The Programs
Computer Facilities
Human Subjects Laboratories
Brain Research Laboratory
Psychological Training and Consultation Center
Graduate Student Offices
Master of Science in General/Experimental Psychology
Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Experimental Psychology
Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology
      Admission
      Model
      Curriculum
Industrial and Organizational (I/O) Psychology
      Master of Arts
      Doctor of Philosophy
School Psychology
      Training Model: Scientist-Practitioner Model
      Specialist in Psychological Services
      Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in School Psychology
Unspecified Content or Variable Credit Courses
PSY Course Descriptions 

Department of Psychology website
     
Gary Dunbar, Chairperson
101 Sloan Hall (989) 774-3001

Renee Babcock, Ph.D., Georgia Institute of Technology. Adult development and aging, age differences in memory.
Richard Backs, Director of Experimental Psychology, Ph.D., University of Southern California. Engineering Psychology, Psychophysiology.
Terry Beehr, Ph.D., University of Michigan. Job stress, retirement, leadership, promotions.
Sharon Bradley-Johnson, Director, School Psychology, Ed.D., Western Michigan University. Parent education, educational diagnosis, infant assessment.
Neil Christiansen, Ph.D., Northern Illinois University. Personnel testing and selection, organizational uses of personality inventories.
Stephen Colarelli, Ph.D., New York University. Personnel psychology, evolutionary psychology, organizational psychology of personnel programs, human resource policy.
Gary Dunbar, Ph.D., Clark University. Behavioral neuroscience, neurodegeneration, pharmacological treatment of brain damage.
Rachel Foster-Lifson, Ph.D., University of Washington. Self-concept, psychology of women and of religion, social cognition.
Bryan Gibson, Director, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Ph.D., University of Utah. Self presentation, smoker-nonsmoker interaction, gambling.
Kyunghee Han, Ph.D., University of Minnesota.  Scientific study of culture, statistical evaluation of the cross-cultural equivalence of measures of personality and psychopathology, quantitative methods.
Timothy Hartshorne, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin. Therapeutic interventions, parent-professional relationships, loss.
Michael Hixson, Ed.S., Western Michigan University.  Curriculum-based measurement, reading direct instruction, precision teaching, applied behavior analysis, behavior development.
Susan Jacob, Ph.D., Michigan State University. Intelligence testing, ethical and legal issues in school psychology, child development.
Melvyn Jaffa, Ph.D., Columbia University. Social cognition, emotionality, interpersonal behavior, eating.
Carl Johnson, Ph.D., Michigan State University. Organizational behavioral management, behavior analysis, behavioral medicine.
Michael Kent, Ph.D., Iowa State University. Physiological psychology, hunger mechanisms, sleep.
Terry Libkuman, Ph.D., University of Oklahoma. Cognition, motivation, sport psychology.
Elizabeth Meadows, Ph.D., State University of New York at Albany. Anxiety disorders, trauma, prevention of psychopathology, psychological and medical problem interactions.
John Monahan, Ph.D., Duke University. Perception, attention, illusions, computers, perceptual structure.
Sandra Morgan, Ph.D. Central Michigan University. Reading instruction, academic behavioral interviews in general education, infant feeding and sleeping.
Larissa Niec, Ph.D., Case Western Reserve University. Children's interpersonal function, impact of out-of-home care on children, child maltreatment, attachment.
Justin Oh-Lee, Ph.D., University of California Los Angeles. Behavioral neuroscience, behavioral pharmacology, neurodegenerative disorders.
Hajime Otani, Ph.D., University of Georgia. Human memory and cognition, eyewitness memory, sex differences in cognitive processes, experimental, cognitive.
Tamara Penix Sbraga, Ph.D., University of Nevada Reno. Sexual deviance and self-control, sex offender treatment, suppression of cognition and emotion, acceptance and commitment therapy.
Debra Poole, Undergraduate Director, Ph.D., University of Iowa. Basic language/cognitive/social development in children related to social issues.
Stuart Quirk, Ph.D., Case Western Reserve University. Emotional response (with a general focus upon psychopathology), emotional regulation through substance use.
Mark Reilly, Ph.D., West Virginia University.  Experimental analysis of behavior, operant/respondent conditioning, animal learning, quantitative models, behavioral pharmacology, substance abuse.
Katrina Rhymer, Ph.D., Mississippi State University. Academic, behavioral, and social/emotional interventions, curriculum based measurement and single-subject design research.
George Ronan, Director, Clinical Psychology, Ph.D., Fairleigh Dickinson University. Personal problem solving, anger/aggression, psychological assessment.
Michael Sandstrom, Ph.D., Ohio University.  Brain plasticity, compensatory neuronal activity, and behavior associated with deteriorative diseases such as Parkinson's and Huntington's using animal models.
Sonya Sheffert, Ph.D., Cognitive Psychology, Psycholinguistics, Voice Identification
Reid Skeel, Ph.D., University of Florida, Neuropsychology.
K. Roger Van Horn, Ph.D., Iowa State University. Human development, developmental changes in cognitive and psychosocial processes.
Stephen Wagner, Ph.D., Northern Illinois University. Work-related attitudes, the psychology of employee ownership, group dynamics in organizations
Nathan Weed, Ph.D., University of Minnesota. Assessment of personality and psychopathology, psychometric methods in personality assessment.

The Programs
The first graduate degree awarded in psychology at CMU was the Master of Arts in General Psychology in 1967. Since then the department has expanded its programs to include, along with the Master of Science in General/Experimental Psychology, a Master of Arts in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, a Specialist in Psychological Services in School Psychology, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Clinical Psychology, School Psychology and Applied Experimental Psychology. The department’s programs have been, and continue to be, successful, with some of its graduates attaining national and international recognition in psychology. To acknowledge program excellence and as an expression of university support of programs, the department has maintained its status as a Graduate Center For Excellence since the inception of this designator in 1992.

The Department of Psychology maintains a variety of facilities that are used in the education of graduate students. Following is a brief description of those most frequently used within the department and university.
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Computer Facilities. A computer lab for graduate students in school and clinical psychology is located in Sloan Hall. The lab is equipped with software for scoring and interpretation of psychological and neuropsychological tests. The computers are networked with the University’s IBM 3090 mainframe. The typical electronic mail programs are also supported. The Department of Psychology also maintains a computer laboratory for research and teaching purposes. The lab includes 12 workstations. These machines are networked into a controller/file server and MEL software is installed. This lab basically serves students and faculty interested in research in cognitive processes, sensation and perception, learning, and social psychology.
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Human Subjects Laboratories. Space is reserved in Sloan Hall for research with human subjects. Special apparatus permits studies in neuropsychology, social psychology, biofeedback, discrimination learning, and perception. A minicomputer with appropriate interfacing helps provide flexibility in instruction and research. The use of closed-circuit TV monitoring in some rooms is also possible.
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Brain Research Laboratory.  The Brain Research Laboratory and Behavior Analysis Laboratory are both located in Rowe Hall.  These labs collectively consist of animal colony rooms, a surgical and histological suite, spacious behavioral testing rooms, and a large data analysis room, equipped with state-of-the-art image analysis systems and computers.  The facilities are used for laboratory classes and individual research projects.  They are equipped for small animal surgery, a full array of behavioral tests, microscopic assessment of neuroanatomical specimens, and more.
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Psychological Training and Consultation Center. This facility provides training, service, and research functions. The Center provides a full range of services to children, parents, and professional personnel from the Central Michigan area. Equipped with closed-circuit television, some faculty use the Center to demonstrate their own clinical work. Space and resources are typically made available for faculty and students wishing to conduct research.
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Graduate Student Offices. Graduate Assistants and Fellows have office space available to them in Sloane Hall.

Deadlines for application for admission are listed with each degree program. Prospective applicants need to contact the Psychology Department directly for information and application material.
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Master of Science in General/Experimental Psychology
Application Deadline: February 1
The Master of Science in General/Experimental Psychology program at Central Michigan University is a broad yet flexible program designed to develop individual scholarship. Students are exposed to a variety of content areas, while concentrating on a major area of study. Throughout their program, all students are expected to be actively involved in research with a faculty member. The program’s primary emphasis is to prepare students for doctoral study or research positions in the public or private sector.
The Master of Science degree in General/Experimental Psychology is based upon the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 36 semester hours of graduate work. The application deadline for receipt of all materials is February 1.

When applying for the Master of Science degree in General/Experimental Psychology, applicants must send three letters of reference and official GRE scores directly to the Department of Psychology. Fifteen semester hours of undergraduate psychology or the equivalent as determined by the department, and a 3.0 grade point average, are required for admission. Students who are deficient in certain subject areas such as statistics (PSY 211) or methodology (PSY 285, PSY 385) will be expected to make up these deficiencies in addition to the normally prescribed graduate course work for the degree. A maximum of nine credit hours earned during non-degree status may be applied toward the MS degree.

I. Courses in Psychology (30-36 hours)
Required Courses
8 hrs - PSY 511, 609, 690
6 hrs - PSY 798 (Thesis)

Select at least one course from each of the following groups:
3 hrs - PSY 611, 612, 613
3 hrs - PSY 587, 687
3 hrs - PSY 589, 680, 681
3 hrs - PSY 624, 630

Additional courses: (0-10 hours)
To be chosen in consultation with an advisor.

II. Cognate Courses (0-6 hours)

III. In addition to course work a student must complete an oral examination over the thesis.
Information concerning additional requirements can be obtained by contacting the General /Experimental MS program director.
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Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Experimental Psychology
Application Deadline: February 1
The objective of the Ph.D. program in Applied Experimental Psychology is to develop individuals with strong applied experimental research skills for positions in business, industry, allied health, or government agencies. The program is designed to provide advanced training in psychological processes (e.g. biological, cognitive, behavioral) and quantitative-methodological procedures (e.g. statistics, experimental design, computer applications) and their utilization in an applied setting. The program will provide students with specialized applied training, including a pre-doctoral internship. The program uses a mentor system, matching students with faculty members who have closely matched areas of interest. The current areas of training include: human factors (ergonomics, psychophysiology, attention and perceptual processes); behavioral medicine (with special emphasis on behavioral pediatrics, developmental disabilities, and infant sleep disorders); applied cognitive science (with special emphasis on cognitive modeling, decision making, forensic psychology); and applied behavioral neuroscience (with specific emphasis on testing potential pharmacotherapies for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Huntington's disease).

Applicants to the Program are expected to have a baccalaureate degree, a 3.00 GPA, and at least 15 hours of psychology. The foundation of the program is the M.S. Program in General/Experimental Psychology. The first two years of the program are identical to those of the M.S. Program in General/Experimental Psychology. Students accepted into the program must complete all of the requirements of the M.S. Program in General/Experimental Psychology or its equivalent. The emphasis in third and fourth years is on advanced specialized training, including generating high quality applied research and gaining practical experience through internships.

Third and Fourth Years
Required Courses
PSY 789 (3-9) Seminar in Applied Experimental Psychology
PSY 800 (12) Research in Applied Experimental Psychology (with Major Paper and Oral Examination)
PSY 990 (3-6) Internship A: Professional Services* 
   OR PSY 991 (3-6) Internship B: Professional Services*
PSY 898 (3-12) Doctoral Dissertation: Design
PSY 899 (3-12) Doctoral Dissertation: Implementation (with oral defense)
(A minimum of 15 credit hours from the combination of PSY 898 and PSY 899 is required.)

*A minimum of 6 credits hours from PSY 990 and 991 is required.

Electives: 18 Credit Hours

Total (minimum hours for third and fourth years):
54 Credit Hours
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Clinical Psychology
Application Deadline: January 15

Master of Arts
A Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology can only be awarded to students who have been accepted and matriculated in the Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology. Students must complete the first two years of the Clinical Psychology program and defend a master thesis prior to petitioning for the M.A. degree.
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Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology
Admission
The deadline for receipt of all application materials is January 15 for the Clinical program. Admission requirements and a detailed description of the Clinical Ph.D. program can be obtained from the Department of Psychology. In addition to grades and GRE scores, the Admissions Committee is attentive to letters of recommendation, personal statements, and relevant professional experiences. Admissions criteria select students who have general academic preparation in psychology and psychology-related research methodology.

Model
The Ph.D. program in clinical psychology follows a scientist-practitioner model in training graduates to function as ethical clinical psychologists who have breadth and depth in assessment and intervention, and the ability to empirically evaluate their clinical work.  Graduates function successfully in the modern professional context, and demonstrate an investment in lifelong learning. The clinical faculty represent various clinical and research interests.

The program endorses the criteria for training set forth by the Committee on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association* and is listed as an accredited program. The curriculum reflects recent developments in scientific psychology, while imparting to students the skills needed to respond to contemporary clinical concerns. Our training model endorses practice based on sound theoretical and empirical foundation in the science of psychology.  The doctoral program includes four years of intensive didactic preparation and applied experience plus a yearlong, full-time internship.

Training in clinical psychology is a complex process. Knowledge of clinical technique, scientific foundations, and research design are essential. However, the curriculum promotes more than intellectual mastery of content areas. Clinical courses seek to prepare students to think critically, establish rapport, accurately observe and report behavior, and develop an awareness of overt and covert processes present in both the client and the psychologist.

Curriculum
Students are accepted into the program on a full-time basis. Before arriving on campus each student is assigned a clinical faculty member. This faculty member aids the student in his or her passage through the program. Students entering with a BA/BS degree are required to complete approximately 108 graduate credit hours. Although some courses may be waived based on prior graduate work, no more than 30 credit hours can be transferred. The current curricular requirements are listed below by year of completion.

Year 1:  24 credits
PSY 510 (3) Principles of Psychological Measurement
PSY 642 (3) Clinical Research Methods
PSY 609 (3) History and Systems of Psychology
PSY 653 (3) Intervention I: Adult
PSY 657 (3) Assessment I: Adult
PSY 658 (3) Assessment II: Child and Adolescent
PSY 660 (3) Intervention II: Child and Adolescent
PSY 751 (3) Psychopathology

Year 2: 30 credits
PSY 611 (3) Research Design
PSY 624 (3) Advanced Development Psychology
PSY 630 (3) Advanced Social Psychology
PSY 641 (3) Personality Assessment
PSY 785 (3) Seminar: Cognitive Behavioral Theory
PSY 687 (3) Physiological Foundations
PSY 798 (6) Thesis
PSY 790 and PSY 791 (6) Practicum I

Year 3:  24 credits
PSY 589 (3) Cognitive Psychology
PSY 612 (3) Applied Multiple Regression and Correlation
PSY 661 (3) Neuropsychological Assessment
PSY 765 (3) Ethics and Professional Issues
PSY 850 (3) Ethnic and Minority Issues in Therapy
PSY 890 and PSY 891 (6) Practicum II
One elective (3)

Year 4: 24 credits
PSY 892 and PSY 893 (6) Practicum III
PSY 898 (6) Doctoral Dissertation Design
PSY 899 (6) Doctoral Dissertation Implementation
Two electives (6)

Year 5: 6 credits
PSY 990 and PSY 991 (6) Internship

Total credits:  108

Admission to doctoral candidacy is based on satisfactory grades, completion of thesis requirements, and passing a Clinical Qualifying Examination at the end of the third year. Before applying for predoctoral internship training, students must have a doctoral dissertation proposal accepted by their dissertation committee. The doctoral degree is awarded upon successful completion of a predoctoral internship, as well as the successful defense of a doctoral dissertation.

*Committee on Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
202-336-5500
202-336-6123 TDD
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Industrial and Organizational (I/O) Psychology
Application Deadline: February 1

The Department of Psychology offers a terminal master’s degree (M.A.) and a doctor of philosophy degree (Ph.D.) in industrial and organizational (I/O) psychology. Both degrees are oriented toward training students for careers in research, university, or business settings. Graduates of the programs are typically involved in research, and in planning, design, delivery, or evaluation of psychological programs in organizations. Examples of such programs include employee testing and selection, performance appraisal, training, stress management, job and organizational design, and organizational change and development.
Both the M.A. and Ph.D. programs are designed for full-time students. It is helpful if students have taken introductory courses in general psychology, I/O psychology, research methodology, and statistics.

Master of Arts
When applying for the M.A. degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, applicants must send three letters of reference and official GRE scores directly to the psychology department, and send the graduate college application materials to the College of Graduate Studies. The M.A. degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology is based on the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 39 semester hours of graduate work, including a master’s thesis. The M.A. is oriented toward training students for careers in business, government, consulting, or going on to Ph.D. programs. The application deadline for receipt of all materials is February 1.

I. Required Courses (24 credit hours)
A. Industrial/Organizational psychology content courses, 12 credits; PSY 535, 536, and 636; 736 or 537.

B. Quantitative (three of the following) 9 credits: PSY 510, 611, 612, 613.

C. Applications, 3 credits: PSY 790 or PSY 791.

II. Electives (9 credit hours)
A. Psychology electives to be chosen in consultation with the advisor, 9 credits.

III . Masters Thesis (6 credit hours)
A. PSY 798 (6) Thesis

Total: 39 credit hours
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Doctor of Philosophy
The Ph.D. curriculum in I/O psychology involves approximately four years of intensive academic preparation. The curriculum has been designed to reflect classic and current developments in applied psychology and to provide skills needed in the resolution of organizational problems. Students take courses in foundation areas of psychology. Training in I/O Psychology emphasizes theory, research, and practice in personnel psychology and organizational psychology.

Progress through the program is based upon satisfactory grades (a B average overall and a B or better in each class) plus the passage of a comprehensive exam, and successful completion of course work, a master’s thesis, and a doctoral dissertation. Students must take a minimum of 12 hours of dissertation credits, and may take up to 24 hours. Students entering the Ph.D. program are expected to complete the program within seven (7) years. The time limit for students entering with a graduate degree or graduate work will be prorated. Extension of the time limit to complete degree requirements will be granted rarely and only if steady progress toward the degree is evident.

An internship is optional. Before accepting an internship, I/O students must pass their comprehensive exams and have a doctoral dissertation proposal accepted by their dissertation committees.

Students entering with a bachelor's degree will be required to complete approximately 96 credit hours; those entering with a master's degree will be required to complete approximately 70 graduate credit hours. Some courses are offered in accordance with a planned sequence.

Students enrolled in the Ph.D. program in I/O Psychology will be eligible for the Master of Arts degree after successful completion of appropriate coursework and a master's thesis.

When applying for the Ph.D. in I/O Psychology, applicants must submit three letters of reference and official GRE scores. The application deadline for receipt of all materials is February 1.

I. Required Courses (66 credit hours)
A. Foundations of Psychology Courses (9 hours)
Any 3 of the following 6 choices in consultation with the student’s advisor:
PSY 609 (3) History and Systems of Psychology
PSY 583 (3) Human Motivation
PSY 587 (3) Physiological Psychology 
   OR PSY 687 (3) Physiological Foundations
PSY 589 (3) Cognitive Psychology 
   OR PSY 680 (3) Learning 
   OR PSY 681(3) Sensation and Perception
PSY 624 (3) Foundations of Human Development
PSY 630 (3) Advanced Social Psychology

B. Industrial/Organizational Psychology Content Courses (21 hours)
PSY 535 (3) Organizational Psychology
PSY 536 (3) Personnel Psychology
PSY 636 (3) Organizational Applications of Personnel Psychology
PSY 736 (3) Interventions in Social Systems
PSY 737 (9) Seminar in I/O Psychology

C. Research Courses (12 hours)
PSY 510 (3) Principles of Psychological Measurement
PSY 611 (3) Research Design
PSY 612 (3) Applied Multiple Regression and Correlation
PSY 613 (3) Multivariate and Correlational Methods

D. Experience-Based Courses (6 hours)
PSY 790 (3) Practicum A: Professional Services
PSY 791(3) Practicum B: Professional Services

E. Masters Thesis (6 hours)
PSY 798 (6) Thesis

F. Doctoral Dissertation (12-24 hours)
Twelve (12) hours are required, 6 in PSY 898 and 6 in PSY 899. Students may take an additional 12 dissertation credits as electives.
PSY 898-899 (12) Doctoral Dissertation: Design and Implementation

II. Electives (30 hours)
A. At least twenty-one (21) hours of Psychology, which may include up to 12 dissertation credits beyond the required 12.
B. At least nine (9) hours from outside Psychology

Total: 96 credit hours
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School Psychology
Application Deadline: February 1

Admission is competitive with approximately 10 to 12 students accepted each year.

Training Model: Scientist-Practitioner Model
The training model is based on the scientist-practitioner tradition emphasizing the application of behavioral science in educational systems and the larger community. Training emphasizes practice guided by scientific knowledge. Students are taught to use scientific principles to inform their practice (including consultation, intervention, and diagnostic services) and to evaluate their practice in order to improve services as well as contribute to the field of school psychology. The program is committed to fostering in its students a sensitivity to, appreciation for, and understanding of diversity. Similarly, the program strives to promote understanding of, and responsiveness to, the special needs of individuals with disabilities.
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Specialist in Psychological Services
This is a three-year, full-time, 70-hour graduate program, designed specifically to meet NASP/NCATE accreditation standards, leading to the Master of Arts degree in Psychology and the Specialist in Psychological Services. Students complete course work that prepares them to be knowledgeable in the following core content areas: Psychological and Educational Foundations, Research Methods, Psychological and Educational Assessment, Intervention Strategies, and Professional School Psychology. A full-time internship is completed during the third year of the program.

Although this is a three-year graduate degree, applications will be accepted from students who already have taken graduate work, including the master’s degree, at Central Michigan University or at other approved institutions. Credit will be given for such work in accordance with university regulations, provided it is consistent with the School Psychology curriculum.

This program meets the Michigan requirements for certification as a School Psychologist as defined by the State Board of Education. In addition, this program will permit certification as a School Psychologist in the majority of states.

An acceptable master’s degree or 15 semester hours of undergraduate psychology or the equivalent as determined by the department, a 3.0 overall grade point average, and scores from the Graduate Record Examination taken within the last five years are required for admission. Students who are deficient in certain subject areas will be expected to make up these deficiencies in addition to the normally prescribed graduate course work for the degree.

Required Courses for Masters Degree (34 credit hours)
PSY 511 (3) Statistics in Psychology 
   OR PSY 611 (3) Research Design
PSY 641 (3) Objective Personality Assessment
PSY 655 (2) Introduction to Intelligence Testing
PSY 656 (2) Advanced Intellectual Assessment
PSY 667 (3) Assessment of Learning Disorders
PSY 767 (3) Assessment and Intervention for Developmental Disabilities
PSY 798 (6) Thesis

One course from each of the following areas also is required (3 credits each)*:

Area A Social Basis of Behavior:
PSY 531 (3) Group Dynamics 
   OR PSY 533 (3) Psychology of Racism 
   OR PSY 630 (3) Advanced Social Psychology 
   OR SPE 550 (3) Teaching the Culturally Diverse

Area B Human Development
PSY 624 (3) Advanced Developmental Psychology 
   OR PSY 682 (3) Psychology of Child Development

Area C Cognitive Basis of Behavior
PSY 589 (3) Cognitive Psychology 
   OR PSY 680 (3) Learning

Area D Biological Basis of Behavior
PSY 587 (3) Physiological Psychology 
   OR PSY 687 (3) Physiological Foundations

*Course substitutions can be made with the approval of the student’s advisor and program director.

Additional Required Courses for the Specialist Degree (36 credit hours)
PSY 562 (3) Therapeutic Interventions Foundations
PSY 586 (3) Applied Behavioral Analysis in Education 
   OR PSY 780 (3) Behavior Therapy
PSY 662 (3) Advanced Therapeutic Interventions
PSY 677 (3) Education of Children With Learning Disabilities
PSY 760 (3) Seminar A: School Services
PSY 766 (3) Seminar: Consultation Skills
PSY 790 (3) Practicum A: Professional Services
PSY 791 (3) Practicum B: Professional Services
PSY 795 (3) Internship in School Psychology A
PSY 796 (3) Internship in School Psychology B

Six additional hours of course work are chosen with the approval of the student’s advisor.

Additional Requirements
Progress through the program is based on satisfactory grades (a grade point average of “B” or better overall) and satisfactory evaluations of pre-professional functioning (e.g., appropriate interpersonal skills, ethical and professional conduct). Serious and persistent difficulties in preprofessional functioning may result in dismissal from the program (see Student Handbook, School Psychology Program). For admission to 790, a student must have earned a “B” or better grade in each of the following courses: PSY 655, 656, 667, 767. In addition, a student must earn a “B” or better grade in PSY 791 and have an approved thesis proposal prior to admission to PSY 795.

At the master’s degree level, a thesis and oral exam over the thesis are required. At the specialist degree level, the student must demonstrate professional competencies in working with students, parents, and school personnel. This requirement will be met by the student’s satisfactory completion of a supervised internship (PSY 795, Internship A; PSY 796, Internship B).
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Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in School Psychology
The Doctor of Philosophy curriculum in School Psychology is designed to train school psychologists to provide direct services and consultative services to individuals, groups, and systems. Course work includes training in diagnostic, intervention, and applied research skills. Graduates may work in a variety of settings including public schools, hospitals, and universities.

The program of study typically includes four years of intensive academic preparation and field experience plus a one-year, full-time internship. At least 600 hours of supervised experience shall be in a school setting. The curriculum is designed to reflect recent developments in school psychology.

Students are accepted into the program on a full-time basis, and normal progress through the program requires a course load of about 12 credit hours per semester. Students are expected to take at least 6 credit hours per semester. For at least one year of the program, students must be in full time residence at Central Michigan University.

Minimum admission requirements include an undergraduate major in psychology or at least 15 semester hours of psychology and a 3.0 overall grade point average. A background in scientific psychology and basic research methodology including statistics and experimental psychology is strongly weighted to assure that students will be conversant with research. Students who do not meet the required 15 semester hours of basic psychology courses, but appear qualified for doctoral study, are required to remedy deficiencies as part of their initial course work. The Doctoral Admissions Committee will identify what coursework is necessary and inform the student about remediation.

In addition to grades and GRE scores (taken within five years of application), the Doctoral Admissions Committee is very attentive to letters of recommendation, personal statements, and relevant professional experiences. Work history, professional goals, capacity for relating to and working with other people, emotional maturity and stability, and motivation also are considered. GRE scores are viewed as one predictor of the likelihood of success in graduate study. Consequently, for applicants who already hold a graduate degree in school psychology or a related field, greater weight is given to prior graduate school performance than GRE scores.

Progress through the program is based upon satisfactory grades (a B average overall; a B or better in all assessment, practica, and internship courses; and a B- or better in all other classes) and satisfactory evaluations of pre-professional functioning (e.g., appropriate interpersonal skills, ethical and professional conduct). Serious and persistent difficulties in pre-professional functioning may result in dismissal from the program (See Student Handbook, School Psychology Program).

Successful completion of the thesis and comprehensive exam and approval of the dissertation proposal are required before taking the internship.  The Ph.D. degree will be awarded upon successful completion of course work, a thesis, a doctoral dissertation, and an internship.

Students entering with a BA/BS degree will be required to complete 106 credit hours, those entering with an MA/MS degree will be required to complete approximately 70 graduate credit hours. Courses are offered in accordance with a planned sequence designed to meet individual needs in terms of professional goals, academic background, and attained skills of each candidate.

I. Required Courses (106 credit hours)
A. Foundations of Psychology Courses (18 hours)
History and Systems of Psychology
PSY 609 (3) History and Systems of Psychology 

Human Development
PSY 624 (3) Advanced Development Psychology 
   OR PSY 682 (3) Psychology of Child Development

Biological Aspects of Behavior
PSY 687 (3) Physiological Foundations

Cognitive and Affective Aspects of Behavior
PSY 589 (3) Cognitive Psychology 
   OR PSY 680 (3) Learning 
   
Social Aspects of Behavior
PSY 630 (3) Advanced Social Psychology

Multicultural Issues
PSY 533 (3) Psychology of Racism 
   OR HEV 603/SOC 611 (3) Human Diversity Within and Between Families 
   OR PSY 850 (3) Ethnic and Minority Issues in Therapy

B. Educational Foundations (6 hours)
PSY 677 (3) Education of Children with Learning Disabilities,
PSY 760 (3) Seminar: School Services

C. Assessment and Intervention (28 hours)
PSY 655 (2) Introduction to Intelligence Testing
PSY 656 (2) Advanced Intellectual Assessment
PSY 641 (3) Objective Personality Assessment
PSY 780 (3) Behavioral Strategies
PSY 562 (3) Therapeutic Intervention: Foundations
PSY 662 (3) Advanced Therapeutic Interventions
PSY 667 (3) Assessment of Learning Disorders
*PSY 767 (3) Assessment and Intervention for Developmental Disabilities
PSY 751 (3) Seminar: Psychopathology
PSY 766 (3) Seminar: Consultation Skills

D. Methods Statistics and Program Evaluation Courses (9 hours)
PSY 611 (3) Research Design
PSY 612 (3) Applied Multiple Regression and Correlation
PSY 818 (3) Program Evaluation

E. Ethics (3 hours)
PSY 765 (3) Seminar: Ethics and Professional Issues

F. Thesis (6 hours)
PSY 798 (6) Thesis

G. Required Experience-Based Courses (18 hours)
PSY 790 & 791 Practicum A & B: Professional Services (6 credit hours)
*PSY 890 & 891 Advanced Practicing A & B: Professional Services (6 credit hours)
*PSY 990 & 991 Internship A & B (6 credit hours)

H. Doctoral Dissertation (12 hours)
*PSY 898-899 (12) Doctoral Project: Design and Implementation

II. Electives: Chosen in consultation with advisor (6 hours)

Total: 106 credit hours

*PSY 767, PSY 890-891, PSY 898-899, PSY 990-991 must be completed while a student at Central Michigan University.
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Unspecified content or variable credit courses. Click here for additional information regarding these types of courses. The following courses offered through the department are of unspecified content or variable credit: PSY 500, 501, 600, 696, 697.
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