Nov 03, 2024  
2024-25 Western Washington University Catalog 
    
2024-25 Western Washington University Catalog

Psychology — Experimental, Thesis, MS

Location(s): WWU - Bellingham


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Department of Psychology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Graduate Faculty

Ardiel, Evan L., PhD, behavioral neuroscience
Bell, Angela, PhD, intergroup dynamics and the experiences of being a member of a stigmatized group
Byrne, Christina, PhD, psychological trauma and intimate partner violence
Cao, Feng, PhD, behavioral neuroscience
Ciao, Anna C., PhD, risk factors for developing eating and weight concerns, eating disorder and obesity prevention and early intervention, barriers to seeking psychological treatments, dissemination of evidence-based interventions
Czopp, Alexander M., PhD, negative implications for intergroup relations of “positive” stereotypes of groups, prejudice reduction through interpersonal confrontation
Delker, Brianna, PhD, psychology of trauma and abuse perpetrated within close relationships, social and cultural contexts of trauma, developmental psychopathology
Delucio, Kevin, PhD, Counseling psychology
Devenport, Jennifer, PhD, legal psychology, jury decision-making, factors influencing erroneous eyewitness identifications
Du Rocher Schudlich, Tina, PhD, developmental psychopathology, marital conflict and children, parent-child emotion regulation
Gonzalez, Antonya, PhD, cognitive development
Graham, James M., PhD, adaptive processes in romantic relationships, romantic love, measurement, multivariate statistics
Grimm, Jeffrey W., PhD, animal models of drug taking and drug seeking, neurobiology of drug taking and drug seeking
Gruman, Diana, PhD, school counseling, child and adolescent development, educational psychology
Henesy, Rachael, PhD, Counselor education, clinical mental health counseling
Hyman, Ira, PhD, memory, cognitive psychology, social cognition
Jantzen, Kelly J., PhD, behavioral and cognitive neuroscience, human environment interactions
Kaplan, Joshua, PhD, behavioral neuroscience
Lehman, Barbara, PhD, childhood family environment and social/psychological health, research methods and statistics
Lemm, Kristi, PhD, implicit attitudes
Mallinckrodt, Brent, PhD, attachment in adults, affect regulation, the counseling relationship as a catalyst for client change, social support, training students for social justice advocacy
Matsukura, Michi, PhD, cognition, perception
McCabe, Jennifer, PhD, women’s wellness
McLean, Kate, PhD, adolescent identity development
Riggs, Anne E., PhD, social cognition, cognitive development, educational psychology
Rose, Jacqueline K., PhD, molecular mechanisms of learning, memory, and plasticity
Sattler, David, PhD, natural disasters, social dilemmas, small group research
Smith, Aaron, PhD, treatment of psychological trauma and the causal mechanisms of posttraumatic growth; veteran mental health
Scollon, Christie K. Napa, PhD, positive psychology
Sowell, Shaun, PhD, school counselors’ advocacy role, training school counselors with social justice focus, school counselor professional identity development
Symons, Lawrence, PhD, perception
Villicana, Adrian, PhD, social psychology, identity, social cognition, and social issues
Warren, Michael T., PhD, positive psychology, moral virtues

Program Director: Dr. Christie Scollon, Academic Instructional Center 594.

Program Description

The Master of Science in Experimental Psychology program follows a student-centered mentorship model that provides rigorous training and experiences to develop and implement independent, theoretically driven empirical science. The program values engagement in scholarship that includes attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion within topics studied, research practices, and mentorship practices.

Goals

The mentorship model and curriculum of the MS in Experimental Psychology are intended to foster an advanced understanding of psychological theory, effective application of research design & quantitative skills, engagement in independent original research, and an understanding of the importance of equity, diversity, and inclusion in both topics studied and research practices.

Prerequisites

Applicants to the Experimental Psychology Graduate Program must have a baccalaureate degree (in any field) prior to starting the program; completed courses in Introductory Psychology, Statistics, Research Methods; and completed courses in three of the following areas: Cognitive Psychology, Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Physiological/Behavioral Neuroscience. The following are preferred but not required: depth of coursework in at least one area of the above concentration areas (e.g., multiple courses within a domain, upper-level courses); experience planning, conducting, analyzing, presenting, and/or writing research.

Application Information

Application Deadlines: Faculty will begin reviewing application materials on January 15 and will continue to review materials until the enrollment limit is reached or March 15, whichever comes first. Because student enrollment in the program is limited, all applicants are strongly encouraged to submit application materials by January 15.

Teaching Assistant Deadline: To be considered for a graduate teaching assistantship, applicants must submit their application materials by January 15.

Program Requirements: (46 credit minimum)


Retention


Students in the MS Experimental program must be making satisfactory progress in their research to remain in the program. Written and verbal communication between students, research advisors, and the program director help clarify whether the student is making satisfactory progress. Progress is documented through required Annual Progress reports. If it is determined that a student is not making satisfactory progress in research or meeting other expectations, the student and the research advisor (and/or the program director, if the student lacks a research advisor) should meet and discuss the situation and plans for student progress. Together, the student and advisor will complete a Remedial Progress Report. This report establishes a firm agreement of the steps required for the student to maintain good standing in the program. At a minimum, the research advisor and student will both sign the form to indicate agreement with the plan, and set at least one subsequent meeting date/time. Failure to adhere to the meetings and timelines agreed upon in the Remedial Progress Report may be cause for dismissal from the program. Students may appeal any decision through the formal appeal process outlined in the WWU Bulletin (Appendix F).

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