Psychological Science: Concentration in Mind, Brain, and Behavior, M.A.

In addition to the general requirements for admission, applicants should submit:

A bachelor's degree, not necessarily in psychology, is required.

Department prerequisite form 

Indicate what Psychology coursework you've already completed. Different concentrations have different specific prerequisites. Applicants to the Master of Arts in Psychological Science: Concentration in Mind, Brain, and Behavior must have:

• An upper division undergraduate course in statistics (e.g., PSY 571)
• A course in experimental psychology or research methods

Print the form, sign it and scan it to upload to Cal State Apply. Please make sure that all PDFs are filled and saved on Cal State Apply before submitting your application.

Applicants will also have to submit letters of recommendation, their CV/resume and a personal statement.

Personal statement:
Please answer the questions for the graduate program in which you’re applying to, in an essay format. This essay portion of the departmental application should be typed, 12-point font, and double spaced. Also, please

include your last, first name and last four digits of your SS # on the top right-hand corner.

In one essay (6-page limit) please describe the following:  

1. What are your professional goals and how would completion of the graduate Psychology program at SFSU facilitate achieving them?  
2. Describe the area(s) of psychology (Psychophysiological, Cognitive, Neuroscience, etc.) which you are most interested in and, briefly, how these interests developed?  
3. What research, publication, work, volunteer, or other experiences have you had which are related to your current interests in psychology?  
4. What would you say is the “mainspring” of your motivation as it applies to your academic and career goals?  
5. Our faculty is comprised of active researchers. Indicate which of the Mind, Brain, & Behavior (or departmental) faculty you hope to work with and explain why.

Letters of recommendation
All applicants must request at least three letters of recommendation from people acquainted with your academic qualifications or related experience (i.e. research, practicum, or work). Letters from professors in courses or fields that are closely related to the concentration to which you are applying are the most useful, as well as from employers who are relevant to your chosen field of study.

In the Evaluations section of the Cal State Apply Application, you will have the opportunity to enter the names and email addresses of your three references, along with the due date for the letter of recommendation and a short personal message to the evaluator. You will also need to check the box saying that you waive your right to see your letters of recommendation. Each reference will receive an email allowing them to submit their letter directly via the application platform.

GPA
If you do not meet the university’s general GPA requirement, you must contact the program coordinator prior to applying.

GRE scores:
Mind, Brain and Behavior has waived the GRE requirement for those applying to join the Fall 2027 cohort.

You may include your GRE scores in your application if you would like; however, this is not required. Request to have your official GRE scores sent directly to the University (California State University – San Francisco school code: 4684). An electronic copy of your score report should be uploaded to your Psychology Department Program Materials portion of the Cal State Apply application. There is a place in the Cal State Apply application that allows you to input your GRE scores, but you also need to upload your GRE Unofficial Score Report as well. You are allowed to submit your application before taking the GRE but make sure to send your GRE scores to the department at (lriley1@sfsu.edu) or to psych@sfsu.edu before the February 1 deadline.

Fall: February 1
No Spring Admissions

Ready to apply? Visit the Graduate Students page to get started.