Shippensburg University

Program Information

Degree Offered

M.S.

Program Description:

The master of science in psychological science offers a Research, Applied, or General/Reading track.

The Research Track is appropriate for those students seeking degrees beyond the master's level. This track allows students to specialize in a subarea of psychology via elective selection and completion of a thesis (Thesis I and II). The thesis requirement will increase students’ potential for acceptance into doctoral level programs and is required for the degree.

The Applied Track is appropriate for graduates who are trying to secure employment in industry, government, or non-profits. Students have opportunities to take courses with more applied emphases (e.g., Human Factors, Cognitive Science, Applied Behavior Analysis) and have two semesters of real-world experience (Field Experience I and II) in industrial settings. Successful completions of Field Experience I and II are required for the degree.

The General/Reading Track is designed to meet the needs of those seeking credentials or advancement in their current place of employment. Students will take basic required scientific courses, fulfill cluster requirements, and take additional coursework to broaden their scope. Their competence will be demonstrated by passing a comprehensive exam. Passing the competency exam is required for the degree.
It should be clearly understood that we do not provide training or accreditation for those interested in employment in counseling or clinical psychology upon completion of a master’s degree.

You should also understand that 9 credits each semester is considered full time and more than 9 credits per semester is strongly discouraged. If you begin the program in the spring semester, you can expect to add an additional 1-2 semesters before completion because of prerequisite requirements and the sequencing of courses.

Degree Requirements
The graduate program in psychology emphasizes the development of psychological knowledge and research skills. It combines a sequence of required courses in psychology, selected courses in psychology relevant to your interest area, depending on the track a thesis, field research or a comprehensive examination.

Courses
REQUIRED (6 credits)
PSY500 Advanced Research Design & Statistics I
PSY501 Advanced Research Design & Statistics II
CORE COURSES (12 credits)
(Choose 1 from each of the following 4 cluster areas)
CLUSTER 1: Learning and Motivation:
PSY512 Theories of Learning
PSY516 Psychology of Motivation
PSY540 History of Psychology
CLUSTER 2: Developmental and Social:
PSY519 Life Span Psychology
PSY527 Studies in the Psychology of Adolescence
PSY529 Psychology of Successful Aging
PSY533 Advanced Social Psychology
PSY590 Introduction to Group Dynamics
CLUSTER 3: Personality and Abnormal:
PSY515 Theories of Personality
PSY518 Introduction to Behavior Analysis
PSY530 Studies in the Psychology of the Exceptional Child
PSY534 Survey of Research in Abnormal Behavior
CLUSTER 4: Physiological and Cognitive:
PSY5XX An Advanced Biological Psychology course
PSY531 Advanced Cognitive Psychology
PSY565 Human Factors
PSY570 Seminar in Cognitive Science
ELECTIVES (6 credits)
PSY594, PSY595, PSY596 Selected Topics
Additional Cluster Courses (up to 4)
ADDITIONAL TRACK REQUIREMENTS
Declare Track (before 3rd semester)
Research Track (6 credits)
PSY612 Thesis I
PSY613 Thesis II
Applied Track (6 credits)
PSY621 Field Experience I
PSY622 Field Experience II
General/Reading Track (6 credits)
6 credits of electives
Comprehensive Exam

Special Resources
The psychology laboratories are housed in Franklin Science Center. The facilities include a computer terminal room for statistical analysis, a microcomputer lab for individual research, observation rooms, individual laboratory testing rooms, and animal colony facilities. Other equipment includes video taping facilities, operant conditioning chambers, and psycho-physiological research equipment. The Ezra Lehman Memorial Library has a carefully selected collection of psychology books, journals, and periodicals.
The important feature of this program is that it offers you a diversity of courses, flexibility of program formulation, and strong advisement support. A large number of your classes will be discussion classes or seminars that encourage debate, while others emphasize the development and implementation of analytical and expository skills.

The philosophy of the Department of Psychology is to provide for flexibility in course selections through faculty advisement. In conference with faculty advisors, you will develop a personal program designed to meet your specific needs and goals.

Accreditation:

Shippensburg University is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, AACSB International, ABET Inc., American Chemical Society, Council on Social Work Education, Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, International Association of Counseling Services, Council for Exceptional Children and by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teachers.

Eligibility Requirements:

Admission Requirements To be considered for admission to the master of science in psychological science, you must: Have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; present an official transcript showing at least a 2.75 cumulative grade point average for your undergraduate studies; have completed at least 6 semester hours of undergraduate work in psychology; have completed an undergraduate statistics course; submit a completed application, including the Supplemental Form and a personal goals statement.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Financial Aid Offered: No

Format: Campus

Classification: Master's Colleges & Universities I

Institution Sector: Public

Locale: Distant Town

Size & Settings: 5,000 - 9,999