Ph.D. in Psychology

Overview

The Department of Psychology is organized into four divisions: Adult, Child, Health, and Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience. Within the divisions, there are Ph.D. in Psychology track options for Clinical Psychology (Adult Clinical Track, Child and Family Clinical Track, Health Clinical Track, Pediatric Health Track, and Joint Child and Family Clinical/Developmental Track) and other Psychological Sciences (Behavioral Medicine Track, Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Track, Developmental Track, and Evolution, Cognition, and Behavior Track). These tracks each provide foundational educational experiences appropriate to training of scientists in psychology and opportunities for specialized experience in domains of interest within the field.

There are many steps on the path to the Ph.D. These include (1) successfully completing the Department's core statistics and foundation courses, (2) demonstrating continued research activity, (3) completing a Master's thesis, (4) completing advanced coursework required within the student's program area, (5) successfully completing qualifying procedures, including satisfactorily completing a qualifying research paper, (6) completing and defending a Ph.D. dissertation, and (7) meeting all program area Competency requirements.

The minimum number of credits required for the Ph.D. in Psychology varies according to the student's program area but in no case falls below 72 credits for Clinical and 60 credits for Psychological Sciences, which include 6 thesis credits and 12 dissertation credits. Minimum total credit hours vary by track. Clinical tracks require additional practicum credits and a yearlong internship. 

Admission Requirements

1)     Completion of an official application (online) and must include:

-Personal statement

-Prospective Mentor

-Research interests

-Desired Track

2)     Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.

3)     3 Letters of recommendation.

4)     To prove language proficiency, applicants whose native language is not English must take either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS), or the Duolingo English Test. Official results from the TOEFL ibT Home Edition are acceptable.

5)     An interview will be required for admission.

To receive full consideration for entry into the Ph.D. Program for the Fall of the next school year, ALL application materials [application, transcripts from all universities/colleges attended, GRE scores (optionally, for Psychological Sciences tracks only), and letters of recommendation] must be received no later than December 1. The Department of Psychology uses an online application for admission to our graduate program. 

Curriculum Requirements

1. The principal goal of the graduate program in Psychology is to prepare the student for a career contributing to the growth of scientific knowledge in psychology.
2. Applicants for admission to graduate status in psychology shall have
   1. a minimum average of B.
   2. at least 18 credit hours of psychology that must include courses in Introductory Psychology, Statistics, and Experimental Psychology or Research Methods.
   3. Students lacking the necessary preparation must ordinarily make up deficiencies prior to admission to the Graduate School.
3. All applicants may be asked to present the Graduate Record Examination (Aptitude Tests; Advanced Test in Psychology preferred). In all cases admission to graduate degree programs in Psychology is competitive, since available resources do not permit admission of all qualified applicants.
4. The Ph.D. program in Psychology has five clinical areas of study [Adult Clinical, Child Clinical, Health Clinical, Pediatric Health, and Joint Developmental/Child Clinical] and four Psychological Sciences areas [Behavioral Medicine, Cognitive-Behavioral Neuroscience, Developmental, and Evolution and Behavior].  Clinical Ph.D. tracks in Psychology require a minimum of 75-78 total credit hours, including 6 thesis credits (PSY 810) and 12 dissertation credits (PSY 830).  Psychological Sciences tracks require a minimum of 60-65 total credit hours including 6 thesis credits (PSY 810) and 12 dissertation credits (PSY 830).
5. PSY 680 and PSY 681 will not be counted toward the 72 credit hour minimum.
6. A Master of Science in Psychology based upon 24 credit hours of course work and 6 credit hours of Master’s thesis research is a component of all programs.
7. In cases in which a student has a prior graduate degree, the number of credit hours required for the Ph.D. may be reduced at the discretion of the Department.
8. All programs in Clinical Psychology require an internship.
9. Course requirements vary according to the specific track.  See Graduate Student Handbook for specific track requirements. 

PhD in Psychology: Clinical Tracks

¹

PSY 600+ courses with approval from program director. See graduate student handbook for list of approved courses for each track.

²

After completing 6-credits of PSY 810 Master's Thesis, students enroll in these courses until they complete their Master's Thesis. 

PhD in Psychology: Behavioral Medicine Track

¹

or PSY 600+ courses with approval from program director. See graduate student handbook for list of approved courses for each track.

²

After completing 6-credits of PSY 810 Master's Thesis, students enroll in these courses until they complete their Master's Thesis. 

PhD in Psychology: Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Track

¹

or PSY 600+ courses with approval from program director. See graduate student handbook for list of approved courses for each track.

²

After completing 6-credits of PSY 810 Master's Thesis, students enroll in these courses until they complete their Master's Thesis. 

PhD in Psychology: Developmental Track

¹

See graduate student handbook for list of approved courses for each track.

²

After completing 6-credits of PSY 810 Master's Thesis, students enroll in these courses until they complete their Master's Thesis. 

PhD in Psychology: Evolution, Cognition, and Behavior Track

¹

or PSY 600+ courses with approval from program director. See graduate student handbook for list of approved courses for each track.

²

After completing 6-credits of PSY 810 Master's Thesis, students enroll in these courses until they complete their Master's Thesis. 

Sample Plan of Study: Clinical Tracks (Child and Family)

Sample Plan of Study: Psychological Sciences Tracks (Behavioral Medicine)

Sample Plan of Study: Psychological Sciences Tracks (Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience)

Sample Plan of Study: Psychological Sciences Tracks (Developmental)

Sample Plan of Study: Psychological Sciences Tracks (Evolution, Cognition, and Behavior)

Mission

The mission of the graduate program in the Department of Psychology is to train students to acquire, advance, and disseminate knowledge within the Psychological and Biobehavioral Sciences.

Goals

In order to achieve these goals the graduate program: 1. Develops advanced understanding of behavioral, psychological, and biological processes; 2. provides rigorous training in research design and analysis, develops advanced research skills; 3. provides detailed scientific knowledge about psychology as well as clinical psychology training and practical experience for those students seeking applied training in a career as a clinician scientist, in accordance with the American Psychological Association guidelines for accreditation in Clinical Psychology; and 4. fosters independent learning, enabling the graduate to contribute to the scientific field of Psychology, including Clinical Psychology.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate an understanding of behavioral, psychological, and biological processes and knowledge of the core curriculum, clinical curriculum, if relevant, and specialty area.
• Students will demonstrate knowledge and skills in research methods and analysis.
• Students will demonstrate appropriate professional conduct, and excellent clinical assessment and/or clinical intervention skills, if relevant to course of study..