Curriculum

The social psychology graduate program maintains a flexible curriculum that allows students to develop their full potential as researchers and theorists.  There are some courses that are required by the program, and some courses that are required by the department.  Other than these required courses, students in consultation with their advisors have the opportunity to design a course of study that will best suit their objectives.  It is expected that students will complete the program in 4-5 years.  The general curriculum typically proceeds as follows:

I. Core Courses in Social

This course must be taken every semester:

860      Directed Research Seminar in Social Psychology

This course is taken during first semester, Fall:

863      Methods of Social Psychology

Take a minimum of 3 out of 5 of the following courses (but all 5 are recommended as offered):

864      Topics in Attitude Research
866      Interpersonal Processes and Close Relationships
869      Advanced Social Cognition
870      Psychology of Emotions
871      Advanced Group Processes

II.  Other Courses in Social

Take a minimum of 2 of the following courses (consult with advisor for additional courses):

868      Seminar in Social Psychology
872      Seminar in Political Psychology
873      Seminar in Prejudice and Stereotyping
874      Social Judgment and Decision Making
***      Additional courses in social as developed (e.g., Positive Psychology, Self, etc.)

III.  Department of Psychology Requirements

830      Statistical Methods in Psychology I
831      Statistical Methods in Psychology II
790      History of Psychology
792      Professional Problems (Teaching Seminar, 1 credit hour) 
3 out-of-area courses are required in addition to 830, 831, 790, 792.
At least 30 credit hours are required for M.A. (no specific additional hours for Ph.D.).

IV.  Graduate Curriculum in Social

Year 1

Fall

830      Statistical Methods in Psychology I
860      Directed Research Seminar in Social Psychology
863      Methods of Social Psychology
991      Advanced Research

Spring

831      Statistical Methods in Psychology II
860      Directed Research Seminar in Social Psychology
991      Advanced Research
***      Course in Social
792      Professional Problems (Teaching Seminar, 1 credit hour)

* A first year research project is presented at the end of Spring Semester in Year 1.

Year 2

Fall

790      History of Psychology
860      Directed Research Seminar in Social Psychology
993      Master’s Thesis
***      Course in Social/Out-of-Area

*A Master’s Thesis is proposed before the end of Fall semester of Year 2 at the latest.

Spring

993      Master’s Thesis
860      Directed Research Seminar in Social Psychology
***      Course in Social/Out-of-Area
***      Course in Social/Out-of-Area

*The Master’s Thesis is defended before the end of Spring Semester of Year 2 at the latest.
* Comprehensive exams are taken before beginning of Fall Semester (August) of Year 3.

Years 3-5

Each Semester

860      Directed Research Seminar in Social Psychology
994      Doctoral Dissertation
Take any additional courses (consult with advisor), and fulfill any remaining program or departmental requirements.

*A Doctoral Dissertation is defended before Ph.D. is conferred.