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.

Fundamental Courses

Cognitive Seminar Courses

Developmental Seminar Courses

Social Seminar Courses

Elective Course¹

One elective course required 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, 3rd year students may substitute one seminar requirement with an elective in each area with permission from the faculty advisor. 

Recommended:

Professional Development

Research Course

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. Research experience during the third year might involve a continuation of the line of research initiated in the thesis project or other projects that students develop.

Master’s Thesis 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.

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

Developmental Seminar Courses

Social Seminar Courses

Professional Development

Research Course

Areas of Specialization

The psychological science faculty consists of members from each of the following major experimental areas: cognition, cognitive neuroscience, developmental psychology (child, adolescent, and lifespan), social cognition, and social psychology. Students may specialize in an area in which a faculty member has expertise.

Doctoral Candidacy Project

This requirement is completed after the student has defended the master's thesis and before defense of the dissertation proposal. PhD students in PS have two options for fulfilling the requirement for admission to doctoral candidacy: Writing a grant proposal or writing a journal-appropriate review article. 

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.

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.

Content displayed from this DePaul University catalog page.