Master of Science in Experimental Psychology

A group of students looking over a canyon

Program Information

The Experimental Psychology program provides an excellent preparation and foundation for students wishing to enter a psychology Ph.D. program. Our graduate program is based on a mentorship model in which each incoming student is paired with a faculty member with similar scholarly interests who will advise and mentor the student on his/her academic progress and scholarly activities. Graduates will have a solid background in research design, quantitative methods, and expertise in a specific research area.

Goals

The experimental psychology graduate curriculum provides in-depth research experience within specific domains of psychology; cognitive, social, developmental, and neuroscience. This goal is accomplished through a combination of coursework and research experience.

Experimental Psychology Graduate Student Research

Application Requirements

  • Applicants to the Experimental Psychology Graduate Program must have a baccalaureate degree (in any field) prior to admission, must have completed courses in Introductory Psychology, Statistics, Research Methods, and must have completed courses in three of the following areas: Cognitive Psychology, Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Physiological/Behavioral Neuroscience.
  • All applicants must complete the Graduate School's ApplyWeb application and pay the $100 application fee.
  • Within the application you will be prompted to upload an unofficial transcript from each institution attended. If admitted, you will be asked to provide official transcripts.
  • Additional application materials are specified below. Applications will not be forwarded to the department for review until all required materials have been received by the Graduate School.
  • International Applicants: Please review the requirements for information regarding Degree Equivalency, English Language Proficiency and student VISA requirements.

Additional Application Requirements

  • Three (3) Letters of Reference: At least two of these should be academic references. Applicants are especially encouraged to request letters from faculty members who can speak to their aptitude for research. 
  • GRE scores: waived for the 2023 application season
  • Statement of Purpose:
    • Please address the following questions in 2-5 double-spaced pages:

      1. Explain why you are interested in pursuing training in Experimental Psychology. How have your professional (e.g., research, academic, work) and/or lived experiences contributed to your interest in applying to this program?

      2. Describe your current and prior research experiences (including the research topic and your level of involvement, responsibilities, and accomplishments).

      3. Describe which theoretical issues, research problems, or application areas you are particularly interested in. Why are these issues especially interesting and important?

      4. Provide the name(s) of faculty members with whom you may wish to work. Discuss in detail how your interests, goals, and experiences align with their research program.

      Note: We strongly encourage applicants to contact potential faculty members prior to writing their statement and become familiar with their current research in order to facilitate proper mentorship. Faculty interest in supervising incoming students is indicated on our webpage.

      5. Describe how your experiences and goals match the mission and learning goals of the MS Experimental Psychology program.