Program Focus

The Cognition, Action, & Perception (CAP) program is committed to training the next generation of experimental psychologists in the areas of cognition, perception, action, cognitive development, and dynamical systems. Graduates are prepared for faculty positions in departments of psychology, cognitive science, and kinesiology at major research institutions, in government laboratories, and in industry.

We provide a wide and extensive range of instruction and guidance. Graduate students are trained in:

1. Theoretical and applied bases of empirical questions
2. Research design
3. Ethical treatment of human participants
4. Statistical and dynamical analysis of data
5. Preparation of manuscripts for publication and conference presentations
6. Supervision of undergraduate research assistants.

We encourage multidisciplinary training, including collaboration with faculty and students from other research areas both within and beyond psychology.

Research

Graduate study blends formal course work and laboratory research to provide students with both a broad knowledge base and specialized skills applicable to their personalized research program. We expect our students to build a curriculum vitae that reflects their developing program of research, including research activities—like conference presentation, manuscript publication, and grant-writing—that go beyond the milestone projects. 

Please contact individual faculty with questions about their particular research programs. 

Curriculum

A central focus of the CAP curriculum is education in the integral fields of cognition, action, and perception.  We encourage our students to improve their quantitative skills, including both statistical techniques and dynamical modeling.  

Admissions & Financial Support

Students in the CAP program are admitted directly to the Ph.D. program, with the expectation that the student will progress through a master's (M.A.) degree to the Ph.D. The modal time for achieving the Ph.D. degree is five years.  In recent years we have been able to fund students through various research and teaching assistantships.

Job Placement

Our graduates have obtained jobs in both academic and non-academic setttings, including:

Academic:  UCLA; University of Kentucky; University of Cincinnati; New Mexico State University; Georgia State University; Drew University; Simon Fraser University (Canada); ASU (Speech & Hearing); Williams College

Industry:  General Motors; L-3 Communications; Advantage Research Incorporated

Government:  National Institutes of Health

Military:  Army Research Laboratory