MA Psychology Syllabus & Subjects 2024

MA Psychology or Master of Arts in Psychology is a dynamic and in-depth two-year postgraduate program that delves into the conscious and unconscious aspects of human behavior, thoughts, and emotions. The course is structured to provide students with a strong foundation in psychological principles, while also encouraging critical thinking and research-oriented learning. Core subjects include Cognitive Psychology, Psychopathology, LifeSpan Development, Physiological Psychology, and Research Methodology, along with various practical and elective options to suit diverse interests and career goals.

In 2025, the MA Psychology syllabus is carefully designed to offer both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience through lab work, case studies, internships, and research projects. You will be introduced to essential domains such as Clinical Psychology, Organisational Behavior, Health Psychology, and Counselling, while electives like Parapsychology, Indian Psychology, and Psychology of Gender allow for deeper exploration of niche areas. The curriculum also places emphasis on psychological assessment, intervention techniques, and the development of soft skills necessary for effective therapeutic practice.

This advanced course opens up a wide range of career opportunities in healthcare, education, corporate sectors, and research. Graduates often pursue roles such as Clinical Psychologist, Counsellor, Neuropsychologist, or Academic Researcher. With options for both regular and distance learning formats, and the support of esteemed institutions like IGNOU, Delhi University, and Jamia Millia Islamia, the MA Psychology program in India provides a comprehensive, flexible, and professionally enriching pathway for aspiring psychologists.

Here are some of the important MA psychology course details:

Also Read: Top MA Psychology Colleges in Uttarakhand 2025

The MA Psychology syllabus is structured across two years, divided into four semesters. It includes core and elective subjects that focus on understanding human behavior, mental processes, and therapeutic techniques. The curriculum integrates theoretical knowledge with practical lab work, psychological assessments, internships, and research projects to build critical skills in areas like Clinical, Social, and Organisational Psychology.

First Year Syllabus for MA Psychology 

Tabulated below is a list of subjects that you will be studying in the first two semesters of your course program:

Second Year Syllabus for MA Psychology 

Tabulated below is a list of subjects that you will be studying in the last two semesters of your course.

The core subjects of MA Psychology 2025 are designed to provide students with a strong foundation in psychological theories, research methods, and practical applications. These subjects are essential for developing the knowledge and skills required for various career paths in psychology such as clinical practice, counseling, research, and organisational behavior. Below is a detailed table of the core subjects included in the MA Psychology syllabus.

Regardless of their choice of optional MA psychology course subjects, all MA Psychology students must take the following core MA Psychology subjects:

• Principles of Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Psychology of LifeSpan Development
• Psychopathology
• Physiological Psychology
• Psychological Testing
• Research Methodology
• Personality
• Social Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Organizational Behavior
• Counselling Psychology
• Health Psychology

Also Read: Top MA Psychology Colleges in Maharashtra

The MA Psychology course syllabus differs from one college to the next. If you are interested in learning more about human psychology as well as behaviour. You can enroll in an MA Psychology course at any of India's prestigious academic institutions. Here are some of the optional  MA Psychology Course subjects listed below:

• Educational Psychology
• Rehabilitation Psychology
• Indian Psychology
• Parapsychology

The MA Psychology Lab Subjects are designed to give you hands-on experience in psychological assessments, research methodologies, and real-world applications of theoretical concepts. These practical components play a crucial role in developing essential skills such as observation, analysis, testing, and report writing, which are vital for a successful career in clinical, counseling, and research psychology.

Through lab-based training in MA Psychology, you can engage with tools and techniques used in cognitive, behavioral, and personality testing. Practicals also include working on case studies, group projects, and experiments that simulate real-life psychological scenarios. These subjects ensure that postgraduates are not only well-versed in theory but also capable of applying their knowledge in professional psychological practice.

• Psychological Testing Practicals
• Cognitive Psychology Practicals
• Case Study Analysis
• Project Work
• Experimental Psychology
• Research Methodology Practicals
• Psychodiagnostics Practicals

There are some institutions in India that also offer distance learning for the MA in Psychology. In such circumstances, the course completion period increases to 5 years from the original 2 years. Universities that provide this course through distance learning include some of the following: Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, Andhra University, School of Distance Education, Visakhapatnam, Institute of Open and Distance Education, Barkatullah Vishwavidyalaya, Bhopal, Karnataka State Open University.

Also Read: Top 10 Distance Education Universities in India

The distance MA psychology course subjects curriculum is designed to give students in-depth knowledge of human psychology so they can recognise emotional, psychological, and behavioural problems and effectively address them. The MA psychology course subjects mainly include crisis management, groupthink, motivation, and the nature of the mind, as well as conflict resolution, mental processes, reactions, and feelings. 

The MA psychology course syllabus is provided below semester-wise for the student's convenience.

The MA Psychology Entrance Exam Syllabus is structured to assess a candidate’s foundational understanding of psychology and general knowledge. Most universities in India conduct entrance exams that test core psychological concepts, research methods, and statistics, along with a basic aptitude in reasoning and current affairs. The syllabus aligns with undergraduate-level psychology to ensure fairness for all aspirants.

Entrance exams typically feature multiple-choice questions covering areas like cognitive psychology, lifespan development, abnormal psychology, intelligence, and motivation. The exam format usually includes 75% questions from psychology and 25% from general knowledge, ensuring a holistic evaluation of both academic and analytical skills.

CUET PG Exam: The CUET PG exam syllabus for MA Psychology includes topics like General Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Social Psychology, Research Methods, Statistics, Human Development, Clinical Psychology, Personality Theories, and English comprehension. Logical reasoning and data interpretation are also covered to test analytical and verbal skills.

DUET (Delhi University Entrance Test): DUET syllabus for MA Psychology includes General Psychology, Biopsychology, Social Psychology, Research Methods, Statistics, Developmental Psychology, Psychopathology, Learning and Memory, Intelligence, Personality, and Counseling. It also features logical reasoning, reading comprehension, and general awareness to assess holistic aptitude.

TISSNET (Tata Institute of Social Sciences National Entrance Test): TISSNET syllabus includes General Awareness (social, economic, political issues), English Proficiency (comprehension, grammar, vocabulary), and Maths & Logical Reasoning. For Psychology aspirants, focus on social issues, basic psychology concepts, and human behavior to align with TISS’s social sciences orientation.

BHU PET (Banaras Hindu University Postgraduate Entrance Test): BHU PET syllabus for MA Psychology includes topics like General Psychology, Research Methods, Statistics, Social Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, and Developmental Psychology. The syllabus also covers Mental Health, Personality Theories, and Experimental Psychology based on undergraduate-level psychology courses.

When pursuing a MA Psychology course, it is a good practice to invest in reference books. These books can help you to learn about the specialisation and MA Psychology Subjects/topics in greater depth. You can purchase these books or download the MA Psychology books PDF online.

Listed below are some of the popular books on the MA Psychology subjects

MA Psychology course structure is created to guarantee that students have access to all the crucial and pertinent knowledge they require to succeed as psychologists. Since the course is part of a master's program, it is crucial for you to gain a thorough understanding of the subject.

When pursuing a MA Psychology course, it is a good practice to invest in reference books. These books can help you to learn about the specialisation and MA Psychology Subjects/topics in greater depth. You can purchase these books or download the MA Psychology books PDF online. 

• 4 Semesters (2 Years Duration)
• Core Subjects (Compulsory)
• Elective Subjects (Specialisation-Based)
• Laboratory Practicals
• Internship/Fieldwork
• Seminars & Guest Lectures
• Open Electives/Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Research Projects & Dissertation
• Case Study Analysis
• Viva Voce (Oral Examinations)

If you are pursuing an MA in Psychology, you are expected to complete a research project in their final semester. This project will allow you to delve deeply into a MA Psychology subject. Because the MA in Psychology course is a master's program, graduates have the opportunity to study the course material in great detail and depth. The research project also assists teachers and professors in assessing students' knowledge of specific subjects and specialisations. Some of the most popular MA Psychology project topics are listed below:

• Theories and Systems
• Psychology of the Mind
• Psychology of Social Interaction
• Mental Skills
• Occupational Psychology
• Guidance Principles and Applications
• Human Advancement
• Psychometrics
• Personality

Students pursuing an MA in Psychology are expected to complete a research project in their final semester. This project allows students to delve deeply into a MA Psychology subject. Because the MA in Psychology course is a master's programme, graduates have the opportunity to study the course material in great detail and depth. The research project also assists teachers and professors in assessing students' knowledge of specific subjects and specialisations. Some of the most popular MA Psychology project topics are listed below:

• Theories and Systems
• Psychology of the Mind
• Psychology of Social Interaction
• Mental Skills
• Occupational Psychology
• Guidance Principles and Applications
• Human Advancement
• Psychometrics
• Personality