<p>First, for ivictor’s question, don’t worry too much about the rankings. If you do your Masters in a top 20 school, and you like it enough to see no reason to move, then you might as well stay there for a Ph.D. By the time you get into the top 50, rankings don’t mean much more than name-branding.</p>
<p>Now for DHS’s question. Apply for the Ph.D. program. Although I cannot speak for Psychology, Mechanical Engineering Ph.D. candidates apply as Ph.D. students, and they pick up a Masters degree along the way.</p>