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The experimental psychology PhD program emphasizes skills training in research, teaching and practical experience via links with community partners in an effort to prepare students for research, teaching and applied careers in psychology. The flexibility of the experimental psychology PhD program allows for individualization of the program to best meet student needs, interests and career trajectories.
There are five primary streams of research conducted by the faculty:
Fredericton and Saint John campuses coordinate course offerings to provide a wide range of options to students and the chance to collaborate with experts in other research areas. Additionally, a strong basis in research methods and statistics through course work and individual mentoring is provided so that students can develop and strengthen research relevant skills.
Teaching abilities are another primary focus of the program and are honed through the completion of a teaching apprenticeship following a mentorship model. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the Diploma in University Teaching, which is available through UNB.
The following is the typical sequence that students can expect to follow for the experimental program. The actual course sequence may vary due to variations in the graduate teaching schedule from year to year. Students in the experimental program will need to complete 52.5 credit hours to satisfy the requirements of this program. See the graduate calendar for course descriptions.
At least two seminars should be relevant to the student’s area of research and 2 seminars should be outside of the student’s major area. One seminar outside of the student’s research area can be replaced by a research project in a minor area with a member of the graduate academic unit other than his or her supervisor. Seminars outside the student’s major area are expected to be relevant to the general objectives of the program.
The Master’s Research Apprenticeship will receive a letter grade; the PhD Research Apprenticeship will be graded on a credit/no-credit basis.
The comprehensive project will normally be in a minor area that is distinct from the PhD thesis research topic. Students are given a choice of format for the project: publishable paper, grant proposal, or research project in a minor area with a faculty member other than the supervisor. Students are strongly encouraged (but not required) to submit their comprehensive project to an appropriate journal or grant agency.
Ideally, both parts of the Teaching Apprenticeship are completed in the same year.