Program Overview
Harvard Extension School’s Psychology Master’s Degree Program provides a broad, theory-based graduate education in human behavior, cognition, emotion, and research methods. Whether you are looking to deepen your expertise in psychology, pivot into a psychology-related field, or prepare for doctoral study, the program offers a flexible path to advanced learning.
Because the program is designed around theoretical and applied understanding rather than clinical training, it is best suited for students seeking broad psychology knowledge rather than a direct path to licensure.
Through the Psychology Master’s Degree Program, you’ll:
- Deepen your understanding of what drives human behavior — the biological, behavioral, and psychosocial — and explore social, emotional, and cognitive functioning.
- Learn how research is carried out in psychology and cognitive science.
- Build a strong foundation in statistics and other methods.
- Explore key topics like development, emotion, social psychology, cognitive neuroscience, positive psychology, and abnormal psychology.
- Graduate with a Harvard University degree: Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Extension Studies in the field of Psychology.
Courses
As you work through the program’s 12 courses and complete either a thesis or capstone project, you’ll have the opportunity to examine a variety of topics in psychology — guided by expert faculty from Harvard and beyond.
Coursework is designed to help you connect psychological theory, behavioral science, and research methods to real-world questions about how people think, feel, and act.
Example Courses
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Neurobiology
- Mindfulness, Meaning, and Resilience
- Sleep and Mental Health
- Evolution
- The Opioid Epidemic
You’ll join faculty and peers for the on-campus course Engaging in Scholarly Conversation. See course spotlight.
Stackable Certificate
As you work your way toward your master’s degree, you can take courses that also count — or “stack” — toward a graduate certificate. It’s a cost-effective, time-saving opportunity to build specialized skills and earn more professional credentials. For each certificate, you can choose courses that best fit your goals.
Stackable graduate certificates include:
Admissions
The path to your degree begins before you apply to the program. You’ll earn your way in through our performance-based admissions, completing coursework for admission, demonstrating readiness, and start earning credits toward your degree right away.
Next Start Term
You can enroll in your first admission course this summer or fall.
Course registration opens March 3 for summer and in mid-July for fall.
Featured Faculty
Our psychology instructors bring a genuine passion for teaching, with students giving our faculty an average rating of 4.6 out of 5.
Career Opportunities & Alumni Outcomes
Graduates of the Psychology Master’s Degree Program apply their knowledge across a wide range of fields, including research, healthcare, education, human resources, and psychology-adjacent roles that benefit from a deeper understanding of human behavior. The degree can also support students preparing for future doctoral study.
For prospective students exploring what they can do with a master’s in psychology, the value of the degree often lies in its versatility: it can support both psychology-related career paths and broader professional roles that rely on communication, behavioral insight, and research-informed decision-making.
Sample Alumni Job Titles
- Guidance Counselor
- Clinical Psychologist
- Academic Coordinator
- Research Program Manager
- Clinical Supervisor
- HR Consultant
Sample Ph.D. Programs
Some alumni continued their educational journeys and worked toward Ph.D.s, including at:
- Harvard Graduate School of Education
- Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
- Harvard School of Public Health
- Johns Hopkins University
- Columbia University
- Brown University
As an international student, I could not have imagined there would be this kind of community here for you, which can introduce you to investors and provide you access to hundreds of experts.
Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in the field of Psychology, '22
Program Benefits
Beyond the curriculum itself, the program offers academic, professional, and community benefits that support you throughout your studies and beyond graduation.
Experience a rigorous curriculum. 99% of recent graduates would recommend the program.
Access career advising and other services through Harvard’s Mignone Center for Career Success, including career fairs like the Ivy+ Just in Time Virtual Career Fair.
Pursue entrepreneurial opportunities through the Harvard Innovation Labs
Complete an in-depth thesis or capstone project.
Explore paid research opportunities through the Faculty Aide Program.
Become a member of the worldwide Harvard Alumni Association (400,000+ members) and Harvard Extension Alumni Association (29,000+ members).
Tuition & Financial Aid
For students comparing psychology graduate programs, affordability can be an important part of program fit, especially when considered alongside curriculum depth, faculty access, and long-term career value.
Learn more about the cost of attendance.
FAQs
How long does it take to complete the psychology graduate program?
Most students complete the psychology graduate program in 2 to 5 years, depending on their pace and course load. Students can accelerate their progress through year-round study in fall, January, spring, and summer. While there is flexibility in how many courses students take each term, the degree must be completed within 5 years.
What can you do with a master’s degree in psychology?
A master’s degree in psychology can support careers in research, healthcare, education, human resources, counseling-adjacent roles, and other fields that benefit from understanding human behavior. It can also strengthen career paths outside traditional psychology fields, especially in roles that rely on communication, behavioral insight, and research-informed decision-making.
What is the difference between a master’s degree in psychology and clinical psychology?
A master’s degree in psychology is typically broader, while a clinical psychology degree is more specialized and focused on mental health assessment and treatment. Both fields explore human behavior, but a general psychology master’s degree is designed to provide a wider theoretical foundation across topics such as cognition, emotion, and research.
What skills do you need prior to applying for the psychology master’s degree program?
No specific professional or technical skills are required before applying to the psychology master’s degree program. However, skills such as communication, critical thinking, and active listening may help students succeed in coursework and discussion-based learning. Prospective students should still review the program’s admissions and degree requirements to understand academic expectations.
Does the psychology master's degree program lead to clinical licensure?
No, the psychology master’s degree program does not lead to clinical licensure. The program is designed as a theoretical study of human behavior and is not intended to meet clinical licensure requirements.
Who is this psychology master’s degree best suited for?
This program may be a strong fit for students interested in deepening their understanding of human behavior, advancing in psychology-adjacent professions, changing careers, or preparing for future doctoral study. It is especially relevant for learners seeking a broad, research-informed graduate education in psychology rather than a clinical training pathway.
