University Catalog 2005-2006

University Catalog > CAS > Psychology

Psychology

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Phone: 703-993-1342
Web: gmu.edu/departments/psychology

Faculty

Course Work

The Psychology Department offers all course work designated PSYC in the "Course Descriptions" chapter of this catalog.

Undergraduate Programs

Psychology, BA

In addition to the university-wide general education requirements and requirements for the BA degree in CAS, psychology majors must complete the following with a minimum GPA of 2.00.

Students who receive transfer credit for a research methods course must take PSYC 304, 309, or 323 unless the transfer course has been approved as writing intensive.

Some of these courses may simultaneously fulfill university or college general education requirements; students should consult with an advisor in planning their programs.

Psychology, BS

In addition to satisfying the university-wide general education requirements for a BS degree, candidates must complete the following with a minimum GPA of 2.00.

Information for All Majors in Psychology

A grade of D in any of the nine (10 for BS students) required psychology courses may not be used toward graduation. All psychology courses may be used to satisfy either the 36-credit psychology requirement for the BA degree, or the 38-credit psychology requirement for the BS degree with the following restrictions:

In addition to course work, undergraduate research experience and letters of recommendation are major factors for admission to graduate study. Therefore, students interested in graduate study should distribute courses across a number of areas in psychology, and work closely with one or more professors on individual projects during the junior and senior years.

Mason undergraduate students may be eligible to admission to an accelerated MA in psychology with a concentration in biopsychology. This program makes it possible for students to complete some graduate classes during their last 30 credits of their undergraduate degrees. Interested undergraduates should contact the department.

Writing-Intensive Requirement

The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in psychology may fulfill this requirement by successfully completing PSYC 301, 304, 309, or 323.

Honors Program in Psychology

Students majoring in psychology may apply. The program consists of a sequence taken over three consecutive semesters, PSYC 490, 491, and 492 (see "Course Descriptions" chapter of this catalog), to be taken during the spring semester of the student's junior year, and fall and spring semesters of the senior year. For more information, please contact the Undergraduate Psychology Office or the director of the Honors Program in Psychology.

To be eligible for admission, psychology majors must have completed at last 50 credits, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25, and a minimum GPA of 3.40 in psychology courses. To graduate with honors in psychology, a student is required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.25 and a minimum GPA of 3.40 in psychology courses. Students must earn at least 3.50 in their three honors courses culminating in the successful completion and presentation of an independent honors thesis.

Minor in Psychology

The Psychology Department offers a minor to students who major in any other discipline at Mason. Students in the minor complete 18 credits of course work in psychology distributed as follows.

One course from three of the following five areas (9 credits; at least one course must be PSYC 317 or 372):

6 additional credits of psychology courses. No more than 3 credits may be taken from PSYC 260, 350, and 460.

Related coursework in psychology can enhance many different majors. Please contact the Undergraduate Psychology Office or the Psychology Department web site for a list of suggested courses for students who are majoring in specific disciplines or areas of study that interact well with psychology.

For policies governing all minors, see the Academic Policies chapter of this catalog.

Teacher Licensure

Students who wish to become teachers should consult the CEHD chapter and attend an information session early in their undergraduate career. For more information, call 703-993-2892, e-mail gseadmit@gmu.edu, or go to gse.gmu.edu.

Graduate Programs

Psychology, MA

The MA in psychology has concentrations in industrial/ organizational psychology, human factors/applied cognition, school psychology, applied developmental psychology, and biopsychology. The department does not offer an MA in clinical or counseling psychology, but an MA concentration in clinical psychology is available for students who have been admitted to the PhD program.

The industrial/organizational concentration trains students in the conduct and application of psychological research in work settings. Expertise can be developed in a variety of areas including personnel selection, training, leadership, motivation, and human performance assessment.

The human factors/applied cognition concentration trains students in the application of cognitive science to real-world problems. Students gain expertise in such areas as human-computer interaction, cognitive system engineering, cognitive ergonomics, and transportation. Faculty members help place students who do not have real-world experience in a part- or full-time practicum before completing the degree.

The school psychologyconcentration prepares students for endorsement as fully certified school psychologists in Virginia and in most other states. It is approved by the Virginia Department of Education and National Association of School Psychologists.

The applied developmental psychology concentration focuses on child development. It provides basic knowledge about normal development, skills for assessing developmental level, and techniques for planning and evaluating programs that foster optimal development.

The biopsychologyconcentration emphasizes training in the neurobiological bases of behavior. Students are prepared for doctoral work, or employment in government or industry research laboratories.

The clinical psychologyconcentration seeks to develop clinical psychologists with a strong capacity to create and integrate new knowledge and procedures into practice.

Admission Requirements

In addition to fulfilling admission requirements for graduate study, applicants must have 15 credits in psychology, including a course in statistics and a laboratory course in psychology. In addition, school psychology requires courses in personality or abnormal psychology, developmental psychology, and tests and measurements. All applicants are required to submit results of the GRE taken within the last five years (applicants should plan to take the GRE at least two months before the deadline); three letters of reference from professors or supervisors; and a departmental application. In addition, applicants are asked to submit a biographical statement outlining their background and experience, and describing their future goals in psychology. An overall GPA of 3.00 for the last 60 undergraduate credits is required and, generally, a minimum of 3.25 in undergraduate psychology courses, and combined GRE scores of 1,000 or above are also required. Work experience, publications, or special recommendations may compensate for deficiencies in other qualifications. The deadline for receipt of all application materials is January 1 for the clinical psychology concentration; February 1 for the school psychology, applied developmental and biopsychology concentrations; and March 1 for the industrial/organizational and human factors/applied cognition concentrations. Because the number of students admitted to each program is limited, meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

Financial Assistance

Financial assistance is available through graduate assistantships and various forms of grants, loans, and employment.

Concentration in Industrial Organizational Psychology

Students must complete 32 graduate credits including the following:

Electives: No more than 6 credits of advisor-approved electives from outside the department

Concentration in Human Factors/ Applied Cognition

Students must complete 32 graduate credits including the following:

Other courses within or outside the department may be taken with advisor's approval

Concentration in School Psychology: Masters Degree and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies

The master's degree concentration and the certificate make up a two-level degree program to prepare graduates for professional certification in school psychology. The program is approved by School Psychology Training Programs by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). Students completing the program will be eligible for licensure in Virginia and in other states as a school psychologist. (Students seeking licensure for independent practice as a school psychologist must meet the educational, residency, and exam requirements of the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Psychology.)

Students who have not already earned a master's degree in a related field must apply for admission to both the master's program and the certificate. All students entering the master's program are expected to complete the certificate.

Students who wish to apply directly to the certificate program must have earned a master's degree in an allied field such as counseling, clinical psychology, developmental psychology, or special education, in which at least 15 graduate credits correspond to required courses in the master's curriculum below. They must complete all the requirements of the master's in school psychology that they have not previously taken.

Students must receive a B or better in the course work below. Course work must be completed before the internship. School psychology students are required to enroll full time.

To receive the master's degree with a concentration in school psychology, students must complete 41 credits: EDCD 603; EDSE 628 or 629; EDUC 537; PSYC 669 or 704 or 506; PSYC 611 and 612; PSYC 617, 619, 671, 673, 709, 710, 750.

To receive the certificate, students must complete 19 credits: EDCD 609; PSYC 722, 750, 790, 792; and PSYC 712 or EDCD 608.

Previously earned credit

With the approval of the school psychology faculty, graduate coordinator, and dean, the number of credits required for the concentration may be reduced by a maximum of 18 credits on the basis of graduate course work before admission.

With approval of the graduate coordinator and dean, students admitted directly to the certificate program may transfer up to 3 graduate credits from another institution.

A special policy applies to students admitted directly to the certificate program who received a master's degree in psychology with a concentration in school psychology from Mason. If the degree was received within five years of admission to the certificate program, and if students took at least 13 credits of course work in the certificate of advanced graduate studies as part of the master's, they may earn the certificate with as few as 6 additional graduate credits. Such students should consult with an advisor.

Students choose to complete a thesis or practical research project. All students must complete a full year of internship. An unsatisfactory evaluation at any time by the School Psychology Committee may result in separation from the school psychology program.

Concentration in Applied Developmental Psychology

Students must complete 32 graduate credits including the following:

Concentration in Biopsychology

Students must complete 32 graduate credits including the following:

6 credits of electives to be selected from relevant courses including the following:

Mason undergraduate students may be eligible to admission to an accelerated MA in psychology with a concentration in biopsychology. This program makes it possible for students to complete some graduate classes during their last 30 credits of their undergraduate degrees. Interested undergraduates should contact the department.

Concentration in Clinical Psychology

Students who have been admitted to the doctoral program with a concentration in clinical psychology are awarded an MA in psychology upon completion of the following.

One course from three of the following sets of courses:

Historical core (PSYC 705) (3 credits)

The MA concentration in clinical psychology is not a terminal degree to which individuals can apply independent of the PhD. It is awarded only to clinical PhD students who have met the above requirements.

Nondegree Status

Applicants who qualify for degree status but who are not applicants for a degree at the university may be admitted to nondegree status. Nondegree status is not intended as a qualifying program for degree status. While consideration may later be given to the application of credits earned toward a degree program while in nondegree status, applicants are not assured that such requests will be granted. If granted, however, no more than 12 credits earned in nondegree status may be applied to a degree program. All students seeking to pursue this option should make their interests known to the appropriate program coordinator.

Provisional Admission

Students admitted provisionally must take 12 credits in psychology and earn a minimum GPA of 3.25 in those courses to qualify for removal of provisional qualifier. Programs may add other conditions to provisional admission. Individualized study work does not count toward the 12 credits.

Neuroscience, PhD

The interdisciplinary doctoral program in neuroscience is offered jointly by SCS, CAS, and the Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study. For details, see the School of Computational Sciences chapter in this catalog.

Psychology, PhD

The goal of the doctoral program is to train students in the principles and applications of psychology. The program provides knowledge of the basic content areas in psychology, and practical experience in applying this knowledge to solving human problems in life, work, and school. The program offers the following concentrations: industrial/ organizational psychology, human factors/applied cognition, clinical psychology, applied developmental psychology, and biopsychology.

The concentrations in industrial/organizational psychology and human factors/applied cognition, grouped under the applied experimental program, are focused on educating psychologists in the use of psychological knowledge and methods employed in settings such as industry, government, consulting organizations, and research and development organizations. Students develop skills in human-computer interaction design, cognitive ergonomics, training, personnel selection, and organizational psychology.

The clinical psychology concentration focuses on educating clinical psychologists to deal with the unique demands of mental health systems and private practice.

The applied developmental concentration has two goals: to train students to teach and do research on basic and applied issues in child development for employment in such settings as universities, research institutes, and organizations; and to train students to do applied work in developmental psychology (consultation, program evaluation, assessment and evaluation, developmental interventions, parent training) in such settings as schools, hospitals, courts, child care facilities, and other organizations. Applied developmental psychology doctoral students have the option of also completing course requirements for the MA concentration in school psychology. The program emphasis is on child development (infancy, early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence); and students may focus their studies on the cognitive, social, emotional, language, personality or physiological aspects of development.

The biopsychology concentration offers a broad program with faculty expertise in comparative neuroanatomy, cognition, substance abuse, and learning and memory. The department has facilities for animal research, access to the Shared Research Instrumentation Facility (SRIF), and links to the Krasnow Institute for Cognitive Study. The program prepares students for careers in a university, college, or research setting.

Admission

Entering students are accepted only for fall semesters. The deadline for receipt of all application materials is January 1. The department does not normally consider applications that fail to meet the minimum criteria of 3.00 undergraduate GPA, 3.25 in psychology course work, and combined GRE scores of 1100. Applicants who meet this minimum receive continued consideration for the final candidate pool on the basis of experience, letters of recommendation, objective test scores, and (in some programs) an interview. No specific set of qualifications guarantees admission.

Documents

Each applicant must provide the following materials by January 1 to be considered for admission:

All materials should be sent directly to the Graduate Admissions Processing Center, College of Arts and Sciences, George Mason University, MS 2D2, Fairfax, VA 22030-4444. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all materials arrive before the January 1 deadline.

Requirements

In addition to fulfilling the admission requirements, applicants are expected to have the following:

For the PhD with a concentration in biopsychology, at least 15 hours of psychology, including physiological psychology, statistics, and a lab course in experimental psychology.

Financial Assistance

Financial assistance is available through graduate assistantships, doctoral fellowships, and various forms of grants, loans, or employment.

Reduction of Credits

For students entering the doctoral program with a master's degree, the number of credits required may be reduced by a maximum of 30 credits subject to the approval of the program faculty and the dean. Requests for reduction of credit are reviewed by a committee only after acceptance to the PhD program.

Degree Requirements

The PhD program has four educational components: core courses, upper-level specialty courses, supervised practica, and dissertation.

Core Courses

Core course requirements cover the basic subject matter identified by the profession as essential to doctoral training: biological bases of behavior, social bases of behavior, cognitive bases of behavior, individual behavior, and history of psychology.

Specialty Courses

The 700-, 800-, and 900-level courses provide doctoral candidates with greater depth of study in specific content areas.

Practica

The purpose of the practica is to provide a broad range of experiences in settings related to the students' concentrations.

Dissertation

The dissertation requirement is designed to demonstrate the student's ability to apply psychological principles to research problems. Students must take at least 3 credits of proposal (998) and 3 of research (999), and must have at least 12 credits of 998 and 999 combined. (No more than 12 credits of 998 and 999 may be applied toward the degree.) Once enrolled in 998, a student must maintain continuous registration in 998 or 999 each semester until the dissertation is submitted to and accepted by the university library.

Student Evaluation

A student in the doctoral program is evaluated on the basis of grades, comprehensive examinations, research, and communication skills. In doctoral courses, A and B are the only acceptable grades. Students in the doctoral program must successfully complete comprehensive exams administered each year in August. Students who successfully complete the comprehensive exams are admitted to doctoral degree candidacy.

Concentration in Applied Developmental Psychology

Students must complete the following requirements:

SubTotal = 64

A second year research project is required as part of a student's program. It must be completed before a student can take comprehensive exams. The expectation is that the research will be submitted for presentation at a national conference or to an appropriate journal for publication.

Electives:

SubTotal = 8

Total = 72

* Can be taken only by students concurrently enrolled in school psychology MA concentration.

** Required

Concentration in Biopsychology

Students must complete 72 graduate credits taken from the following:

Select 15 credits from approved list including: PSYC 561, 592, 702; BIOL 572, 583; CSI 734, 739

Concentration in Clinical Psychology

The clinical psychology program at Mason is guided by the scientist-practitioner model. The necessary preparatory training requires the following:

The clinical faculty are strongly committed to the support of cultural diversity within its programs. This includes both admission and training of students from diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds, and exposure of all students to issues of cultural diversity and to work with diverse populations.

Students must complete 88 graduate credits (36 in general core courses, 25 in required clinical core courses, 12–14 credits of advanced clinical courses, and 15 credits of electives organized around a theme).

36 credits of general core courses

Seminar in professional psychology (1)

25 credits of required clinical core courses

12 to 14 credits advanced clinical courses (choose 4 courses)

Concentration in Human Factors/ Applied Cognition

Students must complete 72 graduate credits to include the following requirements:

Students are to take credits in PSYC 897 Directed Reading and Research each semester.

Students are strongly encouraged to develop competence in programming and computer science by course work or independent study.

Students are encouraged to identify and take relevant courses within or outside the department (with advisor's approval).

Concentration in Industrial/ Organizational Psychology

Students must complete 88 graduate credits taken from the following: