MA/PhD Requirements

While you don't have to complete a Specialization to earn a degree, the Specialization will appear on your transcript if you fulfill the requirements. Master’s degree students must complete 9 units of Specialization courses plus a thesis or project related to the Specialization; doctoral students must complete 15 units plus a dissertation related to the Specialization.

The charts below will show you the basic academic requirements for a Specialization in Transformative Social Change for the M.A. as well as the Ph.D. degree. Also talk with the Specialization director, Dr. Joel Federman, for specific information about course requirements.

M.A. in Psychology; Transformative Social Change Specialization

Research Course Sequence:	Credits
RES 1026: Information Competency and Library Use	2
RES 1025: Understanding Research	3
Other Required Courses:
PII 1500A: Foundations & Critique of Contemporary Psychology - Part I	3
TSC 6400: Ethics for Transformative Social Change: Thinking Like a Global Citizen	3
TSC 6610: Social System Transformation Theory	3
TSC : Overview of Transformative Social Change Interventions	3
TSC Specialization Electives (see 2013-2014 School of PII catalog for list of courses)	3
Other Electives *	9
PSY/RES 9200: Master’s Project (must complete in 1 semester) Or RES 9400: Master’s Thesis (must complete in 2 semesters)	3 6
Total	32+

* May include up to 6 transfer credits (of which 3 may be from cognate fields), completed during a graduate degree program from an accredited university within the last 7 years; non-degree Saybrook certificate credits; or non-degree credits taken at Saybrook University. Transfer credits will be determined by the Office of the Registrar in consultation with the School of PII Psychology degree program director. As you plan your electives, please consult with the Specialization director, who can help you make appropriate course choices.

Ph.D. in Psychology; Transformative Social Change Specialization *

Research Course Sequence (taken in order):	Credits
RES 1006: Information Competency and Library Use	2
RES 1005: Methods of Research & Disciplined Inquiry - Part I	3
RES 1015: Methods of Research & Disciplined Inquiry - Part II	3
Advanced-Level Research Course (See 2013-2014 PII catalog for list of approved courses)	3
RES 1100A/1100B: Research Practicum **	3+
Other Required Courses:
PII 1500A: Foundations & Critique of Contemporary Psychology -- Part I	3
PII 1500B: Foundations & Critique of Contemporary Psychology -- Part II	3
TSC 6400: Ethics for Transformative Social Change: Thinking Like a Global Citizen	3
TSC 6610: Social System Transformation Theory	3
TSC : Overview of Transformative Social Change Interventions	3
Specialization Electives (see 2013-2014 School of PII catalog for list of courses) ***	9
Other Electives ****	24+
RES 9010, 9020, 9030 Qualifying Essays	9
RES 9500 Dissertation	12
Total	65+

* Some courses may be waived if completed during the M.A. program at Saybrook University within the past 7 years. If waived, credits must be substituted with Electives.

** Registration in RES 1100B is required if practicum research not completed in one semester while enrolled in RES 1100A.

*** If the student completed 15 credits of TSC courses as part of a masters degree at Saybrook University, 6 additional credits need to be completed at the doctoral level to fulfill the requirements for the TSC Specialization.

**** May include up to 18 transfer credits (of which 9 may be from cognate fields), completed during a graduate degree program from an accredited university within the last 7 years; non-degree Saybrook certificate credits; or non-degree credits taken at Saybrook University. Transfer credits will be determined by the Office of the Registrar in consultation with School of PII Psychology degree program director. As you plan your electives, please consult with the Specialization director, who can help you make appropriate course choices.