Psychology, M.S.

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For the graduate programs in Clinical Psychology, Family Therapy, Health Service Psychology, School Psychology, and Industrial/Organizational Psychology, please see their respective sections.

The Master of Science in Psychology prepares students to be applied problem solvers who address challenges in life and society. This is accomplished through a curriculum that provides a strong foundation in the core areas of psychology, data analysis, and an applied capstone experience. Research opportunities with faculty and a thesis capstone are available for students seeking a career in research or pursuing doctoral studies. This program does not prepare students for licensure to provide therapy services.

The Master of Science in Psychology requires 36 hours. Any undergraduate prerequisite hours not completed before enrollment will become additional requirements. Concentrations are available in the following areas: Human Factors Psychology and Neuroscience and Behavior. Students accepted into concentration areas may be required to take additional hours. For more information about concentration opportunities, refer to individual concentration sections in this catalog.

Admissions

Applicants who have completed the prerequisites with an undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher or those who have completed advanced degrees will be automatically admitted. Those with a GPA below 3.5 and/or have not completed the prerequisites will be individually reviewed by program faculty, who will make an admission decision based on the application file, which will include all official transcripts and a statement of purpose and goals (not to exceed 1,000 words) describing the reasons for wanting the degree and how it fits into career goals. Please contact the graduate director, Dr. Christine Walther, at walther@uhcl.edu for application information.

Prerequisites

The following prerequisites are required for this degree. Prerequisite courses must be completed before graduate coursework can begin.

PSYC 2301 or equivalent (three hours).
Course in statistics. Students whose undergraduate work does not include three hours in statistics must take PSYC 4370 or PSYC 4371.
Students are expected to demonstrate graduate-level writing ability. Those students whose writing is deemed unacceptable will be advised to take remedial courses.

Grades

Only grades of B- or better will count toward the Master of Science in Psychology. Grades of C+ or below are not acceptable.

Degree Requirements

Research and Statistics (6 hours)

Choose TWO of the following courses:

PSYC 6035 - Qualitative Research Methods Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 6036 - Advanced Nonexperimental Methods and Statistics Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 6037 - Advanced Experimental Methods and Statistics Credit Hours: 3

Psychology Core (12 hours)

Choose FOUR of the following courses:
PSYC 5031 - Human Growth and Development Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 5235 - Learning Principles Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 5532 - Advanced Social Psychology Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 6134 - Biological Basis of Behavior Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 6832 - Advanced Cognitive and Affective Psychology Credit Hours: 3

Psychological Diversity (3 hours)

Choose ONE of the following courses:

Another comparable class may be approved by the faculty adviser.

PSYC 5437 - Aging Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 5438 - Development of Gender and Racial Identity Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 5533 - Psychology of Gender, Race, and Sexuality Credit Hours: 3

Electives (9-12 hours)

Students completing the Practicum in Psychology Master’s option will choose twelve additional hours selected from Psychology. Students completing the Thesis Master’s option will choose nine additional hours selected from Psychology. Courses from other disciplines may be approved by the faculty adviser. No more than six hours from PSYC 5939 or PSYC 6739 can count toward the degree.

Master’s Option (3-6 hours)

Choose ONE of the following courses:

For thesis, complete 6 hours. For practicum, complete 3 hours.

PSYC 6439 - Practicum in Psychology Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 6939 - Master’s Thesis Research Credit Hours: 3

Additional Information

A psychology faculty member must agree to supervise a thesis and may choose to cease supervision if a student does not make satisfactory progress. Master’s theses require continuous registration during each fall and spring semester until completion for a minimum of six hours. If students do not maintain continuous registration in the master’s thesis, previously accumulated master’s option credits will not count toward the master’s degree.

Students must complete at least 24 hours and the research and statistics requirement prior to enrolling in practicum. A faculty adviser must grant permission for a student to enroll in a practicum.