M.S. Applied Psychology

Use psychology to help businesses and other organizations maximize their potential with data-driven, evidence-based solutions.
Degree Type Master of Science
Careers & Salaries Graduate Degree Outcomes
Delivery On Campus


Accepting applications for Spring 2024 and Fall 2024. Apply now!
 

UW-Stout's Master's of Science in Applied Psychology (MSAP) will give you the applied research and data analysis skills to prepare you for a wide-range of careers in business, education, evaluation, non-profits, healthcare, and other fields. Using theories and methods from psychology, you will help organizations make data-driven decisions and move towards evidence-based practice.

Video Icon

Video: Explore the M.S. Applied Psychology Program

Discover insights into the program directly from the Program Director.
View the Video

 Graduate Success Snapshot

  • 100%: Graduates employed or continuing their education within six months
  • $66,000: Median starting salary for first MSAP-related job 
  • 3.3 Months: Average time spent searching for first MSAP-related job

Two Concentrations

  • Industrial/Organizational Psychology: Examine the behavior of people at work in group settings in the areas of employee motivation, personnel research, recruitment and selection, and job design methodology.
  • Evaluation: Through a two-course, year-long sequence students will conduct an evaluation for a real-world client. This advanced training in program evaluation will include methodology, planning & management, responding to the needs of organizational partners, assessing the effectiveness of programs/policies, and measuring the integrity of program implementation.

Program Highlights

  • Applied experience throughout the program
  • Professional, experienced faculty
  • Projects with on-campus and external clients
  • Cohort model with small class sizes
  • No summer or winter courses
  • Low-cost, all-inclusive tuition rate (no added fees)
  • Graduate Assistant position opportunities
  • On-campus research centers (Catalyst, Discovery Center)
  • High employment rate in a wide variety of careers

The MSAP program is a full-time, in-person program in which students can graduate in two years (four fall and spring semesters). The MSAP program grants STEM OPT extensions to eligible F-1 students.

icon

Program Overview

View program plan, credit requirements and course descriptions.
Applied Psychology

Employer Testimonial

“The MSAP program does a wonderful job in preparing students for careers in which experience in research, methodology, project management and critical thinking are essential.”

- John Barlow
President, Barlow Research Assoc

Admission Requirements

General UW-Stout Graduate School Application

All prospective graduate students at UW-Stout must follow a standard application process through our Graduate School. Beyond that, each graduate program has specific requirements that must be met to be successfully admitted to the program:

Program-Specific Admission Requirements

Eligibility

Applicants must have an overall grade point average of 3.0 but may be admitted on probationary status if their overall grade point average is less than 3.0. These exceptions are individually negotiated with the recommendation of the program admission committee and approval of the Graduate School. 

The majority of applicants will have an undergraduate degree in Psychology; however, we are interested in students from other fields including but not limited to sociology, social work, and business. Students are recommended to have taken at least fifteen credits of psychology-related courses, especially statistics and research methods courses, but this is not a requirement.

Optional Program Application

As part of the Graduate School application, you are required to submit a statement of interest describing your educational and professional background, your career goals, and your interest in the MSAP program. You are also required to submit a resume.

Other aspects of your program application you can optionally submit are letters of recommendation, a writing sample, or GRE scores, but these are not required.

Optional materials:

  1. Letters of Recommendation (up to 3):
  2. Writing Sample (1):
    • Research paper or professional document
  3. GRE Scores
    • Will only be reviewed if GPA does not meet minimum GPA of 3.0

Please email application materials directly to the program director. If materials must be mailed (not preferred), send to:

Program Director, M.S. in Applied Psychology
Psychology Department
University of Wisconsin-Stout
Menomonie, WI 54751

 

Career Opportunities

A Promising Job Outlook

According to U.S. Department of Labor data, the job outlook for many fields relevant to the MSAP is bright. There is a growing demand for data-driven decision-making in the private sector, as well as in many settings within education and government fields. Numerous occupations, such as market researchers and organizational development specialists, are expected to grow at a rate much faster than the national average for other industries.

Graduate Career Details

Position Examples Select Employers
  • Research Specialist
  • Data Analyst
  • Evaluation Associate
  • Human Resource Coordinator
  • Business Intelligence Analyst
  • Policy Analyst
  • Institutional Planner
  • Organizational Development Specialist
  • Project Manager
  • Barlow Research Associates, Inc.
  • Boston Scientific
  • Cigna
  • Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
  • Delta Dental
  • Inver Hills Community College
  • Manpower Group
  • Mayo Clinic
  • Target Corporation
  • University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
  • United Healthcare
  • UW Madison Institute for Clinical and Translational Research
MSAP Advisory Board

2022-23 Advisory Board

Maureen Cochran MS, MSAP Alumna, Senior Director for Strategic Initiatives & Assessment Division of Student Affairs, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Brenda  Krueger MS, MSAP Alumna, Interim Graduate School Director University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, WI
Abby  Laib MS, MSAP Alumni, Evaluator Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, Denver, CO
Jim  Lenio MS, MSAP Alumni, Executive Director Office of Institutional Research, Walden University, Minneapolis, MN
Joel  Mueller MS, MSAP Alumni, Research Analyst Barlow Research, Minneapolis, MN
Jason  Nicholas M.S., MSAP Alumni, Director of Institutional Research Northern Michigan University
Andrea  Rice MS, MSAP Alumna, Marking Program Manager Snapchat, Los Angeles, CA
Deanna  Schultz Ph.D. CAHS/School of Education
Tiffany  Smith Ph.D. UNC-Greensboro
Angela  Webb MS, MSAP, Alumna, Market Research Analyst Ingersoll Rand/Trane, Minneapolis, MN
Meridith  Wentz Ph. D.; MSAP Alumna; Assistant Chancellor PARQ Director
Vincent Schiavone Ph.D., Senior Manager of Learning and Evaluation Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics

Applied Psychology


Applied Psychology

All Applied Psychology News
First-generation McNair Scholars present research at national conference Featured Image

First-generation McNair Scholars present research at national conference

U.S. Department of Education grant, totaling $1.31 million, allows students more opportunities
Alumni Admissions counselors bring compassion, perspective to their careers Featured Image

Alumni Admissions counselors bring compassion, perspective to their careers

First-generation graduates share tips, advice with first-year students
Sixteen students awarded Potential for Excellence Scholarships Featured Image

Sixteen students awarded Potential for Excellence Scholarships

Sixteen University of Wisconsin-Stout students were awarded College of Educational, Hospitality, Health and Human Sciences Potential for Excellence Scholarships

Request Information