Master's in Psychology

M.A. in Psychology

National Louis University’s Master of Arts in Psychology is designed for those passionate about the study of human behavior and the many diverse career options available in helping, business, and teaching professions.

The Master of Arts in Psychology, one of today’s most respected graduate degrees, is also designed for students intent on furthering their careers or continuing to the doctoral level.

Consider getting your Master's in Psychology at NLU if you:

  • Wish to expand your knowledge of human behavior and the fields of psychology
  • Are interested in launching or advancing your career in psychology
  • Want to bring the skills and insight learned in a psychology program to another field of work and further your career
  • Would like to teach at a community college or at an undergraduate university
  • Are thinking about getting your doctorate degree

Psychology Certificates

Students who are interested in enhancing their master’s degree, are looking for professional skills, or are interested in furthering their education beyond a bachelor’s degree may be interested in a psychology graduate certificate. Students can choose from one of the following certificates:

Why NLU for a Master's in Psychology

NLU's Master of Arts in Psychology is a comprehensive program designed specifically for the needs of adult students with features that set it apart:

  • Personal touch – A face-to-face program delivered by caring, dedicated and experienced instructors.
  • Professionally focused – Career planning interwoven throughout the program, connecting each student with his or her potential career path.
  • Renowned faculty – Full-time and part-time credentialed instructors with years of applied experience in the field.
  • Learning community – Small class size and a cohort model means students progress through the program with the same group of peers.
  • Flexible schedule – Evening and online blended coursework designed for busy adults.
  • Accelerated format – An 18-month curriculum enables students to graduate quickly.
  • Connections after graduation – Students will become members of a professional community of psychology graduates with enhanced opportunities for ongoing career development.

What You Will Learn

  • The theoretical foundations of psychology
  • Core concepts of human development, social, abnormal, organizational and health psychology as well as psychological assessment
  • Ethical and legal challenges in psychology
  • Psychological research and its applications
  • Fluency in American Psychological Association (APA) writing style
  • Career options available for graduates

Students will also write a thesis or take a comprehensive examination seminar to cap off  their NLU Master's in Psychology program.

Career Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for professionals with a background in psychology is expected to grow 22 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. Employment growth will vary by specialty, but more professionals will be needed to help people deal with issues such as depression and other mental disorders, marriage and family problems, job stress and addiction. Master's in Psychology degree holders will also be needed to provide services to an aging population, veterans suffering from war trauma, other trauma survivors and individuals with autism.

Admission Requirements

All applicants must meet NLU's graduate admission requirements. Refer to the appropriate application checklist available online at www.nl.edu/applyonline.

Locations

  • CHICAGO DOWNTOWN CAMPUS

    NLU’s Chicago campus on South Michigan Avenue occupies five floors of the historic Peoples Gas Building. This landmark building, across the street from the Art Institute of Chicago and Grant Park, is easily accessible by train, bus and car and is surrounded by restaurants, parking lots/garages and shops.

    122 S. Michigan Avenue
    Chicago, IL 60603
    800.443.5522

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  • ELGIN

    Conveniently located in a fast-growing business district off I-90 and Route 31, NLU Elgin features 10 classrooms with high-tech media equipment; a computer lab with high-speed Internet access; two conference rooms; and comfortable student lounges. Parking is free at this recently remodeled and upgraded teaching site, which now includes wireless Internet access.

    620 Tollgate Road
    Elgin, IL 60123
    800.443.5522

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  • NORTH SHORE

    Opened in the summer of 2006, NLU North Shore at Skokie is a state-of-the-art modern campus located just off the Edens Expressway near the Old Orchard Shopping Center. The campus includes 44 wireless classrooms equipped with high-tech media equipment; four computer labs with high-speed Internet access, including a walk-in lab in the library; six conference rooms; a public café for beverages and snacks; a student welcome center; a library for research and study; and multiple, comfortable student lounge areas.

    5202 Old Orchard Road
    Skokie, IL 60077
    800.443.5522

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  • LISLE

    Located just minutes from the East-West Tollway (I-88), NLU Lisle features 42 wireless classrooms equipped with high-tech media equipment; four computer labs with high-speed Internet access, including a separate walk-in lab in the library; a café for beverages and snacks; a student welcome center; a library for research and study; conference rooms; and six comfortable student lounge areas with wireless access.

    850 Warrenville Road
    Lisle, IL 60532
    800.443.5522

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  • WHEELING

    Located in one of Chicago's major northwest suburbs, the newly renovated NLU Wheeling includes 20 classrooms with high-tech media equipment, four conference rooms, four computer labs with high-speed Internet access, large student lounge areas with wireless capabilities and interactive video capabilities, and an extensive research library. The site also houses the university library research collection.

    1000 Capitol Drive
    Wheeling, IL 60090
    800.443.5522

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  • FLORIDA (TAMPA)

    Established in 1988 and located in one of the city's major business districts, NLU's Tampa campus serves students in 13 counties in central Florida. In addition to six classrooms, the campus features a conference room, a computer lab with high-speed Internet access, an extensive research library and comfortable student lounges.

    4950 West Kennedy Blvd. #300
    Tampa, FL 33609
    800.366.6581 | www.nl.edu/florida

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  • WISCONSIN

    NLU's Milwaukee campus has a proud history of serving graduate students in education in southeastern Wisconsin. Nearly one in five certified Wisconsin teachers looks to NLU for graduate education programs – more than any other university in the state. In addition to classrooms with high-tech media equipment, the campus offers a state-of-the-art computer lab with wireless Internet access and an extensive IDS research library.

    12000 West Park Place, Suite 100
    Milwaukee, WI 53224-3007
    414.577.2658

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