phd human psychology

Ph.D. Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology

Mission statement.

The HFC Doctoral Program’s overall goals are to:

• Train and educate leaders in Psychology at the doctoral level within the scientist-practitioner tradition
• Facilitate the exploration and understanding of the complexity of human behavior while expanding our collective knowledge base through multiple avenues (e.g., publications in scientific journals, conference presentations, teaching)
• Strive to improve the health and quality of life of individuals through excellence in education as well as in research and practice in human-technology interaction.

The overall philosophy that drives these goals is embodied in the policy statement that emerged from the National Conference on Scientist-Practitioner Education and Training for the Professional Practice of Psychology held in Gainesville, Florida on January 16-20, 1990. The training model of the HFC Doctoral Program reflects our efforts to educate students so that they can advance psychological knowledge through research and scholarship, and to evaluate the impact of training regimens and interface designs using empirically derived methods and procedures. The model also strives to help students learn how to think critically and scientifically about problems while invoking the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct. The overall philosophy of the training program is consistent with that of the Mission Statement of the Department , the College of Sciences , the Graduate School, and the  University .

Program Description

A Ph.D. professional’s degree track in Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology, accredited by the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, is offered to those with a baccalaureate or master’s degree in psychology or an allied area. The track seeks to develop the capacity to design, conduct, and apply human factors and cognitive psychology research in a variety of professional settings. It is patterned on the scientist-practitioner model of the American Psychological Association (APA) and adheres to guidelines established by the committee for Education and Training of APA’s Division 21 (Applied Experimental and Engineering Psychology). A variety of research, consulting, and internship arrangements are included in the track. Students receive training in the content and techniques of human factors and cognitive psychology–including statistical and quantitative procedures, experimental design, survey methods, computer techniques, and other research methodologies. Students also select a concentration area, which may be in human-computer interaction, human-machine-environment interface, human performance, human factors in simulation and training, or other areas of interest with the adviser’s authorization. A dissertation representing a significant research contribution to the field is required.

Degree Requirements

The Ph.D. is designed to be obtained in 4-5 years of full-time study from the baccalaureate level and in 3-4 years from the master’s level. (A minimum of one year full-time student status is required.) For students who enter with a baccalaureate degree, the program requires 74 semester hours minimum. Students who enter with a master’s degree may be granted up to 30 hours of transfer credit with approval of the program faculty, and will also be required to complete a minimum of 60 semester hours at UCF.

For Fall 2023, submission of GRE scores is not required.

Concentration in Cognitive Neuroscience

The Human Factors & Cognitive (HFC) Psychology Ph.D. Program offers students opportunities for both lab and course-based training in Cognitive Neuroscience. To support cognitive neuroscience research training, the Department of Psychology maintains state-of-the-art research facilities, including space and equipment for electroencephalography/event-related potentials (EEG/ERP), functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), eye tracking, pupillometry, heart-rate variability, respiration, and electrodermal activity, as well as external collaborations to support functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In addition, the HFC Program also offers a course-based concentration in Cognitive Neuroscience with the following curriculum:

Required Coursework The Cognitive Neuroscience concentration requires the following four courses for a total of 12 credit hours:

• PSB 6328 Psychophysiology (3 credit hours)
• PSB 6348 The Neuroanatomical Basis of Psychological Function (3 credit hours)
• PSB 6352 Neuroimaging Design and Analysis Methods (3 credit hours)
• PSB 7349 Advanced Topics in Cognitive Neuroscience (3 credit hours)

Note:  Admission to these courses is not guaranteed, but is contingent on the decision of the department, college, and instructor of record for the course.

Links to More Information

Faculty in human factors and cognitive psychology.

Program Director

[email protected]

HFC Ph.D. Program Assistant

[email protected] (407)823-3919

Mailing Address

UCF College of Graduate Studies Millican Hall 230 PO Box 160112 Orlando, FL  32816-0112

Institution Codes

GRE: 5233 GMAT: RZT-HT-58 TOEFL: 5233 ETS PPI: 5233

Ph.D. Program

The Graduate Program in Psychology at Georgetown University offers a fully funded five-year, full-time program of study leading to a Ph.D. in Psychology. Students in the program concentrate in either  Human Development and Public Policy  (HDPP) or  Lifespan Cognitive Neuroscience (LCN).

Please note: Our department does not offer degrees in Clinical Psychology or Counseling Psychology. We do not have a Masters program. A GRE score is required.

The program is fundamentally a research program. Students are expected to meet rigorous research milestones and receive training in conducting independent scholarly research. Students in the HDPP track also take core courses at the McCourt School of Public Policy , while students in the LCN track take core courses in the  Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience  at The Georgetown University School of Medicine. Students in both concentrations also take core and elective courses in the Psychology Department. A dual degree in Psychology (Ph.D.) and Master of Public Policy (MPP) is also offered in collaboration with the  McCourt School of Public Policy to students in the HDPP concentration.

Program requirements are designed to offer students rigorous training in the theories and methods that characterize the psychological sciences and enable them to place the study of development and neuroscience into the broader contexts–biological, familial, social, cultural, economic, historical, political–from which the field draws its societal applications. All entering Ph.D. students select a primary mentor or mentors with whom to conduct research. Faculty research ranges from studies of learning, cognition, emotion, and social behavior at specific stages of childhood and adolescence to the study of neural and physiological mechanisms supporting these and other processes throughout the lifespan.

Located in close proximity to the White House, Congress, the National Institutes of Health, the National Academies, and many of the world’s most prestigious research and nonprofit organizations, the Department of Psychology provides a unique graduate education that bridges academic study and practice in both public policy and health/medicine. Our graduate Ph.D. program is designed to take full advantage of these resources.

The Psychology Department, along with Georgetown University, encourages all qualified students of any age, gender, race, religion, color, national or ethnic origin–including students from racial and ethnic groups traditionally underrepresented in the social and behavioral sciences–to apply to our program. The University, including the Psychology Department, does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, handicap, color, national or ethnic origin in administration of educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other University-administered programs. Inquiries regarding Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity may be addressed to Director, Affirmative Action Programs . Georgetown University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

If you have additional questions, please read our FAQ page and view our informational webinar . If they do not address your questions, you may also contact the Graduate Program  Co-Directors or [email protected].

Graduate Program in Human Development

The Human Development graduate program trains researchers and prepares students for research and teaching careers in academic life, work in government agencies, and careers as researchers on projects carried out in a variety of public and private sectors. Please note that we do not offer training in counseling psychology, marriage counseling, or family therapy.

For more information on the department view the  Field of Study Guide - Human Development . Also, explore the history of our M.A. and Ph.D. theses through the  Cornell University Theses/Dissertations guide . The Faculty listing found in the Field of Study Guide for Human Development, paired with this more extensive information on Human Development Research will serve to clarify our faculty research strengths.

Apply  for graduate study in Human Development at the Cornell University Graduate School. 

M.A. Program

Human Development M.A. Quick Guide: download PDF file

We no longer offer admissions for the spring semesters

The M.A. in Human Development, majoring in either Human Development & Family Studies or in Developmental Psychology, is a one-year program. The goal of the one-year master’s program is to provide an opportunity for qualified students to gain additional research experience and increase credentials for application to a Ph.D. or other advanced degree program where knowledge of Human Development may be helpful.

Student progress is supervised by a Special Committee comprised of two Human Development graduate field faculty members. Because this is a two-semester program, students are accepted only when there are two faculty members available to mentor them. To see if there are faculty members whose research interests are compatible, students should review our  faculty research interests , and then, please do contact those faculty directly before applying.

• REQUIRED: Academic Statement of Purpose ( ASOP )
• REQUIRED: Two letters of recommendation
• REQUIRED: Personal Statement
• REQUIRED: All minimum graduate school requirements
• OPTIONAL: GRE General Test scores

Applications for fall of 2024 (no longer offering spring admissions) Open: October 2023 Close: February 1, 2024

• The following Department of Psychology faculty will NOT be considering new M.A. students : Thomas Cleland, Shimon Edelman, Cindy Hazan, Will Hobbs, Adam Hoffman, Alexander Ophir, Gordon Pennycook, David Pizarro, Steven Robertson, David Smith, Katherine Tschida, and Elaine Wethington.
• Contact the  Human Development Graduate Field Assistant with your questions or if you miss a deadline.
• Apply  via the current Cornell University Graduate School application form.
• Neither the department nor individual faculty will be able to fund students (by providing tuition, insurance, or a teaching or research assistantship) during the one-year Master's degree program. 

Successful completion of the MA Program requirements

• A total of 30 credit hours (15 in each semester) to include at least two formal, didactic courses in each semester, with the remaining credit hours devoted to either supplemental course work or research participation or a combination of both. The specific courses, the type of research undertaken, and the content of the final thesis is decided jointly by the student and the Special Committee.
• A written empirical thesis, which can include, but is not limited to, extending an empirical honor’s thesis written while being involved in a faculty member’s lab, conducting an empirical research project, or conducting an empirical evaluation of a program.

Ph.D. Program

Human Development Ph.D. Program Handbook : download PDF file

We are in the process of updating the handbook and program for students entering our program in Fall 2023. We expect minor tweaks without substantial changes. Applicants, who receive an invitation to our interview weekend in February, may expect updated information to be covered at that time.

For a student without previous graduate training but with an undergraduate major in psychology, sociology, or human development, the Ph.D. program usually requires five years. Students with more limited preparation may need additional time.  Students in the Ph.D. program are currently offered funding (tuition and a stipend, usually in the form of a teaching- or a research-assistantship) for five years. 

Students enrolled in the Ph.D. program in Human Development may follow one of two subjects:

• Developmental Psychology is the study of changes that occur in human beings over the course of their life span, from conception to the end of life. This subject includes a broad range of sub-areas, including cognitive development, developmental neuroscience, and social, personality, and emotional development.
• Human Development and Family Studies focuses on the understanding of the dynamic interrelations among individual and ecological/ environmental factors as they relate to individual development and adjustment. The ecological factors include family, neighborhood, community, institutions, and social organization and norms.

For more information on the department view the  Field of Study Guide - Human Development.  The Faculty listing found in the Field of Study Guide for Human Development, paired with this more extensive information on Human Development Research will serve to clarify our faculty research strengths.

The application deadline was December 15th. We allow fall entry only.

To  apply  for graduate study in Human Development at the Cornell University Graduate School: 

• Three letters of recommendation , with a fourth letter optional (recommenders upload this to the application system)
• Unofficial transcripts
• Academic Statement of Purpose
• Personal Statement
• Indicate your interest in working with at least two field faculty in application

Additional requirements for International applicants :

• English Language Proficiency requirement (TOEFL or IELTS)
• International Degree Equivalencies

David A. Pizarro, Director of Graduate Studies Uris Hall, Room 234 E-mail:  [email protected] Phone:  607-699-1327

Marianne Arcangeli, Graduate Field Assistant, Psychology - Human Development Martha Van Rensselaer Hall, Room G201B E-mail:  [email protected] Phone:  607-255-4661

Dual Ph.D and JD in Law

This program also offers a PhD Concentration in Law, Psychology, and Human Development, in addition to the Dual-Degree Program.

Cornell University’s dual PhD/JD program in Developmental Psychology and Law prepares the next generation of scholars who work on the interface between the law, psychology, and human development. Education at the  Law School  combines inspired teaching with cutting-edge scholarship in a close-knit and collegial intellectual community. Located in the College of Human Ecology, the Department of Human Development provides graduate students with world-class training in the general discipline of psychology, as well as focused training in one or more of its sub-areas of research: cognitive, social-personality, biological, infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. The dual degree provides PhD students with the legal education that is necessary to conduct research and teach in this field at the highest level, and provides JD students with the research training that is necessary to practice and teach scientifically-based law. 

The Value of Cornell's Dual PhD/JD

• Experimental focus: The rare dual PhD/JD program with a strong focus on empirical research.
• Academic excellence: The intellectual rigor of a top-tier law school and ground-breaking research with leading scholars in the field of psychology and law exemplify the strength of Cornell's collaborative culture. 
• Favorable timeline: A fully-blended PhD/JD allows students to complete both degrees in six years, a more efficient pace than pursuing both degrees consecutively. 
• Intellectual support:  Students benefit from a three-member supervisory committee composed of Human Development and Law faculty from the start of their studies, a tight-knit community, and a legal education that boasts small class sizes and low student-to-faculty ratios.
• Financial and professional resources: Full funding for PhD graduate studies in Human Development, a history of high bar-passage and employment rates, and nationally recognized scholars and faculty to help students prepare for success in the legal and academic job markets. 

Leading the Way

Cornell’s Law, Psychology and Human Development program, established in 2007, is unique among Ivy League institutions.  It boasts a significant percentage of the interdisciplinary field’s leading scholars, and has quickly become widely considered the best and most influential program of its kind in the United States. The dual PhD/JD is an advanced collaboration between the College of Human Ecology and the Law School. Although the dual PhD/JD degree was recently approved in 2011, it builds on over 220 years of academic excellence in Human Ecology and the Law School.  Highly motivated students who enter the program emerge as lawyers with extensive, doctoral-level training in experimental psychology, and psychologists with a complete legal education.  It is anticipated that this program and the scholarship produced by its faculty, students, and graduates will influence the course of legal reform and legal education for generations to come.  

Program Details

The Cornell dual PhD/JD in Developmental Psychology and Law is a 6-year (12-semester) program, for a total of approximately 167 credits. The program is divided into three years of full-time PhD study, two years of full-time JD study, and a blended year of PhD/JD study. Up to 12 HD semester credits may be counted as electives towards the 84 credits that are required for the JD.

Students must spend their first, second, and fifth summers conducting master’s and doctoral thesis research. All PhD required core courses must be completed, and a research-based master’s thesis must be completed and defended in Human Development, by the end of the second year. Upon completion of the fourth year, all JD core courses must be completed, and the “A” exam for the Graduate Field of Human Development must be taken. During the sixth year, students complete and defend a research-based dissertation, and complete their remaining requirements for the JD.

Tuition and Funding 

For the 3½ years of the program spent in Human Ecology, full support will be provided. Students are expected to pay Law School tuition in years 3 and 4, and the Spring semester of year 6.  During the 2½ years the student is in the law school, it is possible, but not guaranteed, that they will have some grant funding. 

Please note that students interested in receiving possible funding for the time in the law school must apply directly to the law school for financial aid.  

Please read more about  funding in Human Development  and  Law School Tuition and Expenses

Applying 

To participate in the dual degree program, students must initially apply to and be accepted by both the Graduate Field of Human Development and the Law School.  Admission to one program does not guarantee admission to the other.  Note that applications to the PhD/JD program in Developmental Psychology/ Law will be reviewed continuously. However, it is strongly recommended that prospective students apply as early as possible to both schools.

Questions regarding applications, program information and other queries should be directed to Marianne Arcangeli, Graduate Field Assistant, Cornell Human Ecology,  [email protected]

After submitting their applications, students should contact the Director of the Law, Psychology and Human Development Program, Professor Charles Brainerd ( [email protected] ), in order to facilitate review.

Application information

The Graduate School and the Law School each have comprehensive checklists for all the documents and materials that prospective students should prepare for their applications. 

Cornell Graduate School Apply to Human Development Final Application Deadline: December 1st More information about admissions to Human Development 

Cornell Law School Apply to the Law School Final Application Deadline: February 1st

Students who are interested in applying for Dual Degree studies should contact Marianne Arcangeli:

Marianne Arcangeli G201B Martha Van Rensselaer Hall Email:  [email protected] Phone:  607-255-4661

Questions regarding admissions to the Law School may be directed to  [email protected] .

Dual Degree Faculty 

Cornell University’s LPHD faculty spans three colleges—Human Ecology, the Law School, and Arts and Sciences —and includes some of the leading scholars in topics ranging from memory and eye-witness testimony to decision-making, jury psychology, and cognition in children and adults. Their work aims to shed light on topics intrinsic to the law and justice, with the hope that advancements in our knowledge of people, crime, memory and testimony, motivation and culpability can lead, ultimately, to a more just legal system.

John Blume JD, Professor of Law Director of Cornell Death Penalty Project

Charles Brainerd Ph.D., Developmental and Experimental Psychology Human Development Director of Law, Psychology and Human Development Program Memory and Neuroscience Laboratory

Stephen J. Ceci  Ph.D., Developmental Psychology Helen L. Carr Chaired Professor of Psychology SUNY Distinguished Professor

Kevin M. Clermont JD Ziff Professor of Law

Valerie P. Hans Ph.D., Social Psychology Professor of Law

Sheri L. Johnson JD, Professor of Law Assistant Director of Cornell Death Penalty Project

Laura Niemi Ph.D., Social Psychology & Social Neuroscience Department of Psychology

David Pizarro Ph.D., Social Psychology Associate Professor of Psychology

Jeffrey J. Rachlinski JD, Ph.D., Psychology Professor of Law

Valerie F. Reyna Ph.D., Developmental and Experimental Psychology Department of Human Development Laboratory for Rational Decision Making

Robert Sternberg Ph.D., Psychology Professor of Human Development

Qi Wang Ph.D., Psychology Professor of Human Development

Wendy M. Williams Ph.D., Experimental Psychology Human Development

Marianne Arcangeli, Graduate Field Assistant, Psychology - Human Development Martha Van Rensselaer Hall, Room G201B E-mail:  [email protected] Phone:  607-255-4661

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Web: Psychology and Communication

Ph.D. in Psychology: Human Factors

The Department of Psychology and Communication offers a doctorate in experimental psychology with an emphasis in human factors. The Ph.D. is available on-campus only. All application materials for the doctorate program must be received by Graduate Admissions by Jan. 15. Applicants received after that date will be considered on a space-available basis.

Ph.D. students are eligible for teaching assistantships which include a stipend and tuition waiver.

No separate application for funding is required. All Ph.D. applicants will be considered for these funding opportunities.

Degree Requirements

To earn the doctorate, candidates must complete:

• 78 credits (52 or more at the 500-level or above);
• A master’s thesis;
• A preliminary examination; and
• A doctoral dissertation.

The curriculum includes the coursework required of master’s students, with some additional required electives. Students are expected to work closely with faculty on research projects throughout their time in the program.

Students may transfer credits earned from another psychology graduate program with the consent of the major professor, the committee, the chair of the department and the dean of the College of Graduate Studies. At least 39 of the 78 credits must be earned at the University of Idaho.

Coursework includes:

• PSYC 425 Psychology of Action
• PSYC 444 Sensation and Perception
• PSYC 446 Engineering Psychology
• PSYC 504 Special Topics – Current Issues in Human Factors
• PSYC 509 Human Factors in Engineering Design
• PSYC 512 Research Methods
• PSYC 513 Advanced Research Methods
• PSYC 525 Cognitive Psychology
• PSYC 526 Cognitive Neuroscience
• PSYC 552 Ergonomics and Biomechanics
• PSYC 561 Human-Computer Interaction
• PSYC 562 Advanced Human Factors
• PSYC 599 Research
• STAT 431 Statistical Analysis
• Electives (12 credits)

Admission Requirements

Admission to our program is competitive.

• Applicants must have a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in psychology or a related field.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0.

Students with a master’s degree from another institution may be asked to complete a master’s thesis in our program before proceeding to the preliminary examination.

All applicants are required to submit:

• The completed COGS Application Form with the application fee;
• Official undergraduate and graduate record transcripts of all work at accredited institutions of higher learning, mailed directly from the degree-granting institution;
• A personal statement which should include your background, research interests and professional objectives after completing the graduate program;
• Three letters of recommendation

PhD Admissions

The PhD program in Psychology trains students for careers in research and teaching. In addition to a wide range of courses, the PhD program is characterized by close collaboration between students and their faculty advisors. 

General Information

The Department of Psychology holistically reviews each candidate's complete application to assess the promise of a career in teaching and research. Consideration is based on various factors, including courses taken, grade point average, letters of recommendation, and the statement of purpose. Additionally, the Department of Psychology places considerable emphasis on research training, and admitted students have often been involved in independent research as undergraduate students or post-baccalaureate settings. Although there are no course requirements for admission, all applicants should have sufficient foundational knowledge and research experience to engage in graduate-level coursework and research.

We accept students with undergraduate degrees and those with both undergraduate and master's degrees. An undergraduate psychology major is not required; the Department welcomes applicants from other academic backgrounds.

Our application portal is now closed for the AY24-25 admissions cycle.  Please consider applying during next year's AY25-26 admissions cycle, which opens on September 15, 2024.

How to Apply

Application and deadline.

Our 2025-26 Admissions application will open on September 15, 2024.

Applications will be due on November 30, 2024

The deadline for letters of recommendation will be  November 30, 2024 . 

Once an applicant submits the recommenders' information, the recommenders will receive an automated email with instructions for submitting the letter. Late letters should be sent directly to psych-admissions [at] stanford.edu (psych-admissions[at]stanford[dot]edu) . Staff will add them to the application file if the review process is still underway. Still, the faculty reviewers are not obligated to re-review files for materials submitted after the deadline.

The status of submitted applications can be viewed by logging in to the   application portal . 

The deadline to apply for the Stanford Psychology Ph.D. program is  November 30, 2024 . 

Applicants who are admitted to the program will matriculate in autumn 2025. 

In addition to the information below, please review the  Graduate Admissions  website prior to starting your application. The Department of Psychology does not have rolling admissions. We admit for the Autumn term only.

Requirements

• U.S. Bachelor's degree or its  foreign equivalent
• Statement of Purpose (submitted electronically as part of the graduate application). You will be able to specify three  Psychology Department faculty members , in order of preference, with whom you would like to work. 
• Three  Letters of Recommendation  (submitted electronically). A maximum of six letters will be accepted.
• Unofficial transcripts from all universities and colleges you have attended for at least one year must be uploaded to the graduate application. Applicants who reach the interview stage will be asked to provide official transcripts as well; Department staff will reach out to these applicants with instructions for submitting official transcripts. Please do  not  submit official transcripts with your initial application.
• Required for non-native English speakers: TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores, submitted by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) electronically to Stanford. 

Application Fee

The fee to apply for graduate study at Stanford is $125. Fee waivers are available for some applicants. Please visit Graduate Admissions for information on applying for an  Application Fee Waiver .

Application Review & Status Check

The Department of Psychology welcomes graduate applications from individuals with a broad range of life experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds who would contribute to our community of scholars. The review of applications is holistic and individualized, considering each applicant’s academic record and accomplishments, letters of recommendation, and admissions essays to understand how an applicant’s life experiences have shaped their past and potential contributions to their field.

To check the status or activity of your application, please log into your  application account . You can also send reminders to recommenders who have not yet submitted their letter of recommendation.

Due to limited bandwidth, the Department of Psychology staff will not answer any phone or email queries about application status, including requests to confirm the receipt of official transcripts.

Our faculty will interview prospective students before making final admission decisions. Candidates who progress to the interview round will be informed in January. Interviews are generally conducted in February.

The Department of Psychology recognizes that the Supreme Court issued a ruling in June 2023 about the consideration of certain types of demographic information as part of an admission review. All applications submitted during upcoming application cycles will be reviewed in conformance with that decision.

• Diversity and Engagement in Psychology PhD Programs 
• Vice Provost for Graduate Education
• Stanford IDEAL
• Graduate Application Fee Waiver Information

For More Information

Please see our  list of Frequently Asked Questions  and  psych-admissions [at] stanford.edu (contact us)  should you have additional questions.

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The clinical program is accredited by the American Psychological Association and the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System.

Your program will typically be fully funded for five years thanks to stipend grant support and guaranteed teaching fellowships. Tuition support is also available for a six-year program. Funding is also available for research, travel, and conferences. You will have access to the latest technology at FAS Research Computing and the Neuroimaging Facility at the Center for Brain Science.

Examples of student dissertations and theses include “Childhood Anxiety Disorders: Developmental Risk Factors and Predictors of Treatment Response,” “Clarifying the Pathway to Suicide: An Examination of Subtypes of Suicidal Behavior and Their Association with Impulsiveness,” and “A Cognitive Neuroscience of Social Groups.”

Graduates have secured positions in academia at prestigious institutions such as Princeton University, Dartmouth College, and Columbia University. Others have embarked on careers with companies such as Facebook, BetterUp, and Apple.

Additional information on the graduate program is available from the Department of Psychology and requirements for the degree are detailed in Policies .

Areas of Study

Cognition, Brain, and Behavior | Experimental Psychopathology and Clinical | Developmental | Social Psychology

Admissions Requirements

Please review admissions requirements and other information before applying. You can find degree program-specific admissions requirements below and access additional guidance on applying from the Department of Psychology .

Academic Background

While an undergraduate concentration in psychology is not required, some social science coursework is recommended. Because the program is heavily quantitatively oriented, college-level math and statistics are also advised. Research experience is extremely helpful; successful applicants have often worked for professors, done research projects as part of college courses, written an undergraduate thesis, or volunteered in a psychology research lab.

Please Note: Before making the decision to apply, the program in Psychology suggests checking individual faculty/lab websites or emailing faculty directly to inquire whether they plan to consider applicants for Fall 2024 admission. It’s important to note that while individual faculty members may have every intention of bringing in a new student this year, we cannot guarantee that they will all be able to do so. The total number of offers of admission to be extended by the graduate program is based on applicant preparedness and fit, availability of university advising and support resources, and target class size. Some of these factors are not able to be determined until after the applicant pool has been finalized.

Standardized Tests

GRE General: Optional

Theses & Dissertations

Theses & Dissertations for Psychology

See list of Psychology faculty

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Questions about the program.

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Psychology Graduate Program

• Psychology Department

Welcome to the Psychology PhD program at Harvard University!

Our work is united in the focus on the science of mental life, yet highly interdisciplinary.

The Psychology Department is organized into four research areas: 

• Clinical Science/ Experimental Psychopathology  
• Developmental Psychology  
• Social Psychology
• Cognition, Brain, and Behavior (CBB)

Students enrolled in the PhD program may follow one of two tracks: Clinical Science or the Common Curriculum, which includes Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Cognition, Brain, and Behavior (CBB). Students may only be considered for Clinical Science during the graduate school application process, and may not transfer in at a later date.

Click here to view our current graduate student profiles. 

 Ph.D. in Human Behavior and Design

The research tradition within the Human Behavior and Design major is based on the social sciences, in particular environmental psychology and human factors and ergonomics. The underlying premise is that systematic, empirical research based in the social sciences, when combined with an understanding of design processes, can contribute to the planning, design, and management of environments that enhance individual and organizational effectiveness.

Program Focus

The Ph.D. in Human Behavior and Design at Cornell University is a multidisciplinary program integrating the social sciences and design. Research focuses on environmental settings across a range of scales (from products to buildings to cities), that support safe, healthy and productive behaviors and foster sustainable design and lifestyles.

The program brings together faculty and students with expertise in the fields of interior, industrial and graphic design, architecture, art, design history, historic preservation, design with digital media, building technology, environmental psychology, human factors and ergonomics, economics, and facility planning and management to work on problems related to the interior environment.

The Ph.D. in Human Behavior and Design rests on the following basic premises:

• Development of the knowledge base guiding the planning, design, and management of physical settings requires systematic, empirical research.
• The physical environment affects the realization of human and organizational potential including health, safety, comfort, productivity and satisfaction.
• The users of environments are diverse and have different needs. Individual characteristics such as culture, gender, stage in the life course, family structure, role or task affect environmental needs.
• Organizational culture, goals, and structure help shape building design and use.
• The planning, design, and management of good environments require consideration of all users.
• Understanding organizational and human needs is no less critical than understanding financial, technological and aesthetic factors influencing the planning, design, and management of our physical surroundings.
• Multidimensional spatial experiences are heightened through an understanding of design elements, such as circulation, materials, lighting and acoustics.
• Theory provides a foundation that both informs and is informed by research and practice.

The program draws its strength from faculty knowledge and research in the following four areas:

• Environmental Psychology
• Facility Planning and Management
• Human Factors and Ergonomics

Ph.D. Requirements

Ph.D. in Human Behavior and Design curriculum requirements  and the graduate student handbook .

People who embrace thinking across disciplinary boundaries and who have a passion for teaching and scholarship are encouraged to apply. The strength of this unique new program is the integration of scientific and creative expertise within the same department. Applicants' prior disciplines might include (but are not limited to): social science, design, or engineering.

For more information, please contact the Graduate Field Assistant at [email protected] .

Applications are due November 1st . Applications are accepted for Fall Admission only.  

In addition to the online application via the Graduate School website , the following required documents must be submitted online:

• Academic Statement of Purpose (within 500 words)
• Personal Statement (limit 500 words)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts
• Writing sample
• Curriculum vitae
• GRE general test (The desired combined score should be greater than or equal to 310—for the new scoring system effective November 2011—or, a combined score of 1200 for the old scoring system.)
• TOEFL - test for International students (DEA overall minimum: 105, plus Graduate School minimums must be met for each section: writing: 20; listening: 15; reading: 20; speaking: 22)
• OR IELTS - The Graduate School requires an overall band score of a 7.0 or higher on the IELTS

For additional information on how to apply, please visit Graduate School Admissions.

The intent of the Ph.D. in Human Behavior and Design program is that all admitted students will be fully funded with tuition, fees, and a stipend for a period of four academic (9 months) years contingent upon satisfactory progress toward the degree.

Prospective Ph.D. Student Application Requirement FAQ

Contact the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) at  [email protected] .

First, you should read papers written by faculty with whom you might like to work to see if your interests align. Carefully review the websites and online materials provided by the program. In your application, describe your experience related to research, statistics, design, etc. Demonstrate your research experience. Describe you interests – possible dissertation research directions. Indicate your goals following the PhD. Request letters of recommendation from people who can speak to your research aptitude, commitment, preparedness, work ethic.

Yes, the Graduate School can help with this, but you must still adhere to our requirements and deadlines. 

No, we only have one admission cycle, applications are due in November for PhD; students start in the Fall semester of the following year.

All application materials are submitted online via the Graduate School’s application system (available on the web at: http://www.gradschool.cornell.edu/admissions/applying/apply-now ). 

No, a portfolio is not required for the Ph.D. degree.

No, but scholarly writing sample submissions are preferred (ex: Master’s Thesis; Peer Review Journal Article; Senior Honors Project).

One writing sample is sufficient.

HCD provides four years of funding to Ph.D. students in HBD, as long as students’ progress and performance is satisfactory. This funding could take the form of teaching assistantships, research assistantships, fellowships, or some combination and is typically for the nine-month academic year.

No, it is not necessary to have an MS or MA before beginning the PhD.  The strongest applicants are those who have a foundation in research (e.g., have completed a research thesis (undergrad or graduate), have participated in a lab as a research assistant, have perhaps taken a social science research methods class).

For the PhD in Human Behavior and Design, a background in both design and research is preferred, but students may come from a variety of disciplines.

Yes, HOWEVER, if substantial progress has not been made on their Master’s, then it’s a long shot. Applicants should be told the following two things: 1. Their Ph.D. work will take 4 years to complete, and 2. Lack of substantial progress on their Master’s Thesis will be viewed as a liability.

Yes. Note that GRE scores must be less than five years old. See the language proficiency requirement here . 

No. Academic letters of recommendation are valuable and somewhat preferable; however recommendations should be from people who can best assess the qualities, characteristics, and capabilities of the applicant. 

Cornell’s institutional test code for ETS is 2098. DEA’s department code is 4499.

D+EA recommends a combined verbal/quantitative GRE score of 310 (new scoring system effective November 2011) or a combined score of 1200 (old scoring) but this is not an absolute cutoff. Candidates with strong applications, but scores below this level, may be considered. You may submit scores to D+EA more than once if you re-take the test. Your scores may not be older than 5 years. Please plan to take the GRE in time to submit your scores by the application due date. 

No, the GR’s can't be waived.

Yes, GREs can be retaken, but scores must be submitted by the application deadline. 

We strongly encourage you to take the GRE and TOEFL/IELTS tests early enough in advance that your scores will be received by our application due date. We may allow some latitude, however. If your official scores have not arrived by the due date, but your unofficial scores have, we may hold your application if approved by the DGS. Your scores are automatically reported to Cornell by the testing service (ETS) as soon as they are ready, and the Graduate Field Assistant will automatically add them to your packet.

Please see the graduate school's website .

D+EA recommends a GPA of 3.0 (minimum), but this is not an absolute cutoff.

The online application requires you to upload an unofficial copy of each official transcript from each college or university previously attended. To prepare your transcripts, follow the steps below:

Admitted students who accept the admission offer are required to submit an official  transcript prior to matriculation.  For more information visit:  https://gradschool.cornell.edu/admissions/prepare/transcripts/

It is advised that you periodically check your application on line to see if your application is complete, especially if you are waiting for letters of recommendation to be uploaded. D+EA’s Graduate Field Assistant may, as a courtesy, send you a reminder if you have missing information when the committee begins to review applications. If you have questions, please contact D+EA’s Graduate Field Assistant at [email protected] .

Yes, we allow deferments up to one year, but this must be decided when responding to the department’s offer.  To request a deferral, by the "reply by" date (typically April 15) an applicant must first accept the offer of admission and then request (and provide a reason for) the deferral.  Applicants cannot defer admission after declining our offer; instead the applicant must re-apply.

Yes, but this is on a case-by-case basis, and the D+EA Graduate Faculty will make decisions as to what is allowed or not allowed. Typically, you will need to provide a syllabus for your prior course(s).

 If you would like to schedule a visit, you should first make an appointment with D+EA’s DGS. If you would like to meet with other D+EA Faculty, you could also schedule meetings with them while you are on campus. Many students also enjoy taking a walking tour of campus while they are here: http://www.cornell.edu/visiting/ithaca/walking_tours.cfm .    Other useful links include the campus map  and the Visit Ithaca web site: http://www.visitithaca.com/

Ph.D. Program FAQ

Our Ph.D. students often find jobs in academia but some choose to pursue jobs in industry (e.g. Apple, Google) or as design researchers/environmental psychologists within large architecture firms.

Yes, The Graduate School regularly collects and shares information on graduate student experiences and outcomes to support prospective applicants in their decision-making process. For more information please see their metrics and outcomes data .

No, D+EA does not offer online classes for the Ph.D. program.

Yes, the Ph.D. program is STEM certified.

The first two years are dedicated primarily to course work (in your major field and two minor fields).  At the end of year 2, PhD students complete qualifying exams (“A Exam”).  Arrangements for you’re A-Exam are made with your dissertation committee. A dissertation is required.  Years 3 and 4 focus primarily on research and the completion of the dissertation.  The “B Exam” is the dissertation defense. 

Four years.

Yes, PhD students are expected to be on campus for the 4-year PhD degree. For more information please see: https://living.cornell.edu/live/wheretolive/housingoptions/index.cfm  

This depends on what sort of funding is awarded to the doctoral student. In most cases, Ph.D. students will be asked to function as a teaching assistant for at least part of their time in D+EA.

Human Factors Psychology (Psychology, Ph.D.)

The Human Factors Psychology concentration prepares students as scientists/practitioners with expertise in areas of technology application such as military simulation, surface and air transportation, medical simulation and error analysis, cybersecurity, and team processes. The Ph.D. program in human factors at ODU follows the scientist-practitioner model, emphasizing psychological theory and behavioral science. ODU faculty members understand the fundamental and ancillary areas of human factors, and they are well versed in statistics and research methodology. At ODU, you will gain an appreciation of the broader organizational context for practicing human factors, and you will receive valuable practical experience. We encourage students to make innovative and professional contributions to the field. Our performance expectations and standards are high; however, faculty members are committed to your success. The learning environment is open, nurturing, and cooperative, and students are encouraged to be active partners in the learning process.

Program Highlights

The Ph.D. concentration in Human Factors is designed to adhere to the accreditation standard of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES).

The Program has been accredited by HFES since 2011.

The general philosophy and plan of the HF psychology concentration at Old Dominion University is to provide graduate training consisting of four phases.

Check out these ideas from ODU Career Development Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) . A median salary is a midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

Software Quality Assurance Engineers and Testers

Develop and execute software test plans in order to identify software problems and their causes.

Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists

Design objects, facilities, and environments to optimize human well-being and overall system performance, applying theory, principles, and data regarding the relationship between humans and respective technology. Investigate and analyze characteristics of human behavior and performance as it relates to the use of technology.

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Requirements.

Official scores of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test. 

Official transcripts of all prior academic work. 

Three reference letters, at least two of which are from former college/university teachers or research supervisors. 

A brief statement outlining personal goals and academic objectives.

Although not required, applicants are encouraged to submit a writing sample. 

For Admission to the Human Factors Psychology Program

Featured courses.

Course introduces students to the fundamental principles of human-computer interaction. Exposes students to basic psychological concepts and shows how they are used to create effective interface designs. Covers both theoretical and practical aspects of interface design. Prerequisites: graduate standing and permission of the instructor.

The application and evaluation of psychological principles and research relating human behavior to the design of tools, technology, and the work environment. Theory, methods, and application are emphasized. Prerequisites: PSYC 731/PSYC 831 and PSYC 741/PSYC 841 or equivalents or permission of the instructor.

Experiential survey of methods, measures, techniques, and prototyping tools available for human factors investigations in laboratory and field settings. The design and execution of experimental investigations utilizing the measures and tools are emphasized.

Estimated rates for the 2023-24 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Anyone that is not a current Virginia resident will be charged non-resident rates. That includes international students.

Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending ODU.  For more information visit University Student Financial aid

There are two general forms of support for the academic year depending on the educational background of entering students:

• Student with a qualifying BA/BS are typically guaranteed four years of support.
• Student with a qualifying MA/MS are typically guaranteed two years of support.
• International and nonUS resident first year students may also receive tuition, fees, and a stipend.

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Picture yourself in the classroom, speak with professors in your major, and meet current students.

From sports games to concerts and lectures, join the ODU community at a variety of campus events. 

Psychology (PhD) – Human Factors & Cognitive Psychology

Program at a glance.

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Fielding offers a program that focuses on the application of psychological theories and methods to such real-world settings as communities, business, industry, education, government, and the military.  It applies core knowledge found within social psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, human factors, and research methods/statistics to answer student-inspired practical questions.

Fielding’s doctoral program in Psychology has a unique learning model that employs the best distance learning opportunities. Students will gain expertise by conducting psychology research at the doctoral level after securing a breadth of knowledge in the core fields of psychology, then taking a deep dive into a focal area of interest (e.g., teaching psychology). Graduates are well-suited for academic positions in colleges and universities as well as applied positions in both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Graduates who are already clinicians can also apply their doctoral-level thinking and knowledge to improve their clinical practices.

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Unique learning model, application requirements.

Earning your doctorate in Psychology includes attending live video seminars and conducting research with faculty. Faculty and other students meet annually at professional conferences to present and discuss research. In addition, students have the option to attend School of Psychology in-person academic sessions. The unique distance learning model provides flexible opportunities for individuals with career, family, and community responsibilities to achieve their advanced educational goals. Faculty are active scholars and practitioners with a wide variety of expertise, making it possible to offer training in a variety of specialized concentrations in some of the most exciting growth areas of psychology.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree
• Minimum GPA of 3.0
• Online Application Form
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• 2 Letters of Recommendation
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Start your application NOW!  

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Distinction from Related Programs

Most psychology doctoral programs require a certain specialization, like clinical or media psychology. This general psychology PhD program does not require a certain specialty, thereby giving students the breadth of psychology knowledge while allowing specialty in an area of interest to the student. This is unique among psychology doctoral programs. In addition, this program can be completed in three years, which is also unique.

Psychology PhD Program is Designed for:

Future University Faculty:  this program provides the expertise and degree needed for full-time faculty positions at colleges and universities

o   Teaching of Psychology is an available area of focus

Future Independent Researchers: this program provides the expertise, experience, and degree needed to be an independent researcher in a variety of settings (universities, research institutes, organizations, etc.)

Mental Health Professional: this program provides expertise, skills, and degree needed to apply doctoral-level thinking and research to clinical work

o   Psychotherapy research is an available area of focus

Anyone working in any area that would benefit from expertise in psychology

Anyone wanting to create their own area of focus within psychology

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Psychological Sciences

• Human Factors

Ph.D. Program

The Human Factors Psychology Program at Texas Tech University is fully accredited by the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society .

If you have any questions, please contact the Experimental program director, Dr. Jessica Alquist at [email protected] or (806) 834-7553 . We do not offer any online graduate degree programs.

The objective of the program is to prepare students for employment in academia, government and industry settings. We believe that this requires a solid research background. Research is the foundation of human factors. Thus, we emphasize research training. Students who enroll in our program are expected to engage in research continuously, publish articles, and attend and present research at conferences. Preparation includes methodological, statistical, and technical skills, knowledge of the basic and applied literature, and assimilation into the professional community. As a consequence of this training 100% of our graduates have secured employment, with typical graduates receiving multiple job offers. Our students have won a variety of awards, and our faculty serve on editorial boards, and national panels and committees.

The HF Program is committed to the integration of basic and applied research. Thus, students are trained in the fundamental processes of human behavior, quantitative methods, and multidisciplinary topics. Students take courses in psychology, experimental methods and statistics, human factors, and industrial engineering (ergonomics). They gain experience applying fundamental methods and knowledge in experimental psychology to applied problems. Hands-on research experience is considered of fundamental importance and students are engaged in research continuously during their enrollment. Research opportunities are diverse and can include collaborations with faculty in other departments as well as in other specializations within experimental psychology.

Faculty and students interact with colleagues in departments such as Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Education, Health/Physical Education/Recreation, Industrial Engineering, and the Health Sciences Center.

The employment prospects for individuals trained in human factors psychology are outstanding. There is a shortage of human factors professionals and employers compete fiercely to fill their vacancies. There are numerous job opportunities. Salaries and benefits are high. Recent graduates have reported starting annual salaries between 80K and 100K.

Our program prepares students for employment in academia, government and industry settings. Our terminal MA program prepares students for professional employment, as in industry, or for continuation of education in a doctoral program.

Our graduates are in research positions at government and academic institutions (i.e., Lockheed-Martin/NASA-Johnson, Auburn University, Wichita State University, University of South Dakota, the Federal Aviation Administration, the US Air Force, the US Army, the US Navy, and NIOSH). We also have alumni employed in industry (i.e., General Electric, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Lear Corporation, Lucent Technologies, Space Center, NOVA Research Co., Oakhill Technology, Perceptive Sciences, Roche Diagnostics, SA Technologies, SBC Technology, State Farm, Honeywell, Medtronics, Human Interfaces, BCI, and Siemens).

Student Awards and Honors

The TTU Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Student Chapter has been recognized with a Gold Level Status designation by the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) for multiple years in a row. Each year, HFES performs an assessment of student chapters across the nation driven by a diverse set of criteria developed to recognize outstanding efforts, activities, and contributions. Following the assessment, chapters are awarded a Gold, Silver, or Bronze Status designation.

Many of our students have been recognized with the Student Member with Honors award from the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES). This award is given to individual students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement and have made an outstanding contribution to the discipline and/or HFES during their academic career.

Financial Assistance

Every effort is made to provide full support for entering students. Most students entering the Ph.D. program receive some form of financial support from the department in the form of scholarships, research assistantships, teaching assistantships, or fellowships. Stipends are competitive and scholarships and half-time assistantships carry a waiver of the out-of-state portion of tuition. In addition, half-time assistantships provide health insurance and allow the waiver of many fees.

Nearly all doctoral students in psychology are supported with 1/2-time assistantships. The amount of financial assistance from the Department depends on a student's level of advancement in the program. Below are the 12-month stipends for PhD students.

Students who are in their 1st or 2nd year of the program and more senior students who have not yet completed their 2nd year project are provided approximately $16,250 per year. Note that 1st & 2nd year students will receive this stipend rate even if they enter with a master's degree.

Students who have completed their second year in the program and their 2nd year project will receive $17,000 per year.

Although these are the base rates for stipends, higher stipends are possible if students are supported by certain scholarships or grants.

Students who are supported with a scholarship or a 1/2-time assistantship pay in-state tuition rates. The department does not provide support for terminal masters students. Students can apply for financial assistance with their application.

Teaching opportunities include undergraduate courses, some as an assistant to a faculty member and some as the instructor of record.

Students must fulfill the requirements of the Department of Psychological Sciences and the Experimental Psychology Division. The Graduate School requires that students complete degree requirements within 8 consecutive years from the semester of initial enrollment to ensure that student's preparation remains current and that they are able to make timely progress.

Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology: 45 hours of substantive coursework, 15 hours of pre-dissertation research, 12 hours of dissertation research, prequalifying examination, qualifying (comprehensive) examination, dissertation proposal defense, and final dissertation defense. A graduate student must earn a B- or better in every required course.

Please refer to the Experimental Psychology Graduate Student Handbook for further details. It is the official curriculum with which you must comply.

PH.D. COURSE REQUIREMENTS

All doctoral students in Psychology must complete the following requirements. Some courses may have prerequisites, so students should make sure they meet the necessary prerequisites before registering.

Statistics (11 hours)

The graduate core statistics requirement for the Department of Psychological Sciences is completion of three graduate level statistics courses taken within the Department of Psychological Sciences. PSY 5447 and PSY 5480 must be completed within 24 months of the official enrollment in a doctoral program in Psychology at TTU.

• PSY 5480 Experimental Design (required)
• PSY 5447 Advanced Correlational Methods and Factor Analysis (required)

And any advanced statistics course taught in the Department of Psychological Sciences. Examples include:

• PSY 5348 Advanced Multivariate Statistics for Psychologists
• PSY 5360 Structural Equation Modeling for Psychologists
• PSY 5367 Analysis of Repeated Measures and Intensive Longitudinal Designs

Breadth area requirements: 1 course from each of the 3 core areas (9 hrs)

Applications (courses listed below are only for Experimental Division students)

• PSY 5370: Human Factors Psychology (required)

Cognitive and Affective Bases of Behavior

• PSY 5356: Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience
• PSY 5353: Cognitive Neuroscience

Social Bases of Behavior

• PSY 5328: Seminar in Social Psychology
• PSY 5300: Attitudes and Attitude Change
• PSY 5335: Group Processes and Intergroup Relations

Specialization in Human Factors (18 hours)

• PSY 5372: Human Factors Methodology (required)
• IE 5301: Advanced Industrial Ergonomics (required)
• One more IE course
• PSY 5003: Internship
• PSY 5379: Human-Computer Interaction
• ENGL 5388: User Experience Research
• ENGL 5394: User-Centered Design

Experimental Psychology Electives (6 hours)

• PSY 5354 Seminar in Perception: Theories and Applications (required)
• PSY 5373 Cognitive Ergonomics (required)

Colloquium in the Teaching of Psychology (1 hour)

• PSY 5101: Colloquium in the Teaching of Psychology (required)

This course must be taken before a student's second year in the program, unless they can demonstrate prior completion of an equivalent course on teaching.

Research Coursework

• In addition to organized coursework, continuous involvement in research is expected. This will include registering for (a) a minimum of 15 hours of enrollment in PSY 6000/7000 before graduation, and (b) enrolling in PSY 6000/7000 for 3 credit hours during each long semester and one summer term each year.
• A minimum of 12 hours of enrollment in PSY 8000 (only 12 will be applied to the degree audit). Continuous enrollment of at least 3 hours of PSY 8000 with the dissertation chair beginning at least in the semester in which the dissertation is proposed. Students are required to sign up for a minimum of 2 credits with every other committee member during the course of the dissertation, normally in the semesters of proposal and defense. A student may not begin to enroll in Psychology 8000 until after passing qualifying examination.

Research experience is considered of primary importance and students are expected to engage in research continuously throughout the year. To develop sufficient research acumen, students should aim to conduct as much research as possible during their graduate studies.

The human factors area utilizes an apprenticeship model in which students become involved in their advisor's ongoing research. The research typically focuses on theoretical issues in Experimental Psychology that have implications for human factors applications.

Prequalifying Examination Requirements ("second-year project")

Students must complete both the following written and oral portions of this requirement by the end of their second year:

• Prior to taking the qualifying examination, each student will be required to complete at least one three hour enrollment in PSY 7000 Research, and to complete an empirical study that is deemed appropriate by a two person faculty committee (including the student's faculty advisor). The two person faculty committee may consist of any two members of the Department's graduate faculty.
• Alternatively, students can fulfill this research requirement by submitting a formal master's thesis in psychology.
• Students who have conducted independent research elsewhere at the graduate level, or who have completed a master's thesis in psychology may wish to submit these for approval in order to meet the requirement. Those who obtain approval for previous research will have the written requirement waived.
• Each student also is required to make a brief, ungraded, oral presentation of the research used to satisfy the above written requirement. The oral presentation should be made only after the full results of the study are available and should include as much of these results, and their interpretation, as is feasible given time constraints during the presentation.

Qualifying Examinations

Students are admitted to Ph.D. candidacy by the Graduate School after qualifying examinations have been successfully completed. Other requirements for admission to candidacy are given in the Graduate Catalog.

• Successful completion of the qualifying examination in Human Factors Psychology documents that the student has 1) mastered the foundations of the field, and 2) become an expert in one of the field's identifiable sub-specialties.
• The qualifying examination has three sections: Section I: Fundamentals of Human Factors Psychology, Section II. The Student's Research Specialty, Section III. Applying Knowledge from the Specialty Area.

To be eligible to take the qualifying examination, students must have completed their second-year project (or thesis) including both the oral and written requirements. They should also have completed all of the coursework in their specialization.

Other PhD Requirements

The following are other skills that students in the human factors area are required to develop. As noted below, opportunities to develop these skills can stem from topical courses, research experiences, or other program-related activities. Students are also free to seek out other opportunities to develop these skills.

Quantitative and Computer Skills

• Mastery of mathematics through calculus is strongly recommended.
• Mastery of a higher-level programming language is strongly recommended.

Communication Skills

• Students must develop their oral and written communication skills. This is achieved by the oral and written requirements for the MA thesis or Second-Year Project requirement for all MA and PhD students and by the oral and written requirements for the dissertation for PhD students. In addition, in the weekly Human Factors Chat, all students are responsible for one time-period per year.

Teamwork Experience

• Students are exposed to multidisciplinary team experiences in various ways such as coursework (Human Factors, Human Factors Methodology, Human-Computer Interaction), the HFES TTU Student Chapter, and practical experiences such as internships. Examples include collaborative class assignments and projects, feedback from fellow students on class presentations, and students working together on practical problems.
• Doctoral students are expected to acquire experience working on practical problems. This may include an internship, practicum, consulting with industry or other clients, or other practical experiences. Previous examples include course practica , course projects, and internships at SA Technologies, Honeywell, Motorola, Sprint, Sandia National Laboratories, NASA-JSC, USAF and the FAA. Local practical experiences also have been developed, for example, at Texas Tech's Information Technology Division, Usability Laboratory (Housed in English Department in the Technical Communication Program); Teaching, Learning, and Technology Center, Office of Planning and Assessment, and the UMC Southwest Cancer Treatment & Research Center. Other opportunities are available through the Industrial Engineering Department (e.g., Frito Lay, Lubbock AeroCare, Texas Instruments).
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University Catalog 2023-2024

Psychology (phd): human factors and applied cognition concentration, degree requirements, concentration requirements, full professors.

• Lynne Elizabeth Baker-Ward
• John Charles Begeny
• Jeffery P. Braden
• Lori Lea Foster
• Douglas John Gillan
• Amy G. Halberstadt
• Mary E. Haskett
• Christopher Brooke Mayhorn
• Anne Collins McLaughlin
• Adam W. Meade
• Rupert W. Nacoste
• Shevaun D. Neupert
• Katharine E. Stewart
• Eric N. Wiebe

Associate Professors

• Jason Christopher Allaire
• Craig C. Brookins
• Jennifer L. Burnette
• Stephen Bartholomew Craig
• Daniel Gruehn
• Samuel B. Pond III
• Kelly Lynn Sara Mulvey
• Scott Andrew Stage
• Laura Marie Widman
• Mark A. Wilson

Assistant Professors

• Seong Hee Cho
• Whitney Griffin
• Lori Hoggard
• Aura Ankita Mishra
• Kate Norwalk
• Colleen Patton
• Patsy Anne Sibley
• Vanessa V. Volpe

Practice/Research/Teaching Professors

• Virginia Baker-Russell
• Anna Maria Behler
• Sarah Louise Desmarais
• Dana Kotter-Gruehn
• Lindsey C. McGowen
• Natalie Simona Murr
• Joseph M. Simons-Rudolph
• Amanda Young

Emeritus Faculty

• Donald William Drewes
• William P. Erchul
• Denis O. Gray
• Thomas M. Hess
• James W. Kalat
• David W. Martin
• Frank J. Smith
• Michael S. Wogalter
• Mary B. Wyer

Adjunct Faculty

• David B. Kaber
• Laura Ann Matalenas

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2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

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Academic Catalog

Doctor of Philosophy Psychology with a Concentration in Human Factors Psychology (PhD)

James F. Paulson, Graduate Program Director

Overview of the Topical Areas

The HF doctoral program follows the scientist-practitioner model with emphasis on psychological theory and behavioral science, statistics and research methodology, practical experience, and fundamental and innovative areas of human factors/engineering psychology. The following is a partial list of these areas:

• aviation psychology
• behavioral modeling
• complex system operation
• display design
• driving and navigational performance
• human-computer interaction
• perception and performance
• medical systems
• neuroergonomics
• team performance
• usability testing
• warnings and alarms
• virtual environments
• information processing and workload
• human-robot interaction

The PhD in Psychology with a concentration in Human Facotrs admits students at two levels: with a master’s degree or with a bachelor’s degree. Degrees held must be in psychology or a related field. Each applicant must submit:

• Official scores on the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE);
• A brief statement outlining personal goals and academic objectives;.
• Three letters of reference, at least two of which are from former college/university teachers or research supervisors;.
• Transcripts of all prior academic work;.
• A sample of recent academic writing (e.g., a paper required in an undergraduate course).Applicants are encouraged to submit a writing sample.

Curriculum Requirements

The program requires at least 84 semester hours of credit beyond the bachelor’s degree with at least 48 hours being post-master’s education. For the individual entering with a bachelor’s degree, the general plan of graduate education consists of four phases:

• A core of basic psychology, acquired while working toward the master’s degree;
• Broad education in the general area of human factors psychology;
• Research and applied experience in human factors psychology; and
• Completion of a dissertation representing a significant professional contribution to human factors psychology.

For the individual entering with a master’s degree, a minimum of 48 hours of doctoral-level credits is required, based on the faculty’s and the Ph.D. program director’s review of the student’s educational background. Students who enter with a master’s degree will typically pursue a plan of study identical in spirit to the latter three phases of the plan of study followed by a student entering with a bachelor’s degree (see phases listed above). The student will form a guidance committee within the first year of entry. These are graduate faculty members who assist in developing the plan of study tailored to the student’s needs and interests. This plan of study outlines the minimum 48 hours of post-master’s education.  For the student who holds the master’s degree upon entering the Ph.D. program, completion will require approximately three years.

For the student with a bachelor’s degree, completion of the program requires approximately five years of study. A student entering the program with a bachelor’s degree must complete the first phase of the program by meeting the requirements for the master’s degree in general psychology (i.e., 36 semester hours with appropriate course work). The student is required to complete successfully a core of master’s-level courses, with at least a B average in these courses.  If the GPA falls below 3.0 the student may be placed on probation or suspended from graduate study as specified in the University Catalog. Further, if the student receives a C grade or less he or she will also be placed on probation; a second C or worse may result in dismissal from the program.

Core Requirements

The Ph.D. in Psychology requires at least 84 semester hours of credit beyond the bachelor’s degree or at least 48 semester hours of post-master’s training. Students entering the program with a bachelor’s degree must complete the first phase of the program by meeting the requirements for the master’s degree in Psychology (i.e., 36 semester hours with appropriate course work). For the student with a bachelor’s degree, completion of the program requires approximately four years of study. For the student who holds the master’s degree upon entering the Ph.D. program, completion requires approximately three years. The student is required to complete a core of master’s-level courses with at least a B average. If the GPA falls below 3.0 the student may be placed on probation or suspended from graduate study as specified in the University Catalog. Further, if the student receives a grade of C or lower, they will also be placed on probation; a second C or worse may result in dismissal from the program.

The core courses consist of the following:

Human Factors Psychology Concentration

In addition to the core requirements for the PhD in Psychology, the PhD concentration in Human Factors Psychology requires the following courses:

Additional Requirements

Completion of the first phase requires two years of study. Following the student’s second year, the student forms a guidance committee of graduate faculty members who assist in developing a plan of study tailored to the student’s needs and interests. The plan of study outlines the student’s minimum 48 hours of post-master’s education.

Candidacy Examination

Prior to admission to doctoral candidacy (i.e., the beginning of formal work on the dissertation), each student is required to pass a qualifying examination to evaluate a student's achievement and understanding of concepts, theories, practices, and empirical facts about fundamental HF information, as well as information relevant to the student’s major area of concentration within HF. The examination consists of a  six-hour essay exam covering general HF knowledge (a reading list is provided) and a 10-page literature review covering knowledge in the student’s area of concentration (the literature review may be incorporated into the student’s dissertation proposal).  The literature review can be turned in any time during the semester, but MUST be submitted within a week of completion of the general knowledge essay exam. If the both written components are passed, the oral part of the examination must be completed within one month of notification. The oral exam covers the material contained on the candidate’s reading list, answers on the written exam, and the literature review. A student must pass both the written and oral parts to pass the candidacy examination.  The examination may not be reported as passed if there is more than one dissenting vote by exam committee members. A candidacy examination cannot be passed conditionally.  A pass on the examination cannot be made contingent upon other factors such as the completion of additional course work or the preparation of extra research projects.  If either part (written or oral) of the candidacy examination is failed, the faculty may permit the student to take it once more at a time mutually satisfactory but within 6 to 12 months from the date of the first examination.  If either part of the examination is failed, the student may be required by the faculty to retake only that part.  The student is allowed two attempts on the candidacy exam.  If the student fails the exam twice, they may be asked to leave the program.  When determining failure, the faculty considers a complete scheduled exam as one attempt.  Failure of one part of the exam on the first attempt (such as the written part), but then failure of a different part of the exam (even the oral part) at the second attempt is considered two failures.

Publication and Application

Prior to graduation, students are required to submit a research article as first author for publication in a refereed journal, and to create an application of research methodology and/or computing skills. An example of such an application might include a data analysis program, a simulation program or a patentable technology innovation.

Practical Experience

The student must obtain professional practice experiences during the course of graduate education. An internship is one excellent option for meeting this requirement. However, the student can also meet the requirement by participating in at least two applied research projects or consulting activities under the direct supervision of a Ph.D. psychologist (or psychologists). The student’s guidance committee establishes the criteria for meeting the professional-practice experience requirement and judges the adequacy of the experiences.

Graduate Student Teaching

Teaching an academic course is an experience that is worthwhile regardless of the eventual career role(s) that a student envisions, and the experience should be taken seriously for its professional value. Benefits associated with teaching a course include expanding and solidifying knowledge about general and HF psychology, polishing communication skills, and establishing professional identification. Although there are other ways to acquire these benefits (e.g., presentations at conferences, consulting experiences, organizing and conducting workshops), teaching a course systematically builds these experiences into a student’s plan of study. Moreover, any student who plans an academic career should teach one or more courses in preparation for that career. During the course of graduate training, financial support is often provided by the Psychology Department from graduate teaching assistant or adjunct teaching funds. This type of financial support almost always requires that the student be partially or fully responsible for teaching a course.

Dissertation

The doctoral dissertation must represent an achievement in research and a significant contribution to knowledge in the major area of study. It is equivalent to no more than 24 semester hours of course work.

Dissertation Defense

An oral examination in defense of the dissertation is required. The aim of the defense is to explore with the candidate the methodological and substantive contributions of the completed dissertation.

Research Opportunities

Lab facilities are available for research in cognition, human perception and performance, modeling and simulation, and psychophysiology. Facilities include personal computers, local area networked testing stations, sound-attenuated testing chambers, driving simulators, flight simulators, and a human-computer interaction laboratory. Access to university computing and multimedia development facilities is also available. To complement the program’s emphasis on modeling and simulation, students also have access to the Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center (VMASC). VMASC is an ODU-affiliated research and development center where scientists from a number of disciplines create and test computer models and simulation applications to benefit industrial, academic, and governmental interests.

Research is supported by private sector, local, state or federal governmental organizations (e.g., National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, NASA, etc.), or one of the military services. Doctoral students are encouraged to become engaged in one of these research programs early in the process of their education.

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Search NYU Steinhardt

Doctor of Philosophy Developmental Psychology

The mission of the PhD in Developmental Psychology is to provide you with a strong foundation in developmental theories along with the research skills required to advance the science on development in context.

Degree Details

Official degree title.

PhD in Developmental Psychology

Students holding a master's degree or graduate credits in developmental psychology or related field complete 39-48 credits; the total required credits are determined on admission based on alignment of previous coursework with program curriculum. Students admitted with a BA/BS must complete 51 credits.

Admissions Information

Degree components, degree goals and objectives, careers and outcomes, international students, information session :.

  RSVP Link

• Please note the GRE is optional for applications for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle.
• NYU Steinhardt offers a competitive funding package for PhD students who study full-time.   Learn more about Steinhardt's funding opportunities .
• If you have questions regarding admission requirements,  please review our " How to Apply " page.
• If you have any additional questions that are not addressed on the "How to Apply" page, please contact us at  [email protected] .

Our Developmental Psychology doctorate emphasizes intersections among biology, culture, and context in developmental processes across areas of social, cognitive, language, and emotional development. You will apply a variety of methods (e.g., experimental, quasi-experimental, survey, observational, semi-structured interviews) to the study of individual and environmental influences on the development of infants, preschoolers, children, and adolescents at multiple, nested levels. You will be required to take classes in developmental content areas and analytic methods and research, and advanced seminars on theories of change and theories of culture.

You’ll engage in community- and/or laboratory-based research for the entire length of your studies under the supervision of primary and secondary faculty mentors. We conduct our research in laboratories at New York University and in the homes, daycares, schools, hospitals, neighborhoods, and community settings of the multiethnic and richly diverse city of New York.

Additionally, international research is a cornerstone of the program, with faculty and students engaged in studying developmental processes and contextual influences across countries such as China, India, South Africa, Korea and Peru. We work closely with our affiliated global faculty at NYU Shanghai and NYU Abu Dhabi.  

What expertise do doctoral students acquire in the Developmental Psychology doctorate?

• A strong foundation of knowledge on domains of development (e.g., social, cognitive, emotional, language) and how research methods and theories can be applied to current issues in developmental science.
• The ability to think critically and creatively about the ways that research on development, context, and culture advances theories and knowledge of human development.
• The understanding and skills required for the application of theories and knowledge in developmental science to the design, implementation, and evaluation of interventions, programs, and institutions that serve children and families.
• Expertise in the use of multiple methods and research designs—including longitudinal, survey research, experimental, quasi-experimental, observational, ethnographic, narrative, and case study methods—and the application of a range of statistical tools in the analysis of findings.
• The ability to generate and disseminate scientific knowledge to scholarly and community audiences and to be a productive member of a community of scholars.

We demonstrate extraordinary success in placing our students in postdoctoral fellowships, academic positions, and research and policy organizations immediately upon graduation, with placements occurring in the final year of study. 

More specifically, over 90% of our graduates continue to engage in cutting-edge research in developmental science through traditional academic and research tracks. The remaining minority of students pursue work in related fields, including NGOs (such as Promundo) and nonprofit foundations and community agencies (including leading Head Start and Early Head Start programs).

If you’re an international student, you may be able to work in the United States after graduation for an extended period of time. Most students studying on F-1 visas will be eligible for 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) off-campus work authorization. F-1 students in our program may also be eligible for the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) OPT extension, allowing you to extend your time in the United States to pursue degree-related work experience for a total of 36 months or 3 years. For more information on who can apply for this extension visit  NYU’s Office of Global Services: STEM OPT .

Take the Next Step

Advance your personal and professional journey – apply to join our community of students.

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Human Factors PhD Program

Human Factors psychologists conduct research to broaden the base of knowledge about human capabilities and limitations. They apply that knowledge to the design, operation and maintenance of machines, systems and environments so that optimum performance can be achieved. Among the goals of the human factors psychologist are to make it easier for people to use machines such as computers, airplanes, and automobiles and to improve work and leisure environments.

The Human Factors Program at WSU: The program, which is accredited by the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society , is designed around the belief that the best way to train people to function in an applied environment is to provide training as an experimental psychologist with training in specific areas of human factors. Accordingly, our program provides a strong foundation in the basics of psychology, experimental design and analysis while at the same time promoting research and application in the technological environment of today. Students are expected to have interdisciplinary strengths in the sciences, mathematics, computer technology and other fields. Course work in the core areas of psychology will normally be completed in the first two years of study. The core requirements are Psy 902 and Psy 903 Advanced Research Methods I & II, Psy 904 Biological/Philosophical Foundations of Behavior and Psy 911 Teaching of Psychology: Principles, Practices & Ethics. Additional course requirements include, Psy 920 Psychological Principles of Human Factors, Psy 921 Seminar in Human Factors Psychology, Psy 922 Seminar in Software Psychology, and Psy 925 Seminar in Perception. All students must enroll in research hours each semester and complete an internship along with enough elective hours to total no fewer than 90 hours. All doctoral candidates must demonstrate professional competence in major areas of their specialty by earning satisfactory grades on a written comprehensive exam before beginning work on the doctoral dissertation.

Admissions Requirements: Students should have an undergraduate major in psychology with course work in Statistics, Research Methods, and Systems and Theories of Psychology. Other courses may be required as well. Admission to the program requires a minimum GPA of 3.0; submission of scores on the GRE (Verbal and Quantitative); three letters of reference; and a career/goals statement. Application materials must be submitted by January 15.

Internship: An internship is required of those in the human factors program for completion of the Ph.D. in Human Factors Psychology. The internship typically involves a minimum of 3 months of intensive training and supervised experience in a human factors related position. Past internships have involved paid employment with Google, Microsoft, Motorola, Honeywell, Dell, State Farm Insurance, 3M, and many others.

Financial Assistance : A limited number of research and teaching assistantships are available. A separate application form is required for these awards. 

Research Laboratories

Applied Cognitive & Expertise Lab (ACE)

The Applied Cognition & Expertise (ACE) lab investigates human performance and cognition in complex, dynamic, and often stressful operational settings. ACE seeks to Identify and define expertise in operational settings, understand the perceptual-cognitive basis for expertise and skilled performance, and design and validate solutions to mitigate error, accelerate learning, and improve resilience. Some topics of current interest to the lab are human factors of firearms and forensic science, police decision making and use of force under stress, CCTV security surveillance monitoring, mixed martial arts (MMA) judging, and emergency medical service (EMS) decision making.

Vision and Accessibility Lab (VISA)

Research in the VISA lab investigates both basic and applied aspects of visual processing. On the basic side, we are broadly interested in how people pay attention to visual stimuli/events, perceive space and form, and store visual information in memory. We are also interested in understanding how these visual processes are disrupted in a variety of visual disorders.    

On the applied side, we are interested in applying the fundamental principles of visual processing to the design of everyday environment and products. One emphasis of our applied research is on visually accessible design, aimed to address the accessibility issues experienced by people with visual impairment. We also conduct research to investigate the kind of visual factors involved in safe driving and their implications for the design of safety features in vehicles, particularly with an eye to the coming era of autonomous driving.  

Visual Perception and Cognition (VPC) Lab

Wichita Auditory Research Group (WARG) 

Our lab has on-going externally funded research involving human interaction with automation, particularly related to attention in partially automated vehicles.  Much of our work intersects with neuroergonomics – using physiological metrics of brain based activity to design and evaluate complex interfaces and systems. Much of our work has been funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  Additional externally funded projects have successfully been completed for NIH-NIA, NASA Ames, NASA Langley, Wright Patterson Airforce Base, AFOSR, as well as private companies such as Toyota, Northrup Grumman and Lockheed Martin.  We have completed and published work involving auditory and multimodal alarms, an driver and pilot attention, mind wandering, workload, and communication. 

Address Inquiries To:

Dr. Rhonda Lewis Graduate Coordinator Department of Psychology Wichita State University 1845 Fairmount Wichita, KS 67260-0034 [email protected]

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UMass Boston

• Counseling Psychology PhD

Preparing counseling psychologists for advanced careers as scholars and practitioners.

Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association since 2015, UMass Boston's PhD in Counseling Psychology prepares doctoral-level professional counseling psychologists for careers as scholars, university faculty, and practitioners.

Our scientist-practitioner training model prepares students to:

• deliver high quality, evidence-based psychological services and interventions
• employ applied research skills to improve practice and explore social and psychological issues
• serve as effective instructors and teachers
• use innovative approaches to solve problems related to educational and mental health care disparities, improve services for underrepresented populations, and employ systems-level change strategies to advance local and global social justice

Why Apply to UMass Boston's Counseling Psychology PhD Program?

The UMass Boston Counseling Psychology program prepares the next generation of counseling psychology scholars, teachers, and social justice advocates. We believe in the benefits of working with a variety of research methods and theoretical approaches, receiving guidance from multiple mentors, and understanding how to think about human rights and social justice as they apply to local and transnational contexts.

Start Your Application

Plan Your Education

How to apply.

Applicants must meet general graduate admission requirements in addition to the following program-specific requirements:

• Test Scores: Effective 2021, GRE scores are no longer required for admission to the PhD program
• Letters of Recommendation: 3
• Writing Sample: Yes
• Applied master's degree required. We are accepting applications from candidates who will have completed an applied master's program with supervised clinical experience (e.g., Mental Health Counseling, School Psychology, School Counseling, Social Work, and other programs) prior to the Fall admission.
• Minimum of five social science classes (preferably psychology, human development, and statistics)
• Completed project or academic paper
• Statement of purpose: The Statement of Purpose is your opportunity to tell the faculty why you are interested in counseling psychology, to share the reasons why you are applying to UMass Boston in particular, and to describe your training and career goals, as well as how our program may support your progress toward those goals. Many people link their interest to specific faculty expertise as that helps us match applicants to specific faculty for interviews on the interview day.
• Transcripts
• Résumé/Curriculum Vitae

Deadlines & Cost

Deadline: December 1 for fall

Application Fee: The nonrefundable application fee is $75. UMass Boston alumni and current students that plan to complete degree requirements prior to graduate enrollment can submit the application without paying the application fee.

Program Cost Information: Bursar’s Website

Graduate training at the UMass Boston Counseling Psychology Program will prepare students for taking the EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology); however, requirements for sitting for the EPPP vary by state licensing boards. The Counseling Psychology Program has reviewed the licensing requirements for all U.S. jurisdictions to determine eligibility (see below). Please note that not all graduates choose to take the EPPP.

U.S. Boards of Psychology in Which Graduates Would Be Eligible to Sit for the EPPP Upon Completion of the Doctoral Program

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia (DC), Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming

U.S. Boards of Psychology in Which Graduates Would NOT Be Eligible to Sit for the EPPP Upon Completion of the Doctoral Program Without Additional Coursework

• California: additional coursework in human sexuality; alcohol/chemical dependency detection and treatment; child abuse assessment; spousal/partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies; aging and long-term care; and suicide risk assessment and intervention is needed.
• Maine: additional coursework in family or intimate partner violence screening and referral and intervention strategies, including knowledge of community resources, cultural factors, evidence-based risk assessment, and same-gender abuse dynamics is needed.
• New York: Unable to determine if a graduate is eligible. The doctoral program must be registered by the New York Licensing Department as licensure qualifying or determined by the department to be the substantial equivalent in accordance with the Regulations of the Commissioner. Please contact the New York Office of the Professions for specific details on the licensure requirements. Note: We have many alumni who are licensed in NY but historically this state has had additional requirements.

The program is designed to take five years of full-time study, including a full-time internship. Students who enter with a master’s degree in counseling or another applied field will have a reduction in required course credits to the extent their master’s level courses match our required courses, however, it is required that students complete a minimum of three years on campus plus internship. The majority of students have completed the program with four years on campus plus one additional year of internship.

Foundational Courses (18 Credits)

• COUNSL 608 - Psychopathology and Diagnosis 3 Credit(s)
• COUNSL 620 - Life Span Human Development 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 641 - Cognitive and Affective Foundations 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 660 - Physiological Bases of Behavior 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 680 - History & Systems in Counseling and School Psychology 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 705 - Social and Cultural Psychology 3 Credit(s)

Prevention, Assessment, and Intervention Courses (6 Credits)

• COUNSL 614 - Counseling Theory and Practice I 3 Credit(s)

Complete one of the following:

• COUNSL 613 - Vocational Development and Career Information 3 Credit(s)
• COUNSL 615 - Counseling Theory and Practice II 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 706 - Personality Assessment 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 713 - Advanced Career and Group Theory and Practice 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 717 - Advanced Theory and Practice in counseling and School Psychology 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 752 - Health Psychology: Current Theory, Research, and Interventions 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 780 - Supervision and Training in Psychology 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 783 - Practicum in Counseling Psychology I 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 784 - Practicum in Counseling Psychology II: Evidence-Based Practice 3 Credit(s)
• PSYCLN 727 - Emotion-Focused Psychotherapy 3 Credit(s)
• SPY G 602 - Standardized Assessment and Report Writing 3 Credit(s)

Research Courses (18 Credits)

• CSP 703 - Research in Counseling and School Psychology 1-6 Credit(s)
• CSP 704 - Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods in Counseling and School Psychology 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 708 - Intermediate Statistics in CSP 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 770 - Advanced Statistics in Counseling and School Psychology 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 891 - Dissertation Seminar 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 899 - Dissertation Research 1-9 Credit(s)

Teaching Requirement Course (3 Credits)

• CSP 782 - Teaching in Counseling and School Psychology 3 Credit(s)

Social Justice & Systems Change Courses (12 Credits)

• CSP 701 - Social Justice in Counseling and School Psychology 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 702 - Foundations and Ethics in Counseling Psychology 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 787 - Advanced Practicum III in Counseling and School Psychology 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 801 - Transnational Social Justice in Counseling and School Psychology 3 Credit(s)

Graduation Criteria

Complete 73 credits from 19 courses including six foundational courses; two prevention, assessment, and intervention courses; six research courses; one teaching requirement course; and four social justice and systems change courses. Students who enter with a master’s degree in counseling or a related field will have a reduction in required course credits to the extent their master’s level courses match our required courses.

Capstone: Students starting with a Bachelor’s degree must complete a capstone project based on CSP 704 and 708 consisting of a literature review paper on a topic approved by the faculty advisor. Doctoral candidacy: Completion of a qualifying paper, a critical and synthetic review of a focused body of literature in the area in which the student plans to complete the dissertation. Dissertation: Compose and defend a research project (quantitative or qualitative) that makes a substantive contribution to the knowledge base in counseling psychology or school psychology. It is usually completed by the end of the fourth year, although students may choose to complete the dissertation during or following the internship year. Practicum: Participate in two semesters of practicum. Internship: Complete one full-year of Internship. During the fourth or fifth year after having met all course requirements. Teaching: Co-teach at least one semester. Research Team: Participate on at least one faculty-student research team for five semesters.

En Route Master’s Degree: Students may, with the approval of the program director, apply to receive an MA degree en route to the PhD. To qualify, students must complete 36 credits of course work and the capstone project.

Statute of limitations: Eight years.

Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data

Counseling Psychology PhD Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data

Contact & Faculty

Graduate Program Director / Director of Training Sharon Horne sharon.horne [at] umb.edu (617) 287-7495

Counseling & School Psychology Graduate Programs csp.admissions [at] umb.edu

Counseling Psychology PhD Faculty

• Gonzalo Bacigalupe
• Laura A. Hayden
• Sharon Horne
• Sharon Lamb
• Meredith Maroney
• Takuya Minami
• Kerrie Wilkins-Yel

Learn more about faculty, students, alumni, and the program with the Counseling & School Psychology newsletters .

About Our PhD Programs

Hear why our students chose UMass Boston's Counseling & School Psychology PhD programs.

Counseling & School Psychology

Learn more about UMass Boston's Counseling & School Psychology department, our research, and our faculty.

College of Education & Human Development

Learn more about the faculty, research, and programs that make up our College of Education & Human Development.

Accreditation

The Counseling Psychology Program has been continuously accredited since 2015 by the American Psychological Association Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation. Questions related to the program’s APA accreditation status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association 750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002 Phone: (202) 336-5979 / E-mail: [email protected] / Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

Information for

• Current Students
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• God-Sized Dreams

What Can You Do With a Psychology Degree? The Ultimate Career Guide for Psychology Majors

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and human development. Psychology majors study human behavior, looking at things such as how people make decisions, process emotions, and what motivates them.

What Can You Do With a Psychology Degree?

Getting a bachelor’s degree in psychology does not automatically qualify you for a career in clinical psychology. Students with a psychology degree may decide to seek graduate studies and become a certified psychologist. However, there are also many non-clinical career options for psychology majors.

A psychology degree is broadly applicable in many industries, so there are truly endless career opportunities for psychology degree holders.

Here we will cover some of the most popular clinical psychology, non-clinical psychology, and non-psychology careers for psychology degree graduates.

Earn Your Psychology Degree Online

PBA’s community psychology degree can be completed in a flexible online format and provides the rigorous training needed to create effective programs and interventions. Graduates of community psychology programs often go on to develop violence prevention programs, multicultural programs, and programs for the elderly. A community psychology degree is also a great choice for students interested in doing research in areas like social psychology and public health.

Careers in Psychology with a Bachelor’s Degree

There are some roles within the field of psychology that bachelor’s degree holders will be qualified for. 

Behavioral Support Technician

A behavioral support technician works under the supervision of a behavioral analyst. They offer mental health support services to clients and patients, including tasks such as administering medication, home visits, and conducting assessments

• Average Salary: $37,330 per year
• Career Projection: 9% growth over the next decade

Non Clinical Social Worker

Working as a non-clinical social worker requires only a bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field, such as psychology. 

• Average Salary: $55,350 per year
• Career Projection: 7% growth over the next decade

Community Psychologist

Community psychology involves the consideration of problems at a societal level and the physical well-being of people in the community.

• Average Salary: $46,190 per year
• Career Projection: 14% growth over the next decade

Careers in Psychology with a Graduate Degree

The following careers in psychology typically require at least a master’s degree in psychology as well as any relevant clinical qualifications. 

Clinical/Counseling Psychologist

A clinical psychologist works with patients who are dealing with a variety of difficulties in their life, including mental, physical, or relational difficulties. 

• Average Salary: $85,330 per year
• Career Projection: 6% growth over the next decade

Educational Psychologist

Educational psychologists work with children’s development and learning processes. They often help support students with learning disabilities or behavioral difficulties.

• Average Salary: $84,940

Research Psychologist

Research Psychologists spend their time conducting research and publishing their findings in academic journals. These psychologists often work for universities or external funding agencies. 

• Average Salary: $68,230 per year
• Career Projection: 13% growth over the next decade

Environmental Psychologist

An environmental psychologist studies how people interact with their environments and how their environment impacts them. This can include someone’s natural environment or “built” environment such as their work or home space. 

Neuropsychologist

A neuropsychologist studies how brain injuries and brain conditions affect the way that people work, move, and feel. They assess issues with the brain and support patients by providing treatment plans.

• Average Salary: $102,000 per year

Sport Psychologist

Sports psychologists work with players, coaches, and teams to assess their performance and communication strategies. 

• Average Salary: $106,413 per year

Organizational Psychologist

Organizational psychologists work with the behavior of employees and the culture within a workplace. They work to improve the work environment and create strategies for effective communication.

• Average Salary: $147,420
• Career Projection: 5% growth over the next decade

Careers for Psychology Majors in Non-Psychology Industries

A psychology degree is useful in many fields outside of psychology. Here are some of the most popular non-psychology careers for psychology majors.

Teachers help children learn through a range of pedagogical techniques. Psychology majors make great teachers and can pivot to a teaching career quite easily.

• Average Salary: $61,620 per year
• Career Projection: 1% growth over the next decade

Human Resources

Human resource specialists work in administration, recruitment, and training of employees. Psychology majors have skills that are very applicable to human resource careers.

• Average Salary: $130,000 per year

Marketing and Advertising

Marketing and advertising involve understanding people’s behavior and motivations. Psychology majors can make the switch to marketing and use their skills to succeed in the marketing industry.

• Average Salary: $138,730 per year

Fundraising

Fundraising involves working for an organization and being responsible for raising money through events, applying for grants, and encouraging others to make donations.

• Average Salary: $61,190 per year

Admissions Counseling

Admissions counselors help recruit students to a college or university and support them as they apply and enroll. Psychology majors are great at encouraging students as they find their perfect degree program.

• Average Salary: $99,940 per year
• Career Projection: 4% growth over the next decade

Public Relations

Public relations professionals are responsible for managing the relationship between an organization and the public and media.

• Average Salary: $67,440 per year

UX (user experience) designers create services, products, or websites that improve the experience of the user. Understanding people and what they want is a big part of UX design.

• Average Salary: $80,730 per year
• Career Projection: 16% growth over the next decade

Law Enforcement

There are many careers within law enforcement that are perfect for psychology majors.

• Average Salary: $69,160 per year
• Career Projection: 3% growth over the next decade

Criminal Justice

Criminal behavior is an important area of human psychology. All careers in criminal justice can benefit from a thorough understanding of human motivation and decision-making processes.

• Average Salary: $59,860 per year
• Career Projection: 3% growth over the next decade\

Sport Coaching

Modern sports coaches are increasingly asked to be aware of the mental health and well-being of their players. A background in psychology can help sports coaches develop cohesive groups and confident athletes.

• Average Salary: $44,890 per year

A degree in psychology can help you understand aspects of technology such as user experience. Psychology students will also have some experience with data analysis.

• Average Salary: $102,240 per year
• Career Projection: 10% growth over the next decade

What Do You Learn in a Psychology Major?

Psychology is a broad field that contains many sub-fields and areas of emphasis. A psychology degree will overview areas such as learning, human development, abnormal behavior, marriage and family, perception, clinical practice, community psychology, addiction, research methods, and trauma. While clinical psychotherapy is an important part of psychology, there are many other topics in psychology that can broaden your perspective on the world. One of the benefits of a psychology major is the broadly applicable nature of many of the classes.

What is Community Psychology?

Community psychology is the part of psychology that seeks to understand human experience at the level of the community. Community psychology provides a perspective on the way individuals make up communities and how communities shape individuals. Because there are many factors that influence community development, community psychology takes a holistic multidisciplinary approach. If you are passionate about changing the world, PBA’s degree in community psychology can prepare you to make a positive impact. 

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The Department OF Educational Psychology

The Department of Educational Psychology (EPSY) is home to a variety of interrelated disciplines and degree options focused on human development and well-being in educational and community contexts. Our undergraduate programs prepare students to work with children and youth in a variety of community and school contexts. We also offer a range of professional master’s degrees geared towards professionals in schools, communities, and the corporate world. For those interested in doctoral studies we offer Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Educational Psychology, Counseling Psychology, and School Psychology.

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EPSY offers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Education and University Studies, with one of three focuses.

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Is a Psychology Degree Worth It?

Know before you read At SNHU, we want to make sure you have the information you need to make decisions about your education and your future—no matter where you choose to go to school. That's why our informational articles may reference careers for which we do not offer academic programs, along with salary data for those careers. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.

If you're interested in the human mind, you might want to pursue a psychology degree. But you may also be wondering how you might use a psychology degree and if it’ll be worth it in the end.

Can a Psychology Degree Be Useful?

There are a few different types of psychology degrees  you may consider pursuing, depending on your interests and career goals.

A few of those include:

• Associate of Arts (AA) in Psychology (Not currently offered at SNHU)
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology
• Master of Science (MS) in Psychology
• Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD-PSY) (Not currently offered at SNHU)
• Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) (Not currently offered at SNHU)

Dr. Leslie Buddington , an online adjunct psychology instructor at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), suggested a master’s degree in industrial-organizational psychology  degree if you’d like to apply psychology concepts to the workplace.

Although there are several different areas you can focus on, most psychology programs have some common skills you can learn.

According to Buddington, while pursuing a psychology degree, you may learn about:

• Applying research
• Conducting experiments
• Data analysis and research methods
• Individual differences
• Making measurable changes in an environment  
• Social justice and inequities  

“Those are incredible skills that are useful in any future career,” said Buddington.

Many employers look for individuals with those kinds of skills, across a variety of fields. According to Buddington, psychology is a well-rounded field that demonstrates that you understand people, how situations contribute to behavior, how to predict and change behaviors and how to apply that information in order to make changes to a system. “That is going to help you stand out as a job candidate in multiple careers," she said.

Exploring experiential learning opportunities  can help you to stand out even further, providing real-world experience while you're a student. Buddington noted that you can also work with your school's career center to find an internship.  “An internship or experiential learning opportunity is definitely worthwhile to pursue," she said.

Find Your Program

How hard is a psychology degree.

"Because in psychology there are multiple perspectives (cognitive, developmental, behavioral, evolutionary and so forth), there is often no one ‘correct’ answer,” said Buddington. “Sometimes the fact that an answer is not just black or white doesn’t fit with how some people think.”

Buddington also said that students can sometimes be surprised by the amount of statistics and research work a psychology program involves.

The course load and program requirements may vary from school to school. Taking the time to research and ask questions about the programs you’re interested in can give you a better idea of what to expect while pursuing a psychology degree.

“I don’t necessarily think a psychology degree is hard, but it can sometimes be different from what you are expecting,” said Buddington.

Is a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology Worth It?

Buddington said that a BA in Psychology can allow you to work in many careers. Some options you may consider include:

• Data analysis
• Human resources
• Law enforcement
• Sports coaching

“I think because the principles you are learning apply to people, situations, behavior, society, as well as data analysis, they are universal skills that are needed across multiple career fields,” said Buddington.

And the reasons for entering this field of study are just as varied.

With her degree, Molinari hopes to work at a healthcare organization. She wants to help anyone who needs discretion, empathy and care, such as those transitioning or those who don’t have healthcare.

“I would just like to lend a helping hand to anybody who needs it,” she said.

A psychology degree can also help you to change careers.

“I always had an interest in the human mind,” said Parker. Psychology was the obvious choice when choosing his major.

After working 14-hour shifts, traveling all over the country, he would start doing his schoolwork. Since earning his degree, he now works as an HR business partner.

“It’s amazing, the job opportunities you can get with a psychology degree,” said Parker.

Is a Master of Science in Psychology Worth It?

“With an MS in Psychology, you are able to concentrate more fully on a field,” said Buddington.  

You might become a therapist or forensic psychologist, according to Buddington. She said that a master’s degree may also allow you to teach at some community colleges.

Parker said that his degree has already opened doors for him, including the opportunity to pursue further education. He’s currently enrolled in the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at SNHU. (SNHU is not currently enrolling new students in the graduate counseling program.)

“My ultimate goal is to go back into drug and alcohol counseling, try to help people who suffer with addiction,” he said.

Are Psychologists in Demand?

“Post-pandemic there is more need than ever for psychologists,” said Buddington.

Becoming a psychologist typically requires a master's degree or higher, and licensing requirements vary by state. BLS predicts that job growth for psychologists will grow by 6% through 2032.*

“Teletherapy allows more individuals to have access to therapy that they otherwise may not have had,” said Buddington.

For example, people living in rural areas might not have therapists available nearby. Teletherapy allows those individuals to have access to therapy, said Buddington. “The fact that you can become teletherapy certified is an equity and inclusion triumph,” she said.

Like most fields, psychology is open to more diverse and inclusive perspectives. A psychology degree can provide you with the ability to better understand those from different backgrounds from you.

According to a study on diverse populations by the American Psychiatric Association, people from racial or ethnic minority groups are less likely to receive mental health care ( American Psychiatric Association PDF Source ). Some factors contributing to this include:

• Lack of diversity among mental health providers
• Language barriers
• Mental health stigma

Psychologists with unique cultural perspectives can help more people to feel understood.

A degree can change your life. Find the SNHU psychology program  that can best help you meet your career goals.

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

Ashleigh Worley '22 is a writer at Southern New Hampshire University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in English. She is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at SNHU. Connect with her on LinkedIn .

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