PSYC:PHD - Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology

Admissions Requirements for the PhD in Psychology (major: Applied Social and Cultural Psychology)

Doctoral Admission Requirements

 To be admitted into the Applied Social and Cultural Psychology doctoral program, a student must:

(1) Hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited college or university;

(2) Have a 3.0 average or higher during the last two years of the undergraduate program;

(3) Arrange to have three letters of recommendation evaluating the applicant’s potential for graduate work sent to the Psychology Graduate Program Director;

(4) Send a brief essay stating reasons for interest in the program and career goals to the Psychology Graduate Secretary;

(5) Submit a current resume or CV;

(6) Receive approval from the Departmental Graduate Education Committee; and

(7) International graduate student applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit a score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A total score of 92 on the iBT TOEFL (equivalent to 580 in the TOEFL) is required.

These are minimum requirements. Admission is competitive. Deadline for review of completed applications is December 1 for fall admission.

Admissions Requirements for the PhD in Psychology (major: Clinical Science in Child and Adolescent Psychology)

To be admitted into the Clinical Science doctoral program, a student must:

(1) Hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in psychology or a related field from an accredited college or university;

(2) Have a 3.0 average or higher GPA during the last two years of the undergraduate program, or, for students with a terminal master’s degree in psychology, have a minimum 3.5 average or higher GPA;

(3) Arrange for their application to the University Graduate School to be accompanied by three letters of recommendation evaluating potential for graduate work;

(4) Include with their application to the University Graduate School a brief personal statement outlining their experiences, reasons for interest in doctoral training in psychological clinical science, and career goals; and

(5) International graduate student applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit a score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A total score of 80/550 on the iBT TOEFL or a score of 6.5 on the IELTS is required.

Admission into the Clinical Science Doctoral Program in Child and Adolescent Psychology is competitive. Successful applications have significant research experience and strong letters of recommendation. Enrolled students evidenced interest in psychological clinical science by clear articulation (in personal statement and interviews) of research questions, a desire for a clinical science career, strong record of academic achievement, and professional accomplishment described in personal statement and recommendations from past mentors. Deadline for review of completed applications is December 1 for fall admission.

Admissions Requirements for the PhD in Psychology (major: Developmental Science)

To be admitted into the Developmental Science doctoral program, a student must:

(1) Hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited college or university;

(2) Have a 3.0 average or higher during the last two years of the undergraduate program;

(3) Have completed an undergraduate or graduate research methods course as a prerequisite;

(4) Arrange to have three letters of recommendation evaluating the applicant’s potential for graduate work sent to the Psychology Graduate Program Director;

(5) Send a brief essay stating reasons for interest in the program and career goals to the Psychology Graduate Secretary;

(6) Receive approval from the Departmental Graduate Education Committee; and

(7) International graduate student applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit a score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A total score of 92 on the iBT TOEFL (equivalent to 580 in the TOEFL) is required.

These are minimum requirements. Admission is competitive. Deadline for review of completed applications is December 1 for fall admission.

Admissions Requirements for the PhD in Psychology (major: Industrial-Organizational Psychology)

To be admitted into the Industrial-Organizational Psychology doctoral program, a student must:

(1) Hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited college or university;

(2) Have a 3.0 average or higher during the last two years of the undergraduate program;

(3) Have completed an undergraduate or graduate research methods course as a prerequisite:

(4) Arrange to have three letters of recommendation evaluating the applicant’s potential for graduate work sent to the Psychology Graduate Program Director:

(5) Send a brief essay stating reasons for interest in the program and career goals to the Psychology Graduate Secretary;

(6) Receive approval from the Departmental Graduate Education Committee; and

(7) International graduate student applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit a score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A total score of 92 on the iBT TOEFL (equivalent to 580 in the TOEFL) is required.

These are minimum requirements. Admission is competitive. Deadline for review of completed applications is December 1 for fall admission.

Admissions Requirements for the PhD in Psychology (major: Legal Psychology)

To be admitted into Legal Psychology doctoral program, a student must:

(1) Hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited college or university;

(2) Have a 3.0 average or higher during the last two years of the undergraduate program;

(3)Have completed an undergraduate or graduate research methods course as a prerequisite;

(4) Arrange to have three letters of recommendation evaluating the applicant’s potential for graduate work sent to the Psychology Graduate Program Director;

(5) Send a brief essay stating reasons for interest in the program and career goals to the Psychology Graduate Secretary;

(6) Receive approval from the Departmental Graduate Education Committee; and

(7) International graduate student applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit a score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A total score of 92 on the iBT TOEFL (equivalent to 580 in the TOEFL) is required.

These are minimum requirements. Admission is competitive. Deadline for review of completed applications is December 1 for fall admission.

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology: Major in Applied Social and Cultural Psychology

The PhD in Psychology requires a minimum of 75 credits of graduate coursework beyond the baccalaureate, including a dissertation based on the student’s original research. A maximum of 9 credits may be transferred into the Applied Social and Cultural Psychology major from a completed master’s degree program with the approval of the major director. A student must enroll for dissertation credit after completing all coursework, passing the candidacy examination, and being advanced for candidacy. Dissertation credits cannot be taken before advancement to candidacy. After a doctoral student is admitted to candidacy, continuous registration for at least three dissertation credits is required until the dissertation requirement is fulfilled.

Applied Social and Cultural Psychology doctoral students are required to complete the 9 credits of departmental core course requirements established across majors in the department, along with more specialized content courses and courses involving directed independent effort, as listed, for a total of 75 credits.

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology: Major in Clinical Science in Child and Adolescent Psychology

The clinical science in child and adolescent psychology major is consistent with the training model articulated by the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science. Clinical Science is defined as a “psychological science directed at the promotion of adaptive functioning; at the assessment, understanding, amelioration, and prevention of human problems in behavior, affect, cognition or health; and at the application of knowledge in ways consistent with scientific evidence.” Emphasis on the term "science" underscores the commitment to evidence based approaches to the assessment and treatment of child and adolescent problems, as well as the integration of research and theory of other relevant sciences. Emphasis on the term "science" also underscores that training facilities careers in which scientific knowledge is skillfully produce, applied, or both. The focus of the clinical science major is on child, adolescent, and family clinical psychology within a multicultural context.

Students admitted to the major are expected to maintain full-time status and become involved in research from the onset of their entry into the program by participating in faculty research projects and by carrying out individual research under the guidance of one or several faculty members. Students also are guided and encouraged to publish their individual research projects, to seek their own external funding to help support their research, and to present their work at professional conferences. Students receive clinical and teaching opportunities as part of their graduate training within the context of continued student advancement as clinical scientists in child and adolescent psychology.

The PhD in Psychology requires a minimum of 75 credits of graduate coursework beyond the baccalaureate, including a dissertation based on the student’s original research. The Clinical Science in Child and Adolescent Psychology major requires an additional 15 credits of clinical practicum (90 credits total) and a year-long internship. We adhere to the University Graduate School policy regarding credit transfer toward a doctoral degree. However, it is policy of the Clinical Science Program to require all students to participate in the core clinical science courses. Students may apply to transfer credits for courses that overlap substantively in learning objectives and content with core analytic courses or breadth requirements. Research and practicum credits may be considered for transfer as well.

All Clinical Science in Child and Adolescent Psychology students are required to complete the 9 credits of departmental core course requirements established across majors in the department, along with more specialized content courses, clinical practicum, and courses involving directed independent effort, as listed, for a total of 90 credits.

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology: Major in Developmental Science

The Developmental Science major provides students with the skills to describe and explain change over time in humans and other organisms. Students gain knowledge of cutting-edge developmental methods and theories while developing expertise in their specialty topic area. A unique aspect of the program is a focus on advanced training in statistics/methodology beyond the department common core courses. Students can specialize in any phase of the lifespan or on any issues or topics that span phases of the lifespan.

Students begin working in research upon program entry and develop a marketable research portfolio under the supervision of one or several faculty members. Students are guided to publish their research projects and to present their work at professional conferences.

The PhD in Psychology requires a minimum of 75 credits of graduate coursework beyond the baccalaureate, including a dissertation based on the student’s original research. A maximum of 36 credits may be transferred from a completed master’s degree program with the approval of the program director.

All Developmental Science students are required to complete the 9 credits of common core courses established across majors in the department, along with more specialized content courses and courses involving directed independent effort, as listed.

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology: Major in Industrial-Organizational Psychology

The Industrial-Organizational Psychology major focuses on issues such as the psychology of human resource management, group behavior, cultural diversity in organizations, personality, team effectiveness, personnel selection, leadership, organizational stress, and training and development. Program requirements include core courses that provide a strong knowledge base and a selection of optional seminars that allows specialization and applied experience. Idea exchange and research collaboration among students are goals of many of these courses. These courses are taught by faculty who are involved in research and practice in the relevant areas.

In addition to master’s and doctoral dissertation projects, activity in a variety of research projects is highly encouraged. Involvement with Industrial-Organizational program events, applied internships, conference attendance and presentations is also encouraged.

The PhD in Psychology requires a minimum of 75 credits of graduate coursework beyond the baccalaureate, including a dissertation based on the student’s original research. A maximum of 36 credits may be transferred from a completed masters degree program with the approval of the Advisory Committee.

All Industrial-Organizational Psychology students are required to complete the 9 credits of departmental core course requirements established across majors in the department, along with more specialized content courses and courses involving directed independent effort, as listed.

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology: Major in Legal Psychology

The Legal Psychology major area is focused on issues related to the overlap between psychology and law, including areas such as: jury decision-making, investigative interviewing, eyewitness memory, and detecting deception. The program is research-oriented with the goal of training students to conduct research in academic, government, or legal consulting settings. Research in this area mostly revolves around three traditional areas of psychology: cognitive, developmental, and social psychology. As such, training is provided in these basic areas of psychology along with training in methodology and statistics, and in related areas of law, most notably, the overlap between law and psychology.

Program requirements include seminar courses in basic psychological processes (e.g., cognition, social psychology), statistics and methodology, and legal psychology. While taking courses, students conduct independent research and collaborate with other faculty and students. Students are encouraged to work on projects with a variety of colleagues. In addition to taking formal courses, students also have the opportunity to participate in weekly, informal research meetings with other students and faculty.

The PhD in Psychology requires a minimum of 75 credits of graduate coursework beyond the baccalaureate, including a dissertation based on the student’s original research. A maximum of 36 credits may be transferred from a completed masters degree program with the approval of the Advisory Committee.

All Legal Psychology students are required to complete the 9 credits of departmental core course requirements established across majors in the department, along with more specialized content courses and courses involving directed independent effort, as listed.

Graduation Requirements

A grade of “B” or higher must be obtained in all courses with a cumulative average of 3.0 or higher in the 75 credits; the program requirements must be completed, and a dissertation must be completed and accepted by the University.

There are no tracks, specializations, concentrations, areas of emphasis, or other curricular offerings associated with this program.