Training Areas

The Department is organized around two core areas of research: Cognitive and Brain Sciences, and Mental and Physical Health. Graduate students are enrolled in one of two Graduate Degree Programs: Clinical Psychology or Psychological Science. Each of these Graduate Degree Programs offers training that maps onto the two core areas of research. In addition, we also offer a minor in Quantitative Psychology. See additional program requirements listed under the program track.

All students are required to satisfy course requirements that include core courses, specialty electives, courses in statistics and methodology, a college teaching course, and seminars on professional development, grant writing and research ethics. Consistent with our interest in promoting interdisciplinary work and a cohesive department atmosphere, we also strive to include faculty members from different programs on all thesis and dissertation committees.

Students will complete a specially tailored set of courses and experiences crafted with the guidance of their advisor. As part of their training, all students complete a common set of core requirements. All graduate students must take two statistics courses (Quantitative Methods I and Quantitative Methods II) during the first year, College Teaching in the third year, and the seminar series on professional development, grant writing and research ethics that spans Years 1-4.

Students completing the Psychological Science PhD will also complete the Research Methods in Psychological Science course and at least three elective courses.

During the first two years, before completion of the MA, clinical students must take at least one course from Group A, B, and C and either Social and Personality Development or Theories of Personality from Group D.