Master of Science- Psychology

The Master of Science in Psychology is designed to build and enhance the skills needed to function in professional roles related to Psychology including research and teaching.  The program offers advanced training in psychology, brain function, human development and behavior as well as basic and advanced research methods.  Student interaction, real life examples of cognitive function and behavioral patterns along with rich face to face discussions form the learning dynamic, while students are also provided an engaging and effective environment to stimulate critical thinking, writing skills and interpersonal communications.

Faculty Contact: Dr. Angela Sikorski; (903) 223-3018; angela.sikorski@tamut.edu;
 

Admission Requirements

  • Baccalaureate degree in Psychology or a related discipline
  • Minimum index score based on a formula that includes the student's overall undergraduate GPA and GRE score.
    • If the GRE was taken prior to August 1, 2011, the minimum index score is 1400. IS = (GPA x 200) + (GREquantitative + GREverbal)
    • if the GRE was taken after August 1, 2011, the minimum index score is 446.  IS = (GPA x ((130/GPA) + 10) + (GREquantitative + GREverbal)
  • Three positive letters of academic recommendation from faculty or professional mentors
  • Letter of interest, commitment, and purpose to the program
  • Resume

Requirements must be submitted to the Graduate Studies Office by the designated deadline of first semester of enrollment.

Degree Requirements

Students should refer to their DegreeWorks degree audit in their Web for Students account for more information regarding their degree requirements.

Major Courses
PSY 503Psychology of Behavior Disorders3
PSY 516Psychological Theories of Learning3
PSY 539Advanced Psychological Statistics3
PSY 540Research Literature and Techniques3
PSY 541Advanced Cognitive Psychology3
PSY 542Advanced Physiological Psychology3
PSY 543Human Growth and Development3
PSY 544Advanced Social Psychology3
PSY 546Advanced Personality Theories3
Select 9 semester credit hours Prescribed Electives from the following:9
Behavior Modification
Human Sexual Behavior
Clinical Assessment
Ethics in Counseling and Psychology
Psychopharmacology for Counselors
Child and Adolescent Psychology
Individual Study
Minimum Hours for Degree36
Undergraduate Prerequisites
PSYC 2301General Psychology 13
PSYC 2317Statistical Methods in Psychology 23
PSY 316Abnormal Psychology3
1

 Prereq for PSY 503

2

 Prereq for PSY 560, PSY 540 and PSY 539

Graduate Courses in Psychology

PSY 503. Psychology of Behavior Disorders. 3 Hours.

This class prepares students to diagnose psychological disorders using the current diagnostic manual. Videotape cases will be used to illustrate the various types of disorders. Attention will also be given to gathering relevant information from the clinical interview, psychometrics, and other sources to assist in the diagnostic process. Prerequisite: PSY 316 or equivalent.

PSY 516. Psychological Theories of Learning. 3 Hours.

PSY 516 surveys the various theories of learning from classical and operant conditioning to cognitive developmental models and information processing. This course emphasizes application of appropriate theories to real life situations.

PSY 518. Thesis I. 3 Hours.

Student will conduct faculty-supervised research culminating in a thesis proposal. Prerequisite: Admission to the MS Psychology program; 6sch of graduate courses in Psychology with a B or better; Instructor Approval.

PSY 519. Thesis II. 3 Hours.

Student will conduct faculty supervised research culminating in a thesis defense. Prerequisite: PSY 518.

PSY 535. Behavior Modification. 3 Hours.

This course examines principles and techniques of behavior modification as it is applied to clinical, school, industrial and self-modification programs.

PSY 539. Advanced Psychological Statistics. 3 Hours.

Students will learn how to determine which statistical method is most appropriate for any given set of data. Students will also become adept in performing a variety of statistical computations as well as interpreting research results.

PSY 540. Research Literature and Techniques. 3 Hours.

Students will review and research studies produced by investigators in student's major field with emphasis on investigative and verification techniques employed. Demonstrate competence in using systematic research techniques by investigation and formal reporting of a problem.

PSY 541. Advanced Cognitive Psychology. 3 Hours.

Students will synthesize and analyze classic and contemporary readings in the cognitive sciences and apply their acquired knowledge of the subject to a variety of activities designed to provide firsthand experience in the field of cognitive psychology. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSY 542. Advanced Physiological Psychology. 3 Hours.

This course examines the relationship between the brain and behavior. Students will study the anatomy of the central nervous system at a macroscopic and microscopic level, as well as the processes by which the nervous system interacts with the environment. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and PSYC 2317.

PSY 543. Human Growth and Development. 3 Hours.

This course examines physical, cognitive and psychosexual development across the human life span. Emphasis is given to the complex process that grows out of the interactions between a changing person and a changing world that continues throughout the entire life span.

PSY 544. Advanced Social Psychology. 3 Hours.

This course will examine the social influences on human behavior by reviewing current and historically relevant psychological research. Prerequisite: PSYC 2301.

PSY 545. Human Sexual Behavior. 3 Hours.

Human Sexual Behavior examines biological capabilities, psychological characteristics, and social and cultural influences on human sexual behavior. The course emphasizes the diversity of sexual learning, attitudes, and values. Students who have already completed PSY 445 are not eligible for this course. (Cross listed with PSY 445.).

PSY 546. Advanced Personality Theories. 3 Hours.

This course will survey both classic and current topics in advanced personality psychology with an emphasis on application to both observational and experimental research in the field. Students will participate in a class project to write a research proposal and have the opportunity to participate in completing the project and presenting at a professional conference. Prerequisite: PSYC 2301.

PSY 560. Clinical Assessment. 3 Hours.

This course provides students with historical perspective concerning the nature and meaning of assessment. It addresses basic concepts of standardized and non standardized methods of clinical assessment for a variety of clinical settings. Also addressed are the statistical and psychometric concepts of reliability and validity. The student will learn how the Mental Status Exam, Clinical Interview and MMPI-2 are used in clinical settings and how to perform these assessments complete to report writing. The student will learn how to evaluate the quality of testing instruments. Issues of diversity and ethical strategies for selecting, administering and interpreting assessment and evaluation instruments are addressed. Prerequisite: PSYC 2317.

PSY 572. Intelligence Testing. 3 Hours.

This class focuses on the assessment of intelligence of children, adolescents and adults. The course will familiarize students with the history, purpose and process of measuring intelligence. Students will administer, score, and interpret results on the WPPSI-III, WISC-IV and the WAIS-III.

PSY 575. Ethics in Counseling and Psychology. 3 Hours.

Students explore the range of ethical issues that professionals may encounter within the field of psychology. Through lecture, discussion, reading, and role-plays, students will explore such issues as ethical codes and ethical decision-making, boundaries of competence, confidentiality, dual relationships, insurance/third party payments, advertising, assessment, teaching, therapy, and research.

PSY 578. Marriage and Family Therapy. 3 Hours.

This is an examination of the application of relationship counseling theory to the study of marital systems and the application of family systems theory to the study of family dynamics. The focus will be on structural, strategic and system approaches. A combination of didactic and experiential methods is employed. Students are expected to be involved in role-playing and strategic exercises.

PSY 579. Psychopharmacology for Counselors. 3 Hours.

The course is a basic introduction to psychopharmacology non-medical counselors. Basic neuropsychological principles will be discussed and applied to relevant diagnostic groups involving various classes of psychopharmacological medications. The course will help counselors to understand client issues that pertain to psychopharmacology. It will equip the counselor-in-training to better understand psychopharmacology and to interact with medical personnel who prescribe psychotherapeutic medications. This training will allow counselors to understand how medications are used and how the application of various psychopharmacological medications can affect the counseling process.

PSY 581. Child and Adolescent Psychology. 3 Hours.

This course examines the bio-psychosocial issues of children and adolescents. Psychological theories and counseling interventions that address the emotional needs of children and adolescents are studied. Emphasis is given to the diagnosis of psychological disorders and psychological treatment.

PSY 589. Individual Study. 1-3 Hours.

This course provides individual instruction. Students may repeat the course when topics vary.

PSY 597. Special Topics. 3 Hours.

Instructors will provide an organized class designed to cover areas of specific interest. Students may repeat the course when topics vary.