Psychology, PHD
Degree Awarded: PHD Psychology
The Doctor of Philosophy program in psychology offers comprehensive training in innovative research methods and the application of psychological principles across various human conditions. This program stands out with six highly ranked areas of study:
- behavioral neuroscience and comparative psychology
- clinical psychology
- cognitive psychology
- developmental psychology
- quantitative research methods (formal degree concentration)
- social psychology
Each specialization shapes the core curriculum for its students, encouraging interdisciplinary learning opportunities across the university.
Faculty members engage students in groundbreaking research, fostering theoretical exploration in areas such as evolution and behavior; cognitive processes such as attention and memory; personality studies; and societal issues such as stigma and prejudices. Students investigate diverse topics, including individual resilience, cultural influences, neurobiological and psychosocial factors impacting behavior and health, child mental health prevention and life span developmental aspects of emotion and cognition.
A distinct strength of this doctoral psychology program is the wealth of outstanding faculty members who excel in quantitative methods. No matter their specialized area of focus, students gain access to a wide variety of courses and hands-on experiences, seamlessly integrating quantitative methodologies into their work.
Psychology PhD specializations
Degree Requirements
Curriculum Plan Options
- 84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation
Required Core (3 or 4 credit hours)
PSY 502 Professional Issues in Psychology (3) or
PSY 531 Multiple Regression in Psychological Research (4)
Electives and Research (68 or 69 credit hours)
Culminating Experience (12 credit hours)
PSY 799 Dissertation (12)
Additional Curriculum Information
In addition to required coursework pertaining to the training area, students take courses related to their area of interest, as determined in consultation with their supervisory committees. Requirements vary across training areas.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in psychology or a related field from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. Due to the competitiveness of the program, applicants to the clinical area must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.30 rather than 3.00 in either their first bachelor's or applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- SlideRoom application and fee
- statement of purpose form
- curriculum vitae or resume
- GRE scores
- three letters of recommendation
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
ASU does not accept the GRE® General Test at home edition.
To apply to the doctoral programs, applicants must follow the instructions on the doctoral program admission instructions and checklist. It is strongly recommended that applicants download and print this form to ensure completion of the application process and to include all of the required supplemental forms.
The Department of Psychology application process is completed online through ASU's graduate admission services, which includes the application form and official transcripts. Application to the Department of Psychology doctoral programs is also completed via SlideRoom, for processing of supplemental application materials. The SlideRoom account requires an additional fee.
Applicants must submit three academic letters of recommendation from faculty members who know the student well. Three letters are required, but four letters of recommendation may be submitted.
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Application Deadlines
Fall
Learning Outcomes
- Critically evaluate existing psychological literature to identify novel research questions within their area of specialization.
- Design an independent study to test theoretical models of human behavior, utilizing appropriate statistical methods.
- Effectively communicate research findings through written publications and oral presentations.
- Integrate their research findings within the larger context in their field to identify limitations and provide areas for future direction.
Career Opportunities
The PhD in psychology opens up diverse career opportunities across academia, education, health care, industry, government and community organizations. This program equips graduates with a versatile skill set in research design, data analysis, measurement, mental health assessment, treatment and program evaluation.
Graduates are prepared for impactful roles such as consultants, data scientists-biostatisticians, program evaluation specialists, licensed clinical psychologists, psychology professors, research associates, research professors, senior analysts, staff psychologists and teaching faculty.
Program Contact Information
If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.
- [email protected]
- 480/727-4561