graduate program

The Master of Science in Psychology

Professors Hess, Katz, LoBello, Ray, and Sadowski (Emeritus)

Associate Professors Mehta, Tidwell, and Zachar (Chair)

The goal of the Master of Science in Psychology program is to provide advanced preparation to individuals for careers in psychology and related fields. Individuals who are interested in pursuing doctoral studies will have the opportunity to gain academic and research experiences that will make them more attractive candidates to doctoral programs. Individuals who want to be involved in the delivery of psychological services or the administration and supervision of community mental health programs and governmental agencies will have the opportunity to learn practical skills and acquire academic proficiencies that will allow continued professional growth. Although the clinical emphasis is chosen by most students, those interested in pursuing a primarily research-oriented line of study have the option of tailoring the curriculum to match their career goals.

Each track requires 14 courses. The Department of Psychology is a member of the Council of Applied Masters Program (CAMPP).

Candidates for admission into the graduate program in Psychology must submit a completed application form, transcripts of any undergraduate and graduate work, three letters of reccomendation, a brief letter of interest describing goals for graduate study, and a current score from the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). The Graduate Record Examination can substitute for the MAT. These materials must be sent to the Admissions Office and all materials must be received before the departmental Screening Committee will evaluate applicant qualifications.

GRADUATE TRACKS (REVISED GRADUATE PROGRAM PLANNED TO BE IMPLEMNTED FALL 2004)

The Clinical Comprehensive Exam Program

First Year

Fall
PSYC 6243 Principles of Psychotherapy
PSYC 6723 Individual Intelligence Testing
PSYC 6190 Research Methods
Spring
PSYC 6530 Advanced Abnormal Psychology
PSYC 6283 Objective Psychological Assessment
PSYC 6290 Research Statistics
Summer
PSYC 6100 Professional Issues, Ethics, and Diversity
PSYC 6952 Theories of Psychotherapy

Second Year

Fall
PSYC 6952 Group Psychotherapy
PSYC 6450 Advanced Social Psychology or PSYC 6780 Advanced Developmental Psychology
PSYC 6924 Practicum.
Spring
PSYC 6160 History and Systems of Psychology
PSYC 6670 Cognitive Neuroscience.
PSYC 6924 Practicum
PSYC 6982 Master of Psychology Comprehensive Exam

The Clinical Thesis Program

First Year

Second Year

Fall
PSYC 6952 Group Psychotherapy
PSYC 6450 Advanced Social Psychology or PSYC 6780 Advanced Developmental Psychology
PSYC 6902 Independent Study For Thesis
Spring
PSYC 6160 History and Systems of Psychology
PSYC 6670 Cognitive Neuroscience
PSYC 6902 Independent Study For Thesis

The General Psychology Thesis Program

First Year

Fall
PSYC 6450 Advanced Social Psychology or PSYC 6780 Advanced Developmental Psychology
PSYC 6190 Research Methods
PSYC 6952 Elective*

Spring
PSYC 6160 History and Systems of Psychology
PSYC 6670 Cognitive Neuroscience
PSYC 6290 Research Statistics

Summer
PSYC 6100 Professional Issues, Ethics, and Diversity
PSYC 6952 Elective*

Second Year

Fall
PSYC 6450 Advanced Social Psychology or PSYC 6780 Advanced Developmental Psychology
PSYC 6902 Cross Cultural Psychology (day)
PSYC 6902 Independent Study For Thesis

Spring
PSYC 6160 Health Psychology (day)
PSYC Elective*
PSYC 6902 Independent Study For Thesis

The General Psychology Comprehensive Exam Program

First Year

Fall
PSYC 6450 Advanced Social Psychology or PSYC 6780 Advanced Developmental Psychology
PSYC 6190 Research Methods
PSYC Elective*

Spring
PSYC 6160 History and Systems of Psychology
PSYC 6670 Cognitive Neuroscience
PSYC 6290 Research Statistics

Summer
PSYC 6100 Professional Issues, Ethics, and Diversity
PSYC Elective*

Second Year

Fall
PSYC 6450 Advanced Social Psychology or PSYC 6780 Advanced Developmental Psychology
PSYC 6902 Cross Cultural Psychology (day)
PSYC Elective*

Spring
PSYC 6160 Health Psychology (day)
PSYC Elective*
PSYC Elective*

* principles of psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, and objective assessment cannot be used as electives for the general psychology programs.

Psychology ( PSYC)

6100. Professional Issues, Ethics, and Diversity (3) . Pr., graduate standing.

Ethical issues and their relevance for the student's professional identity. Practice research applications of the American Psychological Association's code of ethics will be examined, along with cultural and diversity issues. Usually offered summer term.

6160. History and Systems of Psychology (3). Pr., graduate standing

A study of historical developments leading to various systematic foundations in contemporary psychology. Usually offered spring term.

6170. Advanced Educational Psychology (3). Pr., graduate standing.

In-depth analysis of the psychological bases of learning. Particular emphasis is on the development and modification of cognitive and affective behavior. Same as FNDS 6170.

6190. Research Methods (3). Pr., graduate standing

Addresses investigative techniques of research with special emphasis on principles and practices of research design and methodology. Usually offered fall term.

6243. Principles of Psychotherapy (4). Pr., graduate standing

An introduction to counseling and psychotherapy with an emphasis on both basic skills and common therapeutic principles. Usually offered fall term.

6263. Measurement of Human Behavior (4). Pr., PSYC 4153 or equvalent.

Analysis and practicum in observing, measuring, assessing, and evaluation human behavior with emphasis on behavior interviewing and the development of checklists and scales.

6273. Individual Intelligence Testing (4). Pr., PSYC 4153 or equivalent.

Supervised practice in the administration and interpretation of individual intelligence tests for children and adults. Usually offered fall term.

6280. Principles and Theories of Learning (3). Pr., graduate standing

An analysis of traditional and contemporary learning theories.

6283. Objective Psychological Assessment (4) Pr., PSYC 6273.

The use of psychological tests for the assessment of personality in clinical, career, and personnel settings. . Usually offered spring term.

6290. Research Statistics (3) Pr., graduate standing

An advanced lecture and laboratory course to train students to utilize statistical analysis for complex research designs.

6293. Projective Personality Appraisal (4)., Pr. PSYC 6273.

Supervised practice in the administration and interpretation of projective personality techniques. The Rorschach, T.A.T , and other techniques will be emphasized.

6320. Physiological Psychology (3). Pr., graduate standing.

A study of the physiological bases of behavior, motivation, and cognitive processes, focusing on the central nervous system.

6330. Sensation and Perception (3). Pr., graduate standing.

A survey of how organisms sense and perceive the environment. Topics include stimuli that activate the sense organs, anatomy of the sense organs, and theories and research about how the brain and past experiences convert sensations into perceptions.

6340. Health Psychology (3). Pr., graduate standing.

Examines the relationships between behavior and physical health. Emphasis on factors associated with physical illness, well-being, and adaptation to illness.

6350. Psychopharmacology (3).Pr., graduate standing.

The study of chemicals that have the potential to alter mood, perception, or behavior. Includes the composition and effects of such drugs, theoretical perspectives, and empirical research.

6450. Advanced Social Psychology (3). Pr., graduate standing.

An examination of selected theory and research in such areas as the socialization process, interpersonal dynamics, conformity, and attitude formation and change. Usually fall spring term.

6530. Advanced Abnormal Psychology (3). Pr., graduate standing.

Provide students with a working understanding of the various disorders treated and managed by professional psychologists. This includes familiarity with operationalized diagnostic criteria and theoretical perspectives on various disorders. Usually offered spring term.

6613. Principles of Behavior Modification (4). Pr., graduate standing.

Learning reviewed with emphasis on the modification of human behavior. Group and single subject research, data gathering instruments and designs are compared, constructed, and used in a supervised practicum.

6640. Personnel Selection and Utilization (3). Pr., graduate standing

Application of behavior principles to recruiting, selecting, evaluating, and training of factory, office, labor, and professional personnel. Usually offered spring term.

6660. Cognitive Psychology (3). Pr., graduate standing

A survey course that examines cognitive processes involved in memory, attention, decision making, problem solving, mental imagery, and language. Basic and applied research in these areas will be emphasized.

6710. Theories of Personality(3).Pr., graduate standing.

A systematic examination of the theoretical and methodological characteristics of approaches to the study of personality which have been influential in the area.

6760. Advanced Industrial-Organizational Psychology (3). Pr., graduate standing.

The purpose of this course is to provide an in-depth focus on issues in industrial- organizational psychology. Basic theoretical positions and empirical findings will be emphasized.

6780. Advanced Developmental Psychology (3). Pr., graduate standing.

An advanced investigation of the influences on socioemotional, cognitive, and behavioral age-related changes across the lifespan, including current theoretical perspectives and empirical research.

6902. Independent Study and Project (1-6). Pr., graduate standing.

Topics relevant to the individual's program which are not available in the remainder of the curriculum may be investigated with one objective being the production of a thesis. May be repeated for a total not to exceed 9 hours. This cannot be used to fulfill the 'elective' requirement for the general psychology thesis program. Offered every term.

6924. Practicum in Psychology (2-6). Pr., graduate standing.

Supervised practice in an applied setting. Content and placement to be arranged by the student and department. May be repeated for a total of 6 hours. Usually offered every term.

6952. Seminar in Psychology (3) Pr., graduate standing.

A topical course reflecting student and faculty interests. It may be repeated by the student in various topics.

6982. Master in Psychology Comprehensive Examination (0). Pr., completion of core.

A series of exams covering core areas that parallel many of the topics asseessed in the EPPP licensing exam for psychologists.

6992. Thesis (0). Pr., graduate standing, committee chair's approval.

Completion of a research project demonstration proficiency in methodology and integration of disciplinary concepts.