Murray State University

What you'll study

The Research and Experimental Psychology bachelor's degree emphasises empirical methods, quantitative analysis and laboratory research. Core topics typically include:

• Research methods and experimental design: courses covering hypothesis testing, research ethics, and the planning and execution of experimental studies.
• Statistics for psychology: introductory and advanced statistics, including inferential statistics, correlational methods, and multivariate techniques relevant to psychological research.
• Cognitive and biological bases of behaviour: modules on cognition, learning, perception, and physiological psychology or behavioural neuroscience.
• Developmental, social and personality psychology: foundations in major content areas that inform experimental questions and theory development.
• Laboratory practicum and techniques: supervised lab courses where students collect, analyse and report original data using common behavioural and psychophysiological methods.
• Data analysis and software: training in statistical software and data management tools commonly used in research settings.
• Capstone or honours research project: an independent research project or thesis carried out under faculty supervision, often involving design, data collection, analysis and presentation of findings.

Elective options typically allow students to tailor the degree towards areas such as cognitive neuroscience, clinical research methods, or applied behaviour depending on departmental offerings.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a recognised secondary school qualification. Admission to the programme is based on academic preparation and potential for success in a quantitatively demanding major. Typical considerations include high-school transcripts and coursework in mathematics or statistics, and recommended preparatory study in psychology or the natural sciences where available.

Murray State encourages applicants to demonstrate readiness for university-level study through performance in relevant subjects, a strong overall academic record, and any available evidence of research interest such as summer research, volunteer experience in labs or psychology-related work. Specific admissions policies and any standardised testing requirements are set by the university and may vary; applicants should consult Murray State's admissions resources for current procedural details.

Career prospects

Graduates with a bachelor’s in Research and Experimental Psychology leave with skills in experimental design, quantitative analysis and scientific communication that are valued across sectors. Common career paths include:

• Research assistant or laboratory technician in university, government, or private research settings
• Data analyst or research specialist in healthcare, market research, public policy, or tech companies
• Clinical and counselling professions (typically requiring further graduate education and licensure)
• Positions in human factors, usability testing, or user experience research
• Further academic training at graduate level (master’s or doctoral programmes) for careers in research, academia or specialised applied practice

The programme’s emphasis on hands-on research and statistics particularly prepares students for roles that require strong empirical and analytical capabilities.

Why study at Murray State University

Murray State provides a campus environment with relatively small class sizes and accessible faculty, which supports close mentorship in undergraduate research. Psychology students benefit from faculty-led laboratories and opportunities to participate in ongoing research projects, allowing undergraduates to build practical skills and a research portfolio.

The department typically supports student involvement in regional conferences, honours research projects and student organisations that promote professional development. Additionally, Murray State’s career and internship services help connect students with placements in local and regional organisations. For students seeking a strong foundation in experimental and quantitative psychology, Murray State offers a balance of classroom instruction and experiential research training within a campus community focused on undergraduate engagement.