Degree Requirements (48 credits)
The graduate psychology program is a full-time course of study. Classes are scheduled on weekday afternoons. Students are expected to attend these classes regularly. Attendance is also required at colloquia, lab meetings, and other functions of the Department of Psychology. In addition, students are expected to have time available during weekdays to conduct scientific research.
Requirements for the Master of Science degree are divided into four major components: 1) core and content courses; 2) research, which includes independent research and attendance at departmental colloquia; 3) a comprehensive examination to be taken during the fourth semester; and 4) a Master’s Thesis.
Courses
I. Common core (8 credits)
All students are required to take Advanced Research Methods, Advanced Statistical Methods, and Advanced Statistical Methods II.
II. Content courses (24 credits)
Students elect to take an additional six content courses during the second, third, and fourth semesters of the curriculum. These courses include offerings in Biopsychology, Developmental Psychology, Health Psychology, Learning, Memory, Cognition, Perception, Neuropsychology, and Social Psychology.
III. Research component (16 credits)
The research component is comprised of two directed studies in which students work closely with their faculty mentor on their area of research interest and two master’s thesis courses.
Comprehensive Examination and Master’s Thesis
Completion of a comprehensive examination is required of second-year students and all students conduct an empirically based master’s thesis. All students work closely with their mentor and become immersed in a specialty area. The comprehensive exam and thesis facilitate the transition for those students interested in pursuing doctoral-level education.
Curriculum
I. Common Core: Two courses (8 credits)
PSY 4005 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics I (4 credits)
PSY 4035 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics II (4 credits)
II. Content Courses: Six courses (24 credits)
PSY 4105 Gerontology
PSY 4115 Learning and Behavior
PSY 4125 Advanced Physiological Psychology
PSY 4135 Advanced Sensory Processes
PSY 4155 Psychopharmacology
PSY 4165 Memory Organization and Retrieval
PSY 4225 Advanced Psychopathology
PSY 4215 Health Psychology
PSY 4235 Assessment and Evaluation
PSY 4245 Behavioral Medicine
PSY 4265 Developmental Psychology
PSY 4315 Personality and Motivation
PSY 4325 Social Cognition
PSY 4335 Advanced Groups Theory
PSY 4625 Principles of Neuropsychology
III. Research Component: Four courses (16 credits)
PSY 4415 Directed Studies I
PSY 4425 Directed Studies II
PSY 4515 Master’s Thesis I
PSY 4525 Master’s Thesis II
Two-Year Course Sequence
First Year—Fall Semester
PSY 4005 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics I
PSY 4xxxx Content Course 1
PSY 4415 Directed Studies I
First Year—Spring Semester
PSY 4035 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics II
PSY 4xxx Content Course 2
PSY 4425 Directed Studies II
Second Year—Fall Semester
PSY 4xxx Content Course 3
PSY 4xxx Content Course 4
PSY 4515 Master's Thesis I
Second Year—Spring Semester
PSY 4xxx Content Course 5
PSY 4xxx Content Course 6
PSY 4525 Master's Thesis II
