4+1 Masters in Psychological Science

The 4+1 terminal Master's Programs in Psychology provide qualified students earning a baccalaureate degree in Psychology from Tulane University and Xavier University of Louisiana with graduate training in psychology. Students either may pursue the M.S. with an empirical thesis, concentrating in depth on a particular area of psychology OR students may pursue the M.S. with a broad training base without a thesis. Admissions criteria and curricular requirements are detailed below.

General Psychology M.S. (Non-Thesis Track)

General Track Checklist (pdf)

This option, comprising 30 graduate credit hours, provides a broad background in the theories and methods of Psychology at the graduate level. No thesis is required. Students electing to pursue this option desire a broad background rather than specialization in a particular area. The average completion time in this track is 9 months (i.e., almost all students can finish the coursework in two semesters as long as they completed two graduate courses during their senior year).

Courses must include 3 credits in quantitative methods beyond PSYC 6090 (typically PSYC 6110), 3 credits in each of the distribution areas, 6 credits of core courses (i.e., courses numbered 7000-7090, which also may satisfy distribution requirements), no more than 3 credits of independent study in Psychology, and no more than one graduate course outside psychology (which must be approved by the Psychology Department’s Graduate Training Committee)..

Up to 6 graduate credit hours may count toward the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree. Also, up to 6 additional graduate credit hours taken as an overload during undergraduate study (i.e., above the minimum 120 credit hours required to graduate) may be applied toward the M.S. degree. It is expected that students will complete some coursework toward the M.S. (typically two graduate courses) during their senior year.

For advice on senior year courses that are appropriate for 4+1 M.S. applicants who do not plan to conduct an empirical thesis, please consult Dr. Janet Ruscher at ruscher@tulane.edu.

Area-Specific M.S. (Thesis Track)

Thesis Track Checklist (pdf)

This option provides an in-depth examination of the theories and methods of a specific area of psychology, including the completion of an empirical thesis in that area. The degree requires 30 graduate credit hours consisting of eight graduate courses (24 credits) plus the thesis (3 credits of graded PSYC 9980 Master’s Thesis Research each semester).

Students electing to pursue this option usually have initiated research as undergraduate students, and have identified a specific area of interest. A regular full-time faculty member in Psychology must commit to thesis supervision prior to admission; in some instances, adjunct and research faculty may serve as co-directors. The average completion time for the thesis track is 12 months (i.e., students often defend their theses during the summer for the August degree).

Courses must include 3 credits in quantitative methods beyond PSYC 6090 (typically PSYC 6110), and 3 credits of core courses (i.e., courses numbered 7000–7090). Thesis directors advise their thesis track students; thus, the thesis advisor will provide guidance as to the particular courses appropriate to each student's unique interests.

Up to 6 graduate credit hours may count toward the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree. Also, up to 6 additional graduate credit hours taken as an overload during undergraduate study (i.e., above the minimum 120 credit hours required to graduate) may be applied toward the M.S. degree. It is expected that students will complete some coursework toward the M.S. (typically two graduate courses) during their senior year. It also is generally understood that students pursuing the thesis option have conducted empirical research as an undergraduate student.

Admissions Information

Criteria for Admission

Students at Tulane University and Xavier University of Louisiana working toward the baccalaureate degree in Psychology who are graduating in May should apply by March 1 of senior year for fall admission of the same year, whereas students graduating a semester early (i.e., December graduates) should apply by November 1 of senior year for spring admission of the following year.

To be competitive for admission, students should meet the following criteria:

• Undergraduate grade point average of 3.2 or higher (Note: the mean GPA of applicants admitted to our 4+1 programs over the past 6 years is 3.683)
• A letter grade of B or higher earned in PSYC 3090 Univariate Statistics I (Note: the 4+1 Admissions Committee generally does not offer admission to students who earn less than an A- in 3090)
• Baccalaureate degree from Tulane or Xavier University of Louisiana pending successful completion of requirements
• Standardized test scores (i.e., SAT, ACT, GRE) are NOT required for applicants to the 4+1 M.S. Program in Psychological Science 
• Letters of Reference:
  You must obtain letters of recommendation from TWO full-time faculty members in the Department of Psychology.  For applicants to the thesis track, one recommendation MUST contain a graduate faculty member’s commitment to supervise the thesis research (and at least 3 credits of independent empirical research in psychology should have been earned as an undergraduate).

Required Application Materials

1. On-line Application (will open September 9th)
2. Current Transcript (a copy of the unofficial audit is acceptable)
3. Statement of Purpose uploaded to the online SSE application
4. Curriculum Vitae uploaded to the online SSE application under “Optional Document(s)
5. Two letters of reference from full-time faculty members in the Department of Psychology for the track to which the student is applying. These letters should provide an assessment of the qualifications for graduate study.

Advising

Enrolled students adopting the specific area (thesis track) option will be advised by their thesis director. Non-thesis students will be advised by the department chair, Dr. Janet Ruscher. The faculty advisor will help assure that the student's uniquely tailored curriculum satisfies degree requirements, as well as helping to facilitate the student’s own academic goals. The checklists that highlight the requirements may be helpful in planning your curriculum with your advisor.