COURSE CURRICULUM

The Psychology (MSc) program is a thesis-based graduate degree designed to provide rigorous training in psychological research methods, statistical analysis, and advanced theoretical knowledge. A key requirement of the program is the completion of a master’s thesis (PSYC 599), which is based on original research conducted within an established area of psychology, typically aligned with the student’s supervisor’s expertise. Before beginning the research phase, students must present and defend their thesis proposal orally to their supervisory committee, ensuring that the project is methodologically sound and clearly defined. The program also requires completion of a research apprenticeship course (PSYC 502), which provides hands-on experience in active research settings and may vary in credit weight depending on involvement. In addition, students must complete 3 units of graduate-level statistics training, strengthening their ability to analyze and interpret complex psychological data. Students select one of three specialized tracks—Cognition and Brain Sciences, Lifespan Health and Development, or Social Psychology—allowing them to focus their studies on a specific subfield of psychology. These tracks provide direction for coursework and research but still allow flexibility in topic selection. Overall, the program emphasizes independent research, quantitative expertise, and specialization, preparing graduates for advanced doctoral study or research-intensive professional roles in psychology.