College of Science and Health > Academics > Psychology > Graduate Programs > Psychological Science (MA/PhD) > Degree Requirements

Degree Requirements

MA/PhD Degree Requirements

The Psychological Science MA/PhD is a combined degree. The MA is non-terminal and, therefore, only students intending to confer the PhD are admitted.

MA Course Requirements

The MA portion of the combined degree program requires a minimum of 48 quarter hours beyond the completion of a bachelor’s degree.

Core Courses

Course Title Quarter Hours
PSY 406PHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESSES4
PSY 410ADVANCED STATISTICS I4
PSY 411ADVANCED STATISTICS II4
PSY 420QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH DESIGN4
Select two of the following:8
PSY 418
MULTIVARIATE STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
PSY 419
FACTOR ANALYSIS AND STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELING
PSY 450
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEASUREMENT

Cognitive Seminar Courses

Course Title Quarter Hours
Select one of the following:4
PSY 404
PERCEPTION AND COGNITION
PSY 426
LANGUAGE AND COGNITION
PSY 473
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF JUDGMENT AND DECISION-MAKING

Developmental Seminar Courses

Course Title Quarter Hours
Select one of the following:4
PSY 439
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
PSY 554
EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
PSY 555
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Social Seminar Courses

Course Title Quarter Hours
Select one of the following:4
PSY 430
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY OF THE SELF
PSY 435
SPECIAL SEMINAR IN PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE
PSY 556
PREJUDICE AND INTERGROUP RELATIONS
PSY 560
SOCIAL COGNITION

Elective Course1

One elective course is required and can be taken during any quarter. The elective can be any graduate-level psychology course, or any graduate-level non-psychology course, with permission from the faculty advisor. In addition, students may substitute one seminar requirement with an elective in each area with permission from the faculty advisor. 

Course Title Quarter Hours
PSY 413ANALYSIS OF LONGITUDINAL DATA4
PSY 414CATEGORICAL DATA ANALYSIS4
PSY 416METHODS IN QUALITATIVE RESEARCH4
PSY 418MULTIVARIATE STATISTICAL ANALYSIS4
PSY 419FACTOR ANALYSIS AND STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELING4
PSY 430SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY OF THE SELF4
PSY 435SPECIAL SEMINAR IN PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE4
PSY 450PSYCHOLOGICAL MEASUREMENT4
PSY 556PREJUDICE AND INTERGROUP RELATIONS4
PSY 560SOCIAL COGNITION4
PSY 592DIRECTED RESEARCH (Independent Study)1-4
PSY 594DIRECTED READINGS IN PSYCHOLOGY (Independent Study)1-4
1

Cannot count towards core requirements listed above if taken as an elective.

 
 

Professional Development

Course Title Quarter Hours
PSY 588TOPICS IN PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE (taken twice, for a total of 4 credit hours)4
PSY 550SEMINAR IN TEACHING PSYCHOLOGY0

Research Course

Course Title Quarter Hours
PSY 597MASTER'S THESIS RESEARCH4

Master’s Research Thesis

Students must complete a thesis on a topic approved by the program. Research experience is considered an integral part of the training. Students are expected to begin directed research during their first year under the supervision of an advisor. During their second year, students are expected to conduct research and complete their master’s thesis. 

Master’s Thesis Examination

An oral defense of the completed research must be passed and the written document must be approved.

PhD Course Requirements

The PhD portion of the combined degree program requires a minimum of 28 quarter hours beyond the completion of the master’s degree, including four quarter hours of dissertation research. The following requirements must be completed to confer the PhD.

Cognitive Seminar Courses

Course Title Quarter Hours
Select two of the following (not taken towards MA)8
PSY 404
PERCEPTION AND COGNITION
PSY 426
LANGUAGE AND COGNITION
PSY 473
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF JUDGMENT AND DECISION-MAKING

Developmental Seminar Courses

Course Title Quarter Hours
Select two of the following (not taken towards the MA):8
PSY 439
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
PSY 554
EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
PSY 555
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Social Seminar Courses 

Course Title Quarter Hours
Select two of the following (not taken towards the MA): 8
PSY 430
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY OF THE SELF
PSY 435
SPECIAL SEMINAR IN PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE
PSY 556
PREJUDICE AND INTERGROUP RELATIONS
PSY 560
SOCIAL COGNITION

Professional Development 

Course Title Quarter Hours
Optional:
PSY 550SEMINAR IN TEACHING PSYCHOLOGY (3 quarters, 0 credit hours; beginning winter quarter after successful defense of master's thesis)0

Research Course 

Course Title Quarter Hours
PSY 599DOCTORAL DISSERTATION RESEARCH1-4

Doctoral Candidacy Project

This requirement is completed after the student has defended the master's thesis and before progression to the dissertation research. To fulfill the requirement for admission to doctoral candidacy, the student will write and defend a dissertation proposal.

Admission to Doctoral Candidacy

Formally given to the student with satisfactory coursework performance who has successfully completed the master’s thesis and passed the Doctoral Candidacy Project. The candidate has no more than five years from the date of admission to doctoral candidacy to complete the PhD requirements or dismissal from the program will ensue.

Students denied candidacy will be required to withdraw from the program or withdraw after completion of the MA.

Doctoral Teaching

Students are required to demonstrate competency in the teaching of psychology through teaching one undergraduate course during the doctoral portion of their degree.

Dissertation

Departmental committee approval and acceptance of topic and outline of dissertation is given only after admission to doctoral candidacy. Research for the dissertation should normally be completed during the student’s fourth year in the program.

Oral Examination

For both the proposal and the completed project, an oral defense of the research must be passed and the written document must be approved. Students are expected to defend their dissertation and demonstrate competence in psychological science and their area of specialization.

Time Limitations

  • No more than four years between admission to the MA/PhD program and admission to doctoral candidacy.
  • No less than eight months and no more than five years between admission to doctoral candidacy and the final doctoral oral examination; or dismissal from the program will ensue.

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