Students in the Experimental track often have opportunities to attend and present studies at professional conferences (Pictured: Dahlia Kassel and Katherine Elwell)
Experimental behavior analytic research in the Toegel Laboratory, directed by Drs. Cory Toegel and Forrest Toegel. Other research includes human operant studies and clinical applications.
Dr. Lin Fang holds a pair of specialized eye-tracking goggles for User Experience research
Program faculty present scholarly work at professional conferences (Dr. Cory Toegel presenting at the annual UPABA conference)
Students in Dr. Amber LaCrosse's laboratory assess links between genetic polymorphisms and mental illnesses.
Dr. Jon Barch discusses findings from his social psychology research that assesses intrinsic motivation, interpersonal relationships, and implicit/explicit race and gender bias (also pictured: Haylee Snyder)
Dr. Joshua Carlson discusses his research findings on climate change and anxiety.
Students conduct research on gambling behavior in the Gambling and Gaming Laboratory directed by Dr. Jacob Daar
Department faculty received a $400,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to acquire a high-density electroencephalography device for assessing brain activity that also includes transcranial magnetic stimulation for selecting activating parts of the brain.
Experimental Track for the MS Psychology Degree
The Experimental Track for the MS Psychology degree focuses on advanced content across major focus areas in psychology and emphases training in experimental research. The track consists of up to seven graduate-level courses in addition to credits earned through research. Courses in the track cover advanced research design and statistical methodology and elective courses in behavioral neuroscience, cognitive psychology, social psychology, and developmental psychology. Students complete a mentored capstone project or master's thesis. This track prepares students for master's level positions and for doctorate psychology programs.
Course Sequence of MS Psychology - Experimental Track
The MS Psychology - Experimental Track requires 32 credits to complete and includes supervised research. A typical course sequence for full-time students is shown below.
| MS Psychology Experimental Track Course Sequence | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall (Year 1) | Credits | Course Name | Winter (Year 1) | Credits | Course Name |
| LIB535 | 2 | Using Scholarly Library Resources in Support of Graduate Research | PSY506 | 3 | Advanced Statistics in the Behavioral Sciences |
| PSY505 | 3 | Advanced Research Methods in Behavioral Sciencesh | PSY500+ | 3 | Graduate Psychology Elective |
| PSY500+ | 3 | Graduate Psychology Elective | PSY588 | 1 | Topics in Psychological Science |
| PSY589 | 1 | Advanced Research | |||
| Fall (Year 2) | Credits | Course Name | Winter (Year 2) | Credits | Course Name |
| PSY593 OR PSY500+ | 3 | Research Development OR Graduate Psychology Elective | PSY590 OR PSY599 | 3 | Applied Research OR Thesis |
| PSY500+ | 3 | Graduate Psychology Elective | PSY500+ | 3 | Graduate Psychology Elective |
| PSY588 | 1 | Topics in Psychological Science | PSY588 | 1 | Topics in Psychological Science |
| PSY589 | 1 | Advanced Research | PSY589 | 1 | Advanced Research |
Laboratory Research
Through participation in the department's laboratories, graduate students engage in mentored professional research experiences.
BEAR Center
The Behavior Education Assessment and Research (BEAR) Center serves an average of 1,450 service hours per month across clients ranging in age from 2 to 16, and provides comprehensive practicum experiences for students. Directed by Dr. Jacob Daar. Thesis studies and capstone projects directed by Dr. Jacob Daar or Dr. Kara Shawbitz.
CABIN
The Cognitive x Affective Behavior Integrative Neuroscience (CABIN) lab studies the integration of affective processing with cognitive functioning using behavioral and brain imaging measures (e.g., EEG/ERP, NIRS, and MRI). Research includes climate change psychology, neural correlates of attention and engagement with climate change information, and neural correlates of affective biases in cognitive processing. Co-directed by Dr. Joshua Carlson and Dr. Lin Fang.
Gambling and Gaming Lab
The Gambling and Gaming lab conducts research on gambling, impulsivity, and risk-taking behaviors.
LaCrosse Lab
The LaCrosse Lab uses animal and human models to determine the effects of cancer and cancer treatments on cognitive function, the effects of novel and popularized compounds (e.g., cannabidiol) on anxiety and other disorders using behavioral tasks, and links between genetics and psychological disorders. Directed by Dr. Amber LaCrosse
Neuropsychopharmacology Lab
Research in the Neuropsychopharmacology Lab is dedicated to analyzing the neurological and behavioral effects of psychoactive drugs, particularly those used to treat illness such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia.
Northern Center for Learning and Health
The NCLH center seeks to advance the understanding and application of behavioral principles to address the complex challenges of substance abuse, unemployment, and poverty, and develop and evaluate interventions to reduce these societal problems and train the next generation of researchers and practitioners. Contact Dr. Forrest Toegel (ftoegel@nmu.edu) for more information.
Toegel Laboratory
Research in the Toegel Lab advances the science of behavior to drive meaningful, lasting change and improve the human condition. The lab strives to publish impactful research while providing hands-on, high-quality training for students pursuing careers in Psychology and Behavior Analysis.
Social-Cognitive Psychology Lab
Conducts studies under the ACORN (Autonomy, Competence, Optimism, Relatedness, Nature) project pertaining social context barriers, wellness, and performance, as well as studies evaluating implicit and explicit race and gender biases. Directed by Dr. Jon Barch.
Graduate Faculty
Jon Barch, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
jbarch@nmu.edu (906) 227-2933Research Areas: Experimental social psychology and applied social psychology
Joshua Carlson, Ph.D.
Professor
joshcarl@nmu.edu (906) 227-2798Research Areas: Climate Psychology, Climate Anxiety, Environmental Neuroscience, Human Neuroscience, EEG, & Neuromodulation
Lab Webpage: CABIN Lab
Jacob Daar, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Associate Professor
jdaar@nmu.edu (906) 227-2992Research Areas: Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavior Assessment and Behavior-Change Procedures, Treatment for Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Acquired Brain Injuries, Public Health Policy, Gambling, impulsivity, and risk-taking behaviors.
Research Webpage: BEAR Center
Lin Fang, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
lfang@nmu.edu (906) 227-1169Research Areas: Cognitive vulnerabilities to depression and anxiety; User Experience (UX) Research
Lab Webpage: CABIN Lab
Amber LaCrosse, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
alacross@nmu.edu (906) 227-2377Research Areas: Behavioral neuroscience, cognitive function, and cancer biology
Lab Webpage: NeuroLab
Adam Prus, Ph.D.
Distinguished Professor and Head
aprus@nmu.edu (906) 227-2935Research Areas: Mechanisms of action of psychotropic medications
Lab Webpage: Prus Lab
Kara Shawbitz, Ph.D., LBA, BCBA-D
Contingent Assistant Professor; Behavior Analyst
kshawbit@nmu.edu (906) 227-2994Research Areas: Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavior Assessment and Behavior-Change Procedures, Treatment for Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Acquired Brain Injuries, Public Health Policy, Gambling, impulsivity, and risk-taking behaviors.
Research Webpage: BEAR Center
Cory Toegel, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Assistant Professor
ctoegel@nmu.edu (906) 227-2982Research Areas: Experimental Analysis of Behavior and Applied Behavior Analysis
Lab Webpage: ToegelLaboratory
Forrest Toegel, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Assistant Professor
ftoegel@nmu.edu (906) 227-2919Research Interests: Addiction, Self-Control, Incentive Shifts, Stimulus Control, Relapse
Lab Webpage: ToegelLaboratory
Courtney Washington, Psy.D., HSPP
Assistant Professor
cowashin@nmu.edu (906) 227-2943Research Interests: sexual heath, LGBTQ+ issues, social justice, and understanding systems and organization.