Mission
The primary mission of the PhD Concentration in Experimental Psychology at East Tennessee State University is to provide students with broad and general training in translational research in the psychological sciences, including the areas of developmental, cognitive, and social psychology, personality, affective behavior, and behavioral neuroscience. To the best of our knowledge, there are no other PhD programs in the US with an explicit focus on translational experimental psychology. An additional focus of the program is to prepare students for future faculty membership.
The goals of the PhD Concentration in Experimental Psychology are to:
- train students to be scientists through designing, implementing, and interpreting research studies, and communicating research findings;
- train students in the application of basic and applied research with a translational focus (i.e., “from bench to bedside”), and in the craft of grant-writing;
- train students in teaching, research, and service.
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Students accepted into the program must be engaged in full time study. Applicants to the MA/PhD degree program are evaluated once each year only, for admission in the fall semester; applicants are not considered for spring admission. All application information must have been received by January 15th for a candidate to be considered for admission. All applicants are considered with the expectation that the applicant will pursue the PhD, and will be accepted from two applicant pools as follows:
Students holding a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution will be considered for the MA/PhD program. Students admitted to the Experimental Psychology PhD program complete the requirements for an MA in Experimental Psychology (42 hour program of study with thesis) en route to PhD completion.
Students already holding the MA or MS in psychology from a regionally accredited institution may also apply to the MA/PhD program. The master’s degree must be commensurate with the MA program in Experimental Psychology at ETSU and involve the successful completion of an empirically-based thesis project. Students possessing a master's degree without an empirically-based thesis will be required to complete an empirically-based thesis before being admitted to doctoral candidacy. Students without commensurate coursework may be required to take additional coursework.
The following are required to be considered for admission:
- Completed University application forms http://www.etsu.edu/gradstud/Home.aspx;
- A grade point average of at least 3.00 (based on a 4.00 scale) in undergraduate and/or graduate level work overall and in Psychology courses;
- A minimum of 18 semester hours in undergraduate psychology are desired; minimally undergraduate coursework should include a course in statistics and a course in experimental design. However, presenting an exceptional undergraduate record may be sufficient for graduate admission, but it is expected that all undergraduate deficiencies will be overcome during the first academic year.
- GRE scores (Verbal, Quantitative, and Written Analysis);
- Letters of recommendation from at least three persons familiar with the applicant's academic background, aptitude for graduate study, and future performance as an academic psychologist;
- A personal statement of 500-750 words indicating the applicant's academic experiences, research interests, and career goals, (Prior undergraduate research interests and involvement are weighted heavily.);
- A willingness to be interviewed by members of the admission committee.
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The MA in Experimental Psychology requires 42 semester hours distributed as follows:
| Curriculum Component |
Hours Required |
| Core Requirements |
15 |
| Concentration Requirements |
27 |
| Total |
42 |
Master’s Requirements (42 hours):
| Rubric |
Course Title |
Hours |
| PSYC 5210 | Statistical Methods |
3 |
| PSYC 5220 | Personality and Psychotherapy Models |
3 |
| PSYC 5410 | Correlation & Multiple Regression |
3 |
| PSYC 5610 | Topical Seminar in Developmental Psychology |
3 |
| PSYC 5620 | Topical Seminar in Social Psychology |
3 |
| PSYC 5630 | Topical Seminar in Cognitive Psychology |
3 |
| PSYC 5650 | Topical Seminar in Applied Psychology |
3 |
| PSYC 5707 | Advanced Behavioral Neuroscience |
3 |
| PSYC 5717 | Advanced Behavioral Neuroscience Lab |
1 |
| PSYC 5800 | Teaching in the Psychological Sciences |
3 |
| PSYC 5801 |
Teaching in the Psychological Sciences: Practicum I (1 hr, repeated 2 times) |
2 |
| PSYC 5825 | Psychopathology |
3 |
| PSYC 5950 | Methods of Psychological Research |
3 |
| PSYC 5960 | Thesis |
6 |
| Total |
42 |
The PhD in Experimental Psychology concentration requires 45 semester hours distributed as follows:
| Curriculum Component |
Hours Required |
| Core Requirement |
03 |
| Concentration Requirements |
15 |
| Dissertation |
12 |
| Electives |
15 |
| Total |
45 |
Doctoral Program Requirements (45 hours):
| Rubric |
Course Title |
Hours |
| PSYC 6660 | Grant Writing in the Psychological Sciences |
3 |
| PSYC 6801 |
Teaching in the Psychological Sciences: Practicum II (1 hr, repeated 3 times) |
3 |
| PSYC 7000 | Doctoral Preliminary Project |
3 |
| PSYC 7500 | Cultural Anthropological Applications |
3 |
| PSYC 7550 | Community Assessment and Intervention |
3 |
| PSYC 7770 | Diversity in the Psychological Sciences |
3 |
| Guided Electives |
15 |
|
| PSYC 7960 | Dissertation |
12 |
| Total |
45 |
Experimental Concentration Student Handbook
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