Drexel’s Master of Science (MS) in Psychology is designed for students seeking advanced training in scientific psychology and research methods. Whether you're preparing for doctoral study or aiming to build a career in research, education, or administration, this program offers a strong foundation in the neurocognitive and behavioral sciences.

The curriculum combines rigorous coursework with hands-on research experience. Students work closely with faculty mentors, dedicating a minimum of eight hours per week to laboratory activities that culminate in a thesis project. This mentorship model ensures that students gain meaningful, real-world research experience while developing critical thinking and analytical skills.

At Drexel, MS in Psychology students are part of a collaborative academic community that values curiosity, evidence-based inquiry, and professional growth. The program is an ideal first step toward a PhD or a career in psychology-related fields.

Program Format

• Full-time, two-year, 45 credit program.
• Required courses in statistics and research methods.
• Many opportunities for electives in psychology and related disciplines.
• Focused study in forensic psychology, cognitive neuroscience, behavioral/health or analytic methods possible.
• Flexible options for thesis completion.

Program Deadlines

The deadlines below are the dates by which applications must be submitted and all application requirements received.

• Fall (Domestic/International) – March 1
• No Spring or Summer intake

Quicklinks

Program Overview

The MS in Psychology program is the ideal foundation for students who wish to pursue advanced education in scientific psychology and research methods. Our research-based program allows students to take their first step into graduate education and begin a steady path toward further educational and career opportunities. The master’s curriculum introduces students to a range of immersive research experiences in neurocognitive and behavioral sciences. In addition to rigorous coursework, students complete a minimum of eight hours per week of faculty-mentored laboratory research; these activities contribute to the successful completion of the master’s thesis.

In this full-time, two-year, 45 credit program students receive the same individualized, committed mentorship model as our doctoral-level students. Master’s students are able to take advanced graduate courses and work alongside their mentors and other students in our tight-knit, collaborative research environment. The master’s program curriculum is customized to fit the unique interests of each student and offers opportunities for focused study with coursework in forensic psychology, cognitive neuroscience, behavioral/health and analytic methods.

Career Outcomes

About half of our students enter the workforce with a terminal master’s degree and establish themselves in positions as research coordinators at hospitals, universities and pharmaceutical companies. For our remaining students, the master’s degree serves as a solid foundation in psychology prior to entry into advanced doctoral programs. These scholars typically go on to pursue careers as clinical psychologists and cognitive neuroscientists in clinical practice, academic medical center, university and industry settings.

Mentorship Model

Graduate research is integral to building the intellectual life, growth and reach of the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences. An important feature of our master’s program is that students are not assigned faculty mentors — prospective students select mentors best suited to their unique program of study and interview with them as part of the application process. Once admitted, they work with the faculty mentor of their choice.

Students receive dedicated mentorship and critical hands-on training as active, contributing members of faculty research labs. These students often present their research at national and international scientific meetings and serve as co-authors on publications with their faculty mentors in distinguished, peer-reviewed journals.

Research Areas and Labs

The master’s program fits the unique interests of each student with opportunities for focused study in forensic psychology, cognitive neuroscience, behavioral/health and analytic methods. Department faculty include world-class clinical and cognitive scientists who lead exploration across six core areas of research in psychological and brain sciences.

Faculty Accepting Students

Consistent with our scientist-practitioner philosophy of training, our department and core adjunct faculty serve as dedicated mentors to our graduate students. Students work under the mentorship of one or two faculty members who serve as the incoming student’s advisors. For students who are admitted to work under two faculty members, one faculty member is established as the student’s major advisor, and the other as the student’s minor advisor.

	Faculty Member	Expertise
	Meghan L. Butryn, PhD Professor; Associate Department Head Stratton 286 mlb34@drexel.edu	Obesity prevention and treatment Physical activity promotion Lifestyle modification Behavioral therapy Cancer prevention Primary mentor (1 student) Co-mentor (1 student): Juyun Lim, PhD, Food Science Monell Chemical Sciences
	Jessica Chou, PhD, LPC, LMFT Associate Professor jlc563@drexel.edu	Substance use disorders Women and Families Trauma Family Therapy Family-Centered Treatment
	Brian P. Daly, PhD Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences; Department Head; Interim Director, WELL Center Stratton 118 brian.daly@drexel.edu	School mental health Leadership Mental health promotion Socioemotional learning (SEL) Evidence-based practice Risk and resilience Child and adolescent intervention
	E. Stephanie Krauthamer Ewing, PhD, MPH Associate Professor 288 Stratton Hall ek469@drexel.edu	Attachment Parenting Emotion Regulation Depression Suicide Risk Pre-School Adolescence
	Pamela A. Geller, PhD Professor of Psychology, Ob/Gyn and Public Health Stratton 280 pg27@drexel.edu	Clinical and health psychology Stressful life events and mental and physical health outcomes particularly in the area of women's reproductive health
	Naomi E. Goldstein, PhD Professor of Psychology; Co-director of the JD/PhD Program in Law and Psychology; Director of the Juvenile Justice Research and Reform Lab Stratton 328 neg23@drexel.edu	Juvenile justice System reform Policy and practice Adolescent development Social science research Psychology, criminal justice, and law Forensic psychology
	Kirk Heilbrun, PhD Professor; Director, Reentry Project 334 Stratton Hall kirk.heilbrun@drexel.edu	Forensic mental health assessment Violence risk assessment Risk-reducing interventions
	John Kounios, PhD Professor Stratton 318 jk342@drexel.edu	Cognitive Neuroscience Creativity Problem Solving Individual Differences Brain Aging
	Nancy Raitano Lee, PhD Associate Professor; Director, Clinical Training; Director, Clinical Neuropsychology Major Area of Study Stratton 290 nancy.raitano.lee@drexel.edu	Neuropsychology Clinical child psychology Down syndrome Autism spectrum disorder Brain Neuroimaging Developmental disorders
	Matthew Lerner, PhD Associate Professor and Life Course Outcomes Program Leader; Program Director, Master's in Psychology program ml3823@drexel.edu
	John D. Medaglia, PhD Associate Professor 322 Stratton Hall jdm582@drexel.edu	Cognitive Neuroscience Clinical Neuropsychology Brain Stimulation Neuroimaging Network Analysis Self-control Neuroethics
	James R. Muruthi, PhD Assistant Professor jm5243@drexel.edu	Health Psychology Stress and Resilience Aging and Lifespan Development Social Relationships and Health Black Men's Health Cardiometabolic Health Prostate Cancer Disparities
	Allison Nahmias, MEd, PhD asn74@drexel.edu
	Amanda NeMoyer, JD, PhD Associate Research Professor of Psychology Stratton 332 amanda.n.nemoyer@drexel.edu	Juvenile justice Forensic psychology Program evaluation Policy and practice reform Dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline Diverting youth from justice system involvement
	Rikki Patton, PhD Research Professor; Program Director, PhD in Couple and Family Therapy Stratton Hall, Room 267 – Research Lab rap362@drexel.edu	Substance use Stigma Trauma Couple and Family Therapy Contextual Family Therapy Interprofessional education and collaboration Workforce development
	Wei Song, PhD ws452@drexel.edu