This area of our website is intended to provide
you with information about our graduate program.

If you still have unanswered questions,
please email:   psych@etsu.edu

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE CLINICAL PH.D. PROGRAM WEBSITE

BELOW IS THE APPLICATION INFORMATION FOR THE M.A. IN GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY

BE ADVISED THERE IS NO LONGER A STAND-ALONE, TERMINAL M.A. PROGRAM FOR CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, AS IT HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH THE PH.D. PROGRAM, WHICH INCLUDES THE M.A. AS AN INTEGRATED DEGREE

Application materials can be found at the Graduate School's website. They have an online application form available, and mailed materials should be addressed to:

School of Graduate Studies
East Tennessee State University
309-B Burgin Dossett Hall
PO Box 70720
Johnson City, TN 37614-0720
Phone: (423) 439-4221
Fax (423) 439-5624

Please email the Grad School for more info at: gradsch@etsu.edu

THE INFORMATION BELOW PERTAINS TO THE CURRENT TERMINAL MASTERS PROGRAMS IN C

Admission Requirements

The following are required for consideration for admission to either option of the M.A. Program:

1) Scores of 500 on the Verbal and Quantitative portions of the General Records Exam, along with a score of 500 on the GRE Psychology Subject Test.

2) A 3.00 overall undergraduate grade point average and a 3.00 g.p.a. in psychology coursework.

3) An undergraduate major in psychology.

4) Three letters of recommendation, at least two from former or current psychology professors.

5) A 1-2 page letter of application including a statement of personal and career goals.

6) Completion of the Graduate Studies Application Packet.

Applicants with weak credentials in one area (e.g., a low verbal score on the GRE) will be considered for admission if they have stronger credentials in another area (e.g., a 3.80 g.p.a. or independent research experience). All of the above information must be on file in the Graduate School by March 1st for Fall Admission, particularly for applicants interested in obtaining Financial Aid. Applications submitted after March 1st will be considered for admission; however, Financial Aid opportunities will be reduced. Students are normally admitted only in the Fall term, although exceptions for students in the General Option can sometimes be made. All applications are reviewed by a departmental admissions committee, and a telephone interview may be conducted.

General Curriculum

Course Descriptions

PSYC 5210 -- Statistical Methods

This course includes an overview of inferential statistics including topics such as probability, hypotheses testing, population sampling, and analysis of regression and prediction. Both parametric and nonparametric tests are reviewed. Parametric tests include the Z-test, t-test, Sandler A, Analysis of Variance, Analysis of Covariance, and the Newman-Keuls test. Nonparametric tests include the Chi square test, Sign test, Wilcoxon test, Mann-Whitney test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and the Friedman test. Students learn the purpose of these tests and their strengths and limitations.

PSYC 5220 -- Personality Theory

The course aims to familiarize students with selected writings of some of the major personality theorists. Its intent is to consider in some depth a number of specific aspects of normal and abnormal interpersonal adjustment and to provide a basis for the student's own thinking about how people provide a basis for the student's own thinking about how people grow, develop, and come to have problems. The work load of the course will consist primarily of reading, thinking about, and discussing an extensive list of primary source writing.

PSYC 5230 -- Advanced Developmental Psychology

The study of theories, principles, and research that relate to understanding human development throughout the life span. The course will deal with information concerned with all the stages of development, including adult development.

PSYC 5317 -- Perception

PSYC 5317 -- Perception

PSYC 5410 -- Correlation and Multiple Regression

This course will provide a detailed overview of correlational and multiple regression procedures as used in contemporary psychological research.

PSYC 5530 -- Sport Psychology

This course is concerned with the application of psychological concepts and principles to sports participation and the sports setting.

PSYC 5607 -- Child Psychopathology

The purpose of the course is to acquaint students with aspects of diagnosis, measurement, and treatment of child psychopathology.

PSYC 5610 -- Topical Seminar in Developmental Psychology

In this graduate topical seminar, we will read extensively about and critically evaluate an exciting and contemporary subtopic within the larger field of developmental psychology. Specific topics of study will typically vary as the course rotates from semester to semester and from faculty member to faculty member.

PSYC 5620 -- Topical Seminar in Social Psychology

In this graduate topical seminar, we will read extensively about and critically evaluate an exciting and contemporary subtopic within the larger field of social psychology. Specific topics of study will typically vary as the course rotates from semester to semester and from faculty member to faculty member.

PSYC 5630 -- Topical Seminar in Cognitive Psychology

In this graduate topical seminar, we will read extensively about and critically evaluate an exciting and contemporary subtopic within the larger field of cognitive psychology. Specific topics of study will typically vary as the course rotates from semester to semester and from faculty member to faculty member.

PSYC 5640 -- Topical Seminar in Behavioral Neuroscience

In this graduate topical seminar, we will read extensively about and critically evaluate an exciting and contemporary subtopic within the larger field of behavioral neuroscience. Specific topics of study will typically vary as the course rotates from semester to semester and from faculty member to faculty member.

PSYC 5650 -- Topical Seminar in Applied Psychology

In this graduate topical seminar, we will read extensively about and critically evaluate an exciting and contemporary subtopic within the larger field of applied psychology. Specific topics of study will typically vary as the course rotates from semester to semester and from faculty member to faculty member.

PSYC 5660 -- Topical Seminar in Clinical Psychology

In this graduate topical seminar, we will read extensively about and critically evaluate an exciting and contemporary subtopic within the larger field of clinical psychology. Specific topics of study will typically vary as the course rotates from semester to semester and from faculty member to faculty member.

PSYC 5707, 5717 -- Physiological Psychology

A laboratory-based course outlining how the brain interacts with the rest of the body to determine our behavior. Lecture, discussion, and laboratory sessions are integrated to introduce students to modern methods of psychophysiological research as it applies to neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neuroendocrinology, and biofeedback instrumentation. Areas covered will include the physiological bases of learning, memory, sleep, dreaming, emotion, psychopharmacology, and psychopathology. Classroom discussions will be augmented with readings from recent research articles.

PSYC 5800 -- Teaching in the Psychological Sciences

The purpose of this course is review the literature pertaining to teaching in the psychological sciences, to develop pedagogically sound techniques through which to present psychological material, and to gain hands-on experience in psychological instruction.

PSYC 5817 -- Introduction to Psychological Testing

A history and overview of the standardized evaluation methods commonly used in the assessment of individuals and groups. Topics covered are validity, reliability, and statistical concepts for the evaluation and interpretation of test data. The student is given an overview of ability tests, interest tests, and personality tests. Experience is provided in the administration, scoring, and interpretation of selected tests.

PSYC 5825 -- Psychopathology

Course is an advanced course in psychopathology aimed at an in-depth review of the DSM as well as conceptualization of diagnosis and treatment processes in clinical psychology.

PSYC 5830 -- Psychological Assessment I: Adults

Administration, scoring and interpretation of the major individual intelligence, cognitive screening and personality assessments for adults.

PSYC 5850 -- Psychological Assessment II: Child

The aim of this course is to familiarize students with a variety of intelligence and personality assessment instruments commonly used in clinical mental health settings with children and to provide experience in administration, scoring, and interpretation of these instruments.

PSYC 5870 -- Interviewing Techniques in Psychology

The areas of mental status evaluations, diagnostic interviewing and behavioral assessment will be explored in depth. Students will be taught fundamenal interviewing skills through didactic seminars and through videotaped interviews.

PSYC 5900 -- Independent Study in Psychology

Independent study in consultation with a member of the psychology faculty. Among projects the student may elect is an original independent research project under the supervision of a member of the psychology faculty.

PSYC 5950 -- Methods of Psychological Research

All psychology graduate students must complete an acceptable thesis to receive a master's degree in psychology. The purpose of this course is to assist the student in this undertaking by providing information on how to select a research problem and how to prepare a final research report. Numerous skills must be developed and cultivated in order to complete a thesis, such as understanding how to use the library or computer search services and how to prepare, analyze, and interpret research findings. Each student will be required to prepare a research prospectus in this course.

PSYC 5957 -- Special Topics in Psychology

Special offerings in psychology on topics such as group therapy, family dynamics, cognitive processes, ethics, etc. (as needed)

PSYC 5960 -- Thesis

A research project developed and documented under the supervision of a faculty committee. The research project is documented in the form of a thesis.

PSYC 5990 -- Readings and Research

Students who are not enrolled in other course work but require the use of university facilities and/or faculty guidance for studies, research, or preparation of a prospectus, thesis, or dissertation MUST enroll for three credits of Readings and Research. Variable credits (1-3) of Readings and Research may also be used, as approved by the student's advisory committee in conjunction with other course work, to receive credit for such activities as preparation of designated papers or development of research and scholarly skills that would not be appropriately covered by other types of independent study. Grading of Readings and Research will be wither satisfactory (S) or unsatisfactory (U).

PSYC 5989-99 -- Cooperative Education

Students must clear arrangements for this course through the Cooperative Education Office prior to registration. Planned and supervised work assignments in business, industry, and government agencies. Students may alternate between periods (usually two semesters) of full-time study and employment with a cooperative education employer. Credit received carries full academic value, and students receive compensation as full-time employees.

Student Research

Departmental faculty maintain active research programs, regularly present papers at refereed regional, national, and international conferences, and regularly publish articles in refereed professional journals. Undergraduate and graduate students frequently earn coauthorships on papers and journal articles. Opportunities for research activity beyond the thesis are available each semester. Although the thesis is the only research project completed by some students, a growing number of graduate students have elected to participate in independent research projects under the direction of a faculty member. The faculty view research experience to be an essential objective for graduate training and for the development of the student's credentials. Research experience is the 4th most important criteria for entry into doctoral programs of study (behind GRE - Verbal, GRE - Quantitative, and undergraduate g.p.a.). Departmental faculty maintain active research programs, regularly present papers at refereed regional, national, and international conferences, and regularly publish articles in refereed professional journals. Undergraduate and graduate students frequently earn coauthorships on papers and journal articles. Opportunities for research activity beyond the thesis are available each semester. Although the thesis is the only research project completed by some students, a growing number of graduate students have elected to participate in independent research projects under the direction of a faculty member. The faculty view research experience to be an essential objective for graduate training and for the development of the student's credentials. Research experience is the 4th most important criteria for entry into doctoral programs of study (behind GRE - Verbal, GRE - Quantitative, and undergraduate g.p.a.).

Thesis Topics

Psychology Department Theses

Effects of corporal punishment on survival and coping beliefs (2001).
-Deanna Michelle Orso

Attitudes toward suicidal women on gender of the participant and race of the target figure (2001).
-Carrie E. Smith

Affectional orientation, sex roles, and reasons for living (2001).
-Shana Valere Hamilton

Effects of punishment style and maternal employment on reasons for living (2001).
-Melissa S. Byous

Gender differences in coping with chronic illness (2001).
-Madhu Karnad

Attitudes and behaviors of adolescents toward sunbathing and sunscreen use (2001).
-Billie Hill Murray

Socioeconomic status and media exposure as factors in empathic development (2001).
-David E. Cox

Attitudes toward violence and reasons for living in adolescents with high, moderate, and low self-esteem (2001).
-Rhonda Marie Blevins

Social responses to HIV positive suicide ideators (2001).
-Saborah Lee Bishop

Negative and positive gender role identification as a predictor of disordered eating characteristics (2000).
-Jacquelyn Denise Hardy

Adults perceptions of children’s aggressive play with advertised and non-advertised toys (2000).
-Lori J. Klinger

Assessment of empathy in four, five, and six-year-old children (2000).
-James A. Hamilton

Gender differences of the older adult in relationship to ego integrity and the need for control (2000).
-Ginger Helm

Perceptions of cosmetic alteration in different sized attractive women (2003).
-Deborah Suzanne White

Expected happiness, love and longevity of marriage: Effects of wedding type preference, gender and location of the wedding ceremony (2003)
-Karen Sue Rudd

Employability of individuals with varying disabilities and costs of needed workplace accommodations (2003).
-Bram Cassidy Bevins

Predicting self-esteem based on perceived parental favoritism and birth order (2003).
-Kristy Lynn Adkins

Need for control in interpersonal relationships and courtship violence (2002). -Marcella Dunaway

Artificial tanning salon behaviors, intentions, and attitudes in terms of sensuousness and sensation seeking (2002).
-Christopher Jonathan Armes

Differing death scenarios: self-esteem and death anxiety (2002).
-Kenneth Grant Brewer

Birth order and reasons for living (2002).
-Larry D. Howell

Financial Aid

A limited number of graduate assistantships are available on campus. Each graduate assistantship provides the recipient with a stipend of $6,000, in exchange for 20 hours of assistance in teaching or research. The Psychology Department awards assistantships on a competitive basis. Students provided with an instructional assistantship are assigned instructional responsibilities in the Advanced General Psychology, Experimental Psychology, and Physiological Psychology lab sections. Second-year students supported by instructional assistantships are normally provided opportunities to teach sections of Introduction to Psychology. Research assistantships are also sometimes available. Both teaching and research assistantship duties are performed by students under supervision of members of the psychology faculty. Other mechanisms of support are available in addition to departmental assistantships. Minority assistantships are offered through the School of Graduate Studies, and a number of assistantships from other units on campus are available to psychology students on a competitive basis. Since 1994, the Psychology Department has been awarded several Tuition Scholarships. Although they do not provide stipend support, Tuition Scholarships pay the recipient's tuition in full, including any out-of-state fees, in exchange for 8 hours of laboratory or classroom assistance per week. Awardees of either assistantships or Tuition Scholarships are normally supported for two years of full-time study.

For further information about financial aid options, visit http://www.etsu.edu/finaid/financial.htm.

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GSAP

GSAP -- (The Graduate Student Organization) has an open admissions policy. Students admitted to a graduate program are eligible to join. Please visit our Organizations page to read more about GSAP.