Clinical Research Methodology (M.S.)
Students will complete a total of 36 credits, including four required “core” courses, primarily focusing on essential elements of clinical psychology research. In addition, students will take two scientific “breadth” courses, reflecting the scientific underpinnings of psychology, and four elective courses. The final 6 credits are comprised of the Master’s thesis research, including a “research practicum” experience in which the student works in the lab of a faculty member or collaborator. Students are expected to complete the program in two years, typically taking three classes each semester in the first year, and two classes per semester in their second year, along with two courses that fulfill the research practicum and completion of the M.S. thesis.
Although the “research” credits are typically taken in the second year, students are expected to begin working on research throughout their time in the program, whether in a faculty member's research lab or in an external research setting. In addition, students should plan on beginning to develop the Master’s thesis in the first year. Note that this intended curriculum is not mandatory; some students may elect to complete the program more rapidly (e.g., by taking summer courses and/or completing the thesis in the Fall of their 2nd year) and others may proceed through the program more slowly.
CIP Code
42.2799 - Research and Experimental Psychology, Other.
You can use the CIP code to learn more about career paths associated with this field of study and, for international students, possible post-graduation visa extensions. Learn more about CIP codes and other information resources.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 7111 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| PSYC 6830 | Psychology Research Methodology | 3 |
| PSYC 6802 | Introduction to Psychology Statistics w/ Lab | 3 |
| PSYC 6010 | Research Ethics and Social Justice | 3 |
| Two breadth courses | 6 | |
| Four elective courses | 12 | |
| PSYC 6060 | CRM Thesis Research | 3 |
| PSYC 6070 | CRM Thesis | 3 |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Breadth Courses
Courses in this group have the CLMB attribute.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 5200 | Fixing Psychology's Replication Crisis | 3 |
| PSYC 5335 | Social Development | 3 |
| PSYC 5710 | Issues in Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 6066 | History and Systems | 3 |
| PSYC 6170 | Multicultural Seminar | 3 |
| PSYC 6225 | Personality Theories and Research | 3 |
| PSYC 6300 | Developmental Psychology: Foundations | 3 |
| PSYC 6330 | Cognitive Development | 3 |
| PSYC 6370 | Cognition and Affect | 3 |
| PSYC 6654 | Introduction to Neuroscience | 3 |
| PSYC 7804 | Regression with Lab | 3 |
| PSYC 7816 | Introduction to Multivariate Analysis | 3 |
| PSYC 7890 | Qualitative Methods | 3 |
Electives
Any breadth course may also count toward the elective requirement once the breadth requirement is fulfilled.
Courses in this group have the CLRM attribute.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 6020 | Health Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 6030 | Trauma and Family Violence | 3 |
| PSYC 6050 | Behavioral Medicine | 3 |
| PSYC 6184 | Behavioral Assessment with Lab | 3 |
| PSYC 6205 | Clinical Geropsychology | 3 |
| PSYC 6245 | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy | 3 |
| PSYC 6251 | Foundations of Neuropsychology | 3 |
| PSYC 6275 | Family Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 6285 | Evidence-Based Psychodynamic Therapy | 3 |
| PSYC 6290 | Health Disparities and Social Justice in Research and Practice | 3 |
| PSYC 6298 | Psychoanalytic Theory | 3 |
| PSYC 6380 | Anxiety Disorder Seminar | 3 |
| PSYC 6385 | Depression and Suicide | 3 |
| PSYC 6390 | Global Mental Health | 3 |
| PSYC 6530 | Developmental Psychopathology | 3 |
| PSYC 6670 | Psychopharmacology I | 3 |
| PSYC 6850 | Evaluation of Psychological and Social Programs | 3 |
| PSYC 7010 | Psychology and Criminal Law | 3 |
| PSYC 7020 | Psychology and Civil Law | 3 |
| PSYC 7030 | Psychology and Juvenile Justice | 3 |
| PSYC 7122 | Developmental and Prevention Science | 3 |
| PSYC 7250 | Treatment of Substance Abuse | 3 |
| PSYC 7812 | Factor Analysis | 3 |
| PSYC 7832 | Meta-Analysis | 3 |
| PSYC 7850 | Hierarchical Linear Models | 3 |
| PSYC 7920 | Item Response Theory | 3 |
| PSYC 8271 | Child Psychotherapy | 3 |
Research Practicum
As one of the primary aims of the CRM program is to provide students with rich research experience, each student is required to complete a semester-long practicum in their second year in order to collect data for their M.S. thesis. Therefore, although each student enrolled in the CRM program will be paired with a full-time Fordham faculty member, most students will also receive substantial mentorship from colleagues and affiliates at outside agencies, many of whom maintain collaborative relationships with Fordham faculty.
Practicum sites will be selected based on the student’s interests and goals. For example, a student interested in forensic psychology may complete his or her research practicum at the Kirby Forensic Psychiatric Center, under the primary supervision of that institution’s chief psychologist (who is also an adjunct faculty member). A student interested in health psychology, on the other hand, could complete his or her research practicum at Mount Sinai Medical Center or Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Sample Plan of Study
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Research Methodology | 3 | |
| Introduction to Statistics | 3 | |
| Breadth or Elective | 3 | |
| Breadth or Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| Research Ethics | 3 | |
| Psychopathology | 3 | |
| Breadth or Elective | 3 | |
| Breadth or Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Research Practicum | 3 | |
| Breadth or Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Master's Thesis | 3 | |
| Breadth or Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |