MA in Psychology

Program Overview

Discover what makes this specialization unique and future ready.

The Master of Arts in Psychology (MAPC) is a postgraduate programme offered by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) through its School of Social Sciences (SOSS). The programme is designed to develop students' understanding of human behaviour, mental processes, personality, psychological development and mental health. The IGNOU MA Psychology curriculum covers several important areas, including cognitive psychology, learning and memory, life span psychology, advanced social psychology, research methods, personality assessment, psychopathology and psychodiagnostics. It also includes practical components that help students understand how psychological theories and assessment techniques are applied in real-world situations. The programme is particularly relevant for graduates who want to explore psychology-related careers while benefiting from the flexibility of distance education. Its ODL format can also be suitable for working professionals who want to pursue postgraduate studies alongside their existing responsibilities. The standard programme duration is two years, with an extended completion period subject to IGNOU's applicable academic rules. Students with a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university can apply, subject to the current admission requirements. IGNOU is a recognised central open university, and its degrees are recognised in accordance with applicable UGC regulations. However, students should understand that an MA in Psychology alone does not automatically qualify them for every regulated clinical or psychiatric profession. If you are considering postgraduate education in psychology, UpSchol can help you understand the programme, compare university options and make an informed admission decision.