The graduate program requirements in the four graduate research training areas are structured to ensure that students make timely progress toward their degrees.

First Year

Coursework

Two course introductory statistics sequence (Psychology 221A/B), and four relevant courses specified by the faculty in each subdisciplinary area (Psychology 200-level)

Laboratory Research Experience

Student participates in and develops research projects (Psychology 596)

Teaching Assistant Training Seminar

Teaching Assistant training is designed to prepare student to develop teaching and communication skills (Psychology 590A/B/C) A graduate student must work one quarter as a teaching assistant in a course that has a lab or section

Area Seminar

Student attends research seminar series specific to his/her subdisciplinary area (Psychology 592)

First Year Paper

This paper, evaluated by the student's faculty advisor, may include a research proposal, a literature review or project report

Second Year

Coursework

Choice of four courses is determined in consultation with faculty advisor, and includes two courses outside the subdisciplinary area to fulfill a breadth requirement (200 or 594-level courses)

Research Experience

Student continues to carry out research projects (Psychology 596)

Area Seminar

Student attends research seminar series specific to his/her subdisciplinary area (Psychology 592)

Second Year Paper

This paper, read and evaluated by two faculty members in the student's subdisciplinary area, reports the results of empirical research written in the form of a professional journal article

Mini-Convention Presentation

All students are required to present their research orally at an annual Departmental convention

Third Year

Formation of Doctoral Committee

This committee oversees the Comprehensive Oral Examination, and evaluates the Dissertation Proposal and Final Oral Examination

General Examination

This examination, prepared and evaluated by subdisciplinary area faculty, is designed to assess the student's mastery of literature in the subdisciplinary area

Comprehensive Oral Examination

This examination, evaluated by the Doctoral Committee, assesses the student's knowledge and skills necessary to proceed with independent research. After passing this, the student advances to candidacy.

Coursework

Student completes six additional subdisciplinary courses over the next two years that are approved by their faculty advisor

Research Experience

Student continues to carry out research relating to his/her dissertation (Psychology 596)

Area Seminar

Student attends research seminar series specific to his/her subdisciplinary area (Psychology 592)

Fourth Year

Dissertation Proposal and Meeting

A written proposal of dissertation is prepared by the candidate and approved by the Doctoral Committee

Dissertation Research

Student carries out and completes research relating to his/her dissertation (Psychology 599)

Coursework

Student completes subdisciplinary program course requirements

Area Seminar

Student attends research seminar series specific to his/her subdisciplinary area (Psychology 592)

Fifth/Sixth Year

Dissertation Research

Student carries out and completes research relating to his/her dissertation (Psychology 599)

Coursework

Student completes subdisciplinary program course requirements

Area Seminar

Student attends research seminar series specific to his/her subdisciplinary area (Psychology 592)

Dissertation Preparation

Student prepares and writes a dissertation that is evaluated and approved by the Doctoral Committee

Dissertation Lecture

Student presents a lecture on his/her doctoral research

Dissertation Oral Examination

Student defends the doctoral dissertation and demonstrates readiness for independent research

Dissertation Filing

After dissertation has been approved by the Doctoral Committee, student files copies with the UCSB Graduate Division and Ph.D. degree is awarded at the end of the academic quarter in which the dissertation is filed.

Teaching

Before the end of the Fifth Year, students must have completed a minimum of one quarter as a Teaching Assistant in Psychology 1,5, an upper division laboratory class, or as a Teaching Associate for any course.

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