Academic Programs Catalog

Students are accepted for graduate study in psychology only if judged by a departmental committee to be qualified to complete a doctoral degree, and programs of study are planned with this goal in mind; the master's sequence is generally developed as an integral part of the doctoral program with special attention given to the plans and needs of each student. Additional details are given under the doctoral program as outlined below. There is no terminal master's program.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Social Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

Factors given major consideration for admission to the graduate program at the first–year level include (1) an approved bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university, (2) a junior–senior undergraduate grade–point average of 3.20 or better in academic studies, (3) undergraduate courses in experimental psychology and statistics, (4) satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Examination General Test, (5) favorable evaluations of the applicant by three referees, preferably instructors in the applicants undergraduate major; and (6) approval by a departmental committee. That an applicant has achieved the above is not sufficient for admission. The number of applicants with superior qualifications exceeds the number of students that can be accommodated. 

The department is especially interested in quality students and generally accepts them regardless of their undergraduate majors provided that they have adequate background for graduate study in psychology. Students meeting only the requirements for admission to provisional status are not generally accepted. 

Completed applications must be received by December 1 for consideration for the subsequent fall semester.

Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in Psychology

To meet individual needs, every student has a guidance committee with the student's advisor as chairperson. The committee develops a program of studies in consultation with the student. The program is available under both Plan A (with thesis) and Plan B (without thesis). The student must complete a total of 30 credits as follows:

Requirements for Both Plan A and Plan B

1. Complete the following course (3 credits):
   PSY    815    Quantitative Research Design and Analysis in Psychology    3
2. Complete course work appropriate for the student’s subdiscipline as determined and approved by the student’s guidance committee.
3. Complete additional elective credits approved by the student’s guidance committee.

Additional Requirements for Plan A

1. Complete 4 credits of PSY 899 Master’s Thesis Research.
2. Preparation of an approved thesis proposal.
3. Successful oral defense of the thesis.

Additional Requirements for Plan B

1. Complete 4 credits of PSY 890 Special Problems in Psychology.
2. Pass a final evaluation with a guidance committee of at least three faculty and the chairperson of the Department of Psychology. At least two of the three must be faculty members in the Department of Psychology.

There is no general language requirement. Where acquaintance with a foreign language is necessary for advancing the special interest of a particular student, the guidance committee may impose foreign language requirements.

Psychology graduate students may participate in advanced graduate training through a concentration in Quantitative Methodology and Evaluation Science (QMES). Students selecting this concentration must complete two prerequisite courses, three advanced training courses, and one student-developed project under the supervision of two members of the Quantitative Methodology and Evaluation Science faculty.

 

Students are accepted for graduate study in psychology only if judged by a departmental committee to be qualified to complete a doctoral degree, and programs of study are planned with this goal in mind; the master's sequence is generally developed as an integral part of the doctoral program with special attention given to the plans and needs of each student. Additional details are given under the doctoral program as outlined below. There is no terminal master's program. 

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Social Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

Factors given major consideration for admission to the graduate program at the first–year level include (1) an approved bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university, (2) a junior–senior undergraduate grade–point average of 3.20 or better in academic studies, (3) undergraduate courses in experimental psychology and statistics, (4) satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Examination General Test, (5) favorable evaluations of the applicant by three referees, preferably instructors in the applicants undergraduate major; and (6) approval by a departmental committee. That an applicant has achieved the above is not sufficient for admission. The number of applicants with superior qualifications exceeds the number of students that can be accommodated. 

The department is especially interested in quality students and generally accepts them regardless of their undergraduate majors provided that they have adequate background for graduate study in psychology. Students meeting only the requirements for admission to provisional status are not generally accepted. 

Completed applications must be received by December 1 for consideration for the subsequent fall semester.

Requirements for Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Psychology

To meet individual needs, every student has a guidance committee with the student's advisor as chairperson. The committee develops a program of studies in consultation with the student. Students who are accepted into the doctoral program will fulfill the following program requirements for the degree:

1. Complete the following course (3 credits):
   PSY    815    Quantitative Research Design and Analysis in Psychology    3
2. Complete additional course work required by the student’s guidance committee.
3. Successful completion of the comprehensive examination.
4. Successful completion and defense of a dissertation.
5. Completion of 24 credits PSY 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research.

There is no general language requirement. Where acquaintance with a foreign language is necessary for advancing the special interest of a particular student, the guidance committee may impose foreign language requirements.

Psychology graduate students may participate in advanced graduate training through a concentration in Quantitative Methodology and Evaluation Science (QMES).  Students selecting this concentration must complete two prerequisite courses, three advanced training courses, and one student-developed project under the supervision of two members of the Quantitative Methodology and Evaluation Science faculty.  

Transfer Credits

For Law College students who have been admitted to the dual J.D. - M.A. program with Michigan State University - College of Law, a maximum of 9 credits from Michigan State University - College of Law may be transferred to the M.A. program with a major in psychology. A grade of 2.0 in a Law course will transfer to MSU as a passing grade. Students will be assessed at the Law College tuition rate with a graduate assistantship covering only the MSU cost of in-state tuition.




 

For Law College students who have been admitted to the dual J.D. - M.A. program with Michigan State University - College of Law, a maximum of 9 credits from Michigan State University - College of Law may be transferred to the M.A. program with a major in psychology. A grade of 2.0 in a Law course will transfer to MSU as a passing grade. Students will be assessed at the Law College tuition rate with a graduate assistantship covering only the MSU cost of in-state tuition.

 

The Master of Arts degree in Program Evaluation prepares students for evaluation careers in diverse settings including government, education, social services, and evaluation consulting firms. It emphasizes professional development in history, theory, and standards of evaluation practice; evaluation methods; effective interpersonal and communication skills; and management of evaluation activities. Students will obtain direct practice experience under the supervision of program faculty.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and the College of Social Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

To be admitted to the Master of Arts degree in Program Evaluation, applicants must have:

1. a bachelor’s degree from a recognized educational institution.
2. an academic record equivalent to at least 3.00 (B) in undergraduate course work in their junior and senior year.
3. submitted three letters of recommendation and a personal statement about their academic and professional goals and experience.
4. submitted Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores if they are an international student.

Admission to the program is selective and meeting the minimum standards does not guarantee admission. The applicant’s overall record is considered, including the student’s personal statement, recommendations, academic transcripts, and other documentation as required.

Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in Program Evaluation

The Master of Arts degree in Program Evaluation is available only online and only under Plan B (non-thesis). A total of 37 credits are required for the degree.

1.	Students must complete 37 credits from the following courses:
	PSY	880	Foundations of Evaluation Practice				3
	PSY	881	Evaluation Design				3
	PSY	882	Evaluation Data Collection Methods				3
	PSY	883	Statistics for Evaluators I				3
	PSY	884	Qualitative and Mixed Method Evaluation Methods				3
	PSY	885	Communicating and Reporting				3
	PSY	886	Evaluation Practicum Preparation				1
	PSY	887	Statistics for Evaluators II				3
	PSY	888	Evaluation Management				3
	PSY	889	Evaluation Practicum				12
2.	Completion of a final oral examination or evaluation.

The Graduate Certificate in Program Evaluation prepares students for evaluation careers in diverse settings including government, education, social services, and evaluation consulting firms. It emphasizes professional development in history, theory, and standards of evaluation practice, evaluation methods, and evaluation practice skills.

Admission

To be admitted to the Graduate Certificate in Program Evaluation, applicants must have:

1. a bachelor's degree from a recognized educational institution.
2. an academic record equivalent to at least 3.00 (B) in undergraduate course work in their junior and senior year. This requirement is waived for students currently pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree program at MSU.
3. submitted three letters of recommendation and a personal statement about their academic and professional goals and experience.
4. submitted Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores if they are an international applicant.

Admission to the program is selective and meeting the minimum standards does not guarantee admission. The applicant’s overall record is considered, including the student’s personal statement, recommendations, academic transcripts, and other documentation as required.

Students currently pursuing a graduate degree at MSU should submit a letter from their program advisor or chairperson indicating that the student is in good standing and they agree the certificate is an appropriate adjunct training opportunity. It is recommended that applicants have earned at least 12 undergraduate credits in a social science such as anthropology, sociology, or psychology.

Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Program Evaluation

The Graduate Certificate in Program Evaluation is available only online. A total of 12 credits are required for the certificate.

1.	The following course (3 credits):
	PSY	880	Foundations of Evaluation Practice						3
2.	One of the following courses (3 credits):
	PSY	881	Evaluation Design						3
	PSY	884	Qualitative and Mixed Method Evaluation Methods						3
3.	Two of the following courses (6 credits):
	PSY	881	Evaluation Design						3
	PSY	882	Evaluation Data Collection Methods						3
	PSY	883	Statistics for Evaluators I						3
	PSY	884	Qualitative and Mixed Method Evaluation Methods						3
	PSY	885	Communicating and Reporting						3
	PSY	887	Statistics for Evaluators II						3
	PSY	888	Evaluation Management						3
	Courses used to fulfill requirement 1. above may not be used to fulfill this requirement.