This requirement is designed to provide students with a strong methodological background that can be used throughout their research careers. The specific courses that go toward meeting this requirement can be selected based in part on the student's career objectives. In addition, students can select from a variety of advanced courses and seminars to provide the core for their specialization in social psychology. Additional course work, inside and outside of psychology, is designed to facilitate the achievement of students' unique goals and interests. Programs of study are jointly constructed by the student and the members of his or her committee.
Course work provides a foundation of knowledge about the discipline.
However, the objective of advanced graduate work is to go beyond what is already known and to be on the cutting edge of knowledge in a discipline. As such, the student's research apprenticeship occupies the dominant role in his or her training. Beginning in their first semester, students are expected to work closely with faculty on research. The apprenticeship process provides the opportunity for first-hand research involvement, the development of skills, the generation of joint projects, the writing and publication of research findings, and the completion of thesis and dissertation work. Can be repeated with a change in content.