School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences
Master of Science Program in Psychology
Objectives
The Master of Science (MS) in Psychology program provides advanced training in psychology. The program is designed for full-time student scholars who wish to expand their knowledge of psychology by engaging in advanced coursework and research training in psychology. The program also offers students the opportunity to gain additional psychology training in preparation for applying to nationally prominent doctoral programs in Clinical and Experimental Psychology. This research-focused program requires students to work with a research mentor and to be actively involved in a research laboratory throughout training. The Master of Psychology degree does not provide clinical training or lead to licensure as a counselor or psychologist.
Facilities
The principal sites for the academic and research activities of the Master of Science Program in Psychology include faculty labs located on the Richardson campus and at vibrant centers within the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences: the Center for Children and Families, the Callier Center for Communication Disorders, the Center for BrainHealth, the joint Center for Brain Imaging with UT Southwestern Medical Center, and the Center for Vital Longevity. These centers provide access to brain imaging laboratories and speech, hearing, and language laboratories.
Admission Requirements
The University's general admission requirements are discussed on the Graduate Admission page.
The application deadline is February 15th each year. Applicants are selected once a year to begin the program in the fall semester.
Admission to the Master of Science Program in Psychological Sciences is based on a review of the applicant's GPA (grade point average), three letters of recommendation, and narrative description of interests and career goals. Both GRE math and verbal scores are required to be considered for admission.
Degree Requirements
The University's general degree requirements are discussed on the Graduate Policies and Procedures page.
The MS in Psychology curriculum is designed to offer opportunities for specialization in a chosen core field, breadth of training, selection of electives that serve students' individual goals, and research experience. Each student will be assigned to a research mentor at the start of the program and will maintain involvement in a research laboratory throughout the two-year program.
All students in the program are required to regularly review their degree plans with their research mentor. The program requires a minimum of 36 semester credit hours distributed as follows. Students are required to complete 6 semester credit hours of major field core courses (two selected from one of the following fields: Developmental, Cognitive, Social and Personality, and Neuroscience), 6 semester credit hours of additional core courses (two courses from a different area than the major core), 6 semester credit hours of Research Methods (a two course sequence in statistics and research methods), 12 semester credit hours of approved advanced elective courses, and 6 semester credit hours of Independent Study/Research.
Master of Science in Psychology
36 semester credit hours minimum
Faculty
Professors: Hervé Abdi, Peter F. Assmann, W. Jay Dowling, Francesca Filbey, Richard M. Golden, John Hart Jr., Daniel Krawczyk, Alice J. O'Toole, Margaret Tresch Owen, Karen J. Prager, Michael D. Rugg, Bart Rypma, Melanie J. Spence
Associate Professors: Robert Ackerman, Chandramallika Basak, Shayla C. Holub, Kristen Kennedy, Sven Kroener, Mandy J. Maguire, Christa McIntyre Rodriguez, Candice M. Mills, Jackie Nelson, Amy Pinkham, Karen Rodrigue, Noah J. Sasson
Assistant Professors: Heidi Kane, Jiyoung Park, Kendra Seaman, Meghan Swanson
Professor Emerita: Susan W. Jerger
Major Field Core Courses: 12 semester credit hours minimum
Students will declare a major in one of these areas and take two courses from the major area and two courses from a different area than the major core.
Developmental Psychology
PSYC 6331 Cognitive Development
PSYC 6350 Social Development
PSYC 6368 Language Development
Cognition
PSYC 6330 Cognitive Science
PSYC 6333 Memory
PSYC 6395 Cognitive Psychology
Social/Personality Psychology
PSYC 6327 Personality
PSYC 6376 Social Psychology
Neuroscience
PSYC 6338 Functional Neuroanatomy
PSYC 6346 Systems Neuroscience
Research Methods: 6 semester credit hours minimum
Students will complete two 3-semester credit hour courses in research methods and design that are approved by the Program Head and Academic Support Coordinator.
Research Methods I
PSYC 6312 Research Methods in Behavioral and Brain Sciences - Part I
Research Methods II
PSYC 6313 Research Methods in Behavioral and Brain Sciences - Part II
Advanced Electives: 12 semester credit hours minimum
Students will select 4 courses from masters and doctoral offerings. Any core course (listed above) may count as an advanced elective, though it cannot count both as a core course and as an elective. Interested students may participate in an internship as an elective course.
As an elective course, interested students may participate in an Internship. Internships will be arranged on an individual basis by the Program Head, Academic Support Coordinator, and the BBS Director of Student Programming and Community Engagement. Internships will be for course credit and not for pay.
Independent Study/Research: 6 semester credit hours
Students will typically register for research hours their first and last semesters in the program. The capstone research requirement will be fulfilled by completion of a focused research project to be submitted and presented in poster format.