Core Courses

The curriculum consists of 36 credits with three options: thesis, management, and elective. Students are exposed to research, theory, and applications in major subfields of psychology.

Required Program Core Courses (27 credits)

PY 500 - Research Methods - Credits: 3
The nature of advanced research in both its quantitative and qualitative manifestations will be the theme of this course. An emphasis will be placed upon experimental design and the interpretation of correlational and experimental data.

PY 505 - Quantitative Data Analysis - Credits: 3
The focus of this course is on the statistical analysis of quantitative data for application in professional work or research.

PY 520 - Advanced Cognitive Psychology - Credits: 3
The primary objective of this course is to explore aspects of cognitive psychology. Topics include: theories of learning and memory, the neural basis of cognition, perception, attention, pattern recognition, mental representations, thinking, language, and intelligence.

PY 530 - Advanced Social Psychology - Credits: 3
This course is an advanced and in-depth examination of the pure and applied scientific literature that examines how people think about, influence, and relate to each other. Topics include conformity, obedience, aggression, altruism, attitudes, persuasion, and other topics relevant to social behavior.

PY 540 - Theories of Personality - Credits: 3
An in-depth examination of the major personality theories and research literature. Topics include the following theoretical approaches: psychoanalysis, evolutionary, trait, social learning, motivational, biographical, developmental, and narrative.

PY 600 - Psychological Tests and Measures - Credits: 3
The primary objective of this course is to introduce students to psychological tests and measurements and their uses in clinical, industrial, and educational settings. Topics covered include: test classification, special populations, psychometric principles, norms, ethics, reliability, validity, development, administration, and interpretation of test scores. Prerequisite or Co-requisite: PY 505.

PY 610 - Developmental Psychology - Credits: 3
This course is designed to explore the well-established knowledge about the development process in humans throughout the stages of life. Emphasis is placed on the major theories concerning growth in various aspects of life, including cognitive, social, personality, physical, and moral development.

As part of the required courses students will take six credits of PY Psychology Electives or Other Graduate Electives.

Students must choose one of the following options.

Thesis Option:  9 credits - designed for students who plan to pursue a Ph.D
PY 698 Thesis I 3 credits
PY 699 Thesis II 6 credits

Management Option: 9 credits – students choose three courses from the MBA program.

Elective Option – 9 credits
Students choose any three approved graduate electives tailored to their career