Experimental Psychology, M.A. (restricted to Psychology, Ph.D. students—Cognitive and Neuro Sciences and Quantitative concentrations only)

The MA in Experimental Psychology is an option available for students enrolled in the Psychology, Ph.D. - (Cognitive and Neuro Sciences and Quantitative concentrations only) who choose to take the additional steps to obtain the master’s degree concurrent with the doctoral program in Experimental Psychology. Students seeking a terminal master’s degree are not admitted to the program; instead, students admitted to the doctoral program are automatically admitted to the master’s program, if they desire that degree.

The MA curriculum is designed to provide expertise in one area of Experimental Psychology, along with advanced knowledge of several additional areas within the field. The degree is awarded upon successful completion of course work, submission of an acceptable thesis, and satisfactory performance on a comprehensive, oral examination.

Learning Outcomes

1. All graduates will demonstrate fundamental knowledge of theory and research in behavioral neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, cognitive psychology and developmental psychology at the level to pursue a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology. 
2. All graduates will demonstrate expertise in experimental design and data analyses in their field of inquiry at a good level or above in their Master’s thesis.
3. All graduate will be able to explain and apply the ethical standards of the field of psychology as they apply to their Master’s Theses. 

Degree Requirements (30 hours)

30 hours, with at least 15 hours at the 700 level or above.

Required Courses (6 hours)

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Two basic methods courses:
PSYC 709	Basic Quantitative Methods in the Analysis of Behavioral Data I	3
PSYC 710	Basic Quantitative Methods in the Analysis of Behavioral Data II	3
Total Credit Hours		6

Breadth Course (3 hours)

Breadth courses are electives whose focus is outside the student’s primary area of study, but can be complementary to their research focus. This course should be selected in conjunction with the student’s advising committee and approved by the program director.

Core Area Courses (6 hours)

Specialized seminar courses necessary for the student’s curriculum and research goals.  Typically, these are core courses within the Department of Psychology, however with approval of the advising committee and graduate program director survey courses from other departments can be substituted (e.g., PHPH, Public Health, School of Medicine, Statistics)

Electives (9-12 hours)

Additional training tailored to each student to enhance specialized training in the field. Elective courses can include seminars and laboratory work done as individual research credit hours (PSYC 889; maximum 9 hrs).  Elective courses may be taught by any graduate program or professional school at the University of South Carolina, although typically a student will take at least some of his or her elective courses within the program. Your Advising Committee must approve all elective courses. You must submit an Approval of Elective Courses to your committee. The standard time to do so is during your yearly Advising Committee Evaluation meeting. Electives are tailored to each student to enhance specialized training in the field.

Thesis Preparation (3-6 hours)

All students must take at least 3, but no more than 6 credit hours of PSYC 799 with their main advisor. The specific number of credit hours will be determined in consultation with the advising committee so as to ensure that, with the electives courses, the student meets the 30 credit hours requirement for the Masters degree.

Thesis and Comprehensive Examination

A research thesis is required, beginning with approval of a prospectus by the thesis committee and culminating in a defense of the written thesis. An M.A. comprehensive oral examination may be combined with the thesis defense or be conducted separately. The sequence of events and more details concerning specific aspects are in the current Graduate Program in Experimental Psychology Student Handbook, which is posted on the Web.