculum is conveyed primarily asynchronous with a synchronous, virtual residency in course one. Asynchronous learning is what is typically thought of with online learning: students can access the information and work on learning activities in any location and at any time. Synchronous learning is when students interact in-real time with other students and faculty through various technologies such as video conferencing and with extended weekend residencies. DMU operates using a Fall, Spring, and Summer semester model, with two 8-week terms in the Fall and Spring semesters, and one 8-week term during the Summer. DMU courses satisfy requirements for 3 semester credits provided for each course with a few exceptions.

Marriage and Family Concentration:

Core:

  • PSY 550 Helping People Flourish: A Catholic-Christian Approach to Psychology
  • PSY 560 Human Growth and Development Across the Lifespan
  • PHT 508 The Catholic-Christian Vision of Flourishing: Vocations & Virtues
  • PSY 515 Cognition, Emotion, and Motivation
  • PSY 570 Statistical Analysis for Psychology and the Social Sciences
  • PSY 565 Developmental Psychopathology: Risk and Resilience
  • PSY 585 Research Methodology and Design, Evidence-based Practice, and Program Evaluation
  • PSY 575 Social Psychology, Groups, and Diversity

Electives: 

  • PSY 520 Marriage and Family Systems Theory
  • PHT 543 Catholic-Christian Marriage and Human Sexuality
  • PSY 530 Marriage and Family Interventions

Leadership Psychology Concentration

Core:

  • PSY 550 Helping People Flourish: A Catholic-Christian Approach to Psychology
  • PSY 560 Human Growth and Development Across the Lifespan
  • PHT 508 The Catholic-Christian Vision of Flourishing: Vocations & Virtues
  • PSY 515 Cognition, Emotion, and Motivation
  • PSY 570 Statistical Analysis for Psychology and the Social Sciences
  • PSY 565 Developmental Psychopathology: Risk and Resilience
  • PSY 585 Research Methodology and Design, Evidence-based Practice, and Program Evaluation
  • PSY 575 Social Psychology, Groups, and Diversity

Electives: 

  • PSY 595 Transformational Leadership
  • PSY 590 Leading People, Programs, and Organizations
  • PSY 615 Applied Leadership Skills

Pre-PhD Concentration

Core:

  • PSY 550 Helping People Flourish: A Catholic-Christian Approach to Psychology
  • PSY 560 Human Growth and Development Across the Lifespan
  • PHT 508 The Catholic-Christian Vision of Flourishing: Vocations & Virtues
  • PSY 515 Cognition, Emotion, and Motivation
  • PSY 570 Statistical Analysis for Psychology and the Social Sciences
  • PSY 565 Developmental Psychopathology: Risk and Resilience
  • PSY 585 Research Methodology and Design, Evidence-based Practice, and Program Evaluation
  • PSY 575 Social Psychology, Groups, and Diversity

Electives: 

Students in this concentration will be assigned a thesis advisor/chair who will guide them through all the phases of planning and executing a scientific project that will result in a master’s thesis. To this end, students will enroll in PSY 620 (1-credit) for six consecutive terms (6 credits total) parallel to the other courses. Students can choose any elective for their third elective if it aligns with the student’s schedule and course offerings. Separate entry requirements apply for this concentration. The entry requirements can be found here.

  • PSY 620 Scientific Thesis – Psychological Research and Writing

Human Services Counseling

Core:

  • PSY 550 Helping People Flourish: A Catholic-Christian Approach to Psychology
  • PSY 560 Human Growth and Development Across the Lifespan
  • PHT 508 The Catholic-Christian Vision of Flourishing: Vocations & Virtues
  • PSY 515 Cognition, Emotion, and Motivation
  • PSY 570 Statistical Analysis for Psychology and the Social Sciences
  • PSY 565 Developmental Psychopathology: Risk and Resilience
  • PSY 585 Research Methodology and Design, Evidence-based Practice, and Program Evaluation
  • PSY 575 Social Psychology, Groups, and Diversity

Electives: 

  • PSY 555 Relationship and Intervention Skills Theory and Application
  • PSY 580 Personality, Individual Differences and Intelligence
  • PSY 545 Leading and Facilitating Groups

Bioethics

Core:

  • PSY 550 Helping People Flourish: A Catholic-Christian Approach to Psychology
  • PSY 560 Human Growth and Development Across the Lifespan
  • PHT 508 The Catholic-Christian Vision of Flourishing: Vocations & Virtues
  • PSY 515 Cognition, Emotion, and Motivation
  • PSY 570 Statistical Analysis for Psychology and the Social Sciences
  • PSY 565 Developmental Psychopathology: Risk and Resilience
  • PSY 585 Research Methodology and Design, Evidence-based Practice, and Program Evaluation
  • PSY 575 Social Psychology, Groups, and Diversity

Electives:

  • NCBC Certification Program in Bioethics (9 credits)
    • Foundations of Catholic Health Care
    • Ethical Challenges at the Beginning of Life
    • Ethics Committees, Research, Vaccines, and Gender
    • Ethical Challenges at the End of Life

Self-Design

Core:

  • PSY 550 Helping People Flourish: A Catholic-Christian Approach to Psychology
  • PSY 560 Human Growth and Development Across the Lifespan
  • PHT 508 The Catholic-Christian Vision of Flourishing: Vocations & Virtues
  • PSY 515 Cognition, Emotion, and Motivation
  • PSY 570 Statistical Analysis for Psychology and the Social Sciences
  • PSY 565 Developmental Psychopathology: Risk and Resilience
  • PSY 585 Research Methodology and Design, Evidence-based Practice, and Program Evaluation
  • PSY 575 Social Psychology, Groups, and Diversity

Electives: 

Choose one elective from each group below

Elective 1 (choose one from below):

  • PSY 520 Marriage and Family Systems Theory
  • PSY 615 Applied Leadership Skills
  • PSY 555 Relationship and Intervention Skills Theory and Application

Elective 2 (choose one from below):

  • PHT 543 Catholic-Christian Marriage and Human Sexuality
  • PSY 595 Transformational Leadership
  • PSY 580 Personality, Individual Differences and Intelligence

Elective 3 (choose one from below):

  • PSY 530 Marriage and Family Interventions
  • PSY 590 Leading People, Programs, and Organizations
  • PSY 545 Leading and Facilitating Groups