Thesis or Capstone
As a student in the M.S. in Psychology program, you will choose either a capstone or thesis project as your program’s culminating experience. Which option you choose often depends on your career and education goals.
For the capstone option, you will enroll in PSYC 6393 M.S. Psychology Capstone and, as part of that course, complete a major, integrative paper on a topic related to your specialization. The paper needs to incorporate theoretical and practical knowledge and social scientific research skills acquired throughout the program.
If you opt to complete the thesis option, you will take a 12-credit-hour thesis course (one course over two terms) (PSYC 6390 Thesis) instead of PSYC 6393 M.S. Psychology Capstone. You will then choose which thesis option to pursue: research study or critical literature review with a proposed research design.
The research study option refers to research conducted in the traditional scientific manner using qualitative or quantitative methodology. The critical literature review with a proposed research design thesis is a comprehensive, in-depth critical literature review combined with a thorough description of a proposed research design that the student may use to answer a specific hypothesis or research question. The thesis option extends the program by at least one quarter.
To learn more about the capstone and thesis option or other features of this program, consult with an enrollment advisor by calling 1-866-492-5336. If you are an international caller, view a complete list of our toll-free numbers.
Award-Winning Thesis
See Walden M.S. in Psychology graduate Robert E. Hoot present the research from his award-winning thesis.
