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Psychology, PHD

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  1. Degree Programs
  2. Graduate Degrees
  3. Psychology

At a Glance: program details

  • Location:
    Tempe campus
  • Second Language Requirement: No

Student Handbook

Experience collaborative and interdisciplinary training through six highly ranked doctoral areas of study. You'll work closely with renowned faculty to advance our understanding of the mind, brain, thinking, feeling and behavior while conducting vital research, from cellular processes to societal impact.

Program Description

Degree Awarded: PHD Psychology

The PhD 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 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 unique strength of this doctoral psychology program is the wealth of outstanding faculty 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 are eligible to apply to the program if they 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.

All applicants must submit:

  1. graduate admission application and application fee
  2. official transcripts
  3. SlideRoom application and fee
  4. statement of purpose form
  5. curriculum vitae or resume
  6. GRE scores
  7. three letters of recommendation
  8. 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 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 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

Fall

Session
Modality
Deadline
Type
Session A/C
In Person
December 1st
Final


Career Opportunities

The doctorate in psychology opens up diverse career opportunities across academia, education, health care, industry, government and community organizations. This program equips students 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.

  • psychgrad@asu.edu
  • 480/727-4561


Concurrent degree programs are specially designed academic programs which provide high-achieving undergraduate students the opportunity to complete two distinct but complementary bachelor degrees at the same time. Students must meet minimum admissions standards for both programs and be accepted individually by both colleges offering the concurrent program.
Students pursuing concurrent degrees earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. ASU offers students two ways to earn concurrent degrees: by choosing a predetermined combination or creating their own combination. Predetermined combinations have a single admissions application and one easy to follow major map. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor. Either way, concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests.
Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
ASU students may accelerate their studies by earning a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years (for some programs) or by earning a bachelor's degree in 2.5 or 3 years.

Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs, featuring the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty, allow students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years.

Accelerated bachelor's degree programs allow students to choose either a 2.5- or a 3-year path while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students can opt to fast-track their studies after acceptance into a participating program by connecting with their academic advisor.
This is only the first required math course. This program may contain additional math courses; See Major Map for details.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the General level: MAT 142
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Moderate level: MAT 117, MAT 119, MAT 170, MAT 210, SOS 101, CPI 200
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Substantial level: MAT 251, MAT 265. MAT 266, MAT 267, MAT 270, MAT 271, MAT 272, MAT 274, MAT 275
A rolling deadline means that applications will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis until the semester begins. International students should be mindful of visa deadlines to ensure there is time to produce necessary visa documents. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit application materials as soon as possible for consideration.
A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Graduate Admissions by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Graduate Admissions.
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