Program Mission: The purpose of our program is to provide the training and education needed to become a competent psychological scientist. We use a mentorship model that offers our students the opportunity to work within vibrant research programs led by leading Psychological Scientists whose expertise spans across a variety of sub-disciplines, including child development, gerontology, clinical, cognitive, biological, and socio-cultural. Our faculty work closely with students and community partners to develop evidence-based solutions for challenges encountered in the home, workplace, courtroom, healthcare and educational settings. We have a common goal of leveraging expertise in studying human behavior to promote health and well-being for individuals from diverse backgrounds. In addition to gaining applied research experience, students will take courses within a curriculum designed to foster the skills required to be successful in Ph.D. programs, as well as the applied research sector. We also offer students unique opportunities to gain hands-on teaching experience, and robust statistical skills.
Core Skills/Competencies: Students in our program will acquire a set of marketable skills through coursework, direct research supervision, and a thesis project. While we strive to tailor students training based on their research interests and career goals, a core set of competencies will be acquired through successful completion of our program. These competencies include:
- Knowledge of a variety of research designs
- Proficiency in a wide range of data analytic approaches, including quantitative and qualitative methods
- Ability to collaborate effectively within professional settings
- Effective instructional skills and knowledge of high-impact teaching practices
- Knowledge of core psychological science sub-disciplines
- Ability to critically evaluate theoretical and empirical work within Psychology
- Effective written and oral communication skills
- Knowledge of ethical and methodological considerations in research with people from diverse backgrounds
- Ability to develop evidence-based solutions to real-world problems
The typical program of courses for the Psychological Science concentration is listed below. The required courses for completing the program, which may be modified to suit the needs of the individual student. It is expected that each student will develop a complete program after consultation with a faculty adviser and the coordinator of the program. All elective course choices must be approved by the coordinator and the faculty adviser. All students must complete PSY 5020 , and PSY 5100 , and PSY 5130 , and PSY 5140 . In addition, 3 credits hours of PSY 5950R are required as well as 3 credits of PSY 5960R . Students must also complete 3 credit hours of PSY 5370R . In addition, all students must take at least 6 hours of PSY 5999R (thesis) and successfully complete and defend a thesis.
The following courses are prerequisite for this degree program:
- General Psychology
- Introductory Statistics
- Research Methods in Psychology
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