What is General Experimental Psychology?
Experimental Psychology is a very general term that can be applied to any approach to the study of psychological issues that uses experimental or scientific procedures. Once the term was limited to "laboratory" psychology, but now it is used more widely (adapted from Arthur S. Reber, 1985). Experimental psychology is a branch of psychology that involves either laboratory or field experimentation in basic areas of the discipline. An experimental psychologist typically conducts research in a specific area such as learning, memory, perception , motivation or animal behavior. Some specialize in relationships between the brain and behaviors such as eating, sleeping and aggression, while others who specialize in the control exerted by the nervous system study such behaviors as eating, sleeping, and aggression. Students in our program are trained by our faculty in various methods with an emphasis on the design and analysis of experiments. They are provided with the resources to explore the multiple sub-disciplines and methodologies within psychology.
What is expected for the General Experimental degree?
This program emphasizes basic theory and methodology, research and statistical competence. In conference with a Graduate Advisor, you will select an area of interest in General Psychology, develop a bibliography, a thesis proposal, and a plan for a Special Area Examination. You will form a thesis committee and, finally, you will execute and complete an M.A. thesis. Areas of specialization may include physiological psychology, perception, cognition, clinical research, motivation and personality, developmental psychology, social psychology or quantitative methods. Please consult our Graduate Handbook to answer any further questions you might have.
What can I do with a General Experimental degree?
A rigorous program in General Experimental Psychology with thesis, teaching and research experience is advised for the student who intends later to apply to a Ph.D. program in theoretical psychology or certain areas of applied psychology. The M.A. degree in General Experimental psychology can also serve as a basis for employment in applied psychology. Graduates may qualify for research positions in government or industry, particularly those positions that require knowledge of data base management and computer applications. In conjunction with expertise in business or health science, graduates often find excellent career opportunities in educational, consumer, corporate, or community settings.
How do I apply to the General Experimental Program?
An undergraduate major in psychology and a strong overall grade point average are required. Normally, GRE scores should be above the 50th percentile and the grade point average should be no less than 3.00 in Psychology courses and 3.00 overall. Students with lower scores on the GRE or with somewhat lower grade point averages are occasionally accepted if they can provide alternative evidence of capability to perform successfully in the General-Experimental option. Alternative evidence might include a broad background in mathematics and natural science, a linguistic or socio-cultural background which differs from that of the typical applicant, a research or professional background, or a disability that requires alternative measures of potential competence. Non-psychology majors who would otherwise be acceptable to our program are urged to qualify themselves for admission by completing the requirements in our Graduate Handbook. Applicants whose background differs from that of the typical applicant to our program should ensure that at least two of the required three letters of recommendation are provided by faculty members from whom they took upper division courses in psychology.
- Consult the Graduate Handbook and University Catalog
- Contact the program director: Dr. Chavira and Dr. McAuliff.
- Read the application checklist
- If you have further questions, contact the Psychology Department.
**Additional forms may be found on the Graduate Forms page.
Program Faculty
Donald Butler
Gabriela Chavira (Program Director)
Sun-Mee Kang
Bradley McAuliff (Program Director)
Jill Quilici
Carrie Saetermoe
Jerry Shaw
Kim Vu
Michele Wittig
L to R: Gabriela Chavira, Bradley McAuliff, Jill Quilici, Donald Butler, Carrie Saetermoe, Michele Wittig, Kim Vu, Jerry Shaw, Sun-Mee Kang.
