The first two years of study largely involve the master's core sequence. Through this sequence, the Department provides the student with an understanding of the field of psychology as a whole.
Students also acquire the research skills necessary to conduct a research-oriented thesis.
The program of graduate studies at this level is sufficiently flexible to accommodate many student interests. Students work closely with faculty to design their studies so as to satisfy their interests as well as meet the department's academic requirements. The faculty strongly believes that research activities must be a major and integral part of the training of an experimental psychologist. Students are expected to acquire the skills necessary to evaluate and contribute to the research literature. With regard to the latter, the faculty have the expectation that students will be involved in research projects resulting in presentations at state, regional, or national conventions, and publications in refereed journals.