Should a student lack a strong background in measurement, statistics, research design, or other areas judged relevant by the faculty, he or she may be required to complete the undergraduate requirements for such courses prior to obtaining classified graduate student status. Such students might take more than four semesters to complete the program. The required course work for the masters program is intended to provide students with a general knowledge of the field of experimental psychology, and the necessary academic background to propose and complete a thesis. Elective course work permits the student to specialize in an area of psychology. The masters thesis consists of original research, representing the integration of methodology and an area of specialization selected by the student.
Students generally select an area of interest based upon consideration of future career plans.
The student should select a faculty advisor for the thesis based upon his or her expertise in the student's specialty area. Thus, students are encouraged to carefully consider the specialties of the faculty listed below prior to applying to the program. Interested students also are invited to contact individual faculty members regarding their research interests.