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.
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.
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
General UW-System Application
All prospective graduate students at UW-Stout must follow a standard application process through our Graduate Studies. Beyond that, each graduate program has specific requirements that must be met to be successfully admitted to the program:
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.
Program-Specific Application Requirements
To successfully apply for the program, first complete the UW System Application and receive your Application ID. Then, use this ID to fill out the UW-Stout Graduate Studies Collection Form, where you will provide the following:
Required Materials:
- Statement of Interest. Detail your educational and professional background, outline your career goals, and express your interest in the MSAP program.
- Resume.
*The Collection Form Site requires an Application ID provided upon completion of the UW-System Application
Optional Materials:
- Letters of Recommendation (up to 3):
- Candidate Recommendation Form [PDF] OR a letter of recommendation
- Writing Sample (1):
- Research paper or professional document
- GRE Scores
- Will only be reviewed if GPA does not meet minimum GPA of 3.0
Please submit optional materials, if applicable, by email to gradschool@uwstout.edu.
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
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 |
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Advisory Committee Members
| 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 |
