Learning Goals

Master of Science in Clinical Research Methods

Mission and Program Overview

The Fordham University MS Program in Clinical Research Methods (CRM) is one of the Psychology Department’s two masters’ programs, and is housed within Fordham’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS). CRM is designed to prepare students for successful application to doctoral programs in clinical psychology. In order to do so, CRM aims to provide students with an intensive research experience and a deep understanding of the core elements of graduate-level psychology.

Knowledge

Goals:

1.    Upon graduation, CRM students will have developed general knowledge in Clinical Psychology, including research methods, psychological statistics, and psychopathology. 
2.    Upon graduation, students will also have developed specific knowledge of an area of study that corresponds to a specialty area of clinical psychology. This specialty area will be the area in which they plan to pursue further graduate education.

Objectives:  

1.    Students complete three courses distributed across the content areas noted in Knowledge Goal 1.
2.    Students complete two courses that inform their identified specialty (Goal 2).
3.    Students engage in research in a lab or research group within their identified specialty (Goal 2).

Assessment:  

1.    Final course grades across all three courses with a minimum level of achievement of B- or better in each course (Goal 1).  
2.    Final course grades across all two courses that inform their identified specialty with a minimum level of achievement of B- or better in each course (Goal 2).
3.    Successfully completed master’s thesis with a satisfactory rating or an accepted peer-reviewed publication within a student’s specialty research group (Goal 2).  

Skills

Goals:

1.    Students will design, undertake, and write a master’s thesis research project.
2.    Prepare students for successful applications to Clinical Psychology, Clinical Science, Counseling Psychology, Neuropsychology doctoral programs (PhD or PsyD) or for a position as a Research Coordinator or other such administrative position.
3.    Provide students with the scientific background necessary to engage in clinical research. 

Objectives:

1.    Students will complete two research practicum courses.
2.    Students complete original research and present this research as their master’s thesis.
3.    Students will apply to at least one doctoral program or a position as a Research Coordinator or other such administrative position (as outlined in Goal 1) within two years from earning their master’s degree.
4.    Students will develop the skills needed to provide scientifically informed, culturally sensitive and ethical research on a wide range of mental disorders and other clinical topics. 

Assessment:

1.    Students will receive a P on the research practicum courses.
2.    Summary ratings on master’s thesis and dissertation evaluations with a minimum level of achievement being an overall Satisfactory rating across both
3.    Students be admitted to at least one doctoral program or obtain a position as a Research Coordinator or other such administrative position (as outlined in Goal 1) within two years from earning their master’s degree.

Dispositions

Goals:

1.    Students will be knowledgeable of, and act in accordance with, the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct and conduct themselves in an ethical manner in all professional activities. 

Objectives:

1.    Students will complete one required course in Research Ethics.
2.    Students will demonstrate the ability to integrate knowledge of ethical principles and codes of conduct into research activities.

Assessment:

1.    Course grades for the required Ethics course a minimum level of achievement of B-.

Values

Goals:

1.    Upon graduation, students will behave in ways that reflect the ability to integrate awareness and knowledge of individual and cultural differences in the conduct of professional roles.

Objectives:

1.    Students will take at least one course that includes multicultural content.

 Assessment:

1. The final course grade in a course with multicultural content will comprise a minimum level of achievement of B-.