Psychological Science

Program Mission Statement

The mission of the Masters of Science in Psychological Science program is to maintain the highest standards of graduate education in the field of general psychology by: (a) maintaining excellence in teaching, (b) offering innovative academic opportunities both within the classroom and in the community, (c) instilling the ethical standards of the profession, and (d) offering research, applied, and other professional opportunities to students through a dedicated faculty and community support. Moreover, our goal is to instill in our students the knowledge, values, and skills that are required of an educated and responsible citizen in our global and multicultural society. The highest personal, professional, and academic accountability is expected of both the faculty and students in the MAGP program.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able:

Knowledge of Literature of Discipline (req)

Deepen a comprehensive knowledge of the nature of psychology in science and practice.

Independent Research/ Professional Practice (req)

Demonstrate psychological literacy through the application of the scientific method

Professional Skills (opt)

Enhance professional identity.

Communication (opt)

Express ideas effectively by writing and speaking in multiple formats.

Ethics (opt)

Behave in accordance with the ethical standards of the discipline.

Other (opt)

Exercise values that reflect commitment to diversity.

Assessment Approaches

Advanced understanding of foundational and emerging knowledge in core areas of psychology are assessed through analyses of assignments in courses selected on a rotating basis. All students complete a capstone research thesis that constitutes a justifiable contribution to the discipline of psychology. Ethical knowledge and application is demonstrated through CITI certification and the development of an approved Institutional Review Board research proposal. Thesis proposal and defense evaluations by a thesis committee are used to assess mastery of the literature and oral, written, quantitative technique, and research design competencies.