Master of Arts in Cognitive and Social Processes
Credit hours: 42
Length of program: two years
In our Cognitive and Social Processes program, you will receive extensive training in social and cognitive psychology, research methods, and statistics. Students are strongly encouraged to complete a thesis or other independent research project. Because we accept a maximum of only 8 students each year, our class sizes are relatively small, and students easily can collaborate with faculty on research projects.
Our primary mission is to prepare students to pursue doctoral study in cognitive or social psychology or a related area. Some of our graduates obtain jobs as researchers, consultants, or professionals in business or industrial settings.
Graduate Assistantships
Many of our students are funded by an assistantship.
Research
Our graduate faculty welcome the opportunity to conduct research with students, and we recommend that all students get involved in research projects. Often our graduate assistants are assigned to work on faculty research projects, but any student can work with the professors. For more information, see the faculty research interests page.
Sample Courses (some but not all courses below are required):
PSYS 616 - Perception and Cognition
Analysis of research and theories of perception, cognition, and language. Covers information processing, attention, verbal learning and memory, problem solving, concept formation, and psycholinguistics. Prerequisite: PSYSC 284 or 584.
PSYS 617 - Memory Processes and Applications
Explores models of human memory processes, as well as biological, environmental, and social factors affecting memory. Prerequisite: PSYSC 616.
PSYS 618 - Thinking
Examines psychological theories, models, research, and applications of problem solving, decision making, reasoning, and other kinds of intelligent human cognitive processing. Prerequisite: PSYSC 616.
PSYS 623 - Theories of Personality
Review and comparison of theories of the structure, development, dynamics, and assessment of normal personality, with emphasis on empirical data presented by proponents of various theoretical positions. Prerequisite recommended: PSYSC 241.
SOPS 610 - Social Psychology
Introduction to theories, findings, and methodology of social psychology.
SOPS 615 - Social Cognition
Includes intensive examination of the current literature and theory of social psychology; gives particular attention to theories of social cognition and perception. Prerequisite: SOPSY 610.
One of the following:
SOPS 620 - Group Dynamics
Research on and theory of behavior in small groups, effects on the individual of membership and participation in small and large groups, interaction of group structure and personality, and the effects of an individual on the group. Prerequisite: SOPSY 610.
SOPS 640 - Social Psychology of Attitudes
Examines theoretical and assessment perspectives pertaining to the psychological concept of attitudes. Prerequisite: SOPSY 610.
SOPS 660 - Contemporary Social Psychology
Selected areas of current interest in social psychology. Deals with contemporary research and publications from both foreign and American sources. Prerequisite: SOPSY 610.
Psychology Core Requirements: 12 hours
PSYS 680 - Research Methods in Psychology
Overview of research methods in psychology, including experimental, quasi-experimental, correlational, single-case, and program evaluation techniques. Prerequisite: PSYSC 241, 284 or their equivalents; permission of the instructor.
PSYS 691 - Systems of Psychology
The major concepts of various schools of psychological thought and contemporary theoretical systems as they have evolved from their historical origins.
PSYS 696 - Seminar on Diversity
Introduces the application of diversity perspectives to psychological research and practice. Race, ethnicity, economic status, national origin, disability, gender, sexual identity, age, and religious beliefs will be considered. Emphasizes why all psychological subdisciplines need to understand diversity issues. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
EDPS 642 - Intermediate Statistics
An extension of elementary descriptive and inferential statistics through basic statistical research designs, including analysis of variance and covariance. Prerequisite: PSYSC 241 or EDPSY 641 or a proficiency test administered within the department.