Phone: 703-993-1342
Web: gmu.edu/departments/psychology
Professors: Ascoli, Boehm-Davis (chair), Cortina, Denham (director, Applied Developmental Program), Klimoski, Maddux (director, Clinical Program), Mandes, Naglieri (director, School Psychology Program), Parasuraman (director, Human Factors/Applied Cognition Program), Pasnak, Riskind, Rojahn (director, Center for Cognitive Development), R. Smith (director, Biopsychology Program), Tangney, Tetrick (director, Industrial/Organizational Program), Winsler, Zaccaro
Research professors: Butler, Olds
Associate professors: Bitler, Blackwell, Buffardi, Flinn, Greenwood, Kello, Kozhevnikov, Peterson, Sanford (associate chair for undergraduate studies), Short (associate chair for graduate studies)
Research associate professors: Bachus, Warren
Assistant professors: Baldwin, Cattaneo, Dalal, Kashdan, Kaplan, King, McKnight, Mohr, Monk, Perez-Edgar, Rowe, Thompson
Term associate professors: Chrosniak, Wanschura
Research assistant professors: Bassett, Fu, McDonald, Stuewig, Tran
Term assistant professors: Battaglia, Hurley, Meier
Affiliates: Eby, Hunt, Trafton
Adjuncts: Anderson, Benedi, Curtin, Dechman, Hawley, Hirsch, Levitas, Mayfield, Perez, Pomeroy, Schumann, Shiraev, Stanhope, Steve, Werber
The Psychology Department offers all course work designated PSYC in the Course Descriptions chapter of this catalog.
BA-PSYC
In addition to university-wide general education requirements and requirements for the BA degree in CHSS, students pursuing this degree must complete the course work with a minimum GPA of 2.00 distributed as follows:
36 credits of psychology (24 of which must be at the 300 and 400 levels), including PSYC 100 (fulfills the university social science requirement), 211 (or two of 313, 314, 415), 231, 300, 301, 317, 325, 372 (or 375, 376), and 465 (Students must have a minimum grade of C- [1.67] in each of these nine or more courses.)
It is strongly recommended that students fulfill the natural science requirement by completing BIOL 103 and 104 because these courses are prerequisites to PSYC 372.
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 general education or college-level requirements; students should consult with an advisor in planning their programs.
BS-PSYC
In addition to satisfying the university-wide general education requirements for a BS degree, students pursuing this degree must complete the course work with a minimum GPA of 2.00 distributed as follows:
Any psychology course may be used to satisfy 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.
To receive honors in psychology, students take a sequence of three courses (PSYC 490, 491, and 492) during the spring semester of their junior year and fall and spring semesters of their senior year.
To be eligible for admission, psychology majors must have completed at least 50 credits, a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25, and a minimum GPA in psychology courses of 3.40. To graduate with honors in psychology, students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 and a minimum GPA of 3.40 in psychology courses. Students must earn at least 3.50 in the three honors courses, which cumulates in the successful completion and presentation of an independent honors thesis.
BS-NEUR
The BS in neuroscience is an interdisciplinary program emphasizing the relationship between the biology and chemistry of the nervous system and behavior of an organism. The BS in neuroscience prepares students for graduate-level study in both medical school and doctoral and master’s-level programs in neuroscience and other health-related fields, and work in the neuroscience field.
In addition to university-wide general requirements, students pursuing this degree must complete the course work distributed as follows:
The program requirements also meet the university general education requirements in quantitative reasoning, social and behavioral science, and natural science.
*Students intending to pursue a PhD program in neuroscience or an MD are advised to take CHEM 313 and 315 and MATH 114.
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. Students majoring in neuroscience may fulfill this requirement by successfully completing NSCI 301.
The Psychology Department offers a minor to students who major in any other discipline. Students pursuing this minor must complete 18 credits in psychology distributed as follows:
Related course work 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.
In accordance with university policy, at least 8 credits must be applied only to the minor and may not be used to fulfill requirements of the student’s major, concentration, or another minor. For policies governing all minors, see the Academic Policies chapter of this catalog.
Students who plan to seek teacher licensure and become K–12 teachers should consult the College of Education and Human Development 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.
Highly qualified undergraduates may apply to the accelerated master’s degree program and obtain a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in psychology with a concentration in biopsychology following satisfactory completion of 146 credits. Well-prepared undergraduates are encouraged to apply as they near completion of 90 credits. Admitted students are able to use up to 6 graduate credits in partial fulfillment of requirements for the undergraduate degree. On completion and conferral of the undergraduate degree with satisfactory graduate-level performance (3.00 in each course, grade of B or better) in graduate courses, students are given advanced standing in the master’s program. All other master’s degree requirements must be met. This program is available only to students pursuing the concentration in biopsychology. Interested students should contact the department for details about the application process.
MA-PSYC
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.
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 past 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 GPA 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. Because the number of students admitted to each program is limited, meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Financial assistance is available through graduate assistantships and various forms of grants, loans, and employment.
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 ensured that such requests will be granted; however, if granted, 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 director.
Students may be admitted provisionally and be required to take 12 credits in psychology and earn a minimum GPA of 3.25 in those courses to qualify for removal of the provisional qualifier. Programs may add other conditions to provisional admission. Individualized study work does not count toward the 12 credits.
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.
Students must complete 32 graduate credits, distributed as follows:
The biopsychology concentration emphasizes training in the neurobiological bases of behavior. Students are prepared for doctoral work or employment in government or industry research laboratories.
Students must complete 32 graduate credits distributed as follows:
The clinical psychology concentration trains students to have flexibility to fill the evolving functions of clinical psychologists, including research, direct provision of clinical services, supervision, program development and evaluation, and consultation.
The clinical psychology MA concentration is not a terminal degree and awarded only to students admitted to the clinical doctoral concentration. Students who have been admitted to the doctoral program with a concentration in clinical psychology are awarded the MA in psychology on completion of the 32 hours of course work designated below. Students must also be in good standing in the program, as determined by the director of clinical training.
The industrial/organizational psychology 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.
Students pursuing this concentration must complete 32 graduate credits distributed as follows:
The school psychology concentration is committed to an instructional model that combines a sound understanding of psychological theory and research with outstanding practicum and internship experiences. The curriculum imparts foundational knowledge in psychology, education, intervention and problem solving, statistics and research methodology, and professional school psychology, along with practicum and internship experiences that prepare graduates for positions in schools or related environments.
Students earn both a master of arts (MA) and a certificate of advanced graduate studies (CERM) that prepares them for professional certification in school psychology. Graduates meet academic standards for certification as a nationally certified school psychologist (NCSP) and are eligible to take the NCSP exam and apply for certification by the NCSP Board of National Association of School Psychologists. Students completing the program will be eligible for licensure in Virginia (after meeting all requirements stipulated by the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Psychology) as school psychologists.
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 in advanced graduate studies.
Students pursuing the concentration in school psychology must complete 38 graduate credits with a grade B or better distributed as follows:
CERM-ASP
The certificate in advanced graduate studies in school psychology forms a two-level degree program with the school psychology concentration in the MA in psychology. This program prepares graduates for professional certification in school psychology and is approved by school psychology training programs by the National Association of School Psychologists.
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. They must complete all requirements of the master’s in school psychology that they have not previously taken.
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.
Students pursuing this certificate must complete 26 credits. They must receive a grade of B or better in the course work, which must be completed before the internship (PSYCH 790). School psychology students are required to enroll full time. The credits are distributed as follows:
With 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 completed before admission.
With approval of the graduate coordinator and the 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 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.
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.
Students pursuing this concentration must complete 32 graduate credits distributed as follows:
Other courses within or outside the department may be taken with advisor’s approval.
A certificate may meet the needs of students who desire to upgrade their skills and earn a certificate as evidence of their skill attainment. Each of these certificates may be earned separately or concurrently with another program or certificate.
The certificate programs are open to all students who hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and meet admissions requirements for the MA psychology concentration in human factors and applied cognition. Students who have been admitted as certificate-seeking students may apply for admission to the master’s degree concentration in human factors and applied cognition at any time. A maximum of 12 credits may be transferred to the master’s degree program from the certificate program with the approval of the program director and the dean, provided that the grade in each course is 3.00 or better. (There are other restrictions on the number of credits that may be transferred, so students interested in this option should consult the program director.)
CERG-AVIP
Students pursuing this certificate must successfully complete five courses (15 credits) distributed as follows:
CERG-UBTY
Students pursuing this certificate must successfully complete five courses (15 credits) distributed as follows:
CERG-CNEU
Students pursuing this certificate must successfully complete six courses (18 credits) distributed as follows:
SC-PHD-NEUR
The interdisciplinary doctoral program in neuroscience is offered jointly by CHSS, the College of Science, and the Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study. For details, see the College of Science chapter in this catalog.
PHD-PSYC
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.
Entering students are accepted only for fall semesters. The department does not usually consider applications that fail to meet the minimum criteria of 3.00 undergraduate GPA, 3.25 GPA in psychology course work, and combined GRE scores of 1,100. 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.
In addition to admission materials required by the university, applicants must submit the following:
Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all materials arrive before the application deadline. Also, applicants in the final candidate pool may be required to participate in an interview.
In addition to fulfilling admission requirements, applicants are expected to have the following:
For the PhD with a concentration in industrial/organizational psychology or in human factors/applied cognition, at least 15 credits in psychology, including a statistics course and a laboratory course in psychology. A tests and measurements course is recommended.
For the PhD with a concentration in clinical psychology, at least 15 credits in psychology, including a statistics course, laboratory science course, and abnormal psychology. Courses in developmental psychology, personality, physiological psychology, and tests and measurements are desirable.
For the PhD with a concentration in applied developmental psychology, at least 15 credits in psychology, including statistics and a laboratory course in experimental psychology. Courses in personality, abnormal psychology, developmental psychology, and tests and measurements are also required for applicants to the school psychology concentration within the MA program.
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 is available through graduate assistantships, doctoral fellowships, and various forms of grants, loans, or employment.
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.
The PhD program has four educational components: core courses, upper-level specialty courses, supervised practica, and dissertation.
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.
The 700-, 800-, and 900-level courses provide doctoral candidates with greater depth of study in specific content areas.
The purpose of the practica is to provide a broad range of experiences in settings related to the students’ concentrations.
To advance to candidacy, students must complete all required, nonelective course work on their approved program of study. Students must also successfully complete and pass written and oral comprehensive exams.
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 credits of research (999), and 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 University Libraries.
Students in the doctoral program are evaluated on the basis of grades, comprehensive exams, 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.
The applied developmental psychology concentration is concerned with enhancing developmental processes and preventing developmental disorders in individuals and families across the life span. It uses the knowledge base and methodologies of developmental science to assist the development of individuals who vary in cultural and ethnic backgrounds; economic and social opportunities; physical, social, emotional, and cognitive abilities; and conditions of living (e.g., families, neighborhoods, communities, and physical settings). 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 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, and 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.
Students pursuing this degree must complete 72 credits distributed as follows:
* Can be taken only by students concurrently enrolled in school psychology MA concentration.
** Required
In addition, students are required to complete a second-year research project before they 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.
The biopsychology concentration focuses on studying the biological substrates of behavior. Core and affiliated faculty in the neuroscience and cognitive programs study areas as diverse as neural control of behavioral development; brain systems in substance abuse; animal models of learning and memory and their disorders (such as Alzheimer’s); human brain systems involved in cognition, perception, and movement; and computational models of neural functioning.
The program’s core facilities have well-equipped behavioral testing and histological/histochemical facilities. The program’s strong links to the Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study and the Center for Biomedical Genomics and Informatics allows opportunities for collaborative work as diverse as tissue slice preparations and molecular genetics. The doctoral program prepares students for research-based careers in academics, government, or industry.
Students pursuing this degree must complete 72 graduate credits distributed as follows:
The clinical psychology concentration is committed to the scientist–practitioner model. The goal of the program is to train clinical psychologists who are capable of integrating research and applied clinical activities. The program is unique in approaching clinical psychology from social psychological and community perspectives. A social psychological approach uses theory and research from social psychology to understand emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and interpersonal functioning. A community approach stresses the impact of social and cultural factors on the individual and the impact of the individual on the community. Most of the faculty members employ cognitive–behavioral and interpersonal approaches to research and clinical practice.
Students pursuing this concentration must complete 72 graduate credits distributed as follows:
The human factors and applied cognition concentration covers basic theoretical and empirical issues and emphasizes research that applies cognitive science to real-world problems. The program builds bridges between human factors engineering and cognitive psychology. Many applications of cognitive science are in the domain of human factors, and many doctoral students who complete our program go on to be human factors professionals.
Students pursuing this concentration must complete 72 graduate credits distributed as follows:
Students are to take credits in PSYC 897 each semester.
Students are strongly encouraged to develop competence in programming and computer science through course work or independent study.
Students are encouraged to identify and take relevant courses within or outside the department (with advisor’s approval).
The industrial/organizational psychology concentration focuses on multiple aspects of behavior in organizational settings, including personnel selection, quantitative analyses, teams, leadership, work and family issues, and organizational health issues. Mason’s graduate work in this area emphasizes research as the key to knowledge in both academic and applied settings. The program fosters a peer-oriented environment whereby students collaborate on numerous projects in addition to working with faculty members, in many different areas of industrial/organizational psychology.
Students pursuing this concentration must complete 74 graduate credits distributed as follows: