Master of Arts in Psychology - Option in Psychological Research
This is a 30-unit degree program.
Prerequisites
All students fulfill the requirements in Item #1 and choose either Item #2 or Item #3.
1. Take 6 units of college level work in chemistry, physics, biology or mathematics as approved by the graduate advisor. No more than 3 of the 6 units may be in approved mathematics courses.
2. A bachelor's degree with a major in psychology that includes:
- A. Take two courses from different groups:
- 1. PSY 331, PSY 332, PSY 333
- 2. PSY 336, PSY 337, PSY 378, PSY 379
- 3. PSY 340, PSY 341, PSY 342
- B. Take one course from the following:
- PSY 351, PSY 356, PSY 361, PSY 365
- C. Take the following course:
- PSY 310 Intermediate Statistics (4)
Prerequisites: PSY 100, PSY 110.
3. A bachelor's degree with a major other than psychology and 24 units of upper division psychology substantially equivalent to those required for the baccalaureate degree at this university, including:
- A. Take two courses from different groups:
- 1. PSY 331, PSY 332, PSY 333
- 2. PSY 336, PSY 337, PSY 378, PSY 379
- 3. PSY 340, PSY 341, PSY 342
- B. Take one of the following courses:
- PSY 351, PSY 356, PSY 361, PSY 363, PSY 365
- C. Take the following course:
- PSY 310 Intermediate Statistics (4)
Prerequisites: PSY 100, PSY 110.
Advancement to Candidacy
Advancement to Candidacy is the next step after achieving classified status and confers catalog rights to graduate students. It also signifies approval of a plan of study by the graduate student's major, department, and college. Advancement requirements are:
1. Application for Advancement to Candidacy must be completed prior to or concurrent with enrollment in PSY 698 (Thesis).
2. Classified status.
3. An approved program of studies for the Master of Arts, Psychological Research option degree.
4. Fulfillment of the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR).
5. A minimum 3.0 overall GPA and a 3.0 GPA in all units undertaken for the program (at least 6 graduate units).
6. Enrollment in regular session.
Requirements
1. The student must complete, as a graduate student, 30 units of graduate coursework (501-698), 24 of which must be in Psychology (not including PSY 697) including:
- A. Take one of the following:
- PSY 511, PSY 512 if PSY 411 or PSY 412 or equivalent not taken as an undergraduate;
- B. Take the following course during the first semester:
- PSY 596 Proseminar on Graduate Research (3)
Prerequisites: Admission to MAPR program, consent of instructor; consent of graduate advisor.
- C. Take the following course (comprehensive exam required) during the second semester:
- PSY 696 Research Methods (3)
Prerequisites: PSY 411/511 or PSY 412/512, PSY 596, and consent of graduate advisor.
- D. Take three courses chosen from the following:
- PSY 631, PSY 632, PSY 633, PSY 634, PSY 635, PSY 637, PSY 651, PSY 656, PSY 661 or PSY 678
(with comprehensive exams in two of the three courses);
- E. Take the following course:
- PSY 698 Thesis (6)
Prerequisites: Advancement to candidacy, consent of graduate advisor.
2. With graduate advisor's approval a maximum of 6 units from related areas may be used for 6 of the 30 units.
3. Attendance at six Department Colloquia, four of which must be completed prior to preliminary oral examination, all six must be completed prior to final oral examination.
4. Completion of all requirements as established by the MA Psychological Research Committee.
5. Comprehensive examinations taken in three of the four required graduate seminars, as outlined in 1C and 1D above.
6. A preliminary oral examination on the thesis proposal and a final oral examination in defense of the completed thesis. (Note: In order to satisfy the culminating activity requirement (thesis, project, or comprehensive examination dependent upon the program), students must earn at least three (3) units and no more than six (6) units related to the completion of the culminating activity.)
Student Learning Outcomes
By the end of the M.A. program in psychological research, students will demonstrate that they can:
1. Summarize and critique the psychology literature, particularly within their chosen area of specialization.
2. Use core theories from their area of specialization to guide the development and implementation of research studies.
3. Demonstrate their understanding of the range of basic and applied research designs used to address psychological issues.
4. Demonstrate their understanding of the development of research instruments and indicators of reliability and validity relative to one's area of specialization.
5. Demonstrate their knowledge of the range of analytic techniques that are used in psychology, particularly univariate and multivariate statistical techniques.
6. Communicate both orally and in writing at a level that is appropriate for professionals in their chosen area of specialization.
