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Psychology Graduate Advisor
The Master of Arts in Psychology, Option in Psychological Research (MAPR) program is designed to provide basic graduate education in the content areas and research of general psychology in order to prepare for doctoral work or for Master's level careers. It is a two year, full-time program.
The core seminars cover basic areas of psychology including cognition, learning, physiological/sensory psychology, social, personality, developmental psychology and quantitative methods. Students are required to pass comprehensive examinations in three areas and complete a research thesis.
Doctoral programs frequently prefer students with the training and experience provided by the psychological research program. More than half of the students completing the psychological research program degree enter doctoral programs throughout the country. Faculty members and the graduate advisor actively guide and assist students in the Ph.D. program selection and also in job placement. Of those graduates who elect not to pursue a doctoral degree the majority hold positions that make use of their training in psychology. These include positions in community colleges, laboratories using physiological and behavioral research methodologies, social service agencies, business, industry and government.
All graduate seminar courses have an enrollment of 15 or fewer students, which facilitates close communication and intellectual stimulation among participants. A total of 30 graduate units is required for the psychological research program and it typically takes two years for a student to complete the coursework requirements of the degree.
MAPR PROGRAM - STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the M.A. program in psychological research, students will demonstrate that they can:
1. Summarize and critique the psychology literature, particularly within their chosen area of specialization.
2. Use core theories from their area of specialization to guide the development and implementation of research studies.
3. Demonstrate their understanding of the range of basic and applied research designs used to address psychological issues.
4. Demonstrate understanding of the development of research instruments and indicators of reliability and validity relative to one’s area of specialization.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of the range of analytic techniques that are used in psychology, particularly univariate and multivariate statistical techniques.
6. Communicate both orally and in writing at a level that is appropriate for professionals in their chosen area of specialization.
PREREQUISITES TO ENROLLMENT IN THE MA IN PSYCHOLOGY, OPTION IN PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH PROGRAM:
Applicants to the psychological research program are expected to have a bachelor's degree with a major in Psychology or 24 upper division units of Psychology coursework which includes four specific prerequisite courses, as well as four lower division courses (if your bachelor's degree is not in Psychology, please visit this page). The following courses (or their equivalents) must be included. Students may be admitted to the psychological research program if they lack only one required upper division course. The missing course must be completed within the first year of graduate study. Students missing more than one prerequisite course at the time of application may be offered provisional admission, if they submit a plan to take the missing courses along with their application, subject to approval.
Prerequisite Coursework must include the following CSULB courses (or equivalents, to be determined by Psychology Department):
The following course:
PSY 310 (Intermediate Statistics - 2 semester or 3 quarter sequential statistical courses)
One of the following four courses:
PSY 351 (Social Psychology) or
PSY 356 (Personality) or
PSY 361 (Child and Adolescent Development) or
PSY 365 (Psychology of Adult Development and Aging)
Two courses selected from the following (note that only one course may be counted from
each section to fulfill the two course requirement):
Section 1:
PSY 331 (Sensation and Perception)
PSY 332 (Cognition)
PSY 333 (Learning)
Section 2:
PSY 336 (Emotion) (and/or Motivation)
PSY 378 (Health Psychology)
Section 3:
PSY 340 (Physiology of Behavior)
PSY 341 (Neuropsychology)
PSY 342 (Psychopharmacology)
PSY 345 (Psychophysiology)
See Prerequisite course descriptions below (all courses require PSY 100 as prerequisite):
100. General Psychology (3)
Introduction to the scientific study of human behavior. Provides a basis for further study and for application to everyday life. Topics include biological foundations of behavior, motivation, emotion, learning, memory, thinking, personality, development, social behavior, abnormal behavior, methods of therapy.
210. Introductory Statistics (4)
Calculation and meaning of statistical measures. Descriptive and inferential statistics.
220. Research Methods (4)
Prerequisites: PSY 210 or equivalent.
Introduction to basic research methods in Psychology. Principles of experimentation, naturalistic observation, correlational studies.
241. Psychobiology (3)
Introduction to the study of behavior from a biological point of view. Biological systems and processes underlying behavior, with emphasis on brain mechanisms, presented in the context of fundamental concepts and issues in psychology.
310. Intermediate Statistics (3)
Prerequisites: PSY 210 or introductory statistics course.
Basic theoretical concepts of statistics and use of these concepts in selection and development of model testing, hypothesis testing and parameter estimation procedures. Both single measure (univariate) and correlation (bivariate) concepts are included.
331. Sensation and Perception (3)
Prerequisite: PSY 241, 220.
An introduction to the scientific study of sensory processes and perceptual principles from a psychophysical and physiological perspective, and the methods used to investigate them. Topics may include vision, audition, psychophysics, and object and space perception.
332. Cognition (3)
Prerequisite: PSY 241, 220.
Study of higher-order processes basic to the acquisition of knowledge. Includes thinking, problem solving, creativity, information processing, decision making, judgment, concepts and imagination.
333. Psychology of Learning (3)
Prerequisite: PSY 241, 220.
Learning is a relatively permanent change in behavior resulting from experience. Emphasizes interaction of biological and environmental variables in the processes of instinct, habituation, sensitization, Pavlovian conditioning, instrumental learning, and cognition; examination of methods, theory and applications.
336. Psychology of Emotion (3)
Prerequisite: PSY 241, 220.
Discussion of research and theories of emotions. Includes the evolution of emotions, neurophysiological mechanisms of emotion, development of emotions, expressions of emotions, and emotions in social relationships, with an emphasis on the emotions of anger, grief, happiness, jealousy, and love.
Motivation (3)
Prerequisite: PSY 241, 220.
Situational and physiological determinants of human and animal behavior, theories of motivation and emotion, discussion of techniques and problems in the study of motivation.
No longer offered at CSULB - Motivation upper division coursework may be accepted from other institutions.
340. Physiology of Behavior (3)
Prerequisites: PSY 241, 220.
An in-depth examination of central nervous systems (CNS) components that create our behavioral capabilities. Topics include major structural and functional features of the neuron and of selected systems that are representative of the sensory, integrative and motor capabilities of the CNS.
341. Neuropsychology (3)
Prerequisites: PSY 241, 220.
Localization of brain regions responsible for human capabilities as studied in patients with brain damage, normal people, and nonhumans. How brain damage is assessed and treated. Relation of findings to function of normal brains.
342. Psychopharmacology (3)
Prerequisites: PSY 241, 220.
Introduction to the effects of major classes of psychoactive drugs on the central nervous system. Topics include anatomical and functional characteristics of neurotransmitters systems; pharmacology of drug administration; and physiological and psychological actions of selected classes of psychoactive drugs.
345. Psychophysiology (3)
Prerequisite: PSY 241, 220.
Physiological activity occurring in humans during particular behavior states. Theoretical problems and methodological approaches.
No longer offered at CSULB.
351. Social Psychology (3)
Study of individuals and groups as they are affected by social interactions. Topics may include social cognition, attitudes and persuasion, social influence, interpersonal perception and attraction, aggression, altruism, and group dynamics.
Not open to students with credit in SOC335I.
356. Personality (3)
Survey of classical theories and methods in Personality psychology, with a sampling of current research. Examines how and why people differ in personality, and the ways these differences are reflected in thoughts, feelings, motivations, and behaviors.
361. Child and Adolescent Development (3)
Developmental change processes from prenatal development through adolescence. Emphasis on ethnic, gender, and social class difference in development combined with emphasis on the universal features of human development. Topic coverage includes physical-motor, social, physiological, and cognitive aspects of development.
365. Psychology of Adult Development and Aging (3)
Methodological and theoretical problems and issues in the study of developmental change processes from young adulthood through old age. Topical coverage includes physical-motoric, social, physiological and intellectual aspects of behavioral functioning.
378. Health Psychology (3)
Research and theory regarding attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors related to health and illness. Individual difference variables will be examined. Analysis of applications of psychology to prevention, counseling, and treatment of major health problems.
Current MAPR Graduate Handbook
SEMINARS
In order to ensure basic graduate education and breadth in the field, a varied core of courses is offered. All students take at least four graduate seminars: one in statistics and research methods; the other three at the student's choice from semester offerings. Besides the customary seminar assignments, students receive a reading list and study guide at the beginning of each core seminar to prepare for the comprehensive examination given at the end (finals week).
THESIS
The thesis is the important capstone event in the graduate student's educational experience. It allows the student to work relatively independently on a major project and demonstrate his/her ability to utilize psychological knowledge and skills in planning, conducting and reporting research. Our commitment to research is reflected in the broad scope of basic and applied research activities of the Department of Psychology. Student participation in faculty research projects is a major feature of the MA program and is encouraged before students conduct their master's thesis research. Students are encouraged to develop a thesis proposal in their first year of study.
MA IN PSYCHOLOGY, OPTION IN PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH PROGRAM COURSEWORK REQUIREMENTS (30-UNIT PROGRAM)
One of the following STATISTICAL courses:
PSY 511 Statistical Design & Analysis
PSY 512 Multivariate Statistical Analysis
One of the following RESEARCH courses (these courses involve laboratory work):
PSY 518 Computer Applications
PSY 527 Human Factors
PSY 533 Cognition & Learning
PSY 541 Physiological Psychology
PSY 551 Social Psychology
PSY 556 Personality
MA PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH SEMINAR courses (696 plus three additional seminars):
Three comprehensive exams are required: one in 696 and the other two from the remaining seminars.
PSY 696 Research Methods in Psychology (required)
PSY 631 Perception/Physiological Psychology
PSY 632 Learning
PSY 633 Perception
PSY 634 Cognition
PSY 637 Emotion & Motivation
PSY 651 Social
PSY 656 Personality
PSY 661 Developmental
PSY 678 Health, Behavior and Intervention
Six units of Thesis (PSY 698)
All MAPR students are required to conduct an original empirical investigation for their thesis. Six units of credit are given for the project.
Two Elective Courses
Six units of graduate-level work to total 30 units (i.e., additional statistics course, additional research course, additional seminar, or graduate level courses from the Psychology department or in related fields outside Psychology with approval of the Graduate Advisor).
Colloquia Attendance
Attendance at a minimum of six department Colloquia during the graduate program.
FILING A PROGRAM OF STUDIES
"ADVANCEMENT TO CANDIDACY"
Upon acceptance by the Psychology Department into the MA in Psychology, Option in Psychological Research program, you will be expected to attend an Orientation Meeting, and meet with the Graduate Advisor to work out a program of studies (Advancement to Candidacy). You must file an official program of studies after your first semester in the program and before or during the same semester in which you enroll in PSY 698, Thesis. Students must fulfill the Writing Proficiency Examination (WPE) requirement their first semester in the graduate program and before filing for Advancement to Candidacy.
(Do not use this list for section D of the department application - use the faculty mentor list)
Courtney Ahrens
Assistant Professor
PhD, University of Illinois at Chicago
Community; psychology of women; program evaluation.
James Amirkhan
Professor
PhD, UCLA
Personality; stress and coping; health psychology; attribution theory; survey research methods.
Dan Chiappe
Associate Professor
PhD, University of Toronto
Figurative language; reading; evolutionary psychology; attention; cognition.
Young-Hee Cho
Associate Professor
PhD, UC Irvine
Decision making; alcohol research.
Martin Fiebert
Professor
PhD, University of Rochester
Clinical; personality; male sex roles; family therapy; transpersonal.
Dennis Fisher
Professor
PhD, University of Illinois, Urbana
Drug abuse; HIV prevention: health psychology.
Kenneth F. Green
Professor
PhD, University of Massachusetts
Central mechanisms of pain inhibition; physiological psychology.
Dale Jorgenson
Professor
PhD, University of Minnesota
Social; environmental; social smiling; group decision-making in social traps; energy conservation;
psychohistorical changes in social motives and values; attributional beliefs.
William Kelemen
Associate Professor
PhD, Baylor University
Metacognition; prospective memory; cognition.
Diane Lee
Associate Professor
PhD, UC Berkeley
Biological psychology; learning and memory.
Kevin MacDonald
Professor
PhD, University of Connecticut
Developmental psychology; social and personality development; human sociobiology.
Lisa Maxfield
Professor
PhD, Syracuse University
Cognitive and neural basis of selective attention; attention; memory.
William Pedersen
Professor
PhD, USC
Understanding the situational and personality factors that impact aggressive behavior
and violence.
Patricia Rozee
Professor
PhD, UC Davis
Psychology of women; applied social psychology; cross-cultural and interdisciplinary
approach to the study of rape.
Sherry Span
Associate Professor
PhD, USC
Relationship between attention deficit disorders and substance abuse.
Thomas Strybel
Professor
PhD, University of Arizona
Auditory-visual space perception; auditory-visual displays; multisensory interaction;
human factors; human-computer interaction.
Dustin Thoman
Assistant Professor
PhD, University of Utah
Understanding the social nature of intrinsic motivation, the development of interests
and integration of interests into identity, and how stereotypes and discrimination
influence interest, motivation, and choices.
Robert Thayer
Professor
PhD, University of Rochester
Personality; motivation; emotion; arousal states, mood, energy-tension as a function of
exercise, nutrition, sleep; self-regulation of mood.
Guido Urizar
Assistant Professor
PhD, University of Florida
Psychosocial, behavioral, and physiological factors associated with mental and physical
health outcomes.
Kim Vu
Associate Professor
PhD, Purdue University
Cognition, performance, human factors, human/computer interaction
Bianca Wilson
Assistant Professor
PhD, University of Illinois at Chicago
Sexual health promotion and intervention development
Ecology of lesbian, gay, bisexual health
HIV prevention among youth
Culturally specific health research
Program evaluation
Arturo Zavala
Assistant Professor
PhD, Arizona State University
Drug addiction and developmental neuropsychopharmacology
PhD Programs
USC
UCLA
Oxford University
University of Illinois
Claremont
University of Iowa
UC Santa Barbara
Wayne State University
UC Davis
University of North Texas
Law Degree Programs of MA-Psychological Research Students:
Western State University, College of Law
Examples of Organizations Employing MA-Psychological Research Alumni:
Boeing
XEROX, Inc.
IBM
Hewlett Packard
eBay
UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs
WestEd
Clovis Unified School District
Mt. Diablo Unified School District
Successful MA-Psychological Research Alumni
Psychology Department Graduate Assistant Positions
The Psychology department has a number of graduate assistantship positions available. These provide financial support and professional experience, as well as additional contact between students and faculty. These positions are awarded on a competitive basis to new and continuing students. Types of positions include graduate assistants in laboratory and other courses.
APPLICATION
Students interested in serving as a Graduate Assistant (GA) should submit a GA application to the graduate Coordinator. Applications will remain active for one year. Positions are open until filled. Review of applications will begin April 15th for the Fall semester and November 15th for the Spring semester.
Applications are available in the Graduate Coordinator's Office. Applications should be sent to the Graduate Coordinator's Office.
TYPES OF GA JOBS
Each semester the department of Psychology hires about 10-13 graduate assistants to perform various activities. The assignments are usually 10 hours per week for 17 weeks in the Fall and 17 weeks in the Spring. Most GA assignments fall into two major categories. Some assignments are to assist in the introductory research methods course. This involves preparing materials, grading papers and assisting students. Other GA assignments support introductory and intermediate statistics courses. These assignments generally involve grading papers, assisting students and helping students with various statistical software packages. Both research methods and statistics GA positions also involve providing support for the department computer lab. An EEO/AA/Title IX policy is followed.
BENEFITS OF A GA POSITION
J. Robert Newman Scholars Program
Due to a generous bequeathment from a faculty member beloved by students, staff and colleagues, the Psychology department is able to award two students funding that will cover a portion of the cost of in-state enrollment fees. The psychological research and industrical/organizational programs' committees may each select an outstanding incoming student as a J. Robert Newman scholar. The recipient receives $1750/semester, up to four semesters. (All incoming students are automatically considered for the Newman Scholar - there are no application procedures.)
Additional Sources of Financial Support
