MS in Psychological Science (In Person)

The master of science (MS) in psychological science degree at the University of Rochester provides advanced training in psychological research. It is designed for students who seek:

  • To strengthen their research skills and experiences for admission into science-oriented PhD programs in Psychology or allied fields

And/or

  • Research careers in science, program evaluation, biostatistics, industry, and quantitative psychology (e.g., research coordinator, lab technician, higher education instructor).

Because the program advances skills and knowledge in consuming and producing psychological science, it does not result in a practicing, counseling, or licensing degree.

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Program Duration

The program requires that students are in-person full-time for two years, attending both the fall and spring semester each year.

Program Objectives

Through individualized training plans and faculty mentoring, students will:

  • Master theory and research knowledge in core areas* of psychology
  • Successfully evaluate and implement a variety of research methods, designs, and statistical analyses in addressing cutting-edge research questions in psychology
  • Critically analyze research and theory in psychology
  • Acquire professional development and presentation skills in both written and oral forms
  • Effectively conduct and coordinate research studies and lab activities, including data collection, management, cleaning, and safety protocols

*Core areas include: clinical, developmental, social, affective, personality, developmental psychopathology, and relationships.

Program Overview

All courses are in-person and typically take place during morning and afternoon hours. Beyond the required coursework in statistics and methods, students have the latitude to select courses that correspond with their emerging areas of interest in clinical, developmental, and social psychology through consultation with their advisors.

Students in our program will gain a variety experience by:

  • Engaging in coursework on research methodology, quantitative statistics, theory, and research from core areas of psychology
  • Receiving one-on-one mentorship from faculty
  • Participating in highly active research laboratories that are designed to prepare students for scientific careers
  • Completing a capstone project
  • Engaging in committee activities and in a variety of colloquia and program presentation series in the department

Curriculum

Students must complete 36 credits, taking at least nine credits per semester.

Required Structured Coursework (Nine credits)

Required classroom-based coursework is designed to provide students with foundational skills in scientific methodology and analysis.

Both of the following courses are required:

  • PSYC 504: Data Analysis I (fall semester, year one)
  • PSYC 519: Data Analysis II: General Linear Approaches (spring semester, year one)

Plus one of the following research methods courses:

  • PSYC 572: Introduction to Clinical Research Methods
  • PSYC 562: Developmental Research Methods
  • PSYC 510: Research Methods in Social-Personality Psychology

Experiential Coursework (Up to 12 credits)

Experiential coursework consists of immersive professional experiences within a distinguished lab. Each student will take two semesters of PSYC 495: Master’s Research during their first year, and two semesters of a capstone project during their second year.

Master’s Research

During their first year, students will take three credits each semester of PSYC 495: Master’s Research. During this time students gain work alongside a faculty mentor in their lab. Mentors are chosen after admission and are based on the student’s interests.

All participating mentors are leading scientific figures in their areas of expertise. Students will work with their mentors to learn new skills by engaging in ongoing, collaborative research activities in their mentor’s lab. These activities may include:

  • Conducting literature reviews
  • Assisting with grant proposals and IRB applications
  • Collecting and managing data for studies
  • Conducting statistical analyses for papers
  • Coding behavioral or interview data
  • Collaborating with the research team in preparing manuscripts for publication in scientific journal outlets

During this time and through regular mentor meetings, students will actively develop their research interests and aims for their capstone project.

Capstone

In the second year, students will take the three credit Capstone Project course for two semesters. The capstone project is an empirical paper and presentation completed by the end of the spring semester of the second year.

Students can complete their capstone projects using data from a completed project, data that they helped to collect or code as part of a larger research team, or data they collected themselves.

In preparing for the capstone project, students work with their faculty mentors to develop and refine their research questions for the project early in the program. The capstone project includes a:

  • Presentation of their findings in a departmental research talk
  • Publication-ready, written scientific manuscript evaluated and approved by their advisor and a second faculty reader in the department

The length of the final paper is consistent with a standard report in a journal and should range from 25 to 45 pages (inclusive of all sections of the manuscript except for supplemental materials and appendices if relevant).

How do I apply?

Applications are submitted through the online application portal. More information about applying can be found on our application information page.