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M.S. CyberPsychology

Norfolk State University
Master of Science in CyberPsychology

Norfolk State University is proud to offer the first M.S. CyberPsychology degree program in the United States! This fully online program has been approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

* Fall 2021 admission is currently open!
Please contact the Psychology Department regarding applications for Fall 2021 entry.

About

The M.S. CyberPsychology degree program is a two year asynchronous online program (fall/spring/summer) that prepares students to become social science researchers with an emphasis in cyberpsychology. Cyberpsychology examines the reciprocal relationship between human behavior in the 21st century and the influence of digital technologies, building upon a wide range of psychological theories and emerging trends across all domains of human behavior and technology. Students are equipped with essential research skills sought across many different employment settings and sectors, as well as in doctoral training programs.  Please direct inquiries to cyberpsychology@nsu.edu.

What to expect as a CyberPsychology Student?

Incoming students begin in August and take either 9 credits (full-time) or 6 credits (part-time). Non-degree seeking students may also take up to three courses prior to full enrollment in the program. Courses are generally 8 or 16 weeks and are delivered completely online primarily using asynchronous instruction. Students are mentored to become social science researchers—asking relevant questions to spark critical thinking and collaborating with faculty to design and carry out original research. All students will leave the program with the ability to successfully plan, implement, conduct, analyze and disseminate an empirical cyberpsychology study.

Where Will My Degree Take Me?

Graduates are likely to find employment across a wide range of employment sectors, domestically or international. Graduate level training and social science research experience will make you competitive for jobs in academia, business, cybersecurity, education, health care, government/military, high-tech, and other areas of research & development. The M.S. CyberPsychology can help seasoned professionals expand their research skill set, or those seeking an opportunity to demonstrate success at the graduate level eventually leading to doctoral level studies.

Program At A Glance

The M.S. CyberPsychology curriculum requires successful completion of 42 semester credit hours (two years of instruction for full-time students). Potential students will likely have liberal arts (e.g., psychology, sociology) or computer science backgrounds, or currently be in the workforce in business, government, or military. You do not need an undergraduate degree in psychology, but knowledge of psychology and social science research methods is extremely helpful.

Non-degree seeking

Non-degree status is available for applicants who hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution but who do not yet want to pursue a graduate degree, or whose academic record reflects less than the required standards for admission. A maximum of nine (9) credit hours may be taken. Non-degree students are not eligible for financial aid, assistantships or housing. A non-degree seeking student may subsequently apply for full admission, however, it does not guarantee future admission.

CoRE curriculum

Core courses are indicated below. Students will complete one required cybersecurity course and have the option to complete additional electives or create a cyberpsychology-related internship. Students may request to transfer up to six credits of applicable graduate coursework from another institution to help fulfill non-internship / non-research  requirements. 

M.S. CyberPsychology courses

  • PSY510: Psychology & Cyberspace

    Course Description

    The psychology of cyberspace is explored through examination of the intersection between psychological theory and the progression of technology through its current digital manifestation in everyday life. The behavioral implications of digital technologies will be explored, with an emphasis on computer mediated communication, online identity and impression management, online addiction, telehealth and associated help-seeking, cybercrime, digital privacy, and information security.

  • PSY520: Current Trends in CyberPsychology

    Course Description

    Current trends in the field of cyberpsychology are explored with an emphasis on preparing the student to be aware of the current areas of greatest need relevant to this discipline area. This course is the first of the research sequence and will prepare students to determine gaps in qualitative and quantitative cyberpsychological research. Discussions and assignments will provoke critical thinking and help students explore potential research topics for their capstone project.

  • PSY530: Research & Ethics in CyberPsychology

    Course Description

    This course is designed to provide the student with a collection of ethical guidelines for conducting social science research, with an emphasis on non-traditional sources of data collection. Traditional research methods and principles of ethical conduct for conducting a psychological study are introduced. Strategies needed to effectively plan, design, evaluate and disseminate cyberpsychological research are discussed, as is suitability of various forms of research tailored to potential capstone projects.

  • PSY540: Consumer & Media CyberPsychology

    Course Description

    This course will introduce students to the psychology of the consumer and the media in an increasingly digital world. Student will examine the relevance of psychology theory and research to understand how social media in particular impacts the social and economic well-being individuals within different societies. Students will explore how consumer preferences are shaped and influenced by the different media available to them, as well as how information is cultivated and delivered to people based on big data sourcing and algorithms that leverage users online activity.

  • PSY550: Human-Computer Interaction

    Course Description

    Human-computer interaction (HCI) is an interdisciplinary field that integrates theories and methodologies from computer science, cognitive psychology, human factors, digital learning, and other related areas. The course will cover the basic theory and methods that exist in the field, and use case studies, critical thinking and experiential activities to examine the potential applications of HCI in physical and digital environments.

  • PSY570: Forensic CyberPsychology

    Course Description

    This course addresses the research and application of psychological knowledge to different areas of (digital) forensics specifically as they apply to the intersection of psychology, sociology, and criminal justice. Classifying cybercrimes and applying forensic psychology to deviant online behavior from criminological and forensic psychological theoretical perspectives will be addressed.

  • PSY 580: Cybercognition & Behavior

    Course Description

    This course is designed to teach the underlying principles of human cognition (i.e., attention, thinking, perception, intelligence, comprehension, memory, decision-making, problem solving, reasoning), as well as applying cognitive principles to situations where human behavior is influenced by the computer or other Internet-based environments, as well as a comparison of online versus offline decision making.  This course deals with understanding how higher mental processes are influenced by technology as a medium. The aim of this course is to inform the student of theories and research in these areas as well as to improve their critical thinking skills for understanding the biological, neurological, social, and other psychological basis for human thought.

     

  • PSY600: CyberPsychology Internship (elective)

    Course Description

    An applied experience in a cyberpsychology related position provides students with a method of applying their existing and/or learned knowledge to a job environment where their skills will be utilized. Internship(s) do not guarantee future employment, but significantly enhance marketability and the student’s ability to translate classroom and research into real-world novel situations and problems. Internships are likely to require a physical presence for approximately 10-20 hours per week, as well as travel to the internship site. The course instructor will also provide indirect supervision. All training opportunities must be approved by the MS CyberPsychology Program Coordinator prior to implementation.

  • PSY610: CyberPsychology Research I

    Course Description

    This is the first of three formal research courses required to prepare the student for a successful capstone project completion. In this course, students will work with the instructor to identify an appropriate and researchable capstone topic and prepare the required background information and documentation needed to execute their study. Students will conduct literature reviews and formulate a full proposal outlining all areas of their proposed study. Students will prepare all documentation for institutional review board review and begin the process of implementing their study.

  • PSY620: CyberPsychology Research II

    Course Description

    This is the second of three formal research courses required to prepare the student for a successful capstone project completion. In this course, students will work with the instructor to implement and execute their study, directly following from their progress in PSY610. Students are expected to begin the process of collecting data and formalizing their capstone documentation in preparation for the capstone course.

  • PSY690: CyberPsychology Capstone

    Course Description

    The CyberPsychology Capstone is the third and final course in the research sequence. Students will complete all phases of their study including analyzing their data, writing up their results and discussing their findings. The capstone process culminates with the student presenting their completed project in scientific manuscript format and conducting a synchronous oral presentation. Capstone completion is awarded when the student successfully presents their completed project and submits their project as a publishable quality manuscript in a peer reviewed academic journal relevant to cyberpsychology.

  • CSC535: Computer Security I

    Course Description

    This course is designed for IT professionals to learn computer and network security theories and practices that can be used to significantly reduce the security vulnerability of computers on internal networks or the Internet. The course assumes some familiarity with various operating systems and computer networks. Topics include cryptography, program security, operating systems security, database security, network security, security administration, computer ethics, and legal issues.

  • CSC688 Human Aspects of Cybersecurity

    Course Description

    This course surveys the human aspects of cyber security. Topics include ethics, privacy, usability security, cyber crime and the social, psychological and cultural aspects of cyber crime. Emphasis will be placed on the theoretical as well as the practical aspects of human security.