Degree Requirements for MS Program - Department of Psychology

The Master of Science in psychology degree is awarded upon satisfactory completion of 36 credits in an approved program of study, and successful completion and oral defense of a masters project as determined by the student’s Masters Committee. The masters project must result in a written product (e.g., literature review, publication submitted to a professional journal, grant proposal). With the permission of the student’s Masters Committee, a student may complete a Master of Science Thesis (PSY 691) rather than a Master of Science Project (PSY 690).

Course Requirements (A total of 36 credits are required for the degree)

Core Requirements (24 credits from these core courses are required)
PSY 501 Advanced Methods for Psychological and Behavioral Research 1 (4 credits)
PSY 511 Advanced Statistics for Psychological and Behavioral Research 1 (4 credits)
PSY 502 Advanced Methods for Psychological and Behavioral Research 2 (4 credits)
PSY 512 Advanced Statistics for Psychological and Behavioral Research 2 (4 credits)
PSY 521 Proseminar in Biological and Basic Processes (4 credits)
PSY 531 Proseminar in Social and Behavioral Processes (4 credits)

600-Level Concentration Distribution Requirement (8 credits are required)
Students must select two (2) 600-level courses (PSY 621-PSY 656) for a total of 8 credits.

Master of Science Project (4 credits are required)
Students must earn four (4) credits of PSY 690

Non-Course Requirements

Masters Committee
Students will be assigned to a faculty advisor upon admission and will be expected to identify a Masters Committee (faculty advisor plus one additional departmental faculty member) in their first year. The Masters Committee will approve and grade (P or F) the student’s Master of Science Project or Master of Science Thesis.

Research Involvement
Students will be encouraged to participate in research teams involving faculty, other graduate students, and undergraduates. Although the major focus will be on increasing the quality and variety of research experiences available to undergraduates, this activity is designed to provide graduate students with directed mentoring experience.