washington state university psychology phd

Experimental Psychology, Ph.D.

The Ph.D. program in Experimental Psychology at Washington State University is among the oldest in the West. The program has an established reputation for producing well-trained psychologists who contribute to basic and applied experimental psychology in academia, government service, and private industry. See also,

Program design and study

The program is designed to produce highly skilled experimental psychologists with specialized training in one of five areas: (1) Behavior Analysis; (2) Cognition (3) Biological-Psychology; (4) Sensation and Perception; and (4) Social/Organizational Psychology. Graduates are expected to be highly knowledgeable of their specialty area, have a strong background in general psychology, and be knowledgeable of a wide variety of strategies for generating and testing hypotheses. Each graduate will leave Washington State University Vancouver well equipped to become a productive member of the professional community.

The program is designed to be completed within five years, for students entering without a master’s degree. The program of study is designed around the interests and career objectives of the student, whether such interests are in academic or applied experimental psychology. The program includes required coursework, an M.A. thesis or its equivalent, a written general examination and a doctoral dissertation. In addition, experimental students are expected to be involved in research activity under the direction of a faculty member throughout their enrollment in the program.

The program admits students based on a careful assessment of their potential as psychologists, without regard to race, sex or creed. An admissions committee reviews all applications and makes admissions recommendations to the experimental psychology faculty, who make final decisions regarding admissions into the program. Every effort is made to evaluate each applicant individually; if you have special skills or qualifications that you feel strengthen your application, please tell us about them.

The application deadline for the graduate program in experimental psychology is December 1– you must start the program in the fall.

All experimental psychology graduate students are fully funded during their first year of study. In subsequent years, full support is contingent upon sufficient progress toward completion of the degree as judged by the experimental psychology faculty and continued availability of funding to the department. The most common forms of support are teaching and research assistantships. Other forms of support include predoctoral fellowships and work-study stipends within the Psychology Department and in other programs in the university. Special funding sometimes is available for qualified minorities.

The experimental psychology program welcomes applications from all students who feel qualified.

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The online catalog includes the most recent changes to courses and degree requirements that have been approved by the Faculty Senate, including changes that are not yet effective. Courses showing two entries of the same number indicate that the course information is changing. The most recently approved version is shown first, followed by the older version, in gray, with its last-effective term preceding the course title. Courses shown in gray with only one entry of the course number are being discontinued. Course offerings by term can be accessed by clicking on the term links when viewing a specific campus catalog.

Psychology (PSYCH)

105 [SSCI] Introductory Psychology 3 Survey of the basic terms, processes, principles, and theories related to the scientific study of human behavior.

110 Introduction to Addiction Studies 3 Analysis of cultural, societal, individual, and physiological factors underlying drug addiction.

201 Degrees and Careers in Psychology 1 Introduction to the major, degree requirements, resources for degree planning, graduate degrees, and careers for psychology majors. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105.

210 Psychology as a Science 3 How psychology uses reasoning, skepticism, and the scientific method to evaluate claims made in everyday life.

223 Psychology of Happiness 3 Survey of topics in positive psychology with the focus being on a wholeness approach to well-being, examining both positive and negative experiences and empirically based strategies for cultivating one's own happiness.

230 Human Sexuality 3 Sexuality in personal development; personal, cultural, biological influences on sexual identification and behavior; fertility, reproduction, sexual functioning, sexuality and personality. (Crosslisted course offered as PSYCH 230, WGSS 230.) Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105.

265 Biopsychological Effects of Alcohol and Other Drugs 3 Biopsychological effects of the major classes of abused and psychotherapeutic drugs, including alcohol, stimulants, sedatives and hallucinogens. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105; BIOLOGY 102, BIOLOGY 107, or BIOLOGY 101 and 105.

301 Seminar in Psychology V 1-3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits.

306 Industrial Psychology 3 Job analysis and evaluation; personnel recruitment and selection; design and evaluation of training systems; performance appraisals. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105.

307 Human Factors 3 Human limitations and capabilities in architectural and engineering design; system analysis. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105.

308 Organizational Psychology 3 Employee motivation satisfaction and commitment; organizational communication; leadership; group behavior, teams and conflict; organizational change and development. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105.

309 Diversity in Organizations 3 Psychology applied to cultural diversity in organizations; interpersonal and intergroup relationships; diversity training; EEO legislation and affirmative action. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105.

310 Work, Stress, and Health 3 Workplace stressors and their effects on employee health, well-being, and safety; employee burnout, engagement, and stress management interventions. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105.

311 [QUAN] Statistics in Psychology 4 Course Prerequisite: One of the following with a C- or better: ENGR 107, MATH 103 or higher, MGTOP 215, STAT 205, STAT 212, or a minimum ALEKS math placement score of 45%. Descriptive statistics, probability, and inference; design and interpretation of research. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105.

312 [M] Research Methods in Psychology 4 (3-3) Course Prerequisite: PSYCH 210; PSYCH 311 with a grade of C- or better. Designing, conducting, and reporting research in selected areas of experimental psychology. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105.

320 Health Psychology 3 Psychological and physiological aspects of stress; health behavior and disease prevention; adjustment to chronic illness. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105.

321 Personality 3 Theories, concepts, methods, discoveries in psychology of personality. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105.

324 Psychology of Gender 3 Contemporary overview of the psychological theory and research on sex and gender. (Crosslisted course offered as PSYCH 324, WGSS 324.) Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105.

326 Principles of Self-Control 3 Theories and principles of self-control; factors contributing to successful self-control. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105.

328 [M] Behavior Modification 3 Analysis of behavior; application of behavioral principles to self-modification projects. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105.

333 Fundamentals of Psychological Disorders 3 Course Prerequisite: PSYCH 105. An introduction to psychological disorders, their diagnoses, contributing factors, and treatments.

342 Assessment and Treatment of Dual Diagnosis 3 Course Prerequisite: PSYCH 333. Development of conceptual frameworks to guide the treatment and research of patient's co-occurring chemical dependency and psychiatric disorders. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105.

348 Forensic and Legal Psychology 3 Introduction to the ways in which psychological science is used to inform the legal system. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105.

350 Social Psychology 3 Course Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. Attitude changes, conformity, interpersonal relations, groups and social influences explored to give a coherent view of social psychology. (Crosslisted course offered as PSYCH 350, SOC 350). Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105 or SOC 101.

361 Developmental Psychology 3 Introduction to biological and psychosocial influences on infant, child and adolescent development. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105.

363 Psychology of Aging 3 Psychological processes of aging; changes in sensory, motor, cognitive, motivational and personality characteristics; research methodologies for the study of aging. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105.

372 Biological Basis of Behavior 3 Course Prerequisite: Sophomore standing Functional relationship between nervous system and behavior; integrated organ systems, sensory processes, and investigative procedures. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105 or PSYCH 265; BIOLOGY 102, BIOLOGY 107, or BIOLOGY 101 and 105.

384 Sensation and Perception 3 Perception of size, depth, form, shape; illusions, contrast; historical and modern theories and research; applications and demonstrations. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105.

390 [M] Alcohol Use and Misuse 3 Course Prerequisite: PSYCH 105. Biopsychosocial models of alcohol use and misuse; biology, effects, risk, and protective factors, assessment and diagnosis, and prevention of alcohol use and abuse disorders. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 210, 312.

401 [CAPS] [M] Historical Development of Psychology 3 Course Prerequisite: Admitted to the major in Psychology; junior standing. Concepts, methods, theories, trends, and systems. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105.

403 Multicultural Psychology 3 Multidisciplinary analyses of the relationship between social-ecological and political contexts and individual and collective psychology.

405 Instructional Practicum Training 1 Course Prerequisite: By department permission. Training of undergraduate students in best practices, policies, and responsibilities of being a teaching assistant. S, F grading.

412 [CAPS] [M] Psychological Testing and Assessment 3 Course Prerequisite: PSYCH 311; junior standing. Introduction to test and survey development in clinical, organizational, and educational settings; assessment of attitudes, personality, and behavior. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105.

440 [M] Clinical/Community Psychology 3 Course Prerequisite: PSYCH 333; junior standing. Professional problems; theory, training, relations with clients, institutions, public. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105.

442 Advanced Addiction Treatment Techniques 3 Course Prerequisite: PSYCH 342. Advanced addiction treatment approaches for individuals, couples, families and groups within a human services framework; integration of relapse prevention techniques. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 110.

444 [M] Basic Clinical Skills 3 Course Prerequisite: 6 hours PSYCH. Training in basic skills to work with varied types of clients; didactic and role play instruction. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105.

445 Undergraduate Practicum V 1 (0-3) to 3 (0-9) May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Course Prerequisite: 6 hours PSYCH; junior standing. Supervised experience in local and county agencies; application of psychological principles to a variety of professional work settings. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105; PSYCH 333; PSYCH 444. S, F grading.

464 Behavior Disorders of Children and Adolescents 3 Course Prerequisite: PSYCH 361, H D 101, or H D 306. Theoretical and empirical approaches to the description, etiology, and treatment of behavior disorders in children and adolescents. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105; PSYCH 333.

466 Environmental Psychology 3 Psychological concepts applied to the mixture of positive and negative interactions individuals have with their physical environment. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105.

468 Addictive Behavior Among Diverse Populations 3 Course Prerequisite: Junior standing. Overview of social, cultural, and historical perspectives on dealing with addictive behavior. (Crosslisted course offered as PSYCH 468, CRM J 468, SOC 468). Recommended preparation: SOC 101, PSYCH 105, or CRM J 101.

470 Motivation 3 Course Prerequisite: Junior standing. Different motivational systems; analysis of environmental and biological factors influencing motivation, with emphasis on human motivation. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105; PSYCH 350, PSYCH 372, PSYCH 490, or PSYCH 491.

473 [M] Advanced Biological Basis of Behavior 3 Course Prerequisite: PSYCH 372, or NEUROSCI 301. Neurophysiological, hormonal, and biochemical bases of regulatory behavior; theoretical and applied issues. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105.

485 Gerontechnology I 3 Course Prerequisite: CPT S 215, 223, or 233; admitted to a major or minor in EECS or Data Analytics, or major in Psychology. Introduction to the field of gerontechnology, including aging and senses, mobility and exercise, data analysis, and research methods. (Crosslisted course offered as CPT S 485, PSYCH 485).

486 Gerontechnology II 3 Course Prerequisite: CPT S 215, 223, or 233; admitted to a major or minor in EECS or Data Analytics, or major in Psychology. In-depth exploration of gerontechnology, including socialization, caregiver issues, dementia, app design and data visualization. (Crosslisted course offered as CPT S 486, PSYCH 486).

490 Cognition and Memory 3 Course Prerequisite: Junior standing. Human information processing, memory, and cognition. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105.

491 Principles of Learning 3 Course Prerequisite: Junior standing. Principles of learning from a behavioral perspective using the experimental analysis of behavior. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105.

492 Psychology of Language 3 The cognitive and neuropsychological processes involved in the acquisition and use of language; cross-cultural perspectives on language and thought.

495 Field Experience in Personnel Psychology V 2 (0-6) to 6 (0-18) May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Course Prerequisite: MGTOP 450 or PSYCH 306. Supervised experience in local industries and organizations; application of personnel psychology and resource management principles to work environments. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105. S, F grading.

496 Cooperative Education Internship V 2-6 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 12 credits. Course Prerequisite: PSYCH 445 or PSYCH 495. Off-campus cooperative education internship with business, industry, or government unit coordinated through the Professional Experience Program. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 105. S, F grading.

497 Instructional Practicum V 1-4 May be repeated for credit. Course Prerequisite: By department permission. S, F grading.

498 Research Participation V 1-4 May be repeated for credit. Course Prerequisite: By department permission. Participation in the current research of departmental faculty. S, F grading.

499 Special Problems V 1-4 May be repeated for credit. Course Prerequisite: By department permission. Independent study conducted under the jurisdiction of an approving faculty member; may include independent research studies in technical or specialized problems; selection and analysis of specified readings; development of a creative project; or field experiences. S, F grading.

502 Research Design V 1-3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 16 credits. Course Prerequisite: Ph.D. student in Psychology. Research design, equipment, data collection, data analysis, and report writing. S, F grading.

504 History of Psychology: Theoretical and Scientific Foundations 3 Course Prerequisite: Ph.D. student in Psychology. Roots of scientific explanation in psychology traced through various philosophical schools and psychological movements. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.

505 Teaching Introductory Psychology V 1-3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 5 credits. Course Prerequisite: Ph.D. student in Psychology. Problems and techniques related to teaching introductory psychology. S, F grading.

506 Current Research in Psychology 1 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Course Prerequisite: Ph.D. student in Psychology. Current research being conducted by psychology faculty and members of associated departments. S, F grading.

508 Special Topics in Psychology V 1-3 May be repeated for credit.

510 Introduction to Online Instruction 1 Course Prerequisite: Ph. D student in Psychology. Instruction in teaching online courses addressing issues faced by instructors and students; students are mentored while teaching online. S, F grading.

511 Experimental Design, T-Tests, and Analysis of Variance 3 Course Prerequisite: Ph.D. student in Psychology. Parametric, nonparametric, repeated-measures, and multivariate ANOVA; planned comparisons; confidence intervals and power analysis; experimental design and variants.

512 Non-Experimental Designs, Correlation, and Regression 3 Course Prerequisite: Ph.D. student in Psychology. Simple and multiple correlation and regression; time-series analysis; factor analysis; field research and quasi-experimental design.

513 Seminar in Quantitative Methods and Research Design 3 May be repeated for credit. Course Prerequisite: PSYCH 512. Advanced topics in specialized quantitative procedures and in design of research in psychology.

514 Psychometrics 3 Course Prerequisite: PSYCH 512. Scientific construction of behavioral assessment instruments, including validation and reliability; types of scales and responses; statistical scaling; test theory issues.

515 Multilevel and Synthesized Data 3 Course Prerequisite: PSYCH 512. Structural equation modeling, hierarchical linear modeling and meta-analysis and the software used to conduct these analyses.

516 Applied Structural Equation Modeling with Current Software 3 Course Prerequisite: PSYCH 512; PSYCH 514. Confirmatory factor analysis, path analysis, structural regression analysis, multilevel analysis and latent growth analysis with current software.

517 Clinical Skills 1 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 2 credits. Course Prerequisite: Ph.D. student in Psychology. Introduction to micro-skills and basic therapeutic interventions necessary for entering practicum students. S, F grading.

518 Lifespan Developmental Psychology 3 Course Prerequisite: Ph.D. student in Psychology. Study of continuity and change from infancy through senescence, with an emphasis on a biopsychosocial perspective and an interdisciplinary approach to the principles of development.

519 Industrial/Organizational Psychology 3 Course Prerequisite: Ph.D. student in Psychology. Overview of research, theory, and application of psychological principles in the workplace.

520 Adult Psychotherapy 3 Course Prerequisite: PSYCH 533. An overview of empirically-supported treatments for psychological disorders in adults and the science of psychotherapy research.

521 Empirical Approaches to Psychotherapy II 3 Course Prerequisite: PSYCH 520. Research methods in empirically-supported therapies (ESTs), and specific ESTs approaches including cognitive-behavioral (CBT) for mood disorders, personality disorders, pain and health-related problems.

523 Health Psychology 3 Course Prerequisite: Ph.D. student in Psychology. Overview of the field of health psychology from a social-cognitive perspective; includes a focus on health behavior models addressing how beliefs, expectations, affect, and other social influences impact health decisions and behavior.

524 Motivational Interviewing 3 Advanced background in Motivational Interviewing (MI), a strategy for motivating health behavior change; knowledge on outcome and process MI research and introduction to the basic clinical techniques and skills of MI.

529 Occupational Health Psychology 3 Course Prerequisite: Ph.D. student in Psychology. Overview of major occupational health psychology content areas and foundational theories; causes and consequences of work-related stressors, injury, and illness; individual and organizational interventions.

530 Professional, Ethical, and Legal Issues 3 Course Prerequisite: Ph.D. student in Psychology. Application of professional, ethical, and legal issues in clinical psychology to such topics as confidentiality, dual-relationships, research, assessment, and intervention.

533 Adult Psychopathology 3 Course Prerequisite: Ph.D. student in Psychology. Theoretical and empirical approaches to diagnosis, etiology and treatment of mental disorders.

534 Clinical Psychopharmacology 3 Course Prerequisite: PSYCH 533; Ph.D. student in Clinical or Counseling Psychology. Classification, clinical application, and mechanisms of psychotherapeutic drugs used in the treatment of mental disorders.

535 Personality Assessment and Diagnosis 3 Course Prerequisite: Ph.D. student in Psychology. Diagnostic interviewing, conceptualization of clinical problems, case presentations, and treatment planning.

536 Measurement Theory and Personality Assessment 3 Course Prerequisite: By interview only. Psychometric theory, theories of personality, objective and projective methods of assessing personality, development of testing and interpretive skills.

537 Psychology Clinic Assessment Practicum 3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Course Prerequisite: PSYCH 539; Ph.D. student in Psychology. Supervised practice in psychological assessment, including neuropsychological assessment, in the WSU Psychology Clinic. S, F grading.

538 Child Therapy Practicum 3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 18 credits. Course Prerequisite: Ph.D. student in Psychology. Supervised practice in the clinical application of psychology with children and families. S, F grading.

539 Cognitive and Neuropsychological Assessment 3 Course Prerequisite: Ph.D. student in Psychology. Theory and application of psychological cognitive assessment across the lifespan, including test administration and interpretation.

542 Evidence-Based Therapy for Children and Adolescents 3 Course Prerequisite: Ph.D. student in Psychology. Theoretical and evidence-based approaches to intervention with children and adolescents.

543 Developmental Psychopathology and Evidence-Based Assessment for Children 3 Course Prerequisite: Ph.D. student in Psychology. Research on developmental psychopathology and evidence-based assessment of children and adolescents.

544 Clinical Health and Primary Care Psychology 3 Course Prerequisite: Ph.D. student in Clinical or Counseling Psychology. Principles and practice of clinical health and primary care psychology.

545 Psychology Clinic Assessment and Psychotherapy Practicum 3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 24 credits. Course Prerequisite: Ph.D. student in Psychology. Supervised practice in the clinical application of psychology with children/adolescents and adults in the Psychology Clinic. S, F grading.

546 Counseling and Psychological Services Practicum 3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 12 credits. Course Prerequisite: Ph.D. student in Psychology. Supervised practice in the clinical application of psychology at WSU Counseling and Psychological Services. S, F grading.

547 Clinical Health and Primary Care Psychology Practicum 3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 18 credits. Course Prerequisite: Ph.D. student in Clinical Psychology. Supervised practice in the application of clinical health and primary care psychology in medical settings. S, F grading.

548 Clinical Externship V 1-3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 18 credits. Course Prerequisite: Ph.D. student in Psychology. Supervised practice in the clinical application of psychology at approved hospitals and medical practices. S, F grading.

550 Social Psychology 3 Course Prerequisite: Ph.D. student in Psychology. Attitude structure, function, and change; social cognition and motivation, and attributions. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.

552 Diversity Issues in Psychology 3 Course Prerequisite: Ph.D. student in Psychology. Research, theories, and controversies regarding the role of human diversity in psychotherapy, psychological assessment, and clinical research.

574 Clinical and Experimental Biopsychology 3 Course Prerequisite: Ph.D. student in Psychology. Neuroanatomical, neurochemical, and other biological cases of human and animal behavior. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.

575 Foundations of Neuropsychology 3 Course Prerequisite: Ph.D. student in Psychology. Foundations in brain/behavior relationships and neuropathological syndromes; preparation for advanced training in neuropsychological assessment.

577 Behavioral Pharmacology 3 Survey of drugs which affect brain function with emphasis on animal models and clinical applications. Recommended preparation: PSYCH 574 or NEUROSCI 520. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.

584 Sensory Bases of Behavior 3 Sensory and physiological aspects of vision, audition, and other senses.

592 Cognition and Affective Basis of Behavior 3 Course Prerequisite: Ph.D. student in Psychology. Experimental approaches to human information processing, memory, and cognition. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.

595 Clinical Internship in Psychology V 2-16 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 16 credits. Course Prerequisite: Ph.D. student in Psychology. Clinical training in an internship approved by American Psychological Association or by WSU. S, F grading.

600 Special Projects or Independent Study V 1-18 May be repeated for credit. Course Prerequisite: Ph.D. student in Psychology. Independent study, special projects, and/or internships. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and should check with their major advisor before enrolling in 600 credit, which cannot be used toward the core graded credits required for a graduate degree. S, F grading.

700 Master's Research, Thesis, and/or Examination V 1-18 May be repeated for credit. Course Prerequisite: Ph.D. student in Psychology. Independent research and advanced study for students working on their master's research, thesis and/or final examination. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and should check with their major advisor/committee chair before enrolling for 700 credit. S, U grading.

702 Master's Special Problems, Directed Study and/or Examination V 1-18 May be repeated for credit. Course Prerequisite: Ph.D. student in Psychology. Independent research in special problems, directed study, and/or examination credit for students in a non-thesis master's degree program. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and should check with their major advisor/committee chair before enrolling for 702 credit. S, U grading.

800 Doctoral Research, Dissertation, and/or Examination V 1-18 May be repeated for credit. Course Prerequisite: Admitted to the Psychology PhD program. Independent research and advanced study for students working on their doctoral research, dissertation and/or final examination. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and should check with their major advisor/committee chair before enrolling for 800 credit. S, U grading.

Schedules of Studies

• Psychology - Accelerated Pre-Pharmacy Option
• Psychology - General Option
• Addiction Studies (Vancouver only)

• Washington State University

PhD in Neuroscience

Research-intensive program.

The PhD in Neuroscience is a research-intensive program to train students for independent research careers in higher education, industry, and government agencies.

Integrated Graduate Program

• Common core curriculum. Graduate students take common courses in biomedical ethics, responsible conduct, experimental design, and deconstruction of research. Most core and elective courses are taught in a 5-week microcourse format that have a precise focus on a topic of timely and intense interest to students and faculty.
• 8-week lab rotations. Choose three labs and work alongside faculty researchers to discover your research interests and choose a mentor.
• Professional development. Attend ongoing academic and career development training in our Leadership and Professional Series to enhance communication, mentoring, diversity, and leadership skills.

Graduate students have the ability to work with leading faculty from multiple departments, colleges, and campuses across Washington State.

Complete Your Neuroscience PhD in Spokane

WSU College of Medicine in Spokane is home to more than a dozen faculty members who are affiliated with the Neuroscience PhD program. These researchers recruit and mentor graduate students, providing outstanding opportunities for scientific training, scholarship, and collaboration. As the university’s health sciences hub, it is home to world-class health science facilities, faculty, and expertise, as well as partnerships with local and regional hospitals and research facilities.

Research Areas

Completing your studies through the Spokane campus provides a range of options for research areas of focus, with faculty who specialize in the following research areas:

• Circadian rhythms
• Brain injury
• Drug and alcohol use
• Autism spectrum disorders (ASD)
• Feeding and metabolism
• Neuroimmunology

Rotate with Labs

Students complete three 8-week lab rotations during the first year to gain experience on different topics, learn a variety of techniques, and find the right mentor for continuing their research.

Living in Spokane

Spokane has the benefit of being located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest region, with ample options for outdoor sports and recreation; local shopping, dining, and events.

How to Apply

1. contact our faculty.

Across our faculty, we have expertise and active research programs spanning a wide range of topics. We encourage applicants to contact faculty members whom they may be interested in working with prior to applying. They can answer questions about their work as well as whether or not they are recruiting new students.

Complete the WSU graduate school application process.

In your personal statement, be sure to indicate that you are interested in studying Neuroscience in Spokane , along with which Spokane-based faculty mentors you are interested in working with and why. A single application to the WSU PhD in Neuroscience program is used for all WSU campuses, so you are also able to indicate in your application if you are interested in completing the Neuroscience PhD program at the Spokane, Pullman, and/or Vancouver, WA campuses.

Neuroscience Students

Sofia Fluke [email protected] Advisor: Dr. Brieann Satterfield

Elizabeth Medina [email protected] Advisor: Dr. Lucia Peixoto

Rachael Muck [email protected] Advisor: Dr. Brieann Satterfield

Caitlyn Ottaway [email protected] 1 st year student doing laboratory rotations

For questions specific to the Spokane Neuroscience PhD program at the College of Medicine, contact Kimberly Honn

For general questions about the Neuroscience PhD program, contact Becky Morton

Take the Next Step

Department tandem wins AFW awards

By C. Brandon Chapman

Two College of Education students have been recognized for their exceptionalism by Washington State University’s Association for Faculty Women (AFW).

The duo includes Educational Psychology doctoral candidate Thao Vo and Kinesiology master’s student Sara Thompson, both part of the Kinesiology and Educational Psychology Department.

The Harriett B. Rigas Award , which is given each year to outstanding doctoral and professional students, was presented to Thao Vo , who successfully defended her dissertation on April 03.

Thao’s research has focused on addressing bias, equity, and fairness in test scores.

In the nomination, her advisor and nominator Brian French wrote that Thao was recognized as a dedicated scholar whose exemplary work in educational psychology, measurement, and research methods warrants recognition.

“I nominated Thao for the award because she has strong and unwavering passion to show how we use measurement in the behavioral and social sciences for positive change and addressing fairness,” French said after the award was given. “Thao is an excellent leader who leverages her methodological and applied skills to influence systems to critically consider equity issues.”

Additionally, the nomination cited: “Thao’s dedication to equity and inclusion extends beyond her research endeavors; she actively engages in service activities at both the local and national levels, advocating for diversity and inclusivity within the educational measurement profession.

Sara Thompson

Sara’s journey saw her spend more than 400 hours collaborating with a diverse team on an experimental study exploring exercise experiences.

In her nomination, her advisor and nominator Sarah Ullrich-French wrote that in addition to her passion for research, Sara secured a highly competitive teaching assistantship, oversaw multiple sections, and earned positive evaluations for her instructional skills.

I nominated Sara for her contributions that span research, teaching, leadership, and service,” Ullrich-French said. “Her thesis study was ambitious and contributes significantly to the exercise science literature.

“Sara has the passion, growth mindset, and skills to conduct rigorous science, but she is also a leader who creates positive and supportive mentorship formally in the classroom and research lab and informally with her peers.”

Additionally, the nomination cited: “Sara’s commitment to service is evident in her representation of the department at conferences and her active involvement in the Graduate Executive Committee, and she was selected to serve as a student ambassador at the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA) annual conference.”

Founded in 1975, the AFW is a broadly inclusive group that promotes successful and satisfying careers for women and other marginalized genders by creating opportunities for members to connect in environments that are welcoming, supportive, and empowering.

In order to better support camaraderie, advocacy and professional growth across the WSU system, each year, AFW organizes events and awards to foster collaboration and recognize excellence.

Graduate Study in Psychology

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Why choose the UW psychology graduate program?

Graduate students working toward the Ph.D. in Psychology at the University of Washington are offered a flexible program, designed to prepare them for careers at the cutting edge of research and scholarship. While many students earn the M.S. in Psychology on the way to their Ph.D., we do not admit students in our Ph.D. program whose goal is a terminal Master's degree. For students interested in a Master's only degree, we have a  M.A. in Applied Child & Adolescent Psychology: Prevention & Treatment , which you can learn about by clicking here . 

Our graduate program is mentor-based. Students train under the direct guidance of one or more specific faculty members whose scholarly interests parallel their own. Prospective students are expected to identify faculty they view as potential mentors. The department is divided into seven general areas of study. Students apply to a specific area of study and not to the department as a whole. Students collaborate with their mentors and other faculty in their area of study to determine the coursework and training that best meets the student's career goals.

Psychology is a dynamic field. With its focus on the understanding of behavior of both humans and animals, our field is poised at the juncture between biological and social forces. New discoveries are constantly informing our work and changing the way we go about our business, whether in terms of theory, application, or methods. If you are curious, creative, and energetic, there is no better time for you to be pursuing advanced study in psychology. We welcome your interest.

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