Master of Science in Psychology
Richardson, USA
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
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EARLIEST START DATE
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TUITION FEES
USD 18,276 / per semester
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Scholarships
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Introduction
The Master of Science in Psychology degree program provides advanced psychology training to prepare serious student scholars for nationally prominent doctoral programs in clinical and experimental psychology. Students will obtain research experience, take advanced coursework in psychology, and attend professional development workshops.
This research-focused program requires students to work with a research mentor and to be actively involved in at least one research laboratory throughout the two-year training. Students also have the opportunity to gain additional applied experiences through the thriving internship program in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences.
Admissions
Curriculum
Degree Requirements
The MS in Psychology 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.
All students in the program are required to regularly review their degree plans with their research mentor. The program requires a minimum of 36 semester credit hours distributed as follows. Students are required to complete 6 semester credit hours of major field core courses (two selected from one of the following fields: Developmental, Cognitive, Social and Personality, and Neuroscience), 6 semester credit hours of additional core courses (two courses from a different area than the major core), 6 semester credit hours of Research Methods (a two-course sequence in statistics and research methods), 12 semester credit hours of approved advanced elective courses, and 6 semester credit hours of Independent Study/Research.
Course Requirements
Major Field Core Courses: 12 semester credit hours 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.
Developmental Psychology
- PSYC 6331 Cognitive Development
- PSYC 6350 Social Development
- PSYC 6368 Language Development
Cognition
- PSYC 6330 Cognitive Science
- PSYC 6333 Memory
- PSYC 6395 Cognitive Psychology
Social/Personality Psychology
- PSYC 6327 Personality
- PSYC 6376 Social Psychology
Neuroscience
- PSYC 6338 Functional Neuroanatomy
- PSYC 6346 Systems Neuroscience
Research Methods: 6 semester credit hours minimum
Students will complete two 3-semester credit hour courses in research methods and design that are approved by the Program Head and Academic Support Coordinator.
- Research Methods I
- PSYC 6312 Research Methods in Behavioral and Brain Sciences - Part I
- PSYC 6312 Research Methods in Behavioral and Brain Sciences - Part I
- Research Methods II
- PSYC 6313 Research Methods in Behavioral and Brain Sciences - Part II
- PSYC 6313 Research Methods in Behavioral and Brain Sciences - Part II
Advanced Electives: 12 semester credit hours minimum
Students will select 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. Interested students may participate in an internship as an elective course.
As an elective course, interested students may participate in an Internship. Internships will be arranged on an individual basis by the Program Head, Academic Support Coordinator, and the BBS Director of Student Programming and Community Engagement. Internships will be for course credit and not for pay.
Independent Study/Research: 6 semester credit hours
Students will typically register for research hours during their first and last semesters in the program. The capstone research requirement will be fulfilled by completion of a focused research project to be submitted and presented in poster format.
Program Outcome
The Master of Science (MS) in Psychology program provides advanced training in psychology. The program is designed for full-time student scholars who wish to expand their knowledge of psychology by engaging in advanced coursework and research training in psychology. 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 and to be actively involved in a research laboratory throughout the training. The Master of Psychology degree does not provide clinical training or lead to licensure as a counselor or psychologist.
Career Opportunities
The P.S.Y.C. master’s degree program is excellent preparation for doctoral programs in psychology. This program is also ideal for individuals interested in applied careers where strong skills in designing, conducting, and understanding research are useful, including careers in data analysis, health care, and program management. Please note that this program is not designed to provide clinical training nor does it lead to licensure as a counsellor or psychologist. Graduates of the program seek positions such as researchers, project coordinator, and evaluation specialist.