Core Requirements for the Degree (All Options)

Requirements for Degree Options (choose option below)

Biological Psychology Option

Developmental Psychopathology Option

Social and Environmental Psychology Option

Prerequisites and Requirements for Admission 

Application Information and Procedures ***(Application information and forms now available. All forms are available at the bottom of this page.)***

CORE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE (ALL OPTIONS)

•         Senior Year: Completion of PSYC 641 (Research Methods I) and PSYC 642 (Research Methods II) to facilitate timely completion of the culminating experience (thesis or project). These courses do not count toward the required units.

•         5^th Year (1^st year post BA): at least 30 upper division or graduate units in Psychology or supporting courses as defined by the Options described below or approved by the graduate committee. A minimum of 15 of these units must be at the graduate level.

•        Completion of the following courses:

• PSYC 341 Intermediate Statistics (4)

• PSYC 680 Selected Topics in Psych 5^th Year Proseminar (3)

• PSYC 685 Faculty Research Seminar (1)

• Two semesters of PSYC 690 OR 692 (4 units each semester during the 5^th year – only 6 combined units count toward the required units for the degree)

• Elective courses selected in consultation with the Option graduate committee to complete unit requirements.

•         Completion of either a Thesis or Project as a culminating experience.

•          Students who do not complete their thesis in the fifth year must maintain continuous enrollment in four units per semester of Psych 690 or Psych 692.

•         Completion of courses as outlined in one of the emphasis options below.

Students pursuing the College Faculty Preparation Program may count one course (Psyc 684) from that program as an elective.  Students who choose to enroll in the College Faculty Preparation Program will require course work beyond the 5^th year.

Students who complete courses required for their M.A. (e.g., PSYC 341) as undergraduates may substitute approved electives from their emphasis areas. Completion of these courses as an undergraduate allows for greater flexibility in the graduate program.

For students interested in pursuing doctoral study, we recommend completion of the thesis option and PSYC 541 Advanced Statistics.

Prerequisites and requirements for Admission 

HSU students should have completed at least 24 units of undergraduate course work in psychology, a GPA of 3.25 or higher in psychology course work, three letters of recommendation (at least two from psychology department faculty members), statement of purpose, selection of a specialization area of interest (see Options), and completion of Psychology 104: Introduction to Psychology and Psychology 200: Research Design. Admission will also be based on a match between student and faculty interests and the willingness of a faculty member to supervise the student’s thesis or project research. For this reason, students should contact the faculty member who they are interested in working with prior to applying. HSU students should apply to the program in their junior year as long as they meet the admissions requirements. Seniors may also apply if they have completed sufficient course work in Psychology for the undergraduate major and can demonstrate that they can complete the Academic Research MA in two years after their BA.

Admission is provisional contingent on the successful completion of requirements for the BA degree. Students with BA degrees from other institutions may also enroll in the Academic Research MA Program. However, it should be recognized that students who pursue the Academic Research Master’s degree with a BA from another institution or who are HSU student and apply in their senior year, is likely to require more than one year for completion.

Students with a BA degree (or near completion) from another institution should have their degree in psychology or closely related field with substantial psychology coursework may also apply, with admission conditional on their successful completion of prerequisites and the undergraduate course work for the MA degree with a GPA of 3.25 or better and satisfactory completion of the B.A.

APPLICATION INFORMATION AND PROCEDURES

Admission to the Academic Research Master’s Degree Program is open to students from HSU as well as students from other universities.  The primary difference in the sequence of course work is that students at HSU may apply to the program in their junior year.  HSU students who apply and are provisionally admitted in their junior year will be allowed to begin taking graduate course work during their senior year that will allow them to complete their graduate degree in one year after they receive their BA degree.  HSU students may apply if they have completed at least 24 units of undergraduate course work in psychology with a GPA of 3.25 or higher in psychology courses.

Students who have completed a BA degree or are seniors at HSU or another university may also apply to the Academic Research graduate program.  However, completion of all requirements for the Master’s Degree will typically take more than one year.

All students must submit a 2-3 page double-spaced statement of purpose addressing their background, research interests in psychology, preparation, career goals, and how they relate to the proposed area of study; an application form; and official transcripts. Statements of purpose that clearly identify specific areas of interest and provide detailed information regarding proposed areas of thesis study are encouraged. Additionally, students should arrange for the submission of three letters of recommendation (at least two from psychology department faculty members) and the applicant must identify a faculty member willing to serve as their research supervisor.  Admission to the graduate program will be based on all of the information requested above as well as space and faculty willingness to supervise student thesis research. An application coversheet and letter of recommendation request forms are available through the program web page.

Students who will not complete the 24 units until the end of the current semester may also apply for admission. If admitted, acceptance will be contingent on meeting the GPA requirements following completion of those courses.

Seniors may apply if they have completed (or will complete by the end of the semester) sufficient course work in Psychology for the undergraduate major. Students who have (or are completing) a BA degree from another institution in psychology or closely related field with substantial psychology coursework may also apply, with admission conditional on their successful completion of prerequisites and the undergraduate course work for the MA degree with a GPA of 3.25 or better and satisfactory completion of the B.A degree. Seniors and students from other universities should plan to spend two years in the program.

Submit application materials and arrange to have letters of reference delivered to the Graduate Secretary, Department of Psychology, Arcata, CA 95521, (707) 826-5264. The deadline for applications is March 1^st (March 3^rd for 2008). .

Please note that admission to the graduate program is conditional until the student completes the B.A. degree.  HSU students who apply in their junior year and are accepted must apply for formal graduate admission during their senior year.  Students at other universities and seniors at HSU who are applying to the program should also complete the CSU application form available from www.csumentor.edu/AdmissionApp/ .

Forms for Application: Application Cover Sheet (print 1 copy);  Letter of Recommendation Request (print 3 copies)