Personalized attention. Professional growth. Community impact.

Learn to create positive change in organizations and your professional life by studying applied psychology.

Deepen your understanding of human performance, productivity, and well-being in the workplace or personal situations. Topics of study include psychological fundamentals of motivation, adult development, and social dynamics. Specific coursework incorporates issues related to cultural and social justice.

Our program also encourages your personal growth through opportunities to explore ethics, interpersonal interactions, and strategies for managing stressful situations.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Spring Semester: December 1
Fall Semester: July 1

Convenient / Flexible

This fully online program is set up with your hectic schedule in mind. Take one online class at a time and can begin the program in either the spring or fall semester.

Each class is held just one night per week for approximately two hours and starts at 4 p.m. or later, which allows students to continue working while going to school. Most students finish their degree in two years.

Relevant to All Careers

Professional success is often less about technical skills and more about skills involving people, such as communication, group collaboration, and leadership. A master’s degree in psychology will improve your skills in the areas most valued by potential employers.

Faculty with various expertise will meet weekly with you to discuss how to apply coursework to your field and facilitate networking with other students. You will also get to create a capstone project tailored to your current occupational goals.

Quick Highlights

  • Fully online classes (synchronous)
  • 30 credits / 2-year completion
  • One live 7-week class at a time
Loras College online opportunities

Admission Criteria & Eligibility

A holistic admission decision will be based on multiple factors, including your motivation for pursuing this degree, work history, volunteer activities, and other involvement.

  • A minimum cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 (or 2.9 in the last 60 credits) 
  • Completion of at least 9 credits in the social/behavioral sciences. 

Application Checklist

Requirements, Outcomes & Schedule

Book a Chat

Schedule a personalized visit or a video chat to learn more about the curriculum, internships, outcomes, enrollment process, and more.

Get in Touch

Megan Henderson 

Graduate Admission

Financial Aid

Advanced degrees are worth the investment. We have options to help you make your educational goal a reality, and financial aid helps open doors for your future.

Tuition & Fees

Understand the costs before applying. Review tuition, fees, and living expenses to create a realistic budget. Financial planning is key for advanced degree success.

Straight Talk from a Duhawk

This program is really a course in developing your own leadership style, learning about the philosophies and models of leadership, and practicing leading through the projects assigned. The course work is immediately applicable to improving your everyday walk and growth in a leadership path.

— Lisa A. Delamar

Applied Psychology FAQ

Does this program require an undergraduate degree in psychology? What are preferred undergraduate majors for admission into the program?

This program does not require an undergraduate degree in psychology. Applicants must have completed at least 9 credits of coursework in the social/behavioral sciences. The applicability of this master’s degree is designed to support personal and professional development across a diverse array of majors and professions.

How long will it take to receive a decision regarding my application? How will I be notified?

Following our receipt of all your application materials, your file will be reviewed by the program director. You will be notified of an admission decision in your online Applicant Status Portal typically within one week.

Does this program accept transfer credits?

Students can transfer a maximum of 9 graduate credits into the program from a previous institution. The courses must be similar in content to coursework offered at Loras and approved by the program director.

Is there a preferred entry point into the master of arts in applied psychology program?

There is no preferred entry point into the applied psychology program; students may be admitted into either the spring or fall terms. Students must begin with the first seven-week course of any given semester; they cannot enter the program beginning with the second 7-week course of a semester.

How long does it take to complete the program?

Students typically take two classes per semester and complete the degree in two years. You many choose to take classes at a difference pace with up to seven years to complete the program.

Where are classes held?

All classes are held online through Zoom in conjunction with the online learning management system, eLearn.

Will there be an orientation prior to the first class?

Yes, students are offered an option to attend an in-person or complete an online Graduate Student Orientation prior to beginning coursework so they can become familiar with the faculty, campus services, and their peers.

Graduate Programs FAQ

What if I’m still finishing up my bachelor’s degree?

Applicants who are undergraduate students in the process of completing a bachelor’s degree may be awarded a provisional acceptance to Loras’ graduate programs based on receipt of your in-progress, unofficial transcript and all other application materials.

Full acceptance is contingent upon receipt of the final, official transcript(s) and the conferred undergraduate degree.

If a program has a minimum GPA requirement, you must meet the minimum GPA at the time the undergraduate degree is conferred for full acceptance.

Is there on-campus housing for graduate students?

Loras-owned housing is available for graduate and postbaccalaureate students in Smyth Hall. Smyth is an alternative residence hall located in the center of campus. Smyth is comprised of single and triple rooms, and is also home to the religious studies and theology faculty. Amenities include:

  • Free laundry facilities (washers and dryers)
  • Free wifi
  • Kitchen (stocked with pots, pans, baking sheets, etc.) on B level

Room Information

  • Rooms contain a bed/dresser/desk unit, desk chair, and wastebasket
  • Beds are XL Twin sized, so students are encouraged to bring extra-long sheets
  • Students may bring a mini-fridge under five cubic feet
  • Heat is included, but A/C is not, so students are welcome to bring their own window air conditioning unit (must be 5000 BTU or less) or else a portable A/C unit.
  • Basic cable is not provided, but students are welcome to bring a streaming device of their choice to use in Smyth.

View current housing costs.

Can I take some courses as a non-degree student?

Individuals who would like to take some graduate courses for professional development, continuing education credits, or just personal enrichment may take up to 9 graduate credits as a non-degree “Special” student.

Special Student Application

Special students may not enroll in practicum, clinical, or internship courses without approval from the program director.

In order to enroll in the course(s):

  1. Complete the free Loras College Special Course Application. Select “Graduate Course” as the Course Registration Type. You will need to upload copies of your unofficial transcript(s) from each college/university attended before submitting the application.
  2. The transcripts will be evaluated by the Program Director to ensure that any necessary pre-requisite course requirements have been met.
  3. After review of the transcript(s), the Registrar’s Office will be in touch with information about your next steps.
    • Please note that enrolled degree-seeking students have registration preference if a course is full.
    • After the completion of 9 non-degree credits, a student must then apply for formal admission into the graduate program in order to move forward and take additional courses.
    • Graduate courses completed by a Special student with a grade of B or better may be applied to a future graduate degree at Loras College with the approval of both the program director and the academic dean.
    • Financial aid is not available to non-degree Special students.
    • Students interested in any of Loras’ Professional Development programs should refer to the individual program webpage for application and enrollment instructions.

Is there an option for conditional admission?

A program director may require specific conditions be completed to meet the program requirements prior to full admission into a graduate program.

You may be awarded a conditional admission if the program director recommends the you complete additional undergraduate coursework to achieve a minimum GPA requirement of the program.

If you have not met all program requirements at the time of application, a student may be awarded a conditional admission per the discretion of the program director. Refer to the individual program policies and program directors for specific conditional admission policies.

What is a maximum course load per semester?

You are considered a full-time graduate student when enrolled in 6 credits per term. Please note,  you only need to take at least 3 credits per term to be eligible for federal financial aid.

May I play a sport while in graduate school?

Graduate students must be enrolled in a degree-seeking master’s program to be eligible to participate in NCAA athletics at Loras.

Student athletes enrolled in one of our degree-seeking master’s programs need to have full-time status (taking at least 6 credits per term) during the semester(s) you’re practicing or competing in the sport. You also need to be making satisfactory progress towards your degree.

If you wants to participate in athletics while being enrolled less than full-time, you will need to work with your coaches to determine if you are eligible for a waiver.

Please note that while 6 credits per term is considered full-time for graduate students at Loras, you only need to take at least 3 credits per term in order to be eligible for federal financial aid.

Learn More

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Meet Your Professors

Lindsey Bartgis  PhD

Assistant Professor of Psychology

Lisa Grinde  PhD

Associate Professor of Psychology

Loras College Crest

Julia Omarzu  PhD

Professor of Psychology