Psychology

The Department of Psychology at North Dakota State University grants both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. Our doctoral programs prepare students for a range of research-related careers.

Master's Program

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

Doctoral Programs

Our doctoral program accommodates approximately 20 students, with approximately four 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 the program, and students also receive training and experience in grant writing.

Financial Assistance

Students are routinely supported through research and teaching assistantships. Applicants are considered based on scholarship and potential to undertake advanced study and research. All students who submit complete applications to the program by the appropriate deadlines are considered for assistantships. 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;
   • 60 or more of these credits must be earned at NDSU.
   • 31 or more credit hours must be in approved didactic courses
     • at least 15 must be at the 700 level.
3. 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 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.
4. 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.
5. Complete the dissertation. The student will defend a written proposal before their supervisory 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

Erin Conwell, Ph.D.
Brown University, 2009
Field: Cognitive and Linguistic Sciences

Katherine Duggan, Ph.D.
University of California, Riverside, 2016
Field: Social-Personality and Health Psychology

Anna Finley, Ph.D.
Texas A&M University, 2019
Field: Health Psychology, Social Psychology, Affective Neuroscience 

Jeremy Hamm, Ph.D.
University of Manitoba, 2016
Field: Health and Social Psychology or Developmental Psychology

Clayton J. Hilmert, Ph.D.
University of California, San Diego, 2003
Field: Health and Social Psychology; Stress Psychophysiology, Cardiovascular Health, and Pregnancy

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 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

Laura E. Thomas, Ph. D.
University of Illinois, 2008
Field: Embodied cognition, Links between action, perception, and cognition