Overview

The Department of Psychology Graduate Program combines the Master of Science [M.S.] and Ph.D. degrees. The program is organized into four divisions: Adult, Child, Health, and Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience. Within the divisions, there are options for Clinical and Psychological Sciences programs. The Clinical Program trains its graduates to be scientists and practitioners, with a strong emphasis on clinical science while the Psychological Sciences Program puts emphasis on the scientific aspect.  Students are accepted into a program within one of the divisions and requirements for each area of study varies according to the student's program. 

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 for Clinical and 60 for Psychological Sciences, which include 6 thesis credits and 12 dissertation credits. 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)Graduate Record Examination (GRE within 5 years).

4)3 Letters of recommendation.

5)International applicants whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

6)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, 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 must 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 four clinical areas of study [Adult Clinical, Child Clinical, Health Clinical, and Pediatric Health] and four Psychological Sciences areas [Behavioral Medicine, Cognitive-Behavioral Neuroscience, Developmental, and Evolution and Behavior].  All clinical Ph.D. programs in Psychology require a minimum of 72 credit hours, including 6 thesis credits (PSY 810) and 12 dissertation credits (PSY 830).  Psychological Sciences programs require a minimum of 60 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.  Below is a listing of available courses.  See Graduate Student Handbook for specific track requirements. 
    Required Courses
    PSY 601Issues in Professional Development and Research.1
    PSY 603Neuroanatomy3
    PSY 604Cognition and Emotion3
    PSY 605Cognitive Neuroscience3
    PSY 606Biobehavioral Processes and Disease in Health Psychology3
    PSY 610Behavioral Medicine: Overview of Basic Science, Public Health, and Clinical Trial Approaches3
    PSY 614Diversity issues in psychology3
    PSY 616Biobehavioral Processes and Clinical Research Applications in Health Psychology3
    PSY 620Advanced Developmental Psychology3
    PSY 621Theories of Development3
    PSY 622Cognitive Development3
    PSY 623Language Development3
    PSY 624Social Development3
    PSY 625Social Psychology3
    PSY 631Psychological Statistics, Research Methods, and Design3
    PSY 632Multiple Regression3
    PSY 633Structural Equation Modeling3
    PSY 636Research Methods with Children and Adolescents3
    PSY 640Adult Psychopathology3
    PSY 641Child and Adolescent Psychopathology3
    PSY 645Introduction to Psychological Evaluation3
    PSY 646Psychological Evaluation of Adults3
    PSY 647Psychological Evaluation of Children and Families3
    PSY 648Psychological Evaluation in Physical Disorders3
    PSY 656Introduction to Evidence-Based Psychological Treatments3
    PSY 657Introduction to Psychotherapy, Ethics, and Professional Issues3
    PSY 660Evidence-Based Psychological Intervention with Children and Families3
    PSY 661Interventions in Pediatric Psychology3
    PSY 662Health Psychology Interventions3
    PSY 685Seminar in Clinical Psychology3
    PSY 696Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Journal Club1
    Electives
    PSY 602Scientific writing and grantsmanship3
    PSY 609Psychopharmacology3
    PSY 615Foundations of neuropsychology3
    PSY 638Psychology of Infant Development3
    PSY 639Autism and Developmental Disabilities3
    PSY 642Advanced Adult Psychopathology3
    PSY 655Evolution and Sex3
    PSY 683Special Topics3
    PSY 684Readings in Psychology3
    PSY 687Seminar in Clinical Psychology3
    PSY 690Seminar in Developmental Psychology3
    BIL 612Graduate Core I3
    BIL 613Graduate Core II (Practicum)3
    PHS 741Principles of Membrane Physiology and Biophysics I2
    Quantitative Concentration (Optional)
    PSY 634Multilevel Modeling3
    PSY 698Seminar in Quantitative Psychology3
    EPS 705Measurement and Psychometric Theory3
    EPS 706Categorical Data Analysis3
    EPS 707Item Response Theory3
    EPS 710Meta-Analytic Methods for Research Synthesis3
    BST 630Longitudinal and Multilevel Data3
    BST 670Bayes Data Analysis: Theory and Computing3
    EPH 751Survival Analysis in Clinical Trials3
    Practicum
    PSY 670Practicum in Clinical Psychology1-3
    PSY 677Application of the Assessment and Treatment of Language and Learning3
    PSY 806Summer Research Practicum1
    Additional Requirements
    PSY 804APA Accredited Internship in Clinical Psychology1
    PSY 810Master's Thesis1-6
    PSY 830Doctoral Dissertation1-12
    PSY 840Post-Candidacy Doctoral Dissertation1-12
    PSY 850Research in Residence1
    CSC 650Computational Neuroscience3
    CSC 746Neural Networks and Deep Learning3

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredit Hours
PSY 601 Issues in Professional Development and Research. 1
PSY 631 Psychological Statistics, Research Methods, and Design 3
PSY 645 Introduction to Psychological Evaluation 3
PSY 640 Adult Psychopathology 3
PSY 650 Laboratory in Clinical Psychology 0
 Credit Hours10
Spring
PSY 632 Multiple Regression 3
PSY 646 Psychological Evaluation of Adults 3
PSY 656 Introduction to Evidence-Based Psychological Treatments 3
PSY 657 Introduction to Psychotherapy, Ethics, and Professional Issues 3
 Credit Hours12
Year Two
Fall
PSY 605 Cognitive Neuroscience 3
PSY 633 Structural Equation Modeling 3
PSY 670 Practicum in Clinical Psychology 1
PSY 810 Master's Thesis 3
 Credit Hours10
Spring
PSY 604 Cognition and Emotion 3
PSY 614 Diversity issues in psychology 3
PSY 810 Master's Thesis 3
PSY 670 Practicum in Clinical Psychology 1
 Credit Hours10
Year Three
Fall
PSY 625 Social Psychology 3
PSY 642 Advanced Adult Psychopathology 3
PSY 670 Practicum in Clinical Psychology 1
PSY 830 Doctoral Dissertation 3
 Credit Hours10
Spring
PSY 602 Scientific writing and grantsmanship 3
PSY 662 Health Psychology Interventions 3
PSY 670 Practicum in Clinical Psychology 1
PSY 830 Doctoral Dissertation 3
 Credit Hours10
Year Four
Fall
PSY 660 Evidence-Based Psychological Intervention with Children and Families 3
PSY 670 Practicum in Clinical Psychology 1
PSY 685 Seminar in Clinical Psychology 3
PSY 830 Doctoral Dissertation 3
 Credit Hours10
Spring
PSY 648 Psychological Evaluation in Physical Disorders 3
PSY 670 Practicum in Clinical Psychology 1
PSY 830 Doctoral Dissertation 3
 Credit Hours7
 Total Credit Hours79

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, and specialty area.
  • Students will demonstrate knowledge and skills in research methods and analysis.
  • Students will demonstrate appropriate professional conduct, excellent clinical assessment and/or clinical intervention skills.