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The goal of the Political Psychology program is to educate students in the general discipline of psychology and to train them in the application of contemporary psychological theories, concepts, and models to the study of political behavior. There is great reliance on social psychology, particularly, attitudes, emotion and affect, and group process; memory, decision and cognition. Attention is given to the content and structure of political information and the factors that influence political judgments and decisions. There are lab and field experiments in addition to survey research.

Master of Science (M.S.) in Political Psychology

1. GENERAL LIST OF ALL COURSES:

Master’s program on the way to doctorate in Psychology:
54 credits of course work + 15 credits for thesis = 69 credits
These courses are all part of the doctorate.
M.S. courses should go first and be completed in two years.
“L ” means these are specifically required and must be taken by all and there are no substitutes.
All are 3 credits unless otherwise indicated.

A. BASIC COURSES – 42 CREDITS

1. Psychology 516 History and Systems of Psychology
2. Psychology 404 Physiological Psychology
3. Psychology 514 Cognitive-Affective Basis of Behavior
4. Psychology 320 Psychology of Individual Differences
5. Psychology 510 Social Psychology
6. Psychology 321 Psychology, Cultural and Ethnic Diversity
7. Psychology 299 Psychology of Religion / Political Conflict and Religion ( 4 credits)
8. Psychology 370 Political Philosophy
9. Psychology 371 Fundamentals of Political Psychology – with practicum (4 credits)
10. Psychology 372 Social Influence and Political Socialization – with practicum (4 credits)
11. Psychology 373 Public Opinion and Electoral Behavior – with practicum (4 credits)
12. Psychology 374 Psychology of Political Leadership and Decision Making – with practicum (4 credits)
13. Psychology 402 Advanced Group Dynamics 1 with practicum ( May be taken before Group Dynamics 1 & 2 ) (4 credits)
14. Psychology 405 Advanced Group Dynamics 2 -with practicum (4 credits)

B. ELECTIVE COURSES- 6 CREDITS
Any 2 of the following courses:

1. Psychology 353 Psychology of Mass Behavior – with practicum
2. Psychology 376 War, Violence, and Conflict Resolution – with practicum
3. Psychology 377 Theory and Practice of International Negotiations – with practicum
4. Psychology 378 Political Conflict and “isms:” nationalism, racism, sexism, ageism, and classism – with practicum
5. Psychology 335 Attitude and Attitude Change – with practicum
6. Psychology 201 Interviewing Skills – with practicum

Thesis ( 15 credits). This may be accomplished by a literature search or empirical research in the area which the student plans to write the doctoral dissertation.

2. GENERAL LIST OF COURSES, DIVIDED INTO 4 SEMESTERS

First Semester
History and Systems of Psychology L
Physiological Psychology L
Cognitive-Affective Basis of Behavior L
Psychology of Individual Differences L

Second Semester
Social Psychology L
Psychology, Cultural and Ethnic Diversity L
Psychology of Religion/ Political Conflict and Religion
Political Philosophy

Third Semester
Fundamentals of Political Psychology – with practicum
Social Influence and Political Socialization – with practicum
Public Opinion and Electoral Behavior – with practicum
Psychology pf Political Leadership and Decision Making – with practicum
Advanced Group Dynamics 1 – with practicum

Fourth Semester
Advanced Group Dynamics 2 – with practicum
Elective Course – with practicum
Elective Course – with practicum
Thesis – with practicum

Doctor of Psychology (Psy. D.), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Political Psychology

1. GENERAL LIST OF ALL COURSES

In addition to the 50 credits from M.S., the following is required for the doctorate:
39 credits of course work + 12 credits Internship + 12 credits Dissertation = 63 credits
Grand total for doctorate = 69 + 63 = 132 credits
Each course is 3 credits unless otherwise indicated.

A. BASIC COURSES – 39 CREDITS

1. Psychology 311 Graduate Statistics 1 L
2. Psychology 401 Graduate Statistics 2 L
3. Psychology 601 Multivariate Statistics in Psychological Research L
4. Psychology 602 Research Methods and Design 1 L
5. Psychology 603 Research Methods and Design 2 L
6. Psychology 322 Psychological Measurements and Scaling L
7. Psychology 323 Ethics and Professional Practice in Psychology L
8. Psychology 379 Political and Social Change -with practicum
9. Psychology 380 Nationalism and Ethnicity- with practicum
10. Psychology 381 Political Violence and Terrorism – with practicum
11. Psychology 382 Mediating Policy Conflict- with practicum
12. Psychology 306 Group Dynamics 1- with practicum
13. Psychology 309 Group Dynamics 2 – with practicum

B. INTERNSHIP – 12 CREDITS

This is done through 4 courses over two years i.e. 875 hours ( per year part time ) or one year full time ( 1750 hours).

C. DISSERTATION – 12 CREDITS

This is done through 4 course over two years.
Dissertation must be experimental and scientific with human subjects.
Beyond the 4 courses, each additional course is called Extended Dissertation Advisement and additional fees are charged for each extended course.

2. GENERAL LIST OF COURSES, DIVIDED INTO 6 SEMESTERS

First Semester
Graduate Statistics 1 L
Research Methods and Design 1 L
Psychological Measurements and Scaling L
Ethics and Professional Practice of Psychology L
Group Dynamics 1 – with practicum

Second Semester
Political and Social Change – with practicum
Nationalism and Ethnicity – with practicum
Political Violence and Terrorism – with practicum
Mediating Policy Conflict – with practicum
Internship (3 of 12 credits)

Third Semester
Graduate Statistics 2 L
Multivariate Statistics in Psychological Research L
Research Methods and Design 2 L
Group Dynamics 2 – with practicum
Dissertation Seminar (3 of 12 credits)

Fourth Semester
Internship (3 of 12 credits)
Dissertation Seminar (3 of 12 credits)

Fifth Semester
Internship (3 of 12 credits)
Dissertation Seminar ( 3 of 12 credits)

Sixth Semester
Internship (3 of 12 credits)
Dissertation Seminar (3 of 12 credits)