Department website: http://www.nsu.edu/psychology/programs/ms-cyberpsychology
Scott M. Debb, Ed.D.
Program Coordinator
757-823-8573
cyberpsychology@nsu.edu
M.S. in CyberPsychology
The M.S. CyberPsychology program (MS.CYP) is a year-round fully asynchronous online program designed to prepare students for careers in applied social science. This specialty examines the relationship between human behavior in the 21st century and both current and emerging (digital) technologies. The program builds on a wide range of psychological theories combined with critical examination of emerging trends across all domains of psychology and related interdisciplinary fields. Students are equipped with essential research skills sought after across a wide range of employment settings and higher education programs.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the CyberPsychology program coursework and training, students will be able to:
- Describe how current and emerging digital technologies impact how human beings think and behave individually and in groups;
- Integrate the ethical, cultural, social, political, and legal issues impacting applied cyberpsychological theory and research;
- Conduct cyberpsychological research informed by diverse interdisciplinary theories;
- Conceptualize practical and novel problems in society that are impacted by the continual changes in digital technologies;
- Design, implement, and effectively communicate cyberpsychological research findings
Cyberpsychology Curriculum
Cyberpsychology Foundation Core
Students complete 21 credits of the foundational core.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 510 | Psychology & Cyberspace | 3 |
| PSY 520 | Trends in Cyberpsychology | 3 |
| PSY 530 | Research & Ethics | 3 |
| PSY 610 | Cyberpsychology Research I * | 3 |
| PSY 690 | Cyberpsychology Capstone | 3 |
- *
Course to be taken 3 semesters consecutively
CyberPsychology Courses (21 credits are required; Courses are offered on a rotating basis)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 535 | Quantitative Research Methods | 3 |
| PSY 536 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3 |
| PSY 540 | Consumer and Media Cyberpsychology | 3 |
| PSY 550 | Human-Computer Interaction | 3 |
| PSY 560 | Virtuality | 3 |
| PSY 570 | Forensic Cyberpyschology | 3 |
| PSY 580 | Cybercognition & Behavior | 3 |
| PSY 590 | Cyberpsychopathology | 3 |
| PSY 600 | Cyberpsychology Internship ** | 3 |
| PSY 620 | Cyberpsychology Research II ** | 3 |
- **
1 - 3 credits repeatable up to 9 credits total
Sample Sequence of Courses for Fulltime Students
Each cohort of students will follow a specific curriculum based on their start term.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Mini Term 1 | ||
| PSY 510 & PSY 530 |
Psychology & Cyberspace and Research & Ethics |
6 |
| Mini Term 2 | ||
| PSY 520 & PSY 540 |
Trends in Cyberpsychology and Consumer and Media Cyberpsychology |
6 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| Mini-Term 1 | ||
| PSY 550 & PSY 610 |
Human-Computer Interaction and Cyberpsychology Research I |
6 |
| Mini-Term 2 | ||
| PSY 535 & PSY 610 |
Quantitative Research Methods and Cyberpsychology Research I |
6 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| PSY 536 & PSY 610 |
Qualitative Research Methods and Cyberpsychology Research I (Mini-Term 1) |
6 |
| PSY 570 & PSY 580 |
Forensic Cyberpyschology and Cybercognition & Behavior |
6 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Mini-Term 1 | ||
| PSY 590 & PSY 690 |
Cyberpsychopathology and Cyberpsychology Capstone |
6 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 42 | |
Total credits for degree program: 42 semester credit hours
Months to completion: as few as 14 months
M.S. Degree Admission Requirements
Graduation from an accredited domestic or international undergraduate (or graduate) degree program is required although an academic major or area of concentration is open. However, a strong undergraduate background in psychological theory or social science research is highly desirable (preference will be given to students with a psychology-related background). The MS.CYP program is research-intensive and applicants should aim to demonstrate their experience, proficiency, or potential to engage in research via their application materials, in particular the personal statement and letters of recommendation.
The M.S. CyberPsychology degree program admits full and part-time matriculating students. There are six independent entry points during each academic year. Applicants will identify a preferred semester of entry, although circumstances may require a subsequent date of entry.
All M.S. CyberPsychology degree program applicants are evaluated based on each application’s merit and demonstrated relevance to the mission of the program, as determined by the M.S. CyberPsychology Admissions Committee. Meeting the minimum criteria outlined below is not a guarantee of acceptance into the program.
The University’s minimum requirements are outlined here. Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded with your application to expedite review by the Admissions Committee. An official transcript identifying an undergraduate institution from which your degree has been conferred, and other graduate/undergraduate institutions from which you have received academic credit, is required prior to enrollment if admitted. You do not need to submit a “portfolio” of your work experience as mentioned in the university’s standard requirements and you are not required to take the GRE (but you may report your scores to the school if you have them).
Additionally, please ensure your application reflects the following program-specific documentation.
- Graduation from an accredited domestic or international undergraduate (or graduate) degree program is required
- Academic major or area of concentration is open
- A strong undergraduate background in psychological theory/research or social science is highly desirable (preference will be given to students with a psychology-related background). At a minimum, students are encouraged to have familiarity with:
- Introductory level psychological theory or application (such as basic principles of psychology, lifespan/human development, abnormal psychology, cyberpsychology)
- Research Methodology (such as psychological or other social science research methods, quantitative/qualitative research design, experimental psychology)
- Statistics (such as applied stats for psychology or social science research; familiarity with using and understanding stats programs such as SPSS)
The MS.CYP program is research-intensive and applicants should aim to demonstrate their experience, proficiency, or potential to engage in research via their application materials, in particular the personal statement and letters of recommendation.
All applicants must adhere to the guidelines below:
1. Two letters of academic or professional recommendation
- At least one recommender must be a professor or other academician with whom you have completed at least one course and who can attest to your academic performance and potential as a graduate student. Other recommendation letters can be from professors, workplace or research supervisors, or another individual who knows you in any professional capacity.
a. Recommendation letters from recent professors are highly recommended.
b. Recommendation letters from personal contacts (e.g., friends or family) will not be accepted. - The recommender must fill out the school’s rating form at a minimum, although it is highly recommended for recommenders to also write a personalized letter and upload it. Uploaded letters must be in PDF format and signed (or digitally signed) by the recommender.
- The recommendation letter must specifically attest to the student’s previous academic or vocational performance, as well as the student’s abilities and future potential for success at the graduate level.
- Recommendation letters that do not meet these criteria will not be accepted.
2. Grade Point Average (GPA)
- An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is highly preferred. Graduate coursework (minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale) will be considered in addition to or in lieu of undergraduate GPA.
- Applicants whose GPA is below 3.0 may be considered at the discretion of the MS.CYP Program Coordinator and the Admissions Review Committee in situations where there is compelling evidence as explained in the Personal Statement, as well as two strong letters of recommendation from individuals uniquely qualified to attest to your potential as a graduate student.
3. Personal Statement
- A personal statement written in a narrative form that addresses your specific interest in the field of cyberpsychology, what attracted you to the program, what you believe will allow you to be successful in this program, and what you hope to achieve as a student.
- Proofread and formatting that does not exceed 2 pages (double spaced, 12 pt Times or Arial font, 1” margins, .5” header and footer).
5. Current Resume or CV
- Your resume (or curriculum vitae) outlining your relevant skills, education, and/or work experience.
- Dates and locations for all activities should be indicated as necessary.
- Include any relevant school, work, internship, volunteer, or other experience that may potentially be relevant to demonstrate your preparedness for graduate-level scholarship.