Master of Science in Psychological Science
Website: https://twu.edu/psychology-philosophy/prospective-graduate-students/psychological-science/
The Psychological Science program offers a M.S. degree. The Psychological Science Program is designed to prepare students in a variety of areas of psychological science with exceptional, student-focused research training. Through one-on-one mentoring, students will develop a deep understanding of the scientific basis of human psychology and highly marketable research skills. The program prepares students for direct entry into the workforce as a behavioral scientist or analyst with technology companies, marketing firms, defense contractors, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, federal and local governments, academic and private research labs, and other private industry employers. Graduates of the Psychological Science program are well-positioned for entry into a doctoral program in psychology or entry into teaching positions at junior colleges. The 36 semester credit hourr program is designed to be completed in as few as 12 months and includes the completion of a thesis project with a faculty mentor.
Marketable Skills
Defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's 60x30 Strategic Plan as, "Those skills valued by employers that can be applied in a variety of work settings, including interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skills areas. These skills can be either primary or complementary to a major and are acquired by students through education, including curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities."
- Using research methodologies and data analytic techniques appropriate to professional standards and conventions, graduates will be able to formulate research hypotheses, establish techniques for collecting valid data, utilize data analytic techniques, and draw conclusions that provide answers to research questions.
- Graduates will be able to understand, compare, and contrast key theories, findings, concepts, and principles across the different content domains of psychological science. They will be able to articulate how psychological principles can be used to explain thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. They will also be prepared to explain social issues from a psychological perspective and generate informed public policy recommendations.
Admissions
All students must meet the University requirements as outlined in the Admission to the TWU Graduate School section of the catalog.
The academic program may have additional admission criteria that must also be completed as outlined on the program's website.
Degree Requirements
Total Semester Credit Hours Required
36 semester credit hours (SCH), including 6 SCH for thesis.
| Code | Title | SCHs |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| PSY 5304 | Advanced Psychological Statistics I | 4 |
| PSY 5353 | Research Design | 3 |
| PSY 5983 | Thesis | 3 |
| PSY 5993 | Thesis | 3 |
| PSY 6104 | Cognition and Emotion | 4 |
| PSY 6133 | Advanced Behavioral Neuroscience | 3 |
| PSY 6204 | Advanced Psychological Statistics II | 4 |
| PSY 6613 | Advanced Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 6743 | Seminar in Social Psychology | 3 |
| Elective Courses | 6 | |
| Choose 6 SCH from the following | ||
| Advanced Psychopathology | ||
| Measurement and Psychometric Theory | ||
| Philosophical and Historical Foundations of Psychology | ||
| Qualitative Research Methods and Program Evaluation | ||
Other advanced elective courses with permission of the Program Directors | ||
| Total SCHs | 36 | |
Special Requirements
Students are required to maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale in all courses applied to the degree. If a grade of C or less is earned in a course, the student will be required to complete a formal remediation process. If a second grade of C or less is earned, the student will be dismissed from the program.
