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MASTERS STUDENTS: |
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Thesis |
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The thesis should
demonstrate the student’s capacity to carry out independent
research. The research project will be closely related to
general educational objectives and should provide the student with
the opportunity to contribute to knowledge in psychology. The
student should begin to think seriously about a thesis problem as
soon as possible in his/her graduate career. Only for the
Biopsychology MA degree requires the completion of a thesis.
The Applied Developmental MA provides students with an option to
complete either a practicum or thesis. Students considering
pursuing a doctorate should strongly consider the thesis option. (please see the
MA
Handbook for more information). |
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For more information on the Masters Thesis,
please visit the
Thesis
Support Web page. |
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DOCTORAL STUDENTS: |
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Program of Study (POS) |
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Students are required
to prepare a Program of Study (POS), which articulates what courses
the student has taken/plans to take to satisfy graduation
requirements. This is a University requirement and must be completed
and approved before the student may be advanced to candidacy. The POS
must be approved by the advisor, program coordinator and the Assoc.
Chair for Graduate Studies. It is strongly recommended that students
meet with their advisors before the end of the second year to review
the POS and develop a plan for the next several years (e.g.,
electives, externship). Because of the differing requirements for each
of the doctoral degrees offered, please review your
Program Handbook
for
more information. |
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Comprehensive Exams |
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The purpose of
comprehensive exams is to determine whether or not the student has
obtained the requisite knowledge and skills for doctoral candidacy.
It is expected that, by the time a student receives his/her
comprehensive exam questions, that student has a high level of
expertise in several areas of their discipline and a working knowledge
of most others. It is also expected that the student has acquired the
synthesis and writing skills necessary to display that knowledge
clearly and concisely in a time constrained environment. Since each of
the five doctoral programs offered by the Psychology Department have
differing requirements, timelines and structures for their
comprehensive exams, students are strongly encouraged to familiarize
themselves with their respective program handbooks. Questions
regarding the administration of comprehensive exams should be directed
to the advisor. |
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Advancement to
Candidacy |
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Advancement to Candidacy implies that a doctoral student has
demonstrated both a breadth and depth of knowledge in their field of
study and is capable of exploring problems on the boundaries of
knowledge. Before doctoral students may be advanced to candidacy by
the Department, they should have completed all core course work
required of their degree, have passed all aspects of their individual
program comprehensive examination(s), submitted an approved Program of
Study (POS) and have been recommended for
advancement by their advisor and program coordinator. Recommendations
should be forwarded via E-Mail to
Darby Wiggins in the Graduate
Programs Office. Once approved by the Assoc. Chair for Graduate
Studies, the recommendation will be forwarded to the CHSS Office of
Graduate Academic Affairs for final approval. Students will be notified of their
advancement to candidacy via U.S. mail. Doctoral students have six (6)
years from the time they first register for classes in their program to
be advanced to candidacy. Once advanced, students have five (5) years
to complete their dissertation and graduate. |
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Dissertation |
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All doctoral
students are required to complete a dissertation – an empirical research
project that contributes to the theory or practice of psychology. This is
generally achieved through consideration of a problem on the boundaries of
knowledge in the field. The dissertation is an empirical project that
involves the formulation of a research question or problem, the design of
a study to answer the question, the collection and analysis of data, and
the interpretation of this data in light of the research question |
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For more information on Doctoral
Dissertations, please visit the
Dissertation Support Web page. |
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