Curriculum 

Experimental Psychology students are expected to develop a breadth of knowledge in psychology, as well as to acquire research experience within at least two content areas. Students take required core courses, as well as additional coursework designed to meet individual needs. Students are expected to complete 33 semester hours of coursework with a minimum GPA of 3.0 for the Master's of Arts degree. Each student is expected to be involved in research or some other scholarly endeavor under the supervision of a faculty member after completion of the first semester and until the degree is awarded. Each student must also undertake a thesis project based on empirical research and successfully defend the thesis project in an oral defense.

Program Requirements - 33 hrs.

Required Courses - 27 hrs.
PSYC 580  Neuropsychology (new)   3
PSYC 610  Analysis of Behavioral Data    3
PSYC 611  Methodology and Program Evaluation in Psychology          3
PSYC 612  Psychometric Theory, Assessment, Appraisal, and Application     3
PSYC 622  Psychology and Science          3
PSYC 623  Social Psychology       3
PSYC 699  Research and Thesis     6
PSYC 798  Professional Internship         3

Recommended Elective Courses - 6 hrs.
PSYC 630  Advanced Cognitive      3
PSYC 660  Human Growth and Lifespan Development   3
PSYC 690  Seminar in Psychology   3
PSYC 698  Directed Study          1-4
PSYC 672 Behavioral Approaches to Assessment and Intervention       2
PSYC 774  Introduction to Pharmacological Medications     3

Master's Thesis - Experimental

Each student must complete a Master's Thesis which makes a contribution to the science of psychology in order to obtain a Master's degree within the Experimental Psychology program. A complete proposal for the thesis project should be approved by the Graduate Advisory Committee by the fourteenth week of the second semester of graduate work; however, it must be approved at least one semester before the thesis is defended. The purpose of this approval is to ensure that the design or plan of the project has the endorsement of the Advisory Committee prior to investment of effort into the project. The written proposal (APA style) is to be prepared under the guidance of the Chair of the Advisory Committee and distributed for review to all committee members. The student may be required to defend the proposal in a meeting with the Advisory Committee. All Advisory Committee members must signify approval of the project. The Thesis Proposal form should be submitted to the Graduate College after the proposal has been revised by the student and approved by all members of the Advisory Committee.

The completed Master's Thesis must be successfully presented to the Graduate Advisory Committee in a public oral defense that includes the Final Comprehensive Exam. The student will present the thesis in colloquium format and be prepared to demonstrate a sound grasp of issues and methods pertaining to the thesis and its relationship to Psychology as a whole. The oral defense or colloquium must be arranged with the Advisory Committee, but all faculty members in the Psychology Department will be invited to attend and the colloquium will be open to the public (notices must be posted by the student 5 days prior to the colloquium). The thesis must be distributed to the members of the Advisory Committee 2 weeks in advance of the scheduled colloquium. A one- or two-page abstract of the presentation, including the date, time, and location of the colloquium, must be prepared by the student and placed in all Psychology faculty mailboxes at least five school days prior to the presentation. The revised and completed written thesis should be submitted to the Graduate College at least 2 weeks prior to the end of the semester in which the student will graduate.