Psychology

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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.

Masters Program

Students are not admitted for the sole pursuit of a terminal Masters degree. Students pursing the PhD, who have not previously received a Master’s degree in Psychology or a related field, typically complete the requirements for the MS degree in the first two years of their PhD program training. As part of the student’s graduate training, students complete course work in the students’ area of emphasis, as well as methods courses and breadth requirements. Each student will gain research experience under the supervision of a faculty mentor.

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.

Master's Program

In consultation with the adviser and student's supervisory committee a Plan of Study would be developed. The Master of Science in Psychology program requires the completion of 30 credit hours of graduate study beyond the baccalaureate degree with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher. 

Doctoral Program 

1. Complete a master's degree in Psychology. This may be done at NDSU or elsewhere.
2. Complete at least 90 hours of graduate credit, including those completed for the master's degree;
3. 60 or more of these credits must be earned at NDSU. At least 31 credit hours must be in approved didactic courses, and at least 15 of these must be at the 700 level.
4. Complete quantitative and research methods courses. 

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credits
   PSYC 640 & PSYC 762	Experimental Methods and Advanced Research Methods and Analysis	6
   PSYC 761	Applied Research Methods	3

5. Complete core courses in each program area: 

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credits
   Health & Social Psychology
   PSYC 771	Social/Health Psychology Research	3
   PSYC 787	Advanced Social Psychology and Health	3
   Visual & Cognitive Neuroscience:
   PSYC 720	Advanced Topics in Cognitive Neuroscience
   PSYC 731	Fundamental Processes in Cognition

6. Complete four credits of didactic electives at the graduate level (600-level or above) from inside or outside the Psychology department.
7. Complete PSYC 790 Graduate Seminar (graduate seminar and colloquium series) each semester.
8. 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.
9. Complete one didactic course in college teaching.  Choose from either  COMM 702 Introduction to College Teaching in the Humanities and Social Sciences, or STEM 810 Teaching College Science.
10. After completion of the teaching course described in #9, teach one undergraduate course under the supervision of a faculty mentor.  In the semester you teach your first course enroll in 5 credits of PSYC 892 .
11. Complete one didactic course in grant writing in psychology (PSYC 763 Grant Writing for Psychological Scientists - **new course submitted for approval 12/2018)
12. Prepare and submit a research grant or fellowship application under the supervision of a faculty mentor.  Register for 1-3 credits of PSYC 893 - Grant Writing Experience - **new course proposed 12/2018) during the semester you prepare and submit your application.  Proposals may be submitted to any sponsor requesting funds for tuition/stipend, research supplies, or other research expenses (e.g., participant payment, software, consultants).  There is no minimum amount of funding request required, and the proposal must be submitted but need not be funded.
13. 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.
14. 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

Katerine Duggen, PH.D.
University of California, 2016
Field: Health, Social Psychology

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

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

Kathryn Wissman, Ph.D.
Kent State University
Field: Visual & Cognitive Neuroscience

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