,
experimental methods, quasi-experimental methods, alternative research methods
The goal of our two-year
graduate program is to train students to conduct psychological research. The
psychology department at MSU does not have graduate faculty who specialize in
clinical, counseling, community, or school psychology. Moreover, we are
not a practitioner-oriented or MBA-type program. We consider ourselves to
be a feeder program for students who want to continue on to a doctoral program
in psychology and conduct research.
To satisfy the degree
requirements, students must work intensively with their advisor to complete a
research project culminating in a written master's thesis. Six graduate-level
psychology courses and one additional supporting course (e.g., biology,
statistics, and sociology) are also required. General areas of faculty research
interest include: cognitive psychology, physiological psychology, social psychology,
health psychology, applied statistics, and research methods.
The psychology faculty at
MSU uses an individualized mentorship approach to graduate training. Students
and their advisors work together to devise a program of coursework and research
best suited for the students' career goals. The opportunity to conduct research
with a faculty member is a unique component of our graduate program as it
provides training useful for the ultimate pursuit of a doctoral degree or
position work in another research-related setting.