Experimental Psychology, M.S.
Minimum Totals for Graduation: 36 hours
The Master of Science in Experimental Psychology program at Central Michigan University is a broad yet flexible program designed to develop individual scholarship. Students are exposed to a variety of content areas, while concentrating on a major area of study. Throughout their program, all students are expected to be actively involved in research with a faculty member. The program's primary emphasis is to prepare students for doctoral study or research positions in the public or private sector.
Admission Requirements, Retention & Termination Standards
Admission Requirement Snapshot
Application Deadline: March 1 (Fall)
See Admission Requirement Details Below
The Master of Science degree in Experimental Psychology is based upon the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 36 semester hours of graduate work.
Admission requirements and a detailed description of the Experimental M.S. program can be obtained from the Department of Psychology website. In addition to grades, the admissions committee is very attentive to letters of recommendation, statement of research interest, and relevant professional experiences. Fifteen semester hours of undergraduate psychology or the equivalent as determined by the department are required for admission. Students who are deficient in certain subject areas such as statistics (PSY 211) or methodology (PSY 285, PSY 385) will be expected to make up these deficiencies in addition to the normally prescribed graduate course work for the degree. A maximum of nine credit hours earned during non-degree status may be applied toward the MS degree.
Program Requirements
Required Courses (14 hours)
| PSY 511 | Statistics in Psychology | 3(3-1) |
| PSY 609 | History and Systems of Psychology | 3(3-0) |
| PSY 690 | Research Seminar: Experimental Psychology | 1-3(Spec) |
| PSY 798 | Thesis | 1-12(Spec) |
Note: 2 hours of PSY 690; 6 hours of PSY 798.
In addition to coursework, a student must complete an oral examination over the thesis.
Additional Requirement I (3 hours)
Select one course from the following:
| PSY 611 | Research Design | 3(3-0) |
| PSY 612 | Applied Multiple Regression and Correlation | 3(3-0) |
| PSY 613 | Multivariate and Correlational Methods | 3(3-0) |
Additional Requirement II (3 hours)
Select one course from the following:
| PSY 587 | Physiological Psychology | 3(3-0) |
| PSY 687 | Physiological Foundations | 3(3-0) |
Additional Requirement III (3 hours)
Select one course from the following:
Additional Requirement IV (3 hours)
Select one course from the following:
| PSY 624 | Advanced Developmental Psychology | 3(3-0) |
| PSY 630 | Advanced Social Psychology | 3(3-0) |
Cognate Courses (0-6 hours)
To be chosen in consultation with an advisor.
Electives (4-10 hours)
To be chosen in consultation with an advisor.
Total: 36 semester hours
Information concerning additional requirements can be obtained by contacting the Experimental MS program director.
Accelerated Admissions to the Master of Science in Experimental Psychology
(Currently enrolled CMU Undergraduate students only)
Advanced undergraduate students majoring in psychology who want to obtain additional training in experimental psychology may want to consider an option by which they can obtain their Bachelor of Science with the General Major in Psychology and their Master of Science in Experimental Psychology in five years. The accelerated program course requirements are identical to the General Major in Psychology and to the Master of Science in Experimental Psychology and allows the student to apply 12 credit hours of graduate coursework toward both their Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees.
To be eligible for the accelerated program, students must meet all of the admissions requirements for regular admission to the Master of Science in Experimental Psychology program and have completed at least 84 credit hours of undergraduate coursework, including all General Education, University Program, and competency requirements. It is expected that students will already be engaged in research with a faculty member prior to admission to the accelerated program.
The accelerated Master of Science in Experimental Psychology program is a 12-month program. Students will complete the Bachelor of Science degree requirements and the first year of coursework for the Master of Science by the end of the summer term of their fourth year. Students will complete the coursework for the Master of Science and conduct and defend their thesis by the end of the summer term of their fifth year. A sample curriculum for a student who has completed 84 credit hours of undergraduate coursework is given below. Undergraduate coursework completed beyond 84 credit hours would lead to conferral of the Bachelor of Science degree prior to the end of the summer term in Year Four.
If you are admitted to an AMDP, your financial aid may be affected. Contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid for information (989-774-3674) or cmuosfa@cmich.edu.
Sample Curriculum
Year Four
Fall
| PSY 511 | Statistics in Psychology | 3(3-1) |
| Graduate Requirement | 3 |
| PSY 690 | Research Seminar: Experimental Psychology | 1-3(Spec) |
| Undergraduate Courses | 9 |
Total: 16 hours
Spring
| Graduate Requirement | 3 |
| Graduate Requirement | 3 |
| PSY 690 | Research Seminar: Experimental Psychology | 1-3(Spec) |
| Undergraduate Courses | 9 |
Total: 16 hours
Summer
Total: 10 hours
Bachelor of Science degree conferred
Year Five
Fall
| Graduate Requirement | 6 |
| Graduate Elective | 3 |
Total: 9 hours
Spring
| PSY 798 | Thesis | 1-12(Spec) |
| Graduate Elective | 3 |
Total: 6 hours
Summer
| PSY 798 | Thesis | 1-12(Spec) |
| Graduate Elective | 4 |
Total: 7 hours
Master of Science degree conferred
Note 1: Courses that apply to both the BS and MS degrees. Required courses are (PSY 511; PSY 609; PSY 611 or PSY 612 or PSY 613; PSY 587 or PSY 687; PSY 589 or PSY 680 or PSY 681; and PSY 624 or PSY 630). Students must register for graduate credit for these courses.
Note 2: Apply to MS degree only.