Department of Psychology

Department of Psychology
Montana State University
Graduate Admissions Committee
PO Box173440
Bozeman, MT 59717-3440
Tel: (406) 994-3801

http://www.montana.edu/wwwpy/msprogram.htm

Department Head
Prof. Colleen Moore, Ph.D.

Professors

•R.A. Block; cognitive psychology: memory and attention, temporal information processing, meta-analysis.
• C. Moore; Developmental Psychology, early life effects on behavior such as prenatal alcohol, prenatal stress, and environmental pollutants. Risk perception and moral reasoning about hazards
• A.M. Babcock; physiological psychology; cerebral ischemia, neurobiology of learning and memory.
• W.C. Lynch; eating disorders, motivation, learning, behavior modification, physiological psychology.

Associate Professors

• K. A. Hutchison; Cognitive psychology; attention, implicit and explicit memory, cognitive aging, psycholinguistics, cognitive neuropsychology
• J. L. Smith; social psychology; self-regulation of motivation, gender studies, interpersonal and achievement goals, stereotype threat.

Assistant Professors

• I. M. Handley; social psychology; social cognition, attitudes and persuasion, affect and decision-making.
• M. L. Meade; cognitive psychology; memory, cognitive aging, collaborative memory, individual difference in performance

Degree Offered

M.S. in Psychology (with an emphasis on psychological science)

We offer a research-oriented Master of Science (M.S.) degree in psychology. Through advanced coursework, thesis credits, research colloquia, and individualized mentoring from faculty, this program is designed to train graduate students to conduct psychological research in the following areas: cognitive psychology, social psychology, learning, health psychology, physiological psychology, and developmental psychology. Our M.S. research program in psychological science prepares students for admission into a doctoral program or for employment in applied settings.

Admission

The Graduate Studies application process can be completed on-line at http://www.montana.edu/gradstudies. You must also submit information listed on the Psychology Department's Supplemental Application form. Please note, on this form there is an essay requirement. (Specific instructions for the essay are below.)

Essay requirement: In application materials, applicants must include a 1-2 page letter of intent/personal statement that summarizes your academic background in psychology or related field, career plans, research experience, research interests, and why you are applying to Montana State University's M.S. program in psychological science.

Please be aware that the Psychology Department requires that applicants submit Graduate Record Exam Scores (General test, which yields a Verbal and Quantitative score). The GRE Psychology Subject Test is not required, but recommended. Please arrange to have scores sent directly to us. All successful candidates must demonstrate knowledge of the fundamentals of psychology, as well as undergraduate-level training in statistics and research methods. The closing date for receipt of completed applications is February 1. For detailed Division of Graduate Education admission requirements, review the Admission Policies and Application Requirements sections. Successful applicants must have their applications accepted by The Graduate School (with departmental endorsement) before an individual is considered a graduate student at MSU. Three letters of references are required.

Program Requirements

The Master of Science program requires a minimum of 31 credit hours of graduate level coursework. The required coursework is designed to provide students with a general overview of specific content areas, as well as with research methods and statistics in psychology. Courses we typically require include:

Financial Assistance

Teaching Assistantships or Research Assistantships, which are awarded on a competitive basis, are usually available to formally admitted graduate students during their two years of study. See the Graduate Assistantships sections for detailed information on appointment criteria. Assistantships are requested by the student's home department.

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