Psychological Sciences (MS, PhD)
The Department of Psychological Sciences offers two graduate degrees: a Master of Science (M.S.) and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). The Department has six Divisions with Ph.D. Programs offered in the following eight areas of concentration:
- Behavioral Neuroscience (Behavioral Neuroscience Division);
- Clinical Psychology (Clinical Division);
- Developmental Psychology (Developmental Division);
- Ecological Psychology (Perception, Action, Cognition Division);
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology (Industrial and Organizational Division);
- Language and Cognition (Perception, Action, Cognition Division);
- Neurosciences (Behavioral Neuroscience Division);
- Social Psychology (Social Division).
Master of Science
The M.S. in Psychological Sciences is available to students enrolled in the Psychological Sciences Ph.D. program as well as to qualifying UConn undergraduate psychology majors who are admitted into an accelerated program that allows completion of all undergraduate and Master’s degree requirements within five years. Ph.D. students are typically required to complete a Plan A (Thesis) Master’s. In some situations, students may be allowed to complete a Plan B Master’s, but only if they will not continue in the Ph.D. program. Students in the Accelerated M.S. program can choose to complete a Plan A (Thesis) Master’s or a Plan B Master’s. This decision is up to the discretion of the Major Advisor and Division Head.
Students are typically admitted to the accelerated program at the end of the junior year of their undergraduate studies. A total of 12 credits from the Bachelor years can be included. The 12 credits could be a combination of:
- Up to 12 credits of approved required graduate courses from the student’s Undergraduate Plan of Study can be listed on the student’s Graduate Plan of Study.
- Up to six credits of approved undergraduate and graduate courses not used in the student’s Undergraduate Plan of Study.
The accelerated Master of Science in Psychological Sciences is only offered in one of the following six areas of concentration: Developmental Psychology, Ecological Psychology, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Language and Cognition, Neuroscience and Social Psychology.
Master of Science Requirements
The Master of Science requires a minimum of 30 credits. For Ph.D. students pursuing a Plan A Master’s, these credits cannot include any credits used to meet the program requirements as listed on the Ph.D. Plan of Study.
Quantitative Methods Requirements
All students are required to take PSYC 5104 Foundations of Research in the Psychological Sciences I. Each student must earn a grade of at least “B-” to meet Department requirements for the M.S. Any student with no previous statistics experience or who has a need to review undergraduate statistics should take STAT 1100Q Elementary Concepts of Statistics on an audit basis before taking PSYC 5104 Foundations of Research in the Psychological Sciences I.
Research and Final Exam Requirements: Plan A (Thesis)
This plan emphasizes research activities and requires a minimum of 30 course credits which must include: PSYC 5104 Foundations of Research in the Psychological Sciences I; GRAD 5950 Master's Thesis Research or GRAD 5960 Full-Time Master's Research for a minimum of nine credits. Students must complete a Master’s thesis, following the rules specified by the Graduate School. In addition, near the close of the candidate’s period of study for the M.S. degree, normally not later than one year after the completion of the M.S. coursework, the student must pass a final examination under the jurisdiction of the advisory committee. This will be an oral examination (defense) based on the candidate’s thesis and issues relevant to the thesis.
Research and Final Exam Requirements: Plan B (Non-Thesis)
This plan emphasizes comprehensive understanding of a more general character than the thesis plan and requires a minimum 30 credits of advanced coursework, which must include: PSYC 5104 Foundations of Research in the Psychological Sciences I and a minimum of three credits of PSYC 5800 Research in Psychology. The PSYC 5800 Research in Psychology research project must be approved by the student’s Advisory Committee. In addition, near the close of the candidate’s period of study for the M.S. degree, and not later than one year after the completion of the M.S. coursework, the student must pass a final examination under the jurisdiction of the Advisory Committee. The examination is arranged by the Major Advisor with the assistance of the Associate Advisors.
Concentration Requirements
In addition to the general departmental requirements, each concentration has its own course requirements, which can vary depending on whether the student is in the accelerated master’s program or pursuing a master’s while in the Ph.D. program. The general requirements for a master’s for each area of concentration are listed below, with more specific requirements for Ph.D. students pursuing a master’s degree listed in the description of the divisional Ph.D. programs.
Developmental Psychology Concentration
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Class: | ||
| PSYC 5410 | 3 | |
| Required graduate courses, at least three from the following: | ||
| PSYC 5420 | Cognitive Development | 3 |
| PSYC 5425 | Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience | 3 |
| PSYC 5440 | Development of Language and Related Processes | 3 |
| PSYC 5450 | Infancy and the Effects of Early Experience | 3 |
| PSYC 5460 | Social and Personality Development | 3 |
| PSYC 5470 | Current Topics in Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| Elective undergraduate courses 1 | 6 | |
| PSYC 3300 | Abnormal Child Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 3302W | 3 | |
| PSYC 3405 | Social Development | 3 |
| PSYC 3440 | Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience | 3 |
| PSYC 3450W | Laboratory in Developmental Psychology | 4 |
| PSYC 3470 | Current Topics in Developmental Psychology | 3 |
- 1
Up to six credits of the following undergraduate courses not used in undergraduate plan of study can be used toward the M.S.
Ecological Psychology Concentration
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required graduate courses, at least four from the following: | ||
| PSYC 5171 | Special Topics in Cognitive Science | 3 |
| PSYC 5424 | Cognitive Neuroscience of Language Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| PSYC 5445 | Neurobiology of Language: Typical and Atypical Cognition and Language Development | 3 |
| PSYC 5513 | Memory | 3 |
| PSYC 5514 | The Mental Lexicon | 3 |
| PSYC 5515 | Connectionist Models | 3 |
| PSYC 5516 | Event Cognition | 3 |
| PSYC 5553 | Introduction to Nonlinear Dynamics | 3 |
| PSYC 5554 | Advanced Nonlinear Dynamics for the Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
| PSYC 5564 | Dynamics of Language and Cognition | 3 |
| PSYC 5567 | Cognition | 3 |
| PSYC 5568 | Psychology of Language | 3 |
| PSYC 5570 | Current Topics in Cognitive Science | 3 |
| PSYC 5571 | Sensation and Perception I | 3 |
| PSYC 5572 | 3 | |
| PSYC 5574 | Control and Coordination of Action | 3 |
| PSYC 5583 | Sentence and Discourse Processing | 3 |
| Elective undergraduate courses: 1 | ||
| PSYC 3500 | The Psychology of Language | 3 |
| PSYC 3501 | Sensation and Perception | 3 |
| PSYC 3550W | Laboratory in Cognition | 3 |
| PSYC 3551W | 3 | |
| PSYC 3552 | Laboratory in Sensation and Perception | 3 |
- 1
Up to six credits of the following undergraduate courses not used in undergraduate plan of study can be used toward the M.S.
Language and Cognition Concentration
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required graduate courses, at least four from the following: | ||
| PSYC 5171 | Special Topics in Cognitive Science | 3 |
| PSYC 5424 | Cognitive Neuroscience of Language Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| PSYC 5445 | Neurobiology of Language: Typical and Atypical Cognition and Language Development | 3 |
| PSYC 5513 | Memory | 3 |
| PSYC 5514 | The Mental Lexicon | 3 |
| PSYC 5515 | Connectionist Models | 3 |
| PSYC 5516 | Event Cognition | 3 |
| PSYC 5553 | Introduction to Nonlinear Dynamics | 3 |
| PSYC 5554 | Advanced Nonlinear Dynamics for the Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
| PSYC 5564 | Dynamics of Language and Cognition | 3 |
| PSYC 5567 | Cognition | 3 |
| PSYC 5568 | Psychology of Language | 3 |
| PSYC 5570 | Current Topics in Cognitive Science | 3 |
| PSYC 5571 | Sensation and Perception I | 3 |
| PSYC 5572 | 3 | |
| PSYC 5574 | Control and Coordination of Action | 3 |
| PSYC 5583 | Sentence and Discourse Processing | 3 |
| Elective undergraduate courses: 1 | ||
| PSYC 3500 | The Psychology of Language | 3 |
| PSYC 3501 | Sensation and Perception | 3 |
| PSYC 3550W | Laboratory in Cognition | 3 |
| PSYC 3551W | 3 | |
| PSYC 3552 | Laboratory in Sensation and Perception | 3 |
- 1
Up to six credits of the following undergraduate courses not used in undergraduate plan of study can be used toward the M.S.
Neuroscience Concentration
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Class | ||
| PSYC 5200 | Behavioral Neuroscience Research Seminar (three semesters totaling three credits) | 3 |
| Required graduate courses, at least three from the following: | ||
| PSYC 5140 | Foundations in Neuropsychology | 3 |
| PSYC 5150 | Neurodevelopment and Plasticity | 3 |
| PSYC 5228 | Neuropsychopharmacology | 3 |
| PSYC 5251 | Neural Foundations of Learning and Memory | 3 |
| PSYC 5270 | Current Topics in Behavioral Neuroscience | 1-6 |
| PSYC 5285 | Neurobiology of Aging: Changes in Cognitive Processes | 3 |
| Elective undergraduate courses: 1 | ||
| PSYC 3250W | Laboratory in Animal Behavior and Learning | 3 |
| PSYC 3251 | Laboratory in Physiological Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 3252 | Drugs and Behavior Laboratory | 3 |
| PSYC 3253 | Sensory Neuroscience Laboratory | 3 |
| PSYC 3501 | Sensation and Perception | 3 |
- 1
Up to six credits of the following undergraduate courses not used in undergraduate plan of study can be used toward the M.S.
Social Psychology Concentration
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Classes | ||
| PSYC 5701 | Experimental Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 5703 | Advanced Social Psychology | 3 |
| Required graduate courses, at least two of the following: | ||
| PSYC 5770 | Current Topics in Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 6732 | Attitude Organization and Change | 3 |
| PSYC 6750 | The Social Psychology of Stigma | 3 |
| PSYC 6782 | Cross-Cultural Psychology | 3 |
| Elective undergraduate courses: 1 | ||
| PSYC 3102 | Psychology of Women | 3 |
| PSYC 3105 | Health Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 3106 | Black Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 3405 | Social Development | 3 |
- 1
Up to six credits of the following undergraduate courses not used in undergraduate plan of study can be used toward the M.S.
Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology Concentration
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses | ||
| PSYC 5123 | Occupational Health Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 5614 | Personnel Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 5615 | Human Factors | 3 |
| Required graduate courses, at least one from the following: | ||
| PSYC 5105 | Foundations of Research in the Psychological Sciences II | 3 |
| PSYC 5611 | Work Motivation | 3 |
| PSYC 5612 | 3 | |
| PSYC 5613 | 3 | |
| PSYC 5616 | 3 | |
| PSYC 5617 | Occupational Health and Safety | 3 |
| PSYC 5619 | 3 | |
| PSYC 5620 | Design and Analysis of Human-Machine Systems | 3 |
| PSYC 5670 | Current Topics in Industrial/Organizational Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 5671 | Special Topics in Industrial/Organizational Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 5701 | Experimental Social Psychology | 3 |
| Elective undergraduate courses: 1 | ||
| BADM 3740 | Managerial and Interpersonal Behavior | 3 |
| COMM 3110 | Organizational Communication | 3 |
| PSYC 3101 | Psychological Testing | 3 |
| PSYC 3600 | Social-Organizational Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 3601 | Human Factors Design | 3 |
| PSYC 3644 | Occupational Health Psychology | 3 |
| WGSS 3264 | Gender in the Workplace | 3 |
- 1
Up to six credits of the following undergraduate courses not used in undergraduate plan of study can be used toward the M.S.
Doctor of Philosophy Program Divisions
The Psychological Sciences Department has six Divisions with Ph.D. Programs are offered in the following areas of concentration:
- Behavioral Neuroscience (Behavioral Neuroscience Division)
- Clinical Psychology (Clinical Division)
- Developmental Psychology (Developmental Division)
- Ecological Psychology (Perception, Action, Cognition Division)
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology (Industrial and Organizational Division)
- Language and Cognition (Perception, Action, Cognition Division)
- Neurosciences (Behavioral Neuroscience Division)
- Social Psychology (Social Division)
General Requirements for Ph.D. Plan of Study
For all divisions, the Department requires 15 credits of Doctoral Dissertation Research (GRAD 6950 Doctoral Dissertation Research or GRAD 6960 Full-Time Doctoral Research); plus 15 credits of Ph.D. content coursework, which must include nine credits of breadth courses and course requirements that vary with the student’s chosen area of concentration and division (see details below). In addition to those requirements, all Ph.D. students must complete two statistical courses: PSYC 5104 Foundations of Research in the Psychological Sciences I and PSYC 5105 Foundations of Research in the Psychological Sciences II. The Ph.D. in Psychological Sciences does not have a related area or foreign language requirement.
Ph.D. Plan of Study Psychological Sciences Department Requirements
Predissertation Research: at least one completed research project. This requirement can be met by a Master’s thesis or by a minimum of six credits of PSYC 5800 Research in Psychology when appropriate.
Department Breadth Requirements
In order to expand the student’s knowledge beyond their specific area of study, a minimum of nine credits (typically three courses) of graduate work outside the student’s Division required. Usually any graduate class outside the student’s Division or the department will count as breadth, assuming it meets the following guidelines: PSYC 5104 Foundations of Research in the Psychological Sciences I and PSYC 5105 Foundations of Research in the Psychological Sciences II may not be used to fulfill the breadth requirement; no more than two quantitative courses, defined as courses that count for the Graduate Certificate Program in Quantitative Research Methods, may be used for breadth. No more than one breadth course may be taken with any one instructor, aside from the following classes: a course in grant writing; PSYC 5100 History of Psychology, PSYC 5140 Foundations in Neuropsychology, PSYC 5285 Neurobiology of Aging: Changes in Cognitive Processes; COGS 5001 Cogntive Science Proseminar; three credit hours of PSYC 5801 Independent Study in Psychology, taken with a faculty member outside the student’s Division, will meet Department breadth requirements as one course. (However, the Head of that faculty member’s Division must consent to this.) Students in the Perception, Action, Cognition Division who are in the Language and Cognition Concentration may use courses given by the Ecological Psychology faculty as breadth courses. Students in the Ecological Psychology program may, likewise, take courses offered by the Language and Cognition faculty to fulfill the breadth requirement. Upper level undergraduate classes in other departments and other courses may be considered for breadth on a case-by-case basis. Courses in other departments that are cross-listed as PSYC courses will not count towards the departmental breadth requirement if the PSYC version of the course is in the student’s Division, even if the student registers for the course under the external department course number. (BME 6086 Special Topics In Biomedical Engineering, cross-listed as PSYC 5270 Current Topics in Behavioral Neuroscience will not count for BNS students). Students entering the program with a master’s from a different (Psychology or non- Psychology) department or division may have up to six breadth credits waived (up to two classes). A grade of at least “C+” must be earned in all courses elected for the purpose of meeting the departmental breadth requirement. If, in undertaking to meet the breadth requirement, a student fails to earn a grade of at least “C+” in any one course, but earns an overall average grade greater than “C+”, that student may submit a request to the Associate Department Head/Coordinator of Graduate Studies for a review of their case. The breadth requirement should ordinarily be completed in or before the semester in which the student takes the General Examination.
Quantitative Methods Requirements
All graduate students are required to take (or be exempted from) PSYC 5104 Foundations of Research in the Psychological Sciences I and PSYC 5105 Foundations of Research in the Psychological Sciences II. Each student must earn a grade of at least “B-” in both courses to meet Department requirements for the Ph.D. Any student with no previous statistics experience or who has a need to review undergraduate statistics should take STAT 1100Q Elementary Concepts of Statistics on an audit basis before taking PSYC 5104 Foundations of Research in the Psychological Sciences I. Note that the six required credits of Quantitative Methods should be listed on the Ph.D. Plan of Study in the “Related Area” section and do not count towards the breadth requirement or minimum number of required Ph.D. credits and should not be listed in the Ph.D. Plan of Study “Coursework” section on page 2. Students who have taken statistics coursework prior to their enrollment in the Ph.D. program, may be eligible for a waiver of one or both of the Quantitative Methods courses.
Licensure Requirement
Students interested in licensure should contact their program for details on American Psychological Association recommendations and relevant courses offered by the department.
General Examination
Students must pass a General Examination. Details may vary across divisions.
Dissertation Proposal
Before dissertation research is undertaken, a research proposal must be approved.
Dissertation and Final Ph.D. Oral Defense
Students must pass an oral defense and submit an approved thesis.
Degree Milestones
In addition to these general requirements, students within a given Division must satisfy the following division-level requirements:
- Master's Thesis and Defense (not required for Ecological Psychology Concentration)
- Ph.D. Qualifying Examination
- Ph.D. Prospectus
- Ph.D. Dissertation Document and Defense
Behavioral Neuroscience Concentration Required Courses
PSYC 5104 Foundations of Research in the Psychological Sciences I, PSYC 5105 Foundations of Research in the Psychological Sciences II; four semesters of Behavioral Neuroscience (BNS) seminars; two graduate-level BNS courses from two different areas of expertise, taught by different BNS psychology professors; at least six credits of graduate research; for the Ph.D., students must obtain at least 24 total credits in addition to any credits going towards the master’s degree.
Behavioral Neuroscience Concentration, Master’s Only Option Required Courses
At least 30 total credits including no more than six at the undergraduate level; PSYC 5104 Foundations of Research in the Psychological Sciences I; two to four semesters of Behavioral Neuroscience (BNS) Seminar, for terminal master’s students two semesters are required, but it is recommended that the student enroll each semester in the program up to the fourth semester. For Ph.D. students who are initially obtaining a master’s, four semesters are required; two BNS courses with at least one graduate content course from each of two different areas of expertise (i.e., taught by different BNS psychology professors; at least six credits of graduate research.
“Plan A” Additional Requirements
A master’s thesis, with oral defense and a committee of three faculty members. At least three to four semesters in the program are recommended.
“Plan B” Additional Requirements
A written master’s examination is required, consisting of either: three questions from different faculty members (at least two in Behavioral Neuroscience), which each serve as the basis for a 10-15 page paper to be completed in 7-10 days; or a research report or literature review, which is reviewed by the master’s committee.
Clinical Psychology Concentration 1st Year Required Courses
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GRAD 5950 | Master's Thesis Research | 1-9 |
| PSYC 5104 | Foundations of Research in the Psychological Sciences I | 3 |
| PSYC 5105 | Foundations of Research in the Psychological Sciences II | 3 |
| PSYC 5300 | Research Seminar in Clinical Psychology | 1 |
| PSYC 5301 | Practicum in Interviewing and Cognitive Assessment | 3 |
| PSYC 5302 | Adult Psychopathology | 3 |
| PSYC 5303 | Developmental Psychopathology | 3 |
| PSYC 5304 | Practicum in Personality Assessment | 3 |
| PSYC 5305 | Psychodynamics | 3 |
| PSYC 5307 | Empirically Supported Therapy | 3 |
| PSYC 5399 | Clinical Psychology Research Group | 1 |
| PSYC 6301 | Practicum in Adult Psychotherapy (observation only) | 1-3 |
| PSYC 6302 | Practicum in Child Psychotherapy (observation only) | 1-3 |
Clinical Psychology Concentration 2nd Year+ Required Courses
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GRAD 5950 | Master's Thesis Research | 1-9 |
| GRAD 6950 | Doctoral Dissertation Research (once master’s is completed) | 1-9 |
| PSYC 5300 | Research Seminar in Clinical Psychology | 1 |
| PSYC 5332 | Research Design and Test Construction | 3 |
| PSYC 5306 | Professional Issues in Clinical Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 5140 | Foundations in Neuropsychology | 3 |
| PSYC 5399 | Clinical Psychology Research Group | 1 |
| PSYC 6301 | Practicum in Adult Psychotherapy | 1-3 |
| PSYC 6302 | Practicum in Child Psychotherapy | 1-3 |
| Three additional related classes | 9 | |
Clinical Competence
To receive the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, students must demonstrate clinical competence in training experiences in our training clinic and in off-site clinical placements, as well as a full-year internship.
Developmental Psychology Concentration Required Courses
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Five of these seven courses by degrees end. 1 | ||
| PSYC 5410 | 2 | 3 |
| PSYC 5420 | Cognitive Development | 3 |
| PSYC 5425 | Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience | 3 |
| PSYC 5440 | Development of Language and Related Processes | 3 |
| PSYC 5450 | Infancy and the Effects of Early Experience | 3 |
| PSYC 5460 | Social and Personality Development | 3 |
| PSYC 5470 | Current Topics in Developmental Psychology 2 | 3 |
- 1
A “developmental related course” from another division/department can substitute for one of these courses (other than PSYC 5410 or PSYC 5470 Current Topics in Developmental Psychology), as per list of pre-approved courses or by permission of Developmental Psychology faculty.
- 2
All students must take either PSYC 5410 or PSYC 5470 Current Topics in Developmental Psychology.
Pre-Master’s Required Courses
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GRAD 5950 | Master's Thesis Research | 1-9 |
| GRAD 5960 | Full-Time Master's Research | 3 |
| PSYC 5104 | Foundations of Research in the Psychological Sciences I | 3 |
| PSYC 5105 | Foundations of Research in the Psychological Sciences II | 3 |
| PSYC 5400 | Research Seminar in Developmental Psychology 1 | 1 |
| PSYC 5499 | Research Team in Developmental Psychology 1 | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | 1-6 | |
| Research in Psychology 1 | ||
| Independent Study in Psychology 1 | ||
- 1
To be taken each semester.
Post-Master’s Required Courses
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GRAD 6950 | Doctoral Dissertation Research | 1-9 |
| GRAD 6960 | Full-Time Doctoral Research | 3 |
| PSYC 5400 | Research Seminar in Developmental Psychology 1 | 1 |
| PSYC 5499 | Research Team in Developmental Psychology 1 | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | 1-6 | |
| Research in Psychology 1 | ||
| Independent Study in Psychology 1 | ||
- 1
To be taken each semester.
Industrial and Organizational Psychology Concentration M.A. Required Courses
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GRAD 5950 | Master's Thesis Research | 9 |
| PSYC 5104 | Foundations of Research in the Psychological Sciences I | 3 |
| PSYC 5105 | Foundations of Research in the Psychological Sciences II | 3 |
| PSYC 5123 | Occupational Health Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 5600 | Research and Practice of Industrial/Organizational Psychology | 1 |
| PSYC 5614 | Personnel Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 5615 | Human Factors | 3 |
| PSYC 5699 | Research Team in Industrial/Organizational Psychology | 1-3 |
| PSYC 5701 | Experimental Social Psychology | 3 |
| MENT 6203 | Contemporary Research in Organizational Behavior | 3 |
Doctor of Philosophy Required Courses
Four courses in Industrial and Organizational Specialization Seminars by degree’s end; nine credits in Departmental Breadth Seminars; 15 credits of GRAD 6950 Doctoral Dissertation Research; GRAD 6930 Full-Time Directed Studies (Doctoral Level); PSYC 5600 Research and Practice of Industrial/Organizational Psychology, PSYC 5699 Research Team in Industrial/Organizational Psychology; and Field Research Experience or equivalent.
Doctor of Philosophy Degree Milestones
Master’s Defense; General Examination; Dissertation Proposal; and Dissertation Defense.
Ecological Psychology Concentration Required Courses
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 5104 | Foundations of Research in the Psychological Sciences I | 3 |
| PSYC 5553 | Introduction to Nonlinear Dynamics | 3 |
| PSYC 5554 | Advanced Nonlinear Dynamics for the Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
| PSYC 5571 | Sensation and Perception I | 3 |
| PSYC 5574 | Control and Coordination of Action | 3 |
| STAT 5665 | Applied Multivariate Analysis | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | ||
PSYC 6505 | ||
| Current Topics in Cognitive Science 1 | ||
| Applied Time Series | ||
- 1
When taught as Current Topics in Cognitive Science: Developmental Systems, or Introduction to Complex Systems, or Longitudinal Data Analysis.
Language and Cognition Concentration Required Courses
PSYC 5567 Cognition, PSYC 5568 Psychology of Language; four courses taught by the Language and Cognition faculty; three breadth courses taught outside the Language and Cognition division; a two course sequence in statistics, including PSYC 5104 Foundations of Research in the Psychological Sciences I or PSYC 5105 Foundations of Research in the Psychological Sciences II.
Neuroscience Concentration Required Courses
PSYC 5104 Foundations of Research in the Psychological Sciences I, PSYC 5105 Foundations of Research in the Psychological Sciences II; four semesters of Behavioral Neuroscience (BNS) seminars; two graduate-level BNS courses from two different areas of expertise, taught by different BNS psychology professors; at least six credits of graduate research. For the Ph.D., students must obtain at least 24 total credits in addition to any credits going towards the master’s degree.
Neuroscience Concentration, Master’s Only Option Required Courses
At least 30 total credits, including no more than six at the undergraduate level; PSYC 5104 Foundations of Research in the Psychological Sciences I; two to four semesters of Behavioral Neuroscience (BNS) Seminar; for terminal Master’s students, two semesters are required, but it is recommended that the student enroll each semester in the program up to the fourth semester. For Ph.D. students who are initially obtaining a master’s, four semesters are required; two BNS courses with at least one graduate content course from each of two different areas of expertise taught by different BNS psychology professors; and at least six credits of graduate research.
“Plan A” Additional Requirements
A master’s thesis, with an oral defense and a committee of three faculty members. At least three to four semesters in the program are recommended.
“Plan B” Additional Requirements
A written master’s examination is required, consisting of either three questions from different faculty members (at least two in Behavioral Neuroscience), which each serve as the basis for a 10-15 page paper to be completed in 7-10 days.; or a research report or literature review, which is reviewed by the master’s committee.
Social Psychology Concentration Requirements
Students must take at least one seminar from three different social psychology faculty members across their tenure in the program.
Pre-Master’s Required Courses
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 5104 | Foundations of Research in the Psychological Sciences I | 3 |
| PSYC 5105 | Foundations of Research in the Psychological Sciences II | 3 |
| PSYC 5700 | Proseminar in Social Psychology | 1 |
| PSYC 5701 | Experimental Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 5703 | Advanced Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 5799 | Research Team in Social Psychology | 1-3 |
| Select at least one each semester of the following: | 1-9 | |
| Research in Psychology | ||
| Master's Thesis Research | ||
| Full-Time Master's Research | ||
Post-Master’s Required Courses
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 5770 | Current Topics in Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 5799 | Research Team in Social Psychology | 1-3 |
| Select at least one each semester of the following: | ||
| Doctoral Dissertation Research (Select one each semester of the following:) | ||
| Full-Time Doctoral Research | ||
| Research in Psychology | ||
Post-Master’s Social Breadth Requirement
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Students select three courses from: | 9 | |
| Motivation | ||
| Health Psychology | ||
| Current Topics in Psychology | ||
| Current Topics in Social Psychology | ||
| Attitude Organization and Change | ||
| Social Cognition | ||
| The Social Psychology of Stigma | ||
| Intergroup Relations | ||