Training

Vision and Hearing Sciences (VHS)

Course Requirements

Two graduate courses in statistics:

Advanced Statistics I (PSYC 610)
Advanced Statistics II (PSYC 611)

Two Core Courses, chosen from two of the following four core areas*:

Sensation and Perception (PSYC 631)
Neuroscience (either Behavioral Neuroscience - PSYC 642 or Principles of Neuroscience - PSYC 643)
Cognitive Psychology (PSYC 621)
Developmental Psychology (PSYC 661)

*Core courses are to be determined jointly by the student and his/her faculty mentor.

Five additional graduate lecture or seminar courses (15 hours):

To be determined jointly by the student and his/her faculty mentor. At least 2 of the 5 electives must be non-core 600-level Psychology courses taught by members of the Experimental Psychology faculty. The remaining 3 electives may be core courses or any other 600- or 700-level seminars or courses (excluding independent research or reading) taught in any department at UofL. Undergraduate or 500-level courses will not count toward any of these course requirements.

Research Hours:

A minimum of three credit hours per semester of research independent study (PSYC 605) with the student's graduate research mentor. Psychology 605 is to be taken every semester, including summer, until the Preliminary Examination is successfully completed.

Preliminary Examination

The Preliminary Examination will consist of an original critical review of a research area. The Preliminary Examination will be evaluated based on breadth of knowledge, integration of literature, critical thinking, and quality of scientific writing.  The Preliminary Examination is typically completed by the end of the third year of training.

Dissertation

Upon passing the preliminary examination, students must maintain continuous enrollment at U of L by registering for DOCT 600-01 (Doctoral Candidacy) until they have completed their doctoral degree. If they wish, they may also enroll in courses.