There are two options for direct admission to the Ph.D. program.

Option One:

For applicants who have already completed an advanced degree (M.A./M.S.) in psychology, statistics, or a related field.

Students with a Master’s degree in psychology, statistics, or a related field may apply directly to the Assessment and Measurement Ph.D. program.

More Information About Applying with an Advanced Degree

Option 2:

For highly qualified students who have completed a Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) in psychology, statistics, or a related field.

The M.A.-to-Ph.D. option for the Assessment and Measurement Program allows students with Bachelor’s degrees and a strong record of performance in statistics, research methods, or related coursework to apply for admission to our M.A. and Ph.D. programs at the same time. Students admitted under this option will first complete the requirements for the Quantitative Psychology concentration of the Psychological Sciences M.A. degree. After satisfactory completion* of the M.A. degree requirements, students receive the M.A. degree and progress directly into the Assessment and Measurement Ph.D. program. Under this option, students are automatically enrolled into the Ph.D. program after completing the M.A. degree. The  M.A.-to-Ph.D. option is thus a good choice for students with a bachelor’s degree whose ultimate goal is to pursue the Ph.D. degree in Assessment and Measurement.

More Information About Applying with a Bachelors's Degree

Please contact the program director, Dr. Brian Leventhal (leventbc@jmu.edu) if you are not sure which option is appropriate for you.

*To matriculate into the Ph.D. program, students must make satisfactory progress in the M.A. program, including:  

• grades of at least A- in PSYC 604, PSYC 605, PSYC 606, and PSYC 608;
•  approval of the thesis proposal before the beginning of the spring semester of the second year;
• successful completion of the master’s thesis by the end of the spring semester of the second year.*

*Extenuating circumstances will be considered.

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