General University Requirements

See current University Catalog.

Departmental Requirements

Students must meet all University requirements for the M.A. degree as described in the University catalog. A total of 30 credit hours in graduate level psychology courses is required, including the Departmental core sequence and the three basic methods courses. A research thesis (PSY 6971) is required, with a minimum of six (6) thesis hours of credit. Students must successfully defend the thesis during an oral examination before the student's committee. Students must be registered for at least two credit hours of thesis during the semester in which the degree is granted by the University.

Students accepted into a Ph.D. program holding a Master's degree from another university must satisfy the same requirements as those beginning their graduate training at USF. The student's advisory committee will determine advanced status of an M.A. student based on equivalency of course work and research thesis completed at another institution, subject to approval by the Graduate Program Committee. It is the student's responsibility to provide all evidence and material necessary for such decisions, including copies of the M.A. thesis.

General University Regulations

See current University catalog.

Departmental Regulations

The M.A. committee must consist of at least three faculty from the Department of Psychology. At least one, but no more than two, members must be from within the student's program area, and at least one member must be selected from another doctoral area in the Department. Faculty who hold a joint appointment with the Department of Psychology may also be considered for committee appointment, but adjunct and other faculty in related fields may serve only as supernumerary members. M.A. committees are selected by the student and advisor, and requests for approval of committees must be submitted by the student to the Graduate Program Committee. It is expected that the selection of the M.A. committee will reflect the competence and skill required for committee evaluation of the thesis project.

General University Regulations

See current University catalog.

Departmental Regulations

The M.A. oral examination is the student's defense of the written thesis project before the committee and meets the examination requirements of the University. The oral examination may include committee examination on any appropriate material. Announcements of oral examinations must be posted by the student in the Department of Psychology at least two weeks in advance of the scheduled date. Any faculty member or graduate student may attend the examination. Only committee members may vote on the oral defense. In addition to copies required by the Graduate School, one hard-bound copy of the final thesis must be submitted to the Department.