Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Graduate Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Psychological Sciences


492 Bluemont Hall
785-532-6850
Fax: 785-532-5401
psych@k-state.edu
http://www.k-state.edu/psych/
 

Department Head:

Michael Young

Director of graduate studies:

Gary Brase

Graduate faculty:

*Heather Bailey, Ph.D., Kent State University
*Mark A. Barnett, Ph.D., Northwestern University
*Laura A. Brannon, Ph.D., Ohio State University
*Gary L. Brase, Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara
*Mary E. Cain, Ph.D., University of Vermont
*Ronald G. Downey, (Emeritus) Ph.D., Temple University
*Jerome Frieman, (Emeritus) Ph.D., Kent State University
*Clive J. A. Fullagar, Ph.D., University of Witwatersrand
Stanley Halpin, (Adjunct) Ph.D., Purdue University
*Richard J. Harris, (Emeritus) Ph.D., University of Illinois
*Stephen W. Kiefer, (Emeritus) Ph.D., Arizona State University
*Kimberly Kirkpatrick, Ph.D., University of Iowa
*Patrick A. Knight, Ph.D., Purdue University
Chris Lake, Ph.D., Bowling Green State University
Jin Lee, Ph.D., University of Connecticut
*Lester Loschky, Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
*Charles Pickens, Ph.D., John Hopkins University
Bethany Plakke, Ph.D., University of Iowa
*Donald Saucier, Ph.D., University of Vermont
*James Shanteau, Ph.D., (Emeritus) University of California at San Diego
*Charles P. Thompson, (Emeritus) Ph.D., University of Wisconsin
*Michael Young, Ph.D., University of Minnesota

*Denotes graduate faculty who are certified to serve as the major professor for doctoral students.

Graduate Faculty Associate:

Andrew J. Wefald, Ph.D., Kansas State University


Admission

For admission to graduate study, the university requires an undergraduate grade point average of B or better during the junior and senior years. As additional evidence of competence, the Department of Psychological Sciences requires the applicant to submit scores on the Graduate Record Examination (verbal, analytic and quantitative scores are required; and three letters of recommendation (preferably from faculty members at a previously attended institution). Students for whom English is not a native language will not be considered for admission unless they receive a minimum score or higher on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (550 on the paper-based test, 213 on the computer-based test, or 79 on the internet-based test). A TOEFL scores of less may require remedial English courses.

The Department of Psychological Sciences expects all applicants to have met the minimum standards for the bachelor’s degree in psychology as recommended by the American Psychological Association. These include 18 semester hours of psychology, or its equivalent, in such courses as research methods, statistics, cognitive psychobiology, personality, etc. Students who wish to concentrate in behavioral neuroscience must have the necessary background in the physical and biological sciences. In some prearranged cases, deficiencies can be made up after enrollment. A detailed description of the graduate programs, as well as additional information about financial support, can be obtained from the Department of Psychological Sciences website http://www.k-state.edu/psych.

Performance standards

Graduate students’ performance is evaluated twice each year in the domains of classroom work, research, and (when appropriate) teaching or research assistantship activities. Each faculty member who has had significant contact with a graduate student during the preceding semester completes a standard evaluation instrument. These are then made available to the student, who is encouraged to consult with faculty and discuss their evaluations. Finally, faculty meet as a group to formally assess each student’s individual performance and progress toward a graduate degree.

A preliminary examination is usually taken following completion of core courses and the Master’s requirements and covers the student’s area of concentration and tests a high level of competence.

Financial assistance

Departmental Assistantships

Providing excellent opportunities for research experience or classroom teaching, a number of these awards are made each year on a competitive basis. Such assistantships require approximately 20 hours work a week, allow students to carry a normal load of 10 to 12 semester hours of course work a semester, and provide tuition remission and fee reductions.

Research Assistantships

These positions are comparable to departmental assistantships except they are funded out of individual staff member’s grant or contract funds. The student is assigned to a particular staff member’s research project, and all course loads and stipends are like those of departmental assistants.

Campus Assistantships

Students not supported by the Department of Psychological Sciences are often successful in obtaining assistantships elsewhere on campus. For example, recent graduate students have found employment in the Affirmative Action Office, the Office of Student Activities and Services, the Division of Continuing Education, the Office of Admissions, Career and Employment Services, the Department of Management, the Department of Marketing and International Business, and Planning and Analysis. 

Fees and Tuition

An incidental fee and other fees for the student health center, student union, and student activates are charged. As staff members, departmental or research assistants are charged in-state fees and tuition according to the number of semester hours carried. Teaching assistants receive a partial rebate of incidental fees and total tuition remission. Fees are subject to change without notice.

Housing

The university maintains modestly priced one- and two-bedroom apartments for married student and single parents. These are located close to the central campus. Residence halls are also available. Students who wish to apply for university housing should write to Housing and Dining Services soon after they are accepted into the program.

Programs

Doctor of Philosophy

Master of Science

Courses

Psychology