The goals of the major requirements are to:
- Attain sufficient background in your chosen sub-area to be able to propose and conduct independent research.
- Attain sufficient background in the broader field of cognitive psychology to be able to discuss and collaborate with people outside of your immediate sub-area of research.
Specific requirements for cognitive students in fulfilling the 18 credits in their major area are the following:
- One course (3 credits) must be the area proseminar (PSY 524).
- Two courses must be from PSY 525 or 520 or 521
- No more than one course (3 credits) may be filled at the 400 level.
- No more than 3 credits may be filled through independent study.
The goal of the breadth requirement is to be prepared as a generalist in psychology so that you can communicate with and possibly collaborate with psychologists in different major areas of the field. 400-level courses cannot be applied to the 12 credits of breadth requirement, unless the student has successfully petitioned for such to the cognitive area faculty.
Students should be communicating regularly with their advisor while working out their plans for how they will meet the requirements. The cognitive faculty as a whole must approve this plan no later than the end of the first semester of the student’s second year.
Finally, additional requirements for cognitive students are the following:
- Students are expected to attend the weekly cognitive area brown bag, and to occasionally present their research in that setting.
- At the end of each academic year, students are to file with their advisor and the departmental graduate office a current vita, a statement of progress through the past year, and a statement of plans for the subsequent year.
See also: