What will I learn?
UMSL’s Department of Psychological Sciences offers students ample opportunities to conduct research in several human experimental laboratories furnished with leading psychophysiological equipment. Additionally, the department operates three facilities – Community Psychological Services, the Center for Trauma Recovery and Children’s Advocacy Services of Greater St. Louis – to provide a wide array of training opportunities for students in psychology while providing psychological assessment services for citizens in the region.Although the name may imply a narrow market of opportunities, a Master of Arts in Psychology with an emphasis in Behavioral Neuroscience can open the door to multiple career fields and industries. In fact, there is a high demand for employees with the skills this degree program offers.Students in the program receive intense training in the areas of critical thinking, application of research methods and analyses, scientific writing, teaching, psychological sciences, communication, ethics, social neuroscience, clinical neuropsychology, cognitive and affective processes, quantitative methods, human learning and memory, neuropsychological assessment, emotions and the brain, human neuroanatomy and psychopharmacology.Upon completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to:Demonstrate an integrative understanding of psychological concepts, theories, research and historical trends in behavioral neuroscience, while applying this knowledge in research and teaching.Explain and apply the scientific method using a variety of research paradigms to solve problems in behavioral neuroscience, and articulate how the solutions rely on scientific reasoning.Evaluate, identify and apply appropriate research methods in behavioral neuroscience, including research design, data analysis and data interpretation.Evaluate and apply ethical principles to behavioral neuroscience research and teaching according to national and international standards, while adopting social and ethical values that build community at local, national and global levels.
