Concentration in Quantitative Psychology
Purpose
The Quantitative Methods concentration has two basic purposes. First, the concentration will prepare students for a number of Masters-level careers involving applied measurement, applied statistics, program evaluation, and assessment within a variety of settings (e.g., colleges and universities, corporations, testing companies, state departments of education, and school districts). Second, completion of this concentration will prepare students for doctoral study in quantitative methods (e.g., assessment, measurement, statistics, program evaluation).
Overview
In this concentration, students will expand their study of quantitative methods (statistics, measurement, and assessment) while extending their understanding of psychological theories and principles. Students in this concentration are required to complete their research apprenticeship and thesis requirements through collaborative research activities with faculty who are studying or using sophisticated methodology.
Program Curriculum (36 credit hours)
Methodology and Research Core (15 credit hours)
- PSYC 605 - Intermediate Inferential Statistics (3 credit hours)
- PSYC 606 - Measurement Theory (3 credit hours)
- PSYC 608 - Multivariate Statistics for Psychology (3 credit hours)
- PSYC 700 - Thesis (6 credit hours) -- For students in this concentration, the thesis must be an empirical study that either (a) focuses on an assessment, measurement, or statistical issue or (b) demonstrates the application of sophisticated statistics or measurement techniques.)
Content Courses (9 credit hours chosen from the following)
- PSYC 610 - Principles of Behavior Analysis (3 credit hours)
- PSYC 613 - Cognitive Science (3 credit hours)
- PSYC 616 - Social Psychology (3 credit hours)
- PSYC 624 - Neuroscience (3 credit hours)
Concentration Courses (6 credit hours)
- PSYC 695 – Practicum: Quantitative (3 credit hours)
- PSYC 812 - Assessment Methods and Instrument Design (3 credit hours)
Electives (6 credit hours; approved by advisor)
Other experiences
In addition to coursework and other requirements of the Psychological Sciences Program (e.g., Apprenticeship, Research Roundtable), students participate in a monthly Concentration meeting where faculty and students discuss published research and professional issues related to quantitative methods in psychology. Additionally, students in the Quantitative Methods Concentration will become acquainted with and involved in the activities of the Center for Assessment and Research Studies (CARS). Many students in the Quantitative Methods Concentration receive graduate assistantships to work at CARS and students graduating from this concentration have an excellent record of being accepted into Ph.D. programs in Quantitative Psychology and in Assessment & Measurement.)
View representative scholarly work for students in this concentration
Concentration Faculty
- Dr. Kenn Barron
- Dr. Sara Finney (Concentration Coordinator)
- Dr. Christine Harms (Associate Member)
- Dr. J. Patrick Meyer (Associate Member)
- Dr. Dena Pastor
- Dr. Donna Sundre (Associate Member)
- Dr. Steve Wise (Associate Member)
For further information, please contact the coordinator of the concentration in quantitative psychology, Dr. Sara Finney (finneysj@jmu.edu)
