Psychology
This is an archived copy of the 2018-19 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://bulletin.ndsu.edu.
Program Description
The Department of Psychology at North Dakota State University grants both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. We have three doctoral programs that prepare students for research and academic careers: Psychological Clinical Science, Visual and Cognitive Neuroscience, and Health/Social Psychology.
Doctoral Programs
Students enter one of three Ph.D. programs: Psychological Clinical Science, Visual and Cognitive Neuroscience, or Health/Social Psychology. These areas represent the strengths of the department's faculty in experimental research, as well as three of the most active and cutting-edge areas in the field of psychology. The program accommodates approximately 20 students, with approximately 4 new Ph.D. degrees awarded each year. Training in the program includes course work in the student's area of emphasis, as well as methods courses, breadth requirements, and research experience under the supervision of a faculty mentor. Training and experience in college-level teaching is an important part of all three programs. Student support is available through teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and teaching stipends.
Admissions Requirements
The Department of Psychology graduate programs are open to qualified graduates of universities and colleges of recognized standing. Applications are due by January 15 in order to receive full consideration for admission in the upcoming academic year. However, applications will be considered after this date to the extent that space in the program is still available.
Financial Assistance
Students are routinely supported through research and teaching assistantships. Applicants are considered on the basis of scholarship, potential to undertake advanced study and research, and financial need. All students who submit complete applications to the program by the appropriate deadlines are considered for assistantships. There is not a separate application for financial aid. Doctoral students are eligible for university fellowships that are awarded on a competitive basis.
- Complete a master's degree in Psychology. This may be done at NDSU or elsewhere.
- Complete at least 90 hours of graduate credit, including those completed for the master's degree;
- 60 or more of these credits must be earned at NDSU. At least 30 credit hours must be in approved didactic courses, and at least 18 of these must be at the 700 level.
- Complete quantitative and research methods courses.
Course List Code Title Credits PSYC 640
& PSYC 762Experimental Methods
and Advanced Research Methods and Analysis6 PSYC 761 Applied Research Methods (for Health/Social) 3 - Complete core courses in the specific program area:
Course List Code Title Credits Health & Social Psychology PSYC 733 Social Judgment 3 PSYC 771 Social/Health Psychology Research 3 PSYC 782 Emotions 3 PSYC 787 Advanced Social Psychology and Health 3 Visual & Cognitive Neuroscience: Select three of the following: 9 Visual Neuroscience Advanced Topics in Cognitive Neuroscience Advanced Topics in Visual Perception Fundamental Processes in Cognition Research Methods in Visual and Cognitive Neuroscience Advanced Topics in Attention Psychological Clinical Science: PSYC 755 Empirically Supported Interventions I 4 PSYC 756 Empirically Supported Interventions II 4 PSYC 770 Testing and Assessment 3 PSYC 672 Advanced Psychopathology 3 or PSYC 673 Child Psychopathology and Therapy PSYC 758 Diversity in Clinical Psychology 3 PSYC 794 Practicum/Internship 1-8 PSYC 795 Field Experience 1-15 - Complete three (for Psychological Clinical Science), two (for Health/Social students), or one (for Visual & Cognitive Neuroscience students) breadth courses at the graduate level from area outside specialty track (which can include approved courses from other departments).
- Complete Psyc 790 (graduate seminar and colloquium series) each semester.
- Participate in a continued program of research apprenticeship with at least one faculty member and, accordingly, enroll in Psyc 793 each semester for 1-5 credits.
- Teach one undergraduate course under the supervision of a faculty member, after completion of COMM 702 Introduction to College Teaching in the Humanities and Social Sciences, or STEM 810 Teaching College Science.
- Complete a major area paper to serve as the comprehensive exam for Ph.D. candidacy. The area paper will be a comprehensive literature review of the student's area of research and will include an oral defense.
- Complete the dissertation. The student will defend a written proposal before a faculty committee, conduct an original research project, and complete a comprehensive written report on the project. The student will complete a final oral defense before the same committee.
Benjamin J. Balas, Ph.D.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2007
Field: Brain and Cognitive Sciences
Barbara Blakeslee, Ph.D.
University of California, Santa Barbara, 1983
Field: Biopsychology, Vision Science
Martin D. Coleman, Ph.D.
University of Sussex, 2005
Field: Emotion and Decision Making
Erin Conwell, Ph.D.
Brown University, 2009
Field: Cognitive and Linguistic Sciences
Keith F. Donohue, Ph.D.
Florida State University, 2011
Field: Clinical Psychology; Alcohol, Research Methods, Teaching
Robert D. Dvorak, Ph.D.
The University of South Dakota, 2012
Field: Clinical Psychology; Selfregulation, Health-Risk Behaviors, & Ecological Momentary Assessment
Kathryn H. Gordon, Ph.D.
Florida State University, 2008
Field: Clinical Psychology, Eating Disorders, Suicidal Behavior
Clayton J. Hilmert, Ph.D.
University of California, San Diego, 2003
Field: Health and Social Psychology; Stress Psychophysiology, Cardiovascular Health, and Pregnancy
Verlin B. Hinsz, Ph.D.
University of Illinois, 1983
Field: Social and Industrial/Organizational; Small Group Performance, Group Decision Making
Leah Irish, Ph.D.
Kent State University, 2011
Field: Health and Social Psychology, Health Behaviors, Sleep, Stress
Jeffrey S. Johnson, Ph.D.
University of Iowa, 2008
Field: Visual Cognitive Neuroscience
Linda Langley, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota, 1998
Field: Cognitive Neuroscience, Cognitive Aging, Attention
Kevin D. McCaul, Ph.D.
University of Kansas, 1978
Field: Social Psychology; Health Behavior, Applied Social Psychology
Mark E. McCourt, Ph.D.
University of California, Santa Barbara, 1982
Field: Biopsychology, Vision Science; Visual Psychophysics, Neuropsychology
Mark Nawrot, Ph.D.
Vanderbilt University, 1991
Field: Visual Neuroscience; Neural Mechanisms for Perception of Depth and Motion, Eye Movements, Alcohol
Michael D. Robinson, Ph.D.
University of California, Davis, 1996
Field: Social/Personality Affective Processes
Paul D. Rokke, Ph.D.
University of Houston, 1985
Field: Clinical Psychology; Psychopathology
Clay Routledge, Ph.D.
University of Missouri-Columbia, 2005
Field: Health and Social Psychology
Laura E. Thomas, Ph. D.
University of Illinois, 2008
Field: Embodied cognition, Links between action, perception, and cognition
David A. Wittrock, Ph.D.
State University of New York at Albany, 1990
Field: Clinical Psychology; Behavioral Medicine, Headache, Stress, Appraisal and Coping
Adjunct
Terence W. Barrett, Ph.D.
University of North Dakota, 1989
Field: Counseling; Issues in Therapy, Forensic Psychology
Scott G. Engel, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 2003
Field: Health and Social Psychology; Obesity and Eating Disorders
Holly Hegstad, Ph.D.
University of North Dakota, 1999
Field: Clinical Psychology; Anxiety and Mood Disorders
Jessica T. Kaster, Ph.D.
University of South Dakota, 2004
Field: Clinical Psychology; Child Psychopathology, Assessment
H. Katherine O'Neill, Ph.D.
University of North Dakota, 1991
Field: Clinical Psychology; Psychopathology, Addiction, Anxiety
Jennifer A. Redlin, M.S.
North Dakota State University, 1999
Field: Clinical and Behavioral Psychology