Psychology PhD
Questions?
Please note that the Department of Psychology offers only a PhD. We do not admit students to a terminal master's degree; however, students in the PhD program may earn a master’s degree on the way to their doctorate.
PhD training is intended to produce high levels of expertise in developing and conducting research, analyzing and interpreting data, and interpreting existing theory and research in psychology. Consequently, our curriculum consists of hands-on research experience, graduate seminars in each student's area of interest, and graduate-level foundation courses dealing with quantitative methods and substantive areas of research and theory.
The Psychology PhD is a full-time, residential program that typically takes students five to six years to complete. For students in Counseling and Clinical Science & Psychopathology Research (CSPR), requirements include a pre-doctoral internship that is typically completed in year six.
All students in the Psychology PhD program complete a first-year project, preliminary written and oral examinations, and a dissertation and final oral examination in addition to required coursework and 24 thesis credits. Students in the Psychology PhD may start completing thesis credits early in their program to ensure timely progress through credit requirements for the specialization’s curriculum.
CLA’s Graduate Programs Office offers graduate students access to funding resources, health and supportive services, diversity initiatives, and other valuable information.