The General Experimental Program in Psychology is designed to provide a specific and geared research emphasis within the field of psychology that is typicallynot covered by the Department's two other experimental programs (Developmental and Animal Behavior). Possible areas of emphasis within the Program include Social/Political Psychology and Quantitative Psychology (see below for descriptions of each). The definitive area of focus and trajectory of study is established and decided upon in coordination with the graduate student's faculty advisor.  

Most students who are admitted aspire to a position in academics; however, opportunities for employment in private industry and/or research institutes also exist. Focus is on the highest quality training with intensive faculty-student involvement in joint research ventures. Students are expected to actively participate in research with faculty members throughout their tenure in the program. The emphasis on one-to-one training is the medium through which students acquire requisite research skills through working on projects leading to publication and/or grant applications. Students develop advanced knowledge and actualize their talents in one or more areas of expertise sought out by both academia and the private sector.

 
Current Emphasis Areas (with primary associated faculty in parentheses)

Social Psychology (Dr. Luke Conway): Students in this emphasis are expected to do research in the area of social/political psychology.  Students are also required (in addition to requirements for all Ph.D. Experimental students) to take the Advanced Social Psychology Seminar and the Advanced Political Psychology Seminar. See http://psychweb.psy.umt.edu/conway/ for more information about specific research in this area (after perusing the aforementioned website, contact Dr. Conway at luke.conway@umontana.edu for further information).    
 

Quantitative Psychology (Dr. Daniel. J. Denis): Students in this emphasis are expected to conduct research in areas of quantitative psychology and statistics. Students are also required (in addition to requirements for all Ph.D. Experimental students) to take both sections of graduate statistics (which amounts to a full year of grad stats), the graduate course in multivariate statistics, a specialty course in Bayesian Statistics and Decision Models (reading course), and at minimum 3 independent study courses heavily steeped in quantitative psychology/statistics. The student is also required to complete a practicum in statistical consulting to gain "on the job" experience collaborating with a research organization in Missoula or the state of Montana more generally. For more information, visit Dr. Denis' Data & Decision Lab and/or contact Dr. Denis directly at daniel.denis@umontana.edu.     

Timeline  

The General Experimental Program typically requires a minimum of four years to complete, with the last two years devoted primarily to research which includes the dissertation. During the first two years, the student usually completes the core courses which are taken by all graduate students in the Department of Psychology, and also the Masters' Research Project. The core courses are most often completed by the third year.   

In preparing students for positions in academia and/or the private sector, the specific goals of the General Experimental Program are to have students excel in the following areas of expertise:    

1. A competency to teach courses such as introductory psychology, statistics, research methodology, social and political psychology, as well as a more general ability to prepare and teach new courses as needed.

2. Publish in the field of psychology and show a demonstrated potential for long-term contributions to the scientific pursuit of knowledge.  

3. Nurture and develop a strong capacity in all phases of a research program, which includes the ability to interpret and critically evaluate a wide variety of research findings and reports.   

4. Acquire experience in interdisciplinary research and become an aspiring expert in areas of science relevant to his/her chosen area of specialization.