Master of Science Program in Psychological Sciences
Faculty
Professors: Hervé Abdi, Peter Assmann, James C. Bartlett, T.G.R.
Bower, Duane P. Buhrmester, Thomas Campbell, Sandra Bond Chapman, Christine A. Dollaghan, W. Jay Dowling,., Richard M. Golden, John Hart,
Susan W. Jerger, Bert S. Moore, Alice O’Toole, Margaret T. Owen, Denise C.
Park, Karen J. Prager, John W. Santrock, Melanie J. Spence, Robert D. Stillman,
Hanna K. Ulatowska, Marion K. Underwood, Anne E. Van Kleeck, Deborah Wiebe
Associate Professors:Pamela
R. Rollins, Bart Rypma, L. Tres Thompson
Assistant Professors: Shayla C. Holub, Mandy J. Maguire, Christa
McIntyre, Candice M. Mills
Objectives
The Master of Science (M.S.) in
Psychological Sciences program provides advanced training in psychological
sciences. The program is designed for the student scholar who wishes to expand
their knowledge of psychology by engaging in advanced coursework, additional
research training, and/or applied experience in psychological sciences. The
program also offers students the opportunity to gain additional psychology
training in preparation for applying to nationally prominent doctoral programs
in Clinical and Experimental Psychology. This research-focused program requires
students to work with a research mentor from the beginning and to be actively
involved in at least one research laboratory throughout training. Students also
have the opportunity to gain additional applied experiences through the
Internship Program in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences. The Master
of Psychological Sciences degree does not provide clinical training or lead to
licensure as a counselor or psychologist.
Facilities
The principal sites for the
academic, applied, and research activities of the Masters Program in
Psychological Sciences include faculty labs located on the Richardson Campus
and the Callier Center for Communication Disorders. Students also will be
exposed to research and applied experiences at vibrant centers within the
Admission
Requirements
The
University’s general admission requirements are discussed here.
Admission to the Master of Science
Program in Psychological Sciences is based on a review of the applicant’s GPA,
three letters of recommendation, and narrative description of interests and
career goals. Both GRE math and verbal scores are required to be considered for
admission.
Degree
Requirements
The
University’s general degree requirements are discussed here.
The M.S. in Psychological Sciences
curriculum is designed to offer opportunities for specialization in a chosen
core field, breadth of training, selection of electives that serve students’
individual goals, and research experience. Each student will be assigned to a
research mentor at the start of the program and will maintain involvement in a
research laboratory throughout the two-year program. Students will also
have the opportunity to gain applied experience by participating in the
internship program offered by the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences.
All students in the program are
required to regularly review their degree plans with their research mentor. The
program requires a minimum of 36 credit hours distributed as follows. Students
are required to complete 6 credit hours of major field core courses (two
selected from one of the following fields: Developmental, Cognitive, Social and
Personality, Neuroscience) , 6 credit hours of additional core courses (two
courses from a different area than the major core), 6 credit hours of Research
Methods (a two course sequence in statistics and research methods), 12 credit
hours of approved advanced elective courses, and 6 credit hours of Independent
Study/Research or Practical Internship courses. A grade of "B" is the required
passing grade for coursework used to fulfill the core course and research
methods course requirements of the degree. Independent Study/Research or
Practical Internship coursework must be taken pass/fail.
Required
Core Courses (18 hours)
Major Field Core Courses (12 SCH
minimum). Students will declare a major
in one of these areas and take two courses from the major area and two courses
from a different area than the major core.
1. Developmental Psychology
2. Cognition
3. Social/Personality Psychology
4. Neuroscience
Research Methods (6 SCH minimum)
Advanced Electives (12 SCH minimum)
Students will
elect 4 courses from masters and doctoral offerings. Any core course (listed
above) may count as an advanced elective, though it cannot count both as a core
course and as an elective.
Independent Study/Research or
Practical Internship (6 SCH)
Students will
complete either a Research Project or a Practical Internship to fulfill this
requirement. The research requirement will be fulfilled by completion of a
focused research project to be submitted and presented in poster format. The
Internship requirement will be fulfilled by participating in applied placements
through the currently existing School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences
internship program for undergraduates.