Master of Science in Psychology (Disability Services) in Alabama

Graduate student sitting with laptop while participating in online class

Master of Science in Psychology (Disability Services) in Alabama

Individuals who want to earn a master’s degree in psychology can take advantage of a fully online program at Faulkner University. Based in Montgomery, Alabama, Faulkner University is proud to offer two Master of Science in Psychology options through the school’s Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Students can apply to a Disability Services Track or a General Track psychology program. The Disability Services Track prepares students to work with populations with disabilities and other special needs. Learn more about this online psychology degree, including curriculum, program length, and potential career paths after graduation.

Program Goals and Objectives

The Disability Services Track is designed to equip students for engaging careers in human services, social services, and related fields. Offered as an online degree, students who complete the program will earn a Master of Science (M.S.) in Psychology. Recognizing the need for disability services across every sector and type of organization, Faulkner University’s Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences has created a comprehensive curriculum that blends foundational psychology courses with specialized electives. Students will gain an understanding of the legal, organizational, and sociocultural aspects of disability rights, needs, and service provision.

MS in Psychology Curriculum

The Disability Services Track program consists of 36 credit hours of graduate-level coursework in psychology. Students can opt to complete the program in one or two years, depending on the course load they prefer. Those who want an accelerated degree can take two classes at once to finish in one year, while students who need to balance their studies with full- or part-time work may opt to take one class at a time. The curriculum includes:

Psychology Core Courses

The Psychology Core consists of four three-credit courses:

  • PSY 5345: Ethical and Professional Issues in Psychology
  • PSY 5350: Applied Research Methods and Analysis
  • PSY 6310: Principles of Psychopathology
  • PSY 6320: Principles of Psychometric Evaluation and Assessment

Foundational Core Courses

Students complete three foundational three-credit courses:

  • PSY 5310: Foundations of Psychological Science
  • PSY 5315: Spiritual Perspectives of Human Development and Behavior
  • PSY 5341: Cognitive, Affective, and Behavioral Psychology or PSY 5381 ABA: Philosophical Underpinnings of Behavior

Disability Applications Courses

Five courses are focused specifically on disability services:

  • PSY 6371: Neurodiversity and Concepts of Disabilities
  • PSY 6372: Assistive Technologies in Disability Services
  • PSY 6373: Legal and Sociocultural Aspects of Disability Services
  • PSY 6374: Disability Services Administration and Application
  • PSY 6377: Autism, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Course descriptions are listed in the Faulkner University Graduate Catalog.

Career Prospects after Graduation

Graduates of this program are equipped to work in a wide variety of disability services roles and related fields. Students may go on to work in direct support roles, including counseling and case management. Or they may serve in administrative or coordinator positions, ensuring the provision of appropriate support services for employees, patients, students, or constituents. Graduates can find employment opportunities in many different kinds of organizations that provide services for people with disabilities, including:

  • Public and private K-12 schools
  • Colleges and universities
  • Government agencies
  • Hospitals and healthcare systems
  • Community-based organizations
  • Social services agencies
  • Private corporation

Students in this program can look forward to a promising career outlook. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) anticipates over 280,000 annual job openings in community and social service occupations, on average, over the next decade.

Prerequisite Coursework

Applicants to this psychology degree program should have sufficient undergraduate-level coursework to prepare them for advanced study in psychology. This includes:

  • One course in General Psychology
  • One course in Human Development
  • One course in Research Methods
  • One course in Statistics

Those who have not taken these courses may qualify for conditional admission with an approved plan for completing prerequisites.

How to Apply

To be eligible for admission, students must:

  • Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
  • Submit a completed graduate application and provide supplemental materials, including:
  • Official transcripts from all institutions previously attended (Complete an Official Transcript Request form and send the form to any schools you have previously attended. Note that transcript requests may incur a fee)
  • Write a 500-600 word personal statement
  • Provide three letters of recommendation

Tuition for the Master in Psychology program is an all-inclusive rate that covers tuition rates, fees, textbooks, and other resources.

Tuition/Cost

The tuition for the Master in Psychology programs is “all-inclusive”, including all tuition, fees,
and textbooks/resources (electronic).
Students may purchase physical copies of textbooks at their option through the Faulkner
E-Campus bookstore.

All Inclusive Tuition (Tuition/Fees/Books):

  M.S. Psychology (General) M.S. Psychology (Disability Services) Certificate (Disability Services)
Per Hour $695 @ 36 hours $695 @ 36 hours $695 @ 15 hours
Fees Included Included Included
Textbooks Included Included Included
Total $25,020 $25,020 $10,425

Apply to Faulkner University Today

As a private, Christian liberal arts school, Faulkner University offers comprehensive graduate education through a faith-based lens. Students in the Master of Science in Psychology program benefit from flexible scheduling, engaging online coursework, and supportive faculty with diverse field experience. Plus, Faulkner University’s career services department connects both current students and alumni to networking and job search resources. If you’re ready to learn more about graduate education at Faulkner University, request information today or apply online.