Frequently Asked Questions

Who is This Program For?

This program is best suited for students bound for either PhD programs or employment in a research-related career.

PhD programs can be extremely competitive. Undergraduate students are often not accepted because they do not have the necessary research experience, GPA, or statistics background. This program helps students gain the necessary research experience, data analysis skills, and confidence to pursue their goal of earning a doctorate.

With only an undergraduate degree, pursuing a research-related career in psychology can be difficult. Employers expect new hires to be comfortable conducting research and analyzing data. With an MS in Research Psychology and Data Analysis, you gain the necessary experience in research and data analysis to separate yourself from the pack.

How Long Does This Program Take?

This 36-unit program can be completed in 11, 18, or 24 months, depending on the chosen track. If desired, students can add a concentration of 9 additional units that will add to the completion time for 11-month students; because of this, concentrations are recommended only for students on an 18- or 24-month track, or 11-month students willing to extend their time in the program. With the support of a faculty advisor, students are expected to balance their coursework with progress toward completion of a master’s thesis.

What Optional Concentrations are Offered?

The following optional concentrations are available:

Counseling Psychology Concentration

This concentration combines an emphasis on evidence-based research with extensive clinical training, preparing students to work with children and adolescents using a wide scope of practice, and considering their development physically, psychologically, and socially.

View counseling psychology concentration coursework

Data Analytics Concentration

Students in this concentration learn statistical and data visualization techniques. Coursework develops students’ skill in statistical programming, including R and SAS, data visualization using Tableau, and data mining, preparing students to pursue careers in business and/or data analytics.

View data analytics concentration coursework

Industrial/Organizational Psychology Concentration

Organizational psychology, often called industrial/organizational (I/O) psychology, considers the attitudes, feelings, and behaviors of people in the workplace. In this concentration at the intersection of business and psychology, coursework equips students to diagnose organizational health; develop and implement change initiatives; administer and create job satisfaction surveys; increase employee morale and expand retention strategies; advance performance management programs; hire, train, and develop talent; and advise, coach, and build successful teams.

View I/O psychology concentration coursework

Marketing Research Concentration

This concentration equips students with conceptual and applied knowledge of marketing processes and the evaluation of products, services, and consumer behavior. Coursework introduces marketing strategy, and students learn to apply quantitative research methods and data analysis techniques within business and marketing contexts, using relevant marketing terminology and statistical software. Such market research skills are in high demand and prepare students to pursue applied psychology careers related to marketing.

View marketing research concentration coursework

Can I Add a Concentration after I Have Been Admitted?

This is not a problem, and we encourage students to do so. You will just need to submit a Graduate Admissions Change of Program Form (PDF) through the Department of Psychology.

How Many Units Do I Take at a Time?

Depending on the length of track the student chooses, students take 3-7 units every 8-week term.

What Am I Getting From This Program?

You will benefit from a mentorship model where you learn to master research methods, data analysis, and writing skills—key skills necessary for a research psychology career or pursuing a PhD You will also gain valuable skills in SPSS, SAS, and R that will make you competitive for doctoral programs and research careers. These skills are reflected in every course you take and during weekly one-on-one meetings with your thesis advisor.

What Courses Will I Take?

Coursework includes, in part: Experimental Research Methods, Non-experimental Research Methods, Theory Research and Practice in Psychology, Analysis of Variance, Regression, Psychometrics: Assessment and Measurement, Program Evaluation, and Statistical Labs. View the full list of courses.

How Long is a Term?

Each term is 8 weeks. There are two 8-week terms per semester.

How Many Evenings Will I Be on Campus?

Classes are held 1-2 evenings a week. Time and duration of each class varies with your chosen track.

How Long Are the Classes?

Each class runs approximately 4 hours, in addition to outside classwork to prepare you for class.

Can I Work While Completing the Program?

Many students decide to work throughout the program. However, it is up to you to balance outside work with program requirements. If you are enrolled in the 11-month track, we recommend working no more than 20 hours per week. The 18- and 24-month tracks are amenable to full-time employment. If you plan on working during the program, you’re encouraged to consult with your faculty advisor because certain thesis projects may require more time commitment.

How Do I Choose a Faculty Thesis Advisor?

You will choose their faculty thesis advisor based on area of interest. View our program faculty and see who has expertise in your area of interest. If you would like guidance in selecting a faculty thesis advisor, please contact the department for further assistance.

What Type of Research Can I Do?

Our 22 full-time faculty have expertise in a many different areas (e.g., social, cultural, clinical, educational, cognitive, neuro, developmental, quantitative, substance abuse) and in many different types of research methodology (e.g., eye-tracking, facial recognition, focus groups, survey design, physiological measures).

What Do We Do in Lab Courses?

The lab courses are designed to give you a hands-on opportunity to apply your statistical knowledge using popular statistical software (e.g., SPSS, SAS, and R). Labs are integrated with, and supplemental to, seminar-style courses. Labs are required to be taken during the same semester as the lecture portion of the class.

What Kind of Research Will I Conduct During This Program?

Your thesis is entirely up to you! Each area of psychology and faculty advisor asks different research questions, and uses different methodology, depending on their area of expertise. Your thesis may be a continuation or adaptation of the faculty advisor’s ongoing research or it may be an independent project related to their area of expertise. During the program, you’ll collaborate with your advisor via 12 units of coursework (allocated as thesis research units), culminating in a thesis project.