phd psychology online texas

Ph.D Program

Students’ graduate work will largely consist of courses, seminars, reading, and research in their graduate area, and all graduate students should discuss their proposed coursework with their area head prior to registration. There are, however, some departmental requirements that everyone must satisfy. These requirements are primarily designed to insure that students acquire a reasonable breadth of experience within psychology.

Core Courses :  All students are expected to take at least three departmental core courses from at least two of the three content groups listed below.

Core Course Content Groups

PSY 383C Functional Neuroanatomy

PSY 383T Principles of Sensory & Behavioral Neuroscience*

PSY 391N Learning and Memory

PSY 394  Behavioral Neuroendocrinology               

PSY 396D Clinical Psychopharmacology

(B)      

PSY 380E Vision Systems

PSY 387C Human Language Processing

PSY 387N Perceptual Systems

PSY 387S Principles of Cognitive Neuroscience*

PSY 394U.3 Introduction to Cognitive Science

PSY 381E Introduction to Psychophysiology

PSY 386D Multivariate Pattern Analysis of Neuroimaging Data

PSY 385N Fundamentals of Personality Psy      

PSY 385P Fundamentals of Social Psychology*

PSY 388D Individual Differences 

PSY 395S  Fundamentals of Developmental Psy (B or C)*

PSY 380F  Evolutionary Psychology

PSY 394V Social Neuroscience

PSY 394V Theory and Explanation in Social Psychology

PSY 396  Advanced Behavior Pathology*

* APA approved for Clinical students.

First year students must take at least one core course, and must take all core and quantitative courses, on a letter grade basis. Students should complete the core course requirement by the end of the third year. Core courses may be taken on a credit/no credit basis during the second and third years. 

Quantitative Courses:  All students are expected to take two quantitative (statistics) courses.  At least one quantitative course must be taken during the first year. Most first-year students will take PSY 384M-Advanced Statistics: Inferential. The graduate areas may specify which courses should be taken and impose additional quantitative requirements.

First Year:  First year students must take at least nine hours of course work per semester.  During the first year, at least one course must be a departmental core course, at least one must be a statistics course, and at least two must be other substantive courses (which can include other core or statistics courses) that have formal evaluation requirements such as a final exam. In addition, all students are expected to become involved in research activities during the first year. Areas may require their students to register for the research course (390), area seminar courses, and to take additional courses or seminars as deemed necessary for the education of the student.

Teaching Assistants and Research Assistants:  All students employed by the  University as a TA or RA must take at least nine hours of coursework each semester that will count towards the graduate degree. (3 hours in summer session).

An ethics course must be completed prior to being accepted into candidacy. It is expected that the ethics course will be taken in the first or second year. The ethics course may be taken in Psychology or in another department with Graduate Office approval and may vary in number of hours. 

Courses:  Areas may require their students to take certain courses. Some of these required area courses may overlap with the departmental core courses.

Many areas have research or paper requirements.

See  Areas of Study  for more information.  

First Year Evaluation: First year students are formally evaluated by their areas and then by the entire faculty at the end of the first year. The evaluation considers grades and relative performance in core courses and statistics courses, performance in non-core courses, research aptitude and motivation, and professional competence. Outcomes include "pass" with continuation in the PhD program, "probation" with reevaluation, or "fail" with possible option of completing an MA degree.

Competency Evaluation: Each area is required to evaluate its students at the end of their second year or third year to determine their competence in their area of specialization.  The specific form of this evaluation is determined by the areas and varies widely.

The ten courses (30 hours) required for the MA degree must include: a core course from two of the core course content areas; a statistics course; and the thesis courses (698A and 698B). The thesis courses may not be taken simultaneously. Core courses in the core content areas that do not include the student’s own graduate study area may be counted as supporting work courses. An empirical thesis is required. 

The Graduate Adviser’s office has a policy statement, Admission to Candidacy, which you should consult; it describes the departmental and Graduate School requirements and procedures for admission to candidacy. The required course work for admission to candidacy includes three core courses from at least two of the core content areas, two quantitative courses, and appropriate training in the student’s area of specialization.  Discuss area requirements with your area head.

You may not receive TA and/or GRA support for more than 14 long semesters.  Students must complete their doctoral degree in seven years.  If they do not, subsequent courses will be billed at the non-resident tuition rate, regardless of the student’s residency status. No Departmental funding is provided after the sixth year. 

The primary goal of graduate training in the Department of Psychology is to prepare students for academic or other scientific careers in research and teaching. Students develop expertise in one of several areas of specialization: Behavioral Neuroscience; Clinical Psychology; Cognition, Brain, and Behavior; Developmental Psychology; Individual Differences and Evolutionary Psychology; Perception, Brain, and Behavior; and Social Psychology. The program culminates in the PhD degree.

The length of time required to obtain a PhD varies from area to area, but students are expected to proceed as rapidly as is commensurate with an adequate breadth and depth of training. For a student in clinical psychology, a reasonable goal is six years of graduate work, including the internship; for a non-clinical student, four to five years is feasible.

Only students who wish to earn a doctorate are admitted. Most students enter the program with only a bachelor's degree. Some of these students earn a master's degree while progressing to the doctorate; others do not. Some students enter the program with a master's degree from another institution. These students must follow the same general sequence (outlined below) as students entering with a bachelor's degree. The time required to complete the program is, perhaps, one semester less for students who enter with a master's degree from another institution.

Although graduate training at The University of Texas at Austin is highly flexible, there is a general structure for a student's progress to the PhD. All graduate students must satisfactorily complete two advanced statistics courses and a total of three core courses from at least two of the three content groups listed here: (A) physiology and learning (B) perception, cognition, and cognitive development; and (C) abnormal, social, personality, developmental, and individual differences. To be admitted to doctoral candidacy a student must have completed the core courses and statistics requirements and successfully present a formal proposal to their dissertation committee.

During the first year, students take two core courses, a statistics course, and other courses prescribed by the faculty in their areas of specialization. At the end of the year, the faculty formally evaluates the progress of all first-year students. During the second and third years, students complete the departmental requirements, deepen their knowledge and research experiences in their selected area, and satisfy area requirements. These requirements can take any of a number of forms, at the discretion of the area faculty, ranging from a research project to an examination. Programs beyond the third year are largely tailored to the individual's needs and interests and culminate in the planning and execution of a dissertation which gives evidence of the student's ability to carry out independent investigation in his or her major field of interest.

While giving general direction to the student's graduate career, this structure allows latitude for interdisciplinary collaboration. Graduate students in Psychology frequently take courses and work with faculty in other departments such as Educational Psychology, Computer Sciences, Zoology, Mathematics, Linguistics, Sociology, Human Ecology, Pharmacy, and Public Affairs.

Although graduate work is formally supervised by the Committee on Graduate Studies, in many respects the Department of Psychology functions as a cluster of semi-independent interest groups, each with its own specifications for graduate training within the general outline given above. Consequently, an introduction to the department as a whole is best accomplished by briefly surveying the areas that comprise it.

This program description is intended to give general information and the statements in it do not constitute a contract, expressed or implied. All monetary and general figures are subject to change.

Portfolio in Applied Statistical Modeling

Located in the department of statistics and data sciences (sds), the primary goals of this portfolio program are to:.

• Offer a cohesive course of study for graduate students seeking to enhance the statistical modeling component of their research and to prepare for successful careers upon graduation;
• Provide a forum for graduate students from across UT to work together and exchange ideas regarding the application of statistical modeling methods to a broad range of areas; and
• Leverage the existing expertise of faculty members in departments across UT whose research focuses on statistics at foundational and applied levels.

Students must complete 12 semester hours of courses as follows in the  Course Requirements . Students are expected to obtain the consent of a Portfolio Adviser (selected from the list of faculty members affiliated with SDS) soon after entering the program to advise their course selections and guide their independent study.

For more information, please see the Department of Statistics and Data Sciences'  Portfolio in Applied Statistical Modeling  webpage.

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Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology

The clinical psychology doctoral program blends the clinical-scientist model and the scientist-practitioner model. It integrates the full range of research, teaching and applied skills in training doctoral students.

We view research and applied skills as interwoven rather than as two discrete sets of skills. As a result, you will acquire the foundation for pursuing a(n):

• Clinical scientist career in an academic or research setting
• Scientist-practitioner career in a medical or other training institution
• Administrative role in a service delivery agency

Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology Program Requirements

Steps to Fulfill a Doctoral Program

Research Focus

In this program, students are involved in faculty-led research teams beginning in their first year. This affords them the opportunity to collaborate with team members in:

• Developing research questions
• Designing empirical studies
• Collecting and analyzing data
• Writing manuscripts
• Presenting scientific papers at national and regional conferences

The clinical program emphasizes student involvement in collaborative research beyond their thesis research. This provides a broad foundation in research methodology prior to formulating their dissertation research. We expect our students to have several scholarly publications and presentations at scientific meetings prior to graduation.

To support their development as clinical scientists, students complete courses in:

• Research methodology
• Scientific domains of psychological inquiry
• Core clinical courses in psychopathology, assessment and psychosocial interventions

You'll also take a diversity-focused course.

Topics of multiculturalism and diversity, as well as other profession-wide competencies, are infused throughout the program from coursework to colloquia and research team experiences.

Clinical Experience

Students begin to acquire clinical skills in assessment and intervention in their second year. All students serve as therapists, serving children, adolescents, and adults from the community (as individuals, couples, or families) under close faculty supervision. Advanced students may:

• Specialize in certain types of cases (e.g., eating disorders, chronic pain, substance abuse, attention-deficit disorders, or relationship problems)
• Provide peer supervision
• Gain exposure to a range of therapeutic approaches (e.g., CBT, DBT, ACT, among others),
• Involve themselves in one of the ongoing specialty training/research programs at the clinic, gaining intensive experience with a particular problem while participating in the design, conduct, and evaluation of a research project

The final year of the program is a clinical internship in which students typically match to a program at a different institution or clinic. This program provides immersive clinical experience and the opportunity to learn new approaches to clinical work and research.

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• PsyD vs PhD

Texas Psychology Doctorate Programs

Students interested in a career in psychology may want to consider earning their Psy.D. In Texas, there are several good options for earning this clinical-focused degree. You also can choose to earn your Ph.D. and there also are several highly regarded programs you can choose from in Texas. Also, learn below how to earn your psychology license in this state. Keep reading to learn more.

What’s On This Page

Quick facts.

• Texas PsyD Programs
• Texas Psychologist Requirements
• Texas Doctorate Salary Outlook
• The University of Houston has a 92% licensure rate among psychology graduates.
• The annual tuition of an in-state student at Texas Tech is just $23,633.
• Attending Texas A&M will cost an annual tuition of roughly $27,000.
• Texas Tech sports a graduation rate of nearly 60% among first-time, full-time students.
• The University of Houston is the third largest university in the state of Texas.

List of PsyD Programs In Texas

Below are programs in Texas where you can earn your Psy.D. This degree is a good option for students who want to work as clinicians in their psychology careers.

SEE ALSO:   5+ Best Online PsyD Programs

Our Lady of the Lake University

Our Lady of the Lake University offers a Psy.D. with a concentration in counseling psychology that trains doctoral students for the practice of assessment and intervention with individuals, families, groups, and couples. This Psy.D. program stresses competencies and skills that are needed in the professional practice of psychology. There is more concentration in this program in psychology application in the field and less on academic research activities. This is a four-year program and is accredited by the American Psychological Association. A total of 117 hours are required for graduation if you already hold a master’s degree. One year of full-time residency is also required.

• Institution type: Private
• Main campus: San Antonio, Texas
• Annual tuition: $20,000 in-state and out-of-state
• Degrees offered: Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology
• Accreditation: APA
• Visit School: Click here

Baylor University

Baylor University offers a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology whose goal is to develop competent and professional psychologists with the clinical and conceptual competencies needed to contribute to the science of psychology. The program also aims to teach doctoral students to deliver comprehensive psychological services in a way that is responsive and effective to individual and societal needs. A major focus of this four-year program is didactic coursework and a supervised clinical internship where the student’s clinical competencies can be honed. The program is accredited by the APA.

• Main campus: Waco, Texas
• Annual tuition: $39,270  in-state and out-of-state
• Degrees offered: Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology

University of Houston Clear Lake

The University of Houston Clear Lake offers an APA-accredited Psy.D. in Health Service Psychology with a focus on clinical practice. The major aim of the four-year program is to prepare doctoral students for health professional careers in clinical and school environments. It is modeled to focus on the offering of health services with a strong focus on cognitive-behavioral psychology. Graduates will be highly competent in evidence-based practice, including, assessment, intervention, and consultation.

• Institution type: Public
• Main campus: Houston
• Annual tuition: $10,035 in-state, $20,375 out-of-state
• Degrees offered: Psy.D. in Health Service Psychology

Other Psychology Doctorates in Texas

If you would rather earn your Ph.D. in psychology with a focus on academic research, you have some good options in Texas, which are described below.

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

The Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at UT Southwestern Medical Center is accredited by the APA that prepares graduate students to serve as effective psychological clinicians and researchers. The training philosophy in this five-year program reflects a clinical-researcher training model and features a combined experience of clinical and research settings. The program offers advanced research training for students who want to pursue clinically focused careers. In addition, students interested more in academic or research careers have an excellent clinical foundation to build on. During the practica experience, students will have 1,400 hours of supervision and training.

• Main campus: Dallas
• Annual tuition: $9,941 in-state, $23,636 out-of-state
• Degrees offered: Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas at Austin offers a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology that is based on a proven clinical science training model. The major objective of the program is to prepare doctoral students for teaching and research careers. The second objective is to train students to practice psychology in a clinical setting. The scientific perspective is stressed in the clinical and research training in the five-year, APA-accredited program. Faculty are scholars in many vital aspects of psychology, such as addictive behaviors, human sexuality, PTSD, stress and coping, autism, aging and cognition, and depression.

• Annual tuition: $8,700 in-state, $17,200 out-of-state

Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University offers a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology that blends the clinical-scientist and scientist-practitioner models. It integrates the complete range of teaching, research, and applied skills in training Ph.D. students. Graduates of this APA-accredited program have a strong foundation to pursue a career as a clinical scientist in an academic or research environment. They also can work successfully in clinical settings with patients, or in a high-level administrative role in a healthcare facility. Students typically compete successfully for pre-doctoral internships at major medical centers across the country.

• Main campus: College Station, Texas
• Annual tuition: $10,173 in-state, $22,196 out-of-state

Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University offers a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology that is APA-accredited, with the aim of providing doctoral students with broad and general training in major aspects of psychology. Students will develop the empirical and theoretical knowledge and skills to conduct sound and ethical research. Further, graduate students will develop the knowledge and skills to effectively engage with patients in the practice of clinical psychology. Students will have intensive practicum training at the on-campus Psychology Clinic, but they also can get this essential training at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, University Medical Center, and other local healthcare facilities.

• Main campus: Lubbock, Texas
• Annual tuition: $8,181 in-state, $15,651 out-of-state

The University of Texas at Tyler

The University of Texas at Tyler offers a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology that offers doctoral students high-quality academic, research, and clinical training with traditionally underserved populations. The focus of the APA-accredited program is to train students to work in rural areas, with veterans, and geropsychology. Intense training in cultural diversity issues is built into the five-year program. Required clinical training is offered in the on-campus clinic as well as in several agencies in East Texas. The program requires 99 credit hours to graduate and there is a one-year clinical internship.

• Main campus: Tyler, Texas
• Annual tuition: $9,700 in-state, $21,000 out-of-state

Sam Houston State University

Sam Houston State University offers a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology that is designed to produce scientists and practitioners who have expertise in clinical practice and research. The APA-accredited program also has an emphasis on training doctoral students to be legally informed clinicians, with experience and knowledge providing professional psychological services in the US justice system. Students will learn techniques for applying clinical psychology skills to address needs and answer vital research questions in the legal arena.

• Main campus: Huntsville, Texas

SEE ALSO:  Top 5 Online PsyD in Clinical Psychology Programs

How To Become A Practicing Psychologist In Texas

Pursuing a license in the State of Texas will require attending to a variety of different matters. First and foremost, you’ll have to start out by attaining all of the required education. After that, you’ll need to work with the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists in order to attend to all of the documentation, examination, and approvals required to receive your license.

You’ll start out on your path toward a psychologist license by earning both your master’s and bachelor’s degree. You’ll end up spending close to six years in pursuit of both of these degrees though that can change based on the university that you choose to attend. So long as you meet all certification requirements outlined by the APA, you will be able to move forward toward your doctorate. Keep in mind, Texas is incredibly specific about which courses are viable for licensure, so refer often to the Texas State Board.

After acquiring your master’s you will be ready to achieve your PsyD or Ph.D. in the field of psychology.  Your doctoral program must be verified and approved by the American Psychological Association or the National Association of School Psychologists . Along the way, you’ll need 60 total credit hours and nearly 1,800 hours of supervised work experience.

After you have your education in hand, you’ll be ready to approach the board for your license.

• Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology
• Jurisprudence Examination
• After your examinations are complete, you’ll be able to apply for a provisional license. This provisional license allows you to practice under the supervised expertise of a licensed professional psychologist. In order to attain this provisional license, you must pass a criminal background check while also supplying two passport photos as well as your school transcripts.
• With your provisional license, you must complete two years of supervised training which will total up to 3,500 total work hours. Half of these hours can be earned during an internship while the other half must be acquired after you receive your doctoral degree. If you are trying to become a school psychologist, 600 of those hours must be earned at a public school.
• Finally, you’ll be able to apply for your full license. You can apply for your license online via the PLUS program. It takes six weeks to process your application as well as an additional application fee of $180.

Texas Clinical Psychologist Salary and Job Outlook

Texas is positioned to become one of the leaders in the field of psychology. Texas fields the third-highest employment numbers for licensed psychologists in the nation, trailing only New York and California.

SEE ALSO: Texas Clinical Psychology Salary Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual mean wage of a certified practicing psychologist in Texas is $70,060. The top 10% of earners in Texas are making an annual salary of $98,510. Job growth in the state is expected to continue on a positive trend with an outlook of growth nearing 14%.

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Clinical Psychology Ph.D.

Want more info.

We're so glad you're interested in UNT! Let us know if you'd like more information and we'll get you everything you need.

Why Earn a Clinical Psychology Ph.D.?

Our program adheres to APA accreditation standards and prepares students for entry into the profession of Clinical Psychology. We are committed to a student-centered learning approach with close faculty mentorship.

The program offers intensive research training in the science of Clinical Psychology via highly productive faculty research labs . Simultaneously, students obtain in-depth, closely supervised training in the practice of Clinical Psychology.

Our commitment to excellence requires that high standards of research and clinical practice be maintained. These high expectations enable you to be highly competitive at the national level for prominent positions in science and practice settings. We empower you to meet or exceed our expectations by providing high quality, well-supervised training in a supportive environment.

• Assessment evaluations
• Psychological diagnostics
• Psychotherapy interventions
• Measurement and psychometrics
• Psychological consultation

Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Highlights

What can you do with a clinical psychology ph.d..

Overall employment of psychologists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 13,400 openings for psychologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Courses You Could Take

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Counseling Psychology Ph.D.

Behavioral Science Ph.D.

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Psychology PhD

The Psychology PhD degree program offers advanced study and research training for students seeking to become leading scientists and scholars in the field

The Psychology PhD degree program offers advanced study and research training for students seeking to become leading scientists and scholars in the field. The program encompasses a wide array of specialty areas within psychology, including developmental, cognitive, social and personality psychology, and spans the study of both healthy and clinical populations from infancy through older adulthood.

From the start of their training, doctoral students in psychology work closely in research laboratories with faculty mentors. Although the department is highly interdisciplinary, there are three primary areas of research focus:

• Developmental psychology, which spans topics in children’s social-emotional, cognitive, and language development;
• Cognitive psychology, including topics in traditional cognitive psychology such as attention, motivation, perception, learning and memory, and face perception ranging from basic science perspectives to applied approaches including interventions to improve cognitive function.
• Social and personality psychology, including work focused on cultural differences in socio-emotional processing, moral decision making, the formation and evolution of interpersonal relationships between romantic partners and friends, and research on health disparities.

In addition, a number of research labs conduct research with implications for clinical science, including the effects of stress on health, adolescent mood disorders, and social cognition in autism and schizophrenia populations. We also offer strong training in advanced statistical techniques critical for psychology research including courses on dyadic group analyses, longitudinal growth curve modeling, multilevel modeling, and advanced multivariate analyses.

Doctoral students in psychology benefit from a rich intellectual climate at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences (BBS), including weekly lectures and research presentations by students, faculty, and visiting scholars. The school hosts an annual colloquium series presented by internationally known scientists, and its four research centers periodically offer symposia and workshops that are freely available to doctoral students. Doctoral students receive funding support for presenting their research at professional meetings and conducting their dissertation research. Finally, doctoral students are provided with a variety of other professional development experiences, including opportunities to develop their teaching skills.

The BBS offices and research facilities are located on the Richardson campus and in centers located in Dallas near the campus of the UT Southwestern Medical Center. Facilities at all locations include classrooms and research laboratories for studies of neuroscience, psychology and communication across the lifespan in both typical and clinical populations.

The PhD program in psychology offers exceptional research facilities on the Richardson campus, including state-of-the-art laboratories equipped for studies of event-related potentials, eye tracking, infant visual and auditory preferences, child learning and development, parent-child interactions and adult interpersonal relationships. In addition, the school’s Center for Children and Families , housed at the Callier Center-Richardson location, offers an array of clinical and community outreach activities organized around three main initiatives: promoting healthy families, strengthening interpersonal relationships and enhancing children’s thinking and learning. Partnerships with area hospitals, clinics, agencies and schools further expand student research opportunities. Students also benefit from working with faculty mentors in the Center for BrainHealth and the Center for Vital Longevity.

Degree Requirements

The PhD program in psychology requires a minimum of 75 semester credit hours beyond the baccalaureate degree. Students declare a concentration in developmental psychology, cognitive psychology or social/personality psychology. Students are expected to complete the program coursework and research requirements in four to five years. The research requirements include a qualifying thesis research project and a dissertation research project. Students work collaboratively with their faculty mentor and committee to successfully complete all program milestone projects.

The UT Dallas graduate catalog provides information on degree requirements for the PhD in psychology . For updates, please contact [email protected] . The university’s course look-up site, CourseBook , describes some of the program’s specific courses. The Office of Graduate Studies provides information on academic and other policies .

The psychology admissions committee evaluates applications using a holistic review, which includes prior GPA, letters of recommendation, quantitative and verbal scores for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), and a close examination of the statement of purpose. Admission is contingent on a match between the research interests of the applicant and faculty. Applicants are strongly encouraged to identify faculty with similar research interests and to contact them about current opportunities for admission.

Typically, applicants have an average undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above, and completion of an undergraduate degree in a related major is advisable. Completion of a master’s degree is not required. Applicants without a prior degree in psychology should contact the program head for prerequisite coursework.

Applications to the PhD program must include official transcripts, GRE scores, three letters of reference from people qualified to evaluate your potential for successful doctoral study, and a statement of purpose detailing your previous research and professional experiences, your current research interests, and your career goals. The statement of purpose is an extremely important part of your application.

International applicants must provide proof of English proficiency via TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE meeting University minimum requirements.

* GRE scores waived for Fall 2022-24 applicants. Submission of GRE scores (general or subject tests) are optional.

To Submit an Application

Please see the enrollment page of the UT Dallas Office of Graduate Admissions for details on how to submit an application to the PhD program in psychology .

Completed applications must be received on or before December 1 for admission the following fall. There are no spring or summer admissions.

You can check the status of your application using the university’s Orion program.

Questions about the application process can be directed to:

Psychology Doctoral Program School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences The University of Texas at Dallas 800 W. Campbell Rd., GR41 Richardson, TX 75080 [email protected]

Graduate Application Fee Waiver Program

The Office of Graduate Education and the Office of Admission and Enrollment at The University of Texas at Dallas are pleased to offer a Graduate Application Fee Waiver Program to  qualified participants  (past or present). To qualify, students must be applying for a PhD or Master’s degree at UT Dallas. Non-degree applicants are not eligible for fee waivers. Only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to request a fee waiver.

Financial Aid

Financial support of full-time doctoral students in psychology is awarded through teaching or research assistantship stipends and tuition scholarships. Admitted students are automatically considered for teaching and research assistant positions.

Other information on financial aid for graduate students is available on the UT Dallas graduate admissions page.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Financial support of full-time doctoral students in psychology is awarded through teaching or research assistantship stipends and tuition scholarships. Admitted students are automatically considered for these sources of financial support, and most admitted students receive some type of support. Please see the UT Dallas Graduate Admissions site for information on other sources of financial aid for PhD students.

UT Dallas’ main campus is located in Richardson, Texas, about 15 miles north of downtown Dallas; some of the centers of the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences are located in Dallas, near the campus of the UT Southwestern Medical School. Both Richardson and Dallas are vibrant communities, with opportunities for art, drama, music, athletics, and other activities. Visit the UT Dallas visitors website for more information about the University.

Richardson and Dallas are richly diverse cities located in one of America’s largest and fastest growing metropolitan areas. The Dallas area boasts 50,000 acres of public park land, the nation’s largest urban arts district with excellent symphony, opera, and art museums, five major sports franchises, multiple entertainment districts, and a thriving culinary scene. The DART rail system runs from the suburbs of Plano and Richardson to the arts district, downtown Dallas, and DFW airport. Yes, it is hot in the summer, but the average daily temperature is 65 degrees (spring, fall, and winter are great!). The area offers a reasonable cost of living and an abundance of sunshine.

Most doctoral classes are held on the main UT Dallas campus in Richardson, but some class offerings may be held in Dallas, at the Callier Center for Communication Disorders, the Center for Brain Health, or the Center for Vital Longevity. Your duties as a teaching assistant or research assistant likely will take place on the main campus in Richardson or at one of the centers in Dallas. Because locations of classes and duties may change over semesters it can be difficult to choose a place to live. Public transportation options are improving, but because commuting by car is relatively easy, many students choose to live in areas between Richardson and Dallas. Some student housing is available on the main campus in Richardson, but on-campus housing caters primarily to undergraduates. You can use online search engines to find housing options that fit your price range and target location, and the program office can also provide information and recommendations from current doctoral students.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact potential mentors prior to submitting application materials. The admissions committee evaluates applications on several dimensions, including not only prior GPA and GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and personal statements, but also the fit between the research interests of the applicant and faculty, and the willingness and ability of the proposed mentor or mentoring team to accept new PhD student supervision responsibilities.

Prior to being admitted, students are invited to visit UT Dallas, to meet with prospective faculty mentors and see their laboratories.

Completed applications must be received on or before  December 1  for admission the following fall. There are no spring or summer admissions.

Yes. We strongly encourage you to identify faculty who share your research interests and to contact them about current opportunities for admission. A primary consideration in PhD admission is a faculty member’s agreement to serve as a student’s mentor.

Decisions on admission are made in mid- to late-February.

The psychology PhD program is an experimental psychology program and provides training for a career in teaching and research. Former graduates have successfully acquired university faculty positions, as well as research positions in hospitals, school systems, healthcare start-ups, and research institutes. Graduates also have worked in applied research settings, conducting program evaluation research with education and intervention programs.

No, we do not offer a clinical or counseling master’s or PhD degree.

This depends on your goals. The master’s degree is appropriate for students interested in broad psychology training beyond the undergraduate level or additional training to prepare them for applying to doctoral programs in clinical psychology and other areas of psychology. The PhD program is appropriate for students interested in careers in research and teaching and involves extensive training in research design and methodology.

These two programs have a lot in common. There is overlap in the coursework of these programs and many of the faculty members are involved with both programs. The psychology program allows for broader training in psychology; students can select a concentration in developmental psychology, cognitive psychology, or social/personality psychology. The cognition and neuroscience program focuses more narrowly on cognitive psychology or neuroscience. One way to decide what program may be best for you is to think about what type of department you see yourself affiliated with in the future and which degree best serves your career goals.

Program Contacts

Program head.

Karen M. Rodrigue, PhD [email protected]

Program Coordinator

[email protected]

For Additional Program Information

Phd student guide.

The PhD student guide provides information on policies and procedures in the PhD programs in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences.

PhD Student Forms and Information

Degree Plan Psychology Registration and Related Forms Graduate Change of Program Register, Add, Drop, Withdraw Repeated Course Grade Adjustment Transfer of Credit Request Milestones and Annual Reporting Forms Milestones Agreement Form Psychology Guidelines for Completing Theses and Dissertations Psychology Annual Report Qualifying Papers and Projects Qualifying Plan 1: Thesis Overview of Qualifying Plan 1 Psychology Guidelines for Completing Theses and Dissertations Qualifying Thesis Committee Membership Qualifying Thesis Proposal Approval Qualifying Thesis Final Approval Public Presentation of Research Project Request for Extension Dissertation Committee Appointment Form Dissertation Proposal Meeting Public Presentation of Dissertation Proposal Request for Final Oral Exam In Absentia Registration Memo – Absent Committee Member Memo – Committee Member Attending Remotely Checklist for Final Submission of Doctoral Dissertation UTDPP1052

Teaching and Research Assistantship Forms and FAQs UTDPP1075

Requests for Student Travel and Dissertation Support Student Request for Travel Support PhD Research Small Grants Program Application

Program Resources

Psychology PhD Fast Facts This document provides a quick, printable overview of the program.

Please visit the Office of Graduate studies for additional information on academic policies , PhD deadlines , PhD forms , guidelines for preparing dissertations , and a profile of characteristics of doctoral programs at UT Dallas.

Student Achievement Data

View the Student Achievement Data on the Callier Center for Communication Disorders page.

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Psychology PhD Program

Doctoral Program

This experimental psychology Phd program offers training in the skills necessary to use theoretical knowledge and advanced design and statistical skills to explore complex biopsychosocial issues.

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Why Pursue a PhD In Psychology

The PhD in Psychology produces graduates with a reputation for research excellence who are prepared to pursue careers in both academic and applied settings. Areas of focus include the exploration of complex cognitive, developmental, and social issues, behavioral and biologically related health topics including military health, and psychometric and statistical techniques.

Students will have the opportunity to develop their scientific communication skills by completing a dissertation and pursuing publication and grant opportunities. The focus of this program is on excellence in experimental psychology. Therefore, the curriculum does not include clinical training or preparation for licensure.

See What Our Students Say

When you choose UTSA, you join a community of talented scholars and professionals being taught by award-winning faculty. Learn more about the Department of Psychology at UTSA from current master’s student Joseph Torres as he discusses his path through graduate school.

Research Opportunities

Theoretical, statistical and research design skills are applied to solve problems in a variety of psychological areas, including:

• Social, Developmental, and Cognitive Psychology
• Biopsychology
• Military Health
• Clinical Mental Health

Faculty offer an integrative approach to student training, focusing on research and the development of statistical and scientific writing skills and oral communication.

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Application Deadlines

Funding opportunities, career options, admission & application requirements.

Applications are submitted through the UTSA Graduate Application . Please upload all required documents (listed below) on your UTSA Graduate Application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure completion and submission of the application, a nonrefundable application fee, and all required supporting documents are on file with UTSA by the appropriate application deadline.

Applicants are encouraged to have their admission file completed as early as possible. All applications, required documents and letters of recommendation, if applicable, must be submitted by 5:00 PM U.S. Central Time on the day of the deadline. Deadlines are subject to change.

For more information about scholarships, click below.

UTSA prepares you for future careers that are in demand. The possible careers below is data pulled by a third-party tool called Emsi, which pulls information from sources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, online job postings, other government databases and more to give you regional and national career outlook related to this academic program.

Graduate Advisor of Record

Joseph Houpt, PhD

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Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology

Program description.

The PhD program in psychology is an experimental psychology program that prepares students for leadership roles in research and teaching. Our program offers training in developmental, cognitive and social/personality psychology with an emphasis on interdisciplinary research and tailored training experiences that adapt to the specific needs of each student.

The PhD in psychology requires 75 semester credit hours minimum beyond the baccalaureate degree. For complete admission and degree requirements, view the Graduate Catalog at  catalog.utdallas.edu .

Career Opportunities

Our graduates seek faculty positions at both research-intensive universities and smaller teaching institutions, as well as in hospitals, school systems, research institutes, not-for-profit organizations and private sector; and professors in private or public colleges and universities.

Marketable Skills

Review the marketable skills for this academic program.

Application Requirements

Degree requirements:  The psychology admissions committee evaluates applications according to a variety of criteria, including official transcripts, GRE scores, three letters of reference from people qualified to evaluate your potential for successful doctoral study, and a statement of purpose detailing your previous research and professional experiences, your current research interests, and your career goals.

GPA:  Required

Test score required:  Yes

Both GRE math and verbal scores are required to be considered for admission.

Admissions essay required : Yes

Deadlines:  University  deadlines  apply.

Contact Information

Karen Rodrigue Email:  [email protected] Phone: 972-883-2697 Office:  JO 4.310

School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences The University of Texas at Dallas 800 W Campbell Rd, GR 41 Richardson, TX 75080-3021 Phone: 972-883-2491

bbs.utdallas.edu

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Industrial/Organizational Psychology

The Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology Doctoral Program trains individuals to be both scientists and practitioners. We believe that a strong grounding in basic and applied research skills and the theoretical underpinnings of I/O psychology are essential for both academic and applied work. The goal of the I/O psychology program is to continue to enhance its national reputation as a center of scholarly excellence in I/O psychology by conducting high-quality basic and applied research. Consequently, faculty and student collaboration in ongoing research projects is strongly emphasized.

The program has a major emphasis on academic research-based training with the objective of placing students in academic careers. However, in addition to academic positions, our graduates are qualified for positions in research organizations, government agencies, corporations, and consulting firms. Concerning the placement of our graduates since 2000, approximately 40% are currently in academic positions and 60% are in applied and research positions.  Some academic placements include University of Illinois, University of Central Florida, Rice University, Northern Arizona University, DePaul University, Oklahoma State University, University of Chile, Kansas State University, Eastern Kentucky University, and University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Some research and applied placements include Pearson, Select International, United States Special Operations Command (U.S. Air Force), VA Boston Healthcare System, ACT, American Institutes for Research, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc., IPR Pharmaceuticals (AstraZeneca PLC), Google, and State Farm Insurance. Over the last decade, all of our students have accepted jobs immediately upon graduation. We are very proud of our  alums !

The domains of I/O psychology represented in the program includes the areas of testing and personnel selection, criterion development, training, performance appraisal, individual differences, organizational commitment, occupational health, workplace diversity, group processes, decision-making, and conflict. Our faculty consists of a renowned group of scholars. Consonant with this, the I/O psychology program was ranked 6th in terms of research productivity based on publications in the top 10 I/O psychology-oriented journals (Beiler et al., 2014). In addition, it was ranked 6th in terms of presentations at the annual conferences of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (Beiler et al., 2014). Finally, the department was ranked 6th in terms of the number of publications between 1986 and 2008 in the premier I/O psychology journal,  Journal of Applied Psychology  (Mahoney et al., 2010).

I/O Psychology Faculty and Doctoral Students (Fall 2023)

Not pictured: Stefan Dumlao, Elizabeth Jenkins, Ellen Hagen, Zach Traylor, Jessica Walker, Ashleigh Williams, and Linden Wooderson.

Greatest Hits and Accomplishments!

We are very proud of the ranking of our Industrial and Organizational Psychology PhD program as the 7th best graduate program in the country! This ranking was generated by the  U.S. News & World Report  magazine that details the top 50 best graduate education programs in the U.S. Way to go, I/O!!! You can read all about it  here  !

College of Education

Counseling psychology doctoral program.

The University of Houston's Counseling Psychology doctoral program generates new knowledge and trains community-engaged change agents. We provide our students the tools they need to help others navigate the modern world. Our students have the opportunity to contribute to unique research opportunities in behavioral health, multiculturalism and social justice. Situated within one of the nation's most diverse cities, we have developed relationships with a variety of unique practicum locations, including several within the Texas Medical Center, the world's largest medical center.

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About the Program

The Counseling Psychology doctoral program trains psychologists to become health service psychologists and psychological researchers. Our nationally recognized and competitive program offers a challenging curriculum, a supportive student environment, student-faculty mentorship, excellent and diverse sites for clinical training, and multiple opportunities for research.

The following faculty are currently accepting new students:

Dr. blake allan, dr. consuelo arbona, dr. virmarie correa-fernández, dr. marcel de dios, dr. nathan grant smith, option: health psychology emphasis.

For those Counseling Psychology doctoral students who wish to add a Health Psychology Emphasis to their doctoral training, there is additional coursework that can be integrated into your program. This 15-hour minor includes three courses (two required and one elective) and two semesters of clinical health psychology practicum (which can be one of the practicum placements already included in the doctoral program). Hence, this is only an addition of nine credit hours. It is also possible to gain exposure to this topic by taking one or two courses. For more details on this option, please see pages 11-12 of the doctoral program handbook available on this website.

• Accredited American Psychological Association since 1987
• 5 - 6 years to complete the degree
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What will I learn while attending the counseling psychology program?

Students develop professional leadership, ethical, interpersonal, and intrapersonal skills through:

• Candidacy research project
• Comprehensive exam
• Dissertation

Since degree plans change periodically, students will follow the degree plan that is in place at the time in which they complete an official, approved degree plan. Students enter the program with either a Master’s or Undergraduate degree. Please see page 13 of the Counseling Psychology Ph.D. Program Handbook for the most current sample degree plans.

What can I do with my degree?

The program offers the preparation necessary for students to apply for licensure as psychologists in Texas. Our graduates are employed in settings such as:

• Colleges and University Psychology Departments
• University and College Counseling Centers
• Community Agencies
• Private Practice
• K-12 schools

Important Counseling Psychology Documents and Resources

The following is a collection of important documents and other resources

• Resource Guide for Ethnic Minority Graduate Students
• A Guide for LGBT Students Navigating Graduate Training
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• Sample Practicum Contract
• Supervisor Evaluation Form
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Counseling Psychology Faculty

The following is a list of current counseling psychology faculty:.

Counseling Psychology Program

Faculty Profile | Email

Dr. Chakema Carmack

Dr. robert h. mcpherson.

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The Counseling Psychology faculty's research ranges from stress and coping in the LGBTQ community and tobacco cessation to minority stress and health disparities. Visit the PHLS Research Portal to learn more about our diverse interests and discover faculty pursuing answers to the questions that matter to you.

Feel free to contact faculty directly to learn more about their research. You can find contact information in the Research Portal or by visiting the COE Faculty Directory .

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Financial Aid

All Counseling Psychology doctoral students are encouraged to apply for scholarships through the UH and the College of Education. To learn more about how to fund your graduate studies, visit the Graduate Funding page .

Graduate Tuition Fellowship

Graduate Tuition Fellowship (GTF) provides tuition remission for 9 credit hours, during the academic year, to students who enroll in at least 9 credit hours. During the summer term, GTFs are contingent upon available budget. Not all years in the graduate program may be covered by this program.

Assistantships

Graduate appointments are usually available to students during the first two years of graduate studies. The program doesn't cover mandatory fees or course fees. Not all years in the graduate program are covered by this program. 

To learn more about funding your education, contact the COE's College of Graduate Studies at  [email protected]  or call 713-743-7676.

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Houston, Texas

Houston is the fourth largest city in the United States and one of the nation's most diverse cities. This fact benefits our students and faculty both personally and professionally. Home to more than 100 different nationalities and where more than 60 different languages are spoken, Houston is the perfect environment to practice what you're learning in the classroom. The city also boasts more than 12,000 theater seats and 11,000 diverse restaurants featuring cuisines from around the globe (Don't know where to start? Just ask a Houstonian, and they're sure to bombard you with at least a dozen places to eat.) 

Houston is bustling with culture, energy and offers something for everyone inside and outside the classroom.

(Background photo: “ Metropolis ” by eflon is licensed under CC BY 2.0 .)

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Ready to Apply?

Are you ready to apply to the University of Houston Counseling Psychology doctoral program ? Yes? You can learn more about the application process by visiting the College of Education's Graduate Admissions page  or jump right into the application process by visiting the UH's How to Apply to Graduate School page .

If you need more information about the Counseling Psychology program, we are here to help. You can always contact the COE Office of Graduate Studies by phone at 713-743-7676  or by email .

The Counseling Psychology doctoral program is a member of UH's Psychological, Health, & Learning Sciences department .

Training and Program Director:  Dr. Consuelo Arbona

UH College of Education Stephen Power Farish Hall 3657 Cullen Blvd., Room 491 Houston, TX 77204-5023

Undergraduate: [email protected] or 713-743-5000 Graduate: [email protected] or 713-743-7676 General: [email protected] or 713-743-5010

*Questions related to the program’s accreditation status should be directed to:

The Commission on Accreditation: Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association 750 First Street, NE Washington, DC 20002-4242 (202) 336-5979 [email protected] http://www.apa.org/ed/accreditation/

Texas Ph.D. and Psy.D. Degree Programs

Find doctoral degree programs in texas.

Texas is home to some of the largest and most well-known universities and colleges in the United States. As an extremely large and diverse state, Texas has a great need for clinical mental health practitioners and researchers who can create effective, cost-efficient treatment plans and interventions for patients. Earning a Ph.D. or Psy.D. in psychology is an excellent way to explore new career opportunities, delve into the practical application of psychology theories, and learn about the role of research in this social science.

To earn a doctorate in psychology, TX schools require you to complete approximately five years of full-time education. During this time, you learn about clinical standards and interventions, research methods and goals, and postsecondary instruction in the field of psychology. Finding a program that aligns with your previous education, work experience, and research goals is an imperative part of success.

Learn more now by contacting psychology programs in Texas.

Getting Your Doctorate Degree in Psychology in Texas

As you work your way through a doctoral program in psychology, you should plan on earning between 100 and 120 credits. These credits are comprised of conventional classroom courses, research lab classes, and clinical experience rotations. This is generally a full-time commitment; few programs have part-time options, due to the time involved in a doctorate.

To cover your expenses and pay for your tuition, you may be able to secure a position as a research or teaching assistant. These funding programs are often reserved for students with a great deal of potential or promising research aims.

It’s important to differentiate between the two types of degrees. A Ph.D. in psychology Texas program gives equal weight to clinical work, research, and teaching.

You may explore research in a variety of specialties through courses like:

• Functional Neuroanatomy
• Learning and Memory
• Human Language Processing
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Evolutionary Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Theory and Techniques of Assessment
• Current Topics in Clinical Psychology
• Inferential Advanced Statistics

The other primary option is a Psy.D., which aims to turn students into independent clinicians. While earning a Psy.D., you may learn to work specifically with one population, such as children, mental health patients, or elderly patients. Clinical work makes up a significant amount of your credits, allowing you to find the practice setting that best fits your skills and experience.

Some of the courses that are commonly required in Psy.D. programs include:

• Ethics and Professional Issues in Clinical Psychology
• Psychological Assessment
• Psychotherapy
• Clinical Psychopathology
• Psychopathology and Assessment of Children
• Social-Organizational Psychology
• Administration and Supervision
• History and Systems
• Group and Systems Approaches to Psychotherapy
• Psychological Treatment of Children

In either type of degree, you’ll need to get well over 1,000 hours of clinical experience. Many schools require you to start at the school’s mental health clinic or free clinic, where you work with many patients under the supervision of a licensed psychiatrist. You may then be assigned to clinical sites throughout the community, depending on your preferences.

Working With Your Doctoral Degree in Psychology in Texas

After you earn your Ph.D. or Psy.D., you may decide to work in clinical work or academia. Before you can establish yourself in academia, you may need to gain some relevant clinical experience and publish research in respected journals.

Clinical, school, and counseling psychologists in Texas have an average income of $64,130 per year ( Bureau of Labor Statistics , 2016). Psychology professors earn, on average, $66,670 per year ( BLS , 2016). From 2012 through 2022, demand for psychologists is expected to increase 17% ( O*Net , 2016). Job openings for psychology professors may jump 19% during this time ( O*Net , 2016).

Prior to enjoying the benefits of a career in psychology, you must get your license through the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists . Your license is not administered until you pass the Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology and the oral exam administered by the Board.

As a psychologist, you can improve the state of mental health in Texas and help people face challenges head-on. Request information from doctorate in psychology Texas programs.

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Psychology Doctoral Programs in Texas

Home to the largest medical center in the world and some of the longest-accredited and most distinguished doctoral psychology programs of their kind, Texas has demonstrated that it places a high value on psychology, psychologists and the students working to complete doctoral programs in psychology.

With faculty at the state’s schools credited with hundreds of prestigious awards and thousands of academic articles published in scholarly journals, Texas’s psychology students are well positioned to become leaders in their field after earning a doctoral degree.

Psychology students in Texas also enjoy a full range of support when it comes to scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial assistance. With skilled academic counselors in your corner, choosing between a PsyD vs PhD in psychology will be easier than you might think. In fact, PsyD programs in Texas are widely available, and many universities here offer both options.

What you do with a PhD in psychology is up to you, but in most cases, psychology doctoral programs in Texas are designed specifically to provide a pathway to becoming a fully licensed, independent psychologist. A PsyD in Texas meets those requirements just as well as a PhD.

As part of the National Alliance on Mental Health, Texas relies on licensed psychologists to improve counseling services and the quality of life for individuals and their families coping with mental health issues. Whether working towards a PhD that follows a traditional clinical research approach or a PsyD built around the experiential-practitioner model, psychology doctoral programs in Texas lead to meaningful careers that contribute to the well-being of individuals and communities statewide.Students who are currently in search of doctoral programs in psychology in Texas stand to benefit from the state’s numerous, top-ranked universities, known for offering some of the most prestigious degree programs anywhere in the country.

Here we present a comprehensive list of APA-CoA accredited psychology degrees in Texas. While considering these programs, look for schools offering concentrations that align with your career goals and with prerequisites for a doctorate in psychology that you may have already satisfied in your undergraduate program.

Psychology Doctoral Programs: Texas (A – Z)

Baylor university, college of arts and sciences, psychology department.

Chartered as a private, Christian college in 1845, Baylor is nationally recognized for its broad range of studies and strong research foundations. In addition to conferring a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees, the university offers 34 doctoral programs, including a doctorate in clinical psychology. Baylor enjoys national rankings by organizations such as U.S. News & World Report, Kiplinger and Fiske. Further, its psychology department and Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology have been recognized by groups such as U.S. News and the National Research Council.

Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology

This degree prepares doctoral candidates with the “clinical and conceptual competencies” necessary to provide professional, effective, responsive mental health care. The program’s foundations rely upon interdisciplinary team collaboration, research and evaluation protocols, psychological assessment, intervention techniques and treatment therapies, consultative approaches, patient management and supervision strategies. The degree requires five years of rigorous classroom instruction and on-site training, including: taking advanced core psychology and research classes, working in supervised practicum and internship settings, and participating in applied, research-based lab experiences leading to completion of an independent research project or dissertation.

Also offers:

PhD in Psychology

Accreditations

• Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS-CoC)
• American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (APA-CoA)

Baylor University Attention: Gary Elkins, Ph.D. Graduate Program Director One Bear Place 97334 Waco, Texas 76798-7334 (254) 296-0643 or (254) 710-2417 [email protected]

Our Lady of the Lake University

Psychology department.

Our Lady of the Lake University is a private, Catholic institution serving the greater San Antonio community since 1895. OLLU prides itself on offering a wide variety of programs to students from diverse cultural backgrounds. The university has earned national recognitions in recent years from U.S. News & World Report, Diverse Magazine, The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education and Washington Monthly Magazine. OLLU’s philosophy of excellence in education infuses all of its programs, including those in psychology. The university’s highest degree in psychology is offered as a doctorate in counseling and has garnered acclaim for providing proficient Spanish speakers the opportunity to earn Certification for Psychological Services for Spanish Speaking Populations in addition to their doctorate.

Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology

OLLU’s Psy.D. program prepares its graduates to serve individuals, couples, families and groups as competent, independent practitioners using appropriate assessment, intervention, counseling and followup protocols. Candidates entering the program must possess a master’s and complete 117 hours for the doctorate, including three hours for an internship and nine hours for a dissertation. Up to 39 approved courses from the master’s degree may be transferred as credits to the doctoral program. In addition to a concentration in Psychological Services for Spanish Speaking Populations, candidates may elect to concentrate in: Child, Adolescent and Family Therapy, or Behavioral Health. The Psy.D. in Counseling also requires written and clinical evaluations in addition to a pre-doctoral internship. To establish residency for Texas licensure, doctoral candidates must take at least 18 or more semesters hours of full-time study yearly for three consecutive years.

Our Lady of the Lake University Psychology Department 411 S.W. 24th Street San Antonio, Texas 78207 (210) 431-3914

Joan Biever, Ph.D., Graduate Psychology Program Chair [email protected]

Sam Houston State University

College of humanities and social sciences.

Founded in 1879, Sam Houston State University operates on the motto, “The measure of a life is its service.” This guiding principle forms the core basis of all educational opportunities provided at SHSU, including curricula that is grounded in research, creativity, and experiential learning. In addition, the university has earned recognition from the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education as a “Doctoral Research University”. The Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program is a good example of a doctoral program founded on research principles. Graduates from this program are trained to be licensed professional clinicians who possess a broad knowledge base in scientific psychology and demonstrate competencies as both research clinicians and clinical practitioners.

Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology

This doctorate requires 108 hours of study from classroom instruction, research, and experiential learning in applied settings. Candidates are also expected to complete a dissertation while being enrolled full-time. Coursework and applied practice have a strong forensic foundation to prepare graduates to work within the legal system, intervening on behalf of the client while providing professional interpretation to the court system of psycho-pathology that affects behavior. Candidates gain experience working with multiple faculty mentors in inpatient and residential settings. This includes private psychology practices, neuro-psychiatric facilities, residential and group homes, correctional institutions and the university’s own Psychological Services Center. Graduates will be eligible to apply for licensure and work varied mental illness profiles including those who have: traumatic brain injuries, personality disorders, gender and minority issues, addictive behaviors, behavioral abnormalities, adolescent disorders, and troubled individuals.

Sam Houston State University Office of Graduate Admissions Dr. Mary Alice Conroy Huntsville, Texas 77341 (936) 294-3806 or (936) 294-1971 [email protected] or [email protected]

Southern Methodist University

Dedman college of humanities and science, department of psychology.

Southern Methodist University’s motto of “World Changers Shaped Here” encapsulates its dedication to preparing students for real-world careers that uplift, nurture and sustain communities. Located near Dallas, SMU is world renowned for its research facilities, state-of-the-art programs and interdisciplinary instruction emphasizing 21st-century leadership skills. The university has been classified as having high research activity by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and also consistently fares well in U.S. News & World Report rankings. The Clinical Psychology doctorate program uses research in the field with clinical training as a two-pronged approach to therapeutic psychology practice. Cutting-edge digital observation equipment, virtual reality technology, and innovative psycho-physiological assessment complement traditional experiential training and instructional methods.

This Ph.D. program stresses the scientist-practitioner model, which views the contributions of research and clinical practice of equal importance when assessing and treating mental health conditions. Two areas of focus are offered to program candidates: Health, or Family and Child. Each focus area helps candidates hone their skills sets with regard to their area of interest by completing supplementary coursework and practica experiences in addition to required core material for the degree. The average time for degree completion is six years, requiring approximately 50 hours of coursework with additional time spent in research and clinical training experiences. Practicum and pre-doctoral internship sites are available at public health agencies, correctional facilities, schools, medical centers, rehabilitation clinics, behavioral and counseling centers, and private practices. Program candidates must also complete several written documents, including a thesis, research article review, and a dissertation.

Southern Methodist University Department of Psychology PO Box 750442 Dallas, Texas 75275-0442 (214) 768-7792

Ernest Jouriles, Ph.D., Chair [email protected]

Texas A&M University

Texas A&M boasts of being the Lone Star state’s first public institution of higher learning. Since opening its doors in 1876, TAMU has grown into a world-class research facility with global recognition from organizations such as U.S. News & World Report, Washington Monthly and Kiplinger. Part of its driving force behind education is to produce “developing leaders of character dedicated to serving the greater good.” This sentiment aptly describes the school’s psychology programs, which offer multiple specialized doctoral degrees in the field.

Clinical Psychology PhD

This degree combines clinical and practitioner models to impart research and practice competencies of psychology to its graduates. The program requires 96 credits from core psychology classes and from a variety of research, practicum and internship experiences, culminating in a dissertation. Students are also encouraged to choose up to two specialization areas such as: child and adolescent psychology, couples and family psychology, interpersonal processes, diversity and cultural issues, quantitative methods, assessment, forensics, prevention, gerontology issues, and neuro-behavioral sciences. The program is designed to be completed in five years with full-time enrollment.

Counseling Psychology PhD

The counseling Ph.D. program heavily incorporates field-based learning experiences to model assessment and therapeutic approaches. The goal is for graduates to provide research-driven services that promote public health and well-being in a personalized manner. Settings for practicum and internship experiences include child and family guidance centers, public health centers, outpatient veteran’s clinics, medical facilities, preschool programs, juvenile justice centers, correctional institutions, and university sponsored counseling centers. The program is approximately 109 credit hours taken over four to five years in the primary areas of: psychology core classes; research courses and experience, including a dissertation; counseling techniques; and practitioner placements.

School Psychology PhD

This Ph.D. programs specifically emphasizes counseling within schools to address the academic, social and behavioral needs of children and adolescents. The curricula span a five-to-six-year time period with numerous practicum and internship opportunities, including a research apprenticeship and dissertation. Practicum experiences begin the very first year of training, working with public school students. This hands-on, experiential framework provides candidates with the opportunity to put theoretical psychological practices into immediate use in real-world situations. The program requires 100-112 credit hours of study and experiential learning that covers: basic psychological sciences, research and statistics, professional school psychology instruction, and work in specialization areas.

Texas A&M University College Station, Texas 77843-423

John F. Edens, Director of Clinical Training 207 Psychology Bldg, 4235 TAMU (979) 845-2581 [email protected]

Kristie Stramaski, Academic Adviser II 704 Harrington Tower (979) 845-1833 [email protected]

Dr. Cynthia Riccio, Professor 716B Harrington Tower (979) 862-4906 [email protected]

Texas Tech University

Department of psychological sciences.

As a comprehensive research university, Texas Tech offers diverse, cutting-edge programs that are nationally recognized for their academic excellence. TTU prides itself on being student-centric, providing personalized instruction for its students to complement their learning experiences. This attention to individualized programming especially enhances TTU’s graduate psychology offerings, landing them at 132 for U.S. News & World Report’s 2015 national rankings.

Clinical Psychology Ph.D.

With equal emphasis on the scientific and practice aspects of psychology, the clinical psychology doctorate prepares graduates for work as licensed clinical practitioners, research psychologists or teaching professionals. Instructional coursework and training opportunities occur in on-campus and off-campus settings. Successful students enjoy conducting research as much as doing clinical work with patients. Candidates work closely with a faculty mentor throughout their program which covers 100-135 credits spanning six years. Candidates take core coursework and practicum experiences in years one through four, complete their dissertation in year five, and participate in an extended internship in year six.

Counseling Psychology Ph.D.

The counseling psychology doctorate prepares graduates for work as professional practicing psychologists within a variety of settings, including hospitals and medical health groups, psychiatric and rehabilitation programs, outpatient clinics, community mental health facilities, independent practices, university counseling centers, and correctional institutions. Curricula requirements include study over a five-year period that includes a minimum of 102 credit hours in core psychology and research instruction with additional hours for practicum, internship and dissertation completion.

Texas Tech University 2051 Psychological Sciences Building Lubbock, Texas 79409-2051 (806)-742-3711

Joaquin P. Borrego, Jr., Ph.D. Director, Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program [email protected]

Sheila Garos, Ph.D. Director, Counseling Psychology Division [email protected]

Texas Woman’s University

College of arts and sciences, department of psychology and philosophy.

Though traditionally noted for focusing on higher education for women, TWU is actually a co-educational university promoting a wide variety of degree program choices, including the field of psychology. Their mission strives to turn out graduates who will be global leaders in their profession while serving their communities. In 2014, TWU was recognized nationally for its student diversity by U.S. News & World Report and Poder Hispanic magazine. This diversity attracts a broad candidate pool that enriches TWU’s psychology doctoral programs.

Using the practitioner-scientist model, the counseling doctorate provides a strong foundation for clinically based practice of psychology in a wide variety of public and private community settings. Graduates are prepared to work with individuals, family groups and diverse populations who experience mental health issues affected by neurological, social, cultural, and institutional factors. The program involves completion of roughly 130 credits in behavioral psychology, neuroscience, research and statistics, ethics, cross-cultural ideologies, assessment, therapeutic approaches, and professional issues. Additionally, candidates must participate in supervised practicum and internship experiences and complete a dissertation.

School Psychology Ph.D.

The focus of the school psychology doctorate guides graduates towards identifying and working with high-risk student populations, as well as becoming counseling resources for school staff, families, and students at all levels of instruction. Graduates may work in community agencies, educational facilities, or in academic and research positions at institutions of higher learning. Candidates will take a minimum of 121 hours of coursework focusing on school psychology principles, cognitive and academic assessments, research design, human development, cross-cultural influences, social and emotional issues, peer interactions, and family support. The program culminates with several practicum and internship placements and completion of a dissertation.

Texas Woman’s University Department of Psychology and Philosophy CFO 702 P.O. Box 425470 Denton, TX 76204-5470

Sally D. Stabb, Ph.D. Director, Doctoral Program in Counseling Psychology (940) 898-2149 [email protected]

Dr. Denise Maricle Director, Doctoral Program in School Psychology (940) 898-2260 [email protected]

University of Houston

Department of educational psychology.

The University of Houston is a public university and exists as the flagship institution of the broader University of Houston System in the state of Texas. Houston is often thought of as the chief academic rival to the University of Texas, and offers many of the same programs and benefits to today’s doctoral psychology students. The school’s Carnegie-rated high level of research activity works well for the doctoral program, giving psychology students the ability to conduct guided research in an area of their choosing. While they conduct this research, they’ll take courses taught by the top professors in Houston and the most seasoned psychologists in the state of Texas. Top-ranked access to job fairs, high post-graduation job placement, and a role in academia, await students who choose this program over competing options.

Clinical psychology students participate in on-campus research at the University of Houston research labs, where they’ll work on everything from focus groups to case studies in the defense of a thesis. A faculty panel will hear their defense and recommend them for graduation at the conclusion of the program when their research meets the department’s high standards. In the classroom, students will cover medical ethics and the nature of inpatient disorder care, and they’ll learn about innovative new methods for treatment that can actually prepare patients for outpatient services, more routine counseling, and effective, independent daily management of their psychological disorder.

Counseling psychology at the University of Houston is focused largely on how to handle specialized cases, including post-traumatic stress disorder diagnoses resulting from combat situations or trauma in the home. Students must complete a practical internship alongside a seasoned counselor, where their work experience will count for several credits of on-campus study. Classroom experiences will focus on rare disorders and unique circumstances where more routine disorders are acquired. Counselors will be prepared for work with more challenging patients, as well as academic settings, by the time they present their research, defend its thesis, and move to graduation.

School psychologists at the doctoral level are far more interested in the root causes of psychological trauma in the school environment, and that remains true at the University of Houston. This program is far more theoretical and philosophical than those in counseling or clinical services, with an emphasis on the origins of school violence and bullying, the impact of a turbulent home life on school performance, the nature of school performance on student mental health. All students must be placed into a school psychology department under supervision, and they must conduct and present research and a thesis prior to graduation from the Houston-based program.

Accreditation

• American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (CoA), Commission on Colleges (CoC) of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

University of Houston Department of Educational Psychology 4800 Calhoun Rd. Houston, TX, 77004 Phone: (713) 743-2255

University of North Texas

Department of psychology.

The University of North Texas is another high-activity research institution, funded by public funds, that focuses largely on the sciences and numerous engineering fields. Though the university offers a full range of programs in a wide array of disciplines, its science-heavy focus has netted the northern Texas institution with as much as $30 million in annual research appropriations. Students benefit from this exceedingly high level of research funding in several ways. The university offers innovative on-campus labs and test facilities, provides research-oriented doctoral students with a high level of funding and a stipend, and therefore offers one of the best-ranked psychology doctoral programs in the southwest. UNT’s professors at this level all hold doctoral degrees, and many of them are published psychological researchers who have contributed significantly to the field.

The clinical psychology program prepares students for work in hospitals and clinics, dealing with patients who may require inpatient care to deal with severe depression, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other major psychological issues that require more careful observation and skilled treatment. As a result, they’ll take advanced courses in diagnosis, treatment, clinical ethics, and more. The University of North Texas’ program will also require a practical work experience during the second year of the program, a research-based thesis, defense of the thesis in order to move to candidacy, and a long-term medical residency, prior to eligibility for graduation.

Counseling services allow psychological professionals to deal with patients largely in an outpatient, casual setting. As a result, coursework in this program is designed to help patients deal with everyday trials and tribulations that might affect their precarious mental state or otherwise interact with mild or low-level psychological disorders. The program is focused primarily on treatment, rather than diagnosis, but also teaches students about rare disorders that they might encounter as high-level counselors. A medical residency is not required, but a practical counseling experience must be pursued. The program also requires on-campus research, a thesis, and defense of that thesis prior to eligibility for the PhD.

University of North Texas Department of Psychology 1155 Union Circle #311280 Denton, TX 76203 Phone: (940) 565-2671 Email: [email protected]

University of North Texas and University of North Texas Health Sciences Center Consortium

The collaboration between UNT and its North Texas Health Sciences Center is significant, in that it offers one of the most unique degree programs for psychology doctoral students. The consortium offers a health psychology doctorate that is different from programs at all other top-ranked, research-oriented universities in the Lonestar State. This focus prepares students for clinical work in hospitals, serving patients whose health directly impacts their state of mind. The system’s unique collaboration and its programs has earned rave reviews from national rankings and fellow psychology instructors, and ensures graduates are among the most competitive for jobs in academia and clinical practice, especially in hospitals and clinical settings.

Clinical Health Psychology PhD

This clinical program is easily one of the most comprehensive in the country. Students must complete a research-oriented thesis and a long-term medical residency, but they must also devote themselves to classes that are uniquely health-oriented. They’ll learn about the impact on common medical issues, and even terminal diseases and death, on a patient’s psychological well-being. Students will also learn how to treat inpatient disorders that are considered severe, and they’ll learn the ethical considerations associated with handling terminally ill patients, inpatient residents, and diagnosis of unique problems that meet at the intersection of health and psychology.

Also Offers:

PhD in Counseling Psychology

University of North Texas and University of North Texas Health Sciences Center Consortium Department of Psychology 1155 Union Circle #311280 Denton, TX 76203-5017 Phone: (940) 565-2671 Email: [email protected]

University of Texas at Austin

College of liberal arts.

UT’s College of Liberal Arts offers three strong programs in doctoral psychology, taught by nationally published and top-ranked faculty who are among the best in the country. The University of Texas consistently ranks as one of the most prestigious “Public Ivies” in the country, with graduates who enjoy one of the highest job placement rates after completion to the program and defense of their thesis. The system gives students practical experiences and networking opportunities far superior to virtually anything else at any other public, research-oriented state university.

Clinical psychology students focus on the nature of treatment in a hospital setting, especially for those patients who need long-term, inpatient care. Students will take courses that focus on the ethics of this type of treatment, the impact of severe psychological disorders on patients’ ability to respond to counseling and prescription treatments, and the role of family, outpatient counseling, and long-term managed care, on psychological improvement and long-term outcomes. A long-term medical residency is required, as is a thesis based on research conducted in campus labs alongside a supervising professor.

Counseling services require psychologists to be seasoned professionals that understand both common causes of these issues and rare disorders. That’s where this program comes in. Coursework required of doctoral students emphasizes rare psychological disorders and lesser-known causes of more common problems among today’s patients. They’ll also study the ethics of child treatment, parent and family counseling, prescription drug use, and referral to more in-depth or inpatient treatment facilities. All students must complete a counseling internship, and they must successfully defend a thesis based on their research in campus labs during the course of their doctoral program.

This program is heavy on research and practical experience. All students must complete a yearlong internship with a current, doctoral-level school psychologist, where they will interact with students and perform under supervision. On-campus, students must engage in a research topic of their choosing that relates to school and student psychology. They must use this research as the foundation for a thesis, which a faculty panel will hear and approve prior to graduation. Coursework focuses on the origins of bullying and school violence, the impact of heredity and home environment on student psychology, and the impact of student psychology on their ability to learn.

University of Texas at Austin College of Liberal Arts Austin, TX 78712 Phone: (512) 471-3434 Email: [email protected]

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas

Students who prefer to join the UT community, but don’t live in or around the Austin metropolitan area, benefit directly from UT’s partnership with Southwestern Medical Center. Located in Dallas, this teaching hospital is designed to prepare students for careers in both clinical practice and academic venues. The program requires extensive research, offers in-hospital clinical appointments over several years’ time, and fully funds all research and student stipends throughout the full duration of the doctoral program.

Based at an actual hospital, this program requires all students to engage in a long-term medical residency that will familiarize them with the nature of inpatient psychological care. The program also requires research in a hospital-based lab, which will yield a thesis that must be defended to a student-selected faculty panel. Coursework focuses on medical ethics and inpatient treatment, as well as courses in counseling and how to prepare patients for reemergence into the outside world as their psychological disorder becomes more manageable for outpatient counselors to address.

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas Department of Psychology 5323 Harry Hines Blvd. Dallas, TX 75390 Phone: (214) 648-3111 Email: [email protected]

A doctorate in psychology can lead to any number of amazing jobs, in Texas and beyond. Check out our list of the highest paying psychology careers .

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Home / Psychology Schools Near Me / Texas

Best Psychology Schools in Texas

How to find a psychology program in texas, online vs. traditional psychology programs in texas, becoming licensed as a psychologist in texas, list of psychology degree programs in texas.

Psychology is a field with many specialties and sub-specialties, all of which have their own degree requirements for practice. The variety makes it so that there are opportunities at every educational level from an associate's degree all the way to a doctorate. However, a doctorate is required to become a licensed psychologist in Texas.

One of the key things to look for in any psychology program is accreditation. This lets you know that the program has met specific criteria meant to ensure the quality of your education. Also look at basics like tuition cost, which degrees are offered, whether the program is online or in-person, whether or not there are specialty programs of interest, and reviews.

Psychology Degree Pathways in Texas

There are several psychology degree types in Texas. Normally, an associate’s degree in psychology takes two years, a bachelor’s takes four, and a master’s takes another two years. While an associate’s degree can be a great place to start, most careers in the psychology field will require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree , and many more require a graduate degree such as a master’s .

A doctorate degree in psychology, such as a Ph.D. or PsyD, can take between four and seven years. You will need a doctorate if you wish to become a licensed psychologist.

Choose a Psychology Specialty

There are seemingly infinite psychology specialties. You can be a school psychologist, an engineering psychologist, a general psychologist, and many more. Some psychology programs have tracks that focus on these and other specialties, while others are more general.

If you wish to specialize in a particular area of psychology, searching out programs that offer these concentrations is a good idea. Most programs at the master’s level and beyond include specialization options, but some bachelor’s degree programs offer concentrations as well.

Accreditation

To be accredited, psychology programs must meet or exceed the standards set by the accrediting body. This basically guarantees that the education will be worthwhile – if the accrediting body itself is reputable. Diplomas from such programs are worth more because they are respected by employers. Texas’ licensing board also requires applicants to have taken an accredited doctoral program.

In Texas, the main accrediting bodies for the doctoral level are the American Psychological Association (APA) and the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).

There are online programs that not only have accreditation but are offered by big-name universities. However, you should check each one to be sure, because not all online programs are reputable.

Traditional programs require you to physically attend classes. Checking accreditation is also important with these, but such programs are more likely to have it.

Convenience is usually the biggest selling point with online programs, while social interaction and a more personal learning experience are a draw for traditional ones.

Getting a license as a full-fledged psychologist requires getting a doctorate degree from a program accredited by an agency such as the APA . Prior to earning that degree, though, you must first work at least 1,750 hours in a formal, supervised internship.

After this, you can apply for a provisional license. This license lets you work another 1,750 supervised hours (for a total of 3,500 supervised work hours), which you will need to do before you get your full license. These hours must be documented.

Once you do all of this, you are eligible to take the two required licensing exams. If you pass, and you’ve met all of the other requirements, request your license and submit a fee. The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council has more information on licensing requirements.

Are you looking for a psychology degree program in Texas? Browse our list of psychology programs offering both online and on-campus instruction. Follow the links to learn more about what each school’s psychology program offers.

Arlington, TX

The university of texas at arlington.

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology Campus
• Industrial and Organizational Psychology Campus
• Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology Campus

Austin Community College District

• Associate of Arts Degree Psychology Campus

Saint Edward's University

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology Campus
• BS in Behavioral Neuroscience Campus

The University of Texas at Austin

• BS in Psychology and a BA in Psychology. Campus
• Clinical Psychology Campus
• Cognition, Brain, and Behavior Campus
• Developmental Psychology Campus
• Individual Differences & Evolutionary Psychology Campus
• Perception, Brain and Behavior Campus
• Social & Personality Campus
• Human Development, Culture, and Learning Sciences Campus
• Quantitative Methods Doctoral Program Campus
• Counseling Psychology Campus
• Quantitative Methods Campus

University of Texas at Austin

• Autism and Developmental Disabilities Doctoral Program Campus

College Station, TX

Texas a & m university-college station.

• Applied Behavioral Health Certificate Campus
• Healthy Development Certificate Campus
• Psychology of Diversity Certificate Campus
• Bachelor of Arts and Science Campus
• Psychological Sciences, M.S Campus
• Clinical Psychology, Ph.D. Campus
• Industrial Organizational Psychology Campus
• Psychology, Ph.D. Campus

Commerce, TX

Texas a & m university-commerce.

• Psychology, B.S. Campus
• Teaching of Psychology Graduate Certificate Campus
• Psychology of Gerontology and Positive Aging Graduate Certificate Campus
• Psychology (MS) Campus
• Specialist in School Psychology (SSP) Campus
• Educational Psychology Campus

Southern Methodist University

• Psychology B.S. Campus
• M.S. in Organizational Psychology Campus
• Ph.D. Program Clinical Psychology Campus

University of North Texas at Dallas

• Psychology, BA Campus

Texas Woman's University

• Bachelor of Science in Psychology Campus
• Bachelor of Science in Psychology (Health Psychology) Campus
• B.S. in Psychology (Graduate School Preparation) Campus
• Bachelor of Science in Psychology (Pre-Occupational Therapy) Campus
• Bachelor of Science in Psychology (Pre-Physical Therapy) Campus
• Psychological Science Campus
• Child Development Online
• School Psychology Campus
• School Psychology Specialist Campus

University of North Texas

• Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology Campus
• Applied Behavior Analysis (BS) Campus
• Bachelor of Science Human Development and Family Science Campus
• Behavior Analysis (MS) Campus
• Applied Gerontology Undergraduate Certificate Campus
• PhD Special Education - Development Disabillities & Autism Campus

Edinburg, TX

The university of texas rio grande valley.

• Experimental M.A. Program Campus
• Clinical Psychology M.A. Campus
• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Certificate Program Campus
• Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program Campus

El Paso, TX

The university of texas at el paso.

• BA in Psychology Campus
• BS in Psychology Campus
• M.A. Clinical Program Campus
• M.A. Experimental Program Campus
• Behavioral Neuroscience Campus
• Bilingualism, Language and Cognition Campus
• Health Psychology Campus
• Legal Psychology Campus
• Social and Cultural Psychology Campus

Fort Worth, TX

Texas christian university.

• Neuroscience, BS Campus
• Child Development BA and BS Campus
• Developmental Trauma, MS Campus
• Experimental Psychology, Ph.D. Campus

Houston, TX

University of houston.

• B.A. or B.S. in Psychology Campus
• PSYC/MPP 4+1 Program Campus
• Developmental, Cognitive, and Behavioral Neuroscience Campus
• Industrial and Organizational (I/O) Psychology Campus
• Social, Personality, & Health Psychology Campus

University of Houston-Clear Lake

• Psychology M.S. Campus
• Industrial/Organizational Psychology M.A. Campus
• Behavior Analysis M.A. Campus
• Health Service Psychology Psy.D. Campus

University of Houston-Downtown

• Psychology B.S. Online
• Health and Behavioral Science - Aging Concentration, BS Campus

Huntsville, TX

Sam houston state university.

• Bachelor of Science, Major in Psychology Campus

Texas A & M International University

• Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology Campus
• Master of Science (MS) in Psychology Campus

Lubbock, TX

Texas tech university.

• Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Degrees B. A. in Psychology; + M.A. in General Experimental Psychology with Concentration in Human Factors Campus
• Human Factors Psychology Campus
• Social Psychology Campus
• Cognition & Cognitive Neuroscience Campus

Nacogdoches, TX

Stephen f austin state university.

• Master of Arts in Psychology Campus
• Online graduate certificate in teaching college psychology Campus
• School Psychology PhD Campus

The University of Texas Permian Basin

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology Campus
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology Online Online
• Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology Campus
• Masters of Arts (MA) in Experimental Psychology - Accelerated Master's Program Campus

Prairie View, TX

Prairie view a & m university.

• Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Adolescent Psychology Program Campus

Richardson, TX

The university of texas at dallas.

• Bachelor of Science in Child Learning and Development Campus
• Cognitive Science BS Campus
• Psychology BS Campus
• Applied Cognition and Neuroscience MS Campus
• Human Development and Early Childhood Disorders MS Campus
• Psychology MS Campus
• Psychology PhD Campus
• Cognition and Neuroscience PhD Campus

San Antonio, TX

The university of texas at san antonio.

• Master of Science in Psychology Campus
• School Psychology Master's Degree Program Campus
• Ph.D. in Psychology Campus
• Applied Behavior Analysis Graduate Certificate Campus

University of the Incarnate Word

San marcos, tx, texas state university.

• Psychology BA and BS Campus
• Master of Arts in Psychological Research (MAPR) Campus

Stephenville, TX

Tarleton state university.

• B.S. in Psychology Campus
• Master of Science in Applied Psychology - Pre-Doctoral Program Campus
• Child Development and Family Studies, M.S. Campus

The University of Texas at Tyler

• Bachelor's Degrees in Psychology Campus
• Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences Degree Online
• Master of Science in Clinical Psychology Campus
• Ph.D. Clinical Psychology (Underserved Populations) Campus

Victoria, TX

University of houston-victoria.

• B.A. in Psychology Campus
• Counseling Psychology M.A.:Professional Counselor (PC) concentration Campus
• Counseling Psychology Psychological Associate (PA) concentration Campus
• Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology Campus

Baylor University

• EdS School Psychology Program Campus
• B.S. in Neuroscience Campus
• Graduate Program in Clinical Psychology Campus
• MSEd in Educational Psychology Applied Behavior Analysis Campus
• MSEd in Educational Psychology - General Campus
• MSEd in Educational Psychology - Gifted and Talented Education Campus

Are we missing your school's program or need to update information listed? Please contact us so we can make the necessary changes.

Education & Human Development

Educational psychology, how to apply.

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.

Program Areas to choose from

Educational psychology, us news & world report 2021, number of online courses available, former student highlight, michele sheppard.

“When I started at A&M, it was unlike any other, they push you to be your very best. Being a single mom and going back to school was not always easy but you can do it!”

Master’s →

Bachelor’s →

Certificates →

Emphasis Areas

Educational psychology programs.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES

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

Undergraduate Studies

Graduate Programs

The department of Educational Psychology offers a range of professional graduate degree programs.

ONLINE EDUCATION

EPSY offers a wide variety of online programs and courses to many the diverse needs our students.

Online Education

Certificates

Undergraduate students have the opportunity to complete certificate programs while completing their degree requirements.

FROM OUR FORMER STUDENTS

“I came to the conclusion that being a special educator is less about whom you teach and more about what you teach.”

– Stephanie Haetchen ’12 Special Education Programs

Upcoming Events

View all upcoming EPSY events

Doctorate in:

School psychology.

Ph.D. in School Psychology

Our Ph.D. in School Psychology is designed to give candidates a thorough and comprehensive knowledge their professional field and training in methods of research, as well as competencies required for practice.

This degree is awarded based on a candidate’s grasp of subject matter in a broad field of study, a demonstrated ability to do independent research, and demonstrated competencies for practice as a health service professional. In addition, candidates must have acquired the ability to express thoughts clearly and forcefully in both oral and written languages.

This degree is not granted solely for the completion of coursework, residence and technical requirements, although these must be met.

• For a student who has completed a master’s degree, a DDS/DMD, DVM or MD at a U.S. institution, a minimum of 64 hours is required on the degree plan for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
• For a student who has completed a baccalaureate degree but not a master’s degree or a U.S. DDS/DMD, DVM or MD , a minimum of 96 hours is required on the degree plan for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

Students gain the knowledge and skills for:

• Research • Assessment • Intervention • Consultation • Supervision • Ethical and Professional Practice

Program graduates work in a variety of private and institutional settings, including:

• Public and private schools • Hospitals and medical clinics • Community-based health and educational organizations • University settings

Disclosure of Education & Training Outcomes

SPSY 2023 Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data is for informed decision-making by prospective students, as well as others.

Where are our Graduates?

A recent evaluation of program graduates over the last 10 years, from the academic year 2010-2011 to 2019-2020, finds our graduates are currently in the following work settings:

School District

Hospital/medical centers, community mental health clinic, independent practice, other: dod schools (consultant), other: community agency, university academic setting (non-medical) teaching/faculty, chosen unemployment, admissions deadlines.

• Applications are currently closed and will reopen on August 1, 2024.

RECOMMENDED GRE/GPA SCORES

Recommended gre/gpa scores.

• 1000 (old scoring system) or
• 310 (new scoring system)
• Undergraduate (and Graduate, if applicable) GPA could impact admission.
• GRE scores are not required for 2022 applicants.

SUBMISSION CRITERIA

Submission criteria.

• Letters of reference from professors and employers.
• Membership in professional organizations.
• Involvement in research activities.
• Relevant job experience.
• Personal characteristics such as bilingual status or experience working with individuals with disabilities.
• Essay outlining goals, research interests, and skills.

Application reviews occur in December. Full program faculty and a graduate student select students for interviews in early January. On-campus interviews start at the beginning of February.

Admission Interviews

• Expect a formal interview, informative sessions, and interaction with both faculty and graduate students. Applicants also will have the opportunity to see the campus, clinics, and community.
• For out-of-state students, we try to subsidize the cost of travel.

Post-Interview Process

• Admitted students must notify us in writing by April 15 of their intent to enroll the following fall.
• Students who enter the program are assigned a student mentor and a temporary advisor.

Program Details

Degree: Ph.D. in School Psychology Degrees Offered: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Credit Hours: minimum 104-112 hours

• Students completing the program obtain the Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in School Psychology.
• For students entering with a baccalaureate, the program requires  a non-thesis option M.Ed. after completion of the first 36 credits . The doctoral degree plan includes a minimum of an additional 64 credits for all students including internship.
• The program meets criteria for the state and national credentials for practice in the schools and licensure as a psychologist in most states.

Select School of Education and update credit hours.

Accreditation

The School Psychology Program at Texas A&M University is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) .

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation 750 First Street, N.E. Washington, DC 20002-4242 (202) 336-5979

Our Program has been approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) .

Program Requirements

• Students engage in coursework and field experiences that are sequential and increase in complexity.
• All students must complete the core curriculum.
• Students choose an area of more in-depth coverage as they progress through the program.

Read the School Psychology Student handbook for details about our mission, required coursework, field experiences, and student performance evaluations.

Consideration for Prior Graduate Credit

In recognition that some students enter the program with a master’s or specialist’s degree in School Psychology or related field, the program has established the Direct to Doctorate  process.

Degree Requirements

Review the School Psychology degree requirements associated with time commitment and acquiring residency.

Research Apprenticeship

Students participate in mentored research activities beginning in their first year. They present as part of research at the regional, national and international convention and publish with faculty mentorship.

Scientific inquiry (i.e., research) is the most powerful and prominent method for creating new knowledge and testing extant theories. The skills and attitudes of scientific inquiry are essential to the development and delivery of sound professional services, and directly benefit the clients and constituencies served.

We believe that the Ph.D. degree in School Psychology should indicate the student’s ability to generate and disseminate (e.g., through professional conferences and journals) new knowledge that contributes to our understanding of important theoretical and/or practical issues and questions in the area of psychology. This requires that students are well versed in the knowledge base in their specialty area, and have developed facility with all aspects of the research process. Our graduates are able to function as researchers both independently and collaboratively in clinical and research settings.

Expectations

Our program is designed to foster doctoral students’ continuous involvement in research. Students are expected to participate in mentored research activities from the start of their doctoral training by joining existing research teams led by faculty mentors. At early stages, involvement in research may include assistance with data collection, study management, and data entry or organization. As students’ skills develop, opportunities for conducting data analyses, designing new studies, producing scholarly products (e.g., conference presentations, journal articles), and mentoring in grant writing may be available.

Through these mentored research opportunities, students will develop the full spectrum of research skills necessary for formulating their dissertation and conducting research independently. Research involvement and competence will be reviewed annually by the student’s doctoral committee and/or program committee to provide written feedback about their progress toward meeting program research expectations.

Program Assessments

Annual evaluation.

Annual Evaluation of School Psychology Student

Practicum Student Evaluation

Practicum Student Evaluation Form

Annual Review of Departmental and Clinical Expectations

Practicum Directory

Practicum opportunities.

Elective Practicum Opportunities

Program Handbook

Notice to students pursuing programs that may lead to a professional license or certification required for employment:

The following programs may lead to a professional license or certification that is required for employment. Professional licensure/certification requirements vary from state to state, which may affect a student’s ability to apply for a professional license/certification upon the completion of the program. The U.S. Department of Education regulation,  34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v) , requires an institution to disclose whether the program will fulfill educational requirements for licensure or certification for each state. The administrative departments that offer the programs have made the following determination regarding their curriculum.

Additional conditions explained

* The School Psychology Doctoral program is aligned with requirements for the License as a Psychologist (LP) and Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP) in the State of Texas and the National Certification as a School Psychologist (NCSP). The curriculum is consistent with accreditation by the American Psychological Association and as such provides required coursework and training for most states; however, students should be aware that state licensure and educational certification requirements change and vary by state. In particular, some states (i.e., California and Michigan) require specific didactic courses or supervisory provisions (i.e., New Jersey and Virgin Islands) not required in Texas or other states for licensure/certification. As such, students are encouraged to investigate the requirements in other states to identify additional courses they may need. For a fuller summary of the requirements for licensure in each state, please visit the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Board .

** North Dakota Board of Examiner’s specifies that telepsych may not replace face-to-face individual supervision. During the COVID pandemic, the TAMU School Psychology program utilized telepsych practices to engage in supervision. We advise students interested in licensure in ND to consult with that psychology board regarding these special circumstances if we continue this approach for safety reasons.

Contact Advisors

Peggy Brigman

Academic Advisor IV

View Directory Profile

Program Faculty

Sara Castro-Olivo

Associate Professor

Daniel Hajovsky

Clinical Assistant Professor

Justin Allen

Assistant Professor

Frequently Asked Questions

• Doctoral 10

List of Bachelor Degree Equivalencies

Please view a brief  List of Bachelor Degree Equivalencies by Country . If you do not find your country listed and are unsure of your degree equivalency, please contact the Office of Admissions at  [email protected] .

Can my Application fee be waived?

Yes. This fee may be waived only in exceptional cases for low-income applicants and McNair Scholars. To receive the waiver, you must submit an awards letter from your current school’s financial aid office showing the award of a Pell Grant. Your Student Aid Report (SAR) from a current FAFSA can also be submitted to show financial need. McNair Scholars must submit a letter from their McNair Program Director verifying their status as a McNair Scholar in good standing to receive the fee waiver. Submit this information to the Academic Affairs Business Office and include your major of interest and term of application. Waiver of application fee is not available for international students.

Statement of Purpose Essay

All applicants must complete the Essay, Statement of Purpose and explain the following:

• Why you applied to this program
• Academic background and training
• Potential for graduate study
• Research experience
• Other relevant professional experiences

I want/need a Graduate Assistantship/Fellowship – how do I apply?

Please note that we cannot guarantee any financial assistance to any student. We will contact all admitted students about the process for applying for all available assistantships. This is a separate process from applying for admission. The department and programs will choose students to be nominated for Graduate Diversity or Graduate Merit fellowships. These fellowships are only open to U.S. citizens. Please do not ask to be nominated for one of these fellowships as the program will determine which students are competitive for these awards.

How do is submit my letters of Recommendation?

The  GraduateCAS  online application includes a Recommendations section where you must add your recommenders’ information. Once you have saved the recommendation requests, GraduateCAS will contact each recommender via email to request the completion of the recommendation form and letter of recommendation. We require three letters of recommendations and they must be submitted directly by recommenders through the electronic system.

Is there an admissions cycle for Spring semester?

No. For our Ph.D. programs we only have admissions in fall semesters.

What are the typical program costs?

Check out the cost of attendance estimator.

Please note, you must update the program hours.

For a better understanding of your total cost of attendance (COA), please visit our cost and tuition rates webpage ( https://aggie.tamu.edu/billing-and-payments/cost-and-tuition-rates ). This webpage will provide you with an opportunity to review estimated COA information for undergraduate, graduate and professional students, as well as other resources such as the tuition calculator and billing and fee explanations.

Can you guide me through the application process?

How to Apply: Master’s Application Information | Doctoral Application Information

I live out of state. Do you accept out-of-state applicants?

Yes, we accept in-state and out-of-state applicants.

Is there any opportunity for financial assistance?

Yes, there are opportunities for financial assistance through the following departments: Office of Graduate Studies Financial Aid

Request Information

Tuition & fees.

For a better understanding of your total cost of attendance (COA), please visit our cost and tuition rates webpage ( https://aggie.tamu.edu/billing-and-payments/cost-and-

tuition-rates). This webpage will provide you with an opportunity to review estimated COA information for undergraduate, graduate and professional students, as well as other resources such as the tuition calculator and billing and fee explanations.

Can't find what you are looking for?

College of Education

• Graduate Program

Educational Psychology - Ph.D.

Program overview.

Educational Psychology is an academic program in the Department of Educational Psychology, Leadership, & Counseling. The program equips students with a comprehensive knowledge of learning, motivation, development, and educational foundations. Additionally, students learn to apply quantitative and qualitative research skills in a manner that promotes educational improvement while valuing individual differences. Thus, educational psychology attracts students from various educational and professional backgrounds including education, psychology, human sciences, business, sports sciences, and health sciences.

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Program work within Educational Psychology is developed and guided by a strong conceptual framework, the standards from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), guidelines from the American Psychological Association (APA), American Educational Research Association (AERA), and National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and the sound professional judgment of an experienced and caring faculty.

The doctoral program emphasizes research and teaching and prepares students for career positions in academia. Additionally, Educational Psychology prepares students for careers in educational research and measurement, such as those found in universities (e.g., institutional research), government agencies, and testing companies. However, students may also choose a practitioner-oriented emphasis or track, such as school psychology  or Developmental and Learning Sciences , by crafting an individualized, interdisciplinary degree plan.

Program Handbook

Degrees Offered

Ph.D., offered as a face-to-face program, with some coursework offered online, on weekends, and in intensive, one-week summer sessions.

Career Opportunities With This Degree

Most graduates teach in colleges or universities or are in positions conducting research.

Application Materials

College Transcripts – Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded to the Graduate School application . Information on submitting official transcripts will be provided to you by the Graduate School. Grade reports or unofficial transcripts from university web portals will not be accepted. Please redact the Social Security Number anywhere it appears on your transcript. If documents are written in a language other than English, a copy of a complete and official English translation must be provided with the original language records.

Required Supplemental Application Materials

GRE Scores, Resume, Three Professional Recommendations, Academic Writing Sample, Response to Applicant Statement Prompt.  Download a comprehensive list of requirements.

Application Process

Please visit the Graduate Application Process for more information on how to apply.

This program requires official GRE scores. Scores must no more than 5 years old at the time of application. Official GRE scores must be sent from Educational Testing Services (ETS) to the Texas Tech Graduate School. To register for the examination please visit the GRE Testing website . Texas Tech University's code is 6827.

• Due to ongoing accessibility concerns, the Graduate School has suspended GRE test score requirements for applications through at least Summer 2025. For more information, please contact the Graduate School .

Semester in which the program can be started

It is recommended that students start in the fall but applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Estimated Hours to Completion

91 credit hours

Allowable Transfer Hours

30 hours of coursework completed within last 7 years with a grade of B or better, at advisor's discretion

Financial Aid

TTU Graduate School and COE scholarships, research assistantships, student loans

To be competitive for funding support, the recommended deadline for Fall is December 1 st . However, applications received at other times will be reviewed.

Tuition & Fees

Use the Student Business Services Tuition Estimator to estimate your costs.

Chance Webb Academic Advisor/Admissions Office of Graduate Admissions & Enrollment [email protected] 806-834-6768

Stephanie Barbre, Ph.D. Program Coordinator Educational Psychology, Leadership, & Counseling [email protected] 806-834-1702

Research, Evaluation, Measurement, and Statistics

Educational psychology and foundations, school psychology.

Learn more about the School Psychology track

• Delivery : Face-to-Face or Hybrid
• Hours to Completion: 91
• Now accepting applications for: All Semesters
• Maximum Transfer Hours: 30

Contact TTU

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PhD in Psychology Further Your Understanding of Psychology

Degree Options

View Degree Options

100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Understand the Human Experience from a Biblical Worldview with an Online PhD in Psychology

Do you want to deepen your knowledge in psychology and use your research to contribute to the field of understanding human behavior? Liberty University’s PhD in Psychology can provide rigorous research training that can better prepare you for a career in academia and research. An online PhD in Psychology is ideal for students who want to bring new knowledge of human behavior to the field and find new ways to help people heal, grow, and thrive.

Liberty’s PhD in Psychology is designed to prepare you to evaluate research and to understand the truth about human behavior from a biblical worldview. Our mission is to  Train Champions for Christ , and we fulfill this mission by training professionals to use science and biblical values to understand the full breadth of the human experience. Our unique, biblically-based approach to this field can help prepare you to make a positive impact on those you work with.

With Liberty’s PhD in Psychology, you can take part in optional face-to-face on-campus intensives that will allow you to meet faculty and other students while you develop your professional and research skills.

What Will You Study in Our PhD in Psychology Degree?

Liberty’s online PhD in Psychology is designed to build on your previous study and experience in human psychology and develop you into a researcher and psychologist who demonstrates ethical and academic excellence while integrating biblical values into your practice.

Through this program, you will:

• Learn how an appreciation of biblical values enhances psychiatric practice by putting human value at the forefront of technique and theory.
• Develop a grounded critical approach to psychiatric research and theory while integrating a biblical worldview into approaches to current issues in psychology.
• Master psychiatric research and writing techniques that can establish your work in the study of human behavior.
• Complete dissertation research through your program with mentorship from your professors so that you have the option to present research at conferences.

Through this program, you will be encouraged to become a thought leader on a variety of topics related to the human experience. Our goal is to help you venture into the world of psychiatric research and practice and offer insights based on biblical foundations of truth that can help people heal and thrive.

Featured Courses

• PSYC 510 — Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology I
• PSYC 710 — Psychological Research and Biblical Worldview
• PSYC 716 — Theories and Research in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
• PSYC 775 — Teaching of Psychology

Degree Information

• This program falls under the  School of Behavioral Sciences .
• View the  Graduate Behavioral Sciences Course Guides   (login required).
• View the  PhD in Psychology Dissertation Handbook
• The online PhD in Psychology is a non-clinical, non-licensure program.

Why Choose Liberty’s Online Degree?

To help you meet your educational goals in a way that fits your life, our online PhD in Psychology provides scheduling flexibility and keeps affordability in mind. Our PhD in Psychology’s online format allows you to take your classes from home without traveling to campus. However, this program still provides a community of psychology professionals and the ability to take optional intensive courses to allow you to connect in person.

Throughout this program, Liberty incorporates a biblical worldview into your instruction. This perspective in your research and practical training in psychology can help you develop professional and academic excellence without compromising an ethical appreciation for human life. Additionally, our caring faculty are devoted to helping you grow personally and academically.

With our online PhD in Psychology, you can learn effective clinical techniques, essential behavioral theory, and develop your research and writing expertise. You can be equipped with a thorough understanding of human thought and behavior while developing your own research to further the field.

Earning a PhD in Psychology online with Liberty means that you will be trained to engage with research and psychiatric practice critically and biblically. If you are interested in becoming a thoughtful, articulate, and research-focused professional, then this is the program for you.

Ranked in the Top 10% of Niche.com’s Best Online Schools in America

• What Sets Us Apart?
• Private Nonprofit University
• 600+ Online Degrees
• No Standardized Testing for Admission
• Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
• Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Potential Career Opportunities for PhD in Psychology Graduates

• Corporate psychologist
• Program or department head
• Project manager

Degree Options for Our PhD in Psychology Program

Focus your studies in psychology with a specialization.

Behavioral Health Leadership

Through the  PhD in Psychology – Behavioral Health Leadership , you can hone your research and leadership skills as you prepare to pursue administrative and management positions in mental and behavioral health organizations.

View the Degree Completion Plan .

Developmental Psychology

Through the online  PhD in Psychology – Developmental Psychology , you can learn about research theory related to human development, including cognitive development, social development, and language development.

General Psychology

The online PhD in Psychology – General Psychology provides an in-depth study of advanced psychiatric research and practice while giving you room to customize your course content.

Industrial/Organizational Psychology

In the online  PhD in Psychology – Industrial/Organizational Psychology  track, you will study human behavior in organizations and the workplace. You will focus on deriving principles of individual, group, and organizational behavior and applying that knowledge to developing solutions for challenges in the workplace.

Social Psychology

In the online  PhD in Psychology – Social Psychology  track, you can learn about research and theory related to social processes and relationships, attitudes, and other constructs related to social psychology.

In the online  PhD in Psychology – Theology  track, you can learn how to study the Bible and integrate that study of the Bible with research in psychology to further your understanding of psychological concepts.

Not sure what to choose?

Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.

Tuition & Aid

Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.

Eligible current and former military service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $300/credit hour ( learn more ) .

All Tuition & Fees

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial Aid Forms & Eligibility

Scholarship Opportunities

Admission Information for Our PhD in Psychology

Admission requirements.

• A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required) .
• Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing.
• Contact information  for 2 recommenders is required (approved recommenders are the student’s former college professors or supervisors).
• Statement of Purpose  is required (1,000-1,500 words, double spaced).
• Departmental approval is required.
• Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy .

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

• Be in your final term and planning to start your doctoral degree after the last day of class for your master’s degree.
• Complete a Master’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
• Submit an official transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 6 credit hours of completion for a 30-48 credit hour master’s degree or within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’s degree.
• Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.

Transcript Policies

Official college transcript policy.

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to [email protected] .

Admissions Office Contact Information

(800) 424-9596

(888) 301-3577

Email for Questions

[email protected]

Email for Documents

[email protected]

Liberty University Online Admissions Verification

1971 University Blvd.

Lynchburg, VA 24515

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

• Active Duty
• Reserve/National Guard
• Veterans/Retirees
• Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees

Military Tuition Discount

We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want – at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only $300/credit hour . Find out how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity as you work toward your goal of reaching the pinnacle of your profession – for less.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there opportunities to interact in-person with peers.

You can meet faculty and fellow students in person through optional on-campus intensives.

Can I have an impact through this degree?

Through your dissertation, you can contribute to the understanding of human experience and behavior.

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• Capella University Blog

Which psychology field is right for me?

May 15, 2024

Reading time: 4 minutes

Are you interested in using theory, analysis and evidence-based approaches to understand how people think, learn, develop and behave and to help them thrive? If you want to explore new ways to make a difference, the options for discovering your professional path in psychology may seem endless – and you may have found that you need advanced knowledge and skills to take the next step.

What skills can I develop with a psychology degree?

The specific skills that can be useful in the field of psychology will vary depending on the area of study you pursue and your degree level. Some of the broad skills that are important to develop include:

• Communication: Strong communication skills are an asset for helping individuals, groups or organizations, conveying research findings or working with colleagues.
• Ethical awareness: You may be required to handle sensitive information, which means respecting confidentiality.
• Analysis and critical thinking: When you conduct research or work with your stakeholders, you should be able to interpret data and understand how to apply what you know to different situations.
• Patience: Making progress toward specific goals takes time, whether it’s discussing solutions with a patient or conducting research on a study.
• Empathy and active listening: Understanding and recognizing the feelings of others starts with giving your full attention and knowing how to recognize verbal and nonverbal cues.
• Inclusivity: Recognizing the diverse perspectives of people and their communities and examining your own biases can help you adapt your approach to different needs.

Which area of psychology is right for me?

As you explore areas of psychology, these questions may help you figure out your interests:

• Who do you want to help?
• Are you more interested in clinical or applied areas of psychology?
• What issues do you want to focus on?

Your answers to these questions can help you find paths to explore, including degree options that could help you pursue your professional goals. You will need to conduct your own research to understand what opportunities may be available to you. Note that some professional paths may require you to have previous experience, licensure,* certifications or other designations along with a degree.

While Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific career outcome – such as a job title, promotion, salary increase or other career outcome – we encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.

*It is important to understand all educational and individual requirements for licensing. Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification or endorsement. State regulations vary regarding professional licensure. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with requirements for your state.

What can you do with a psychology degree?

Based on where your interests lie, explore some fields of psychology and degree options offered by Capella.

Clinical psychology:  Study human behavior and help people build wellness and emotional resilience.

• BS in Psychology Pre-Counseling & Therapy
• MS in Clinical Psychology
• PsyD in Clinical Psychology

Behavioral health:  Treat populations in distress to improve emotional, social and mental health.

• BS in Psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis
• MS in Applied Behavioral Analysis
• PhD in Behavior Analysis

Developmental psychology:  Promote positive development, social growth and emotional changes throughout all stages of life.

• MS in Psychology, Child & Adolescent Development
• PhD in Psychology, Developmental Psychology

Educational psychology: Study how people learn and retain knowledge.

• MS in Psychology, Educational Psychology
• PhD in Psychology, Educational Psychology

School psychology:  Apply principles of educational and developmental psychology to meet behavior and educational needs in a learning environment.

• MS in School Psychology
• EdS in School Psychology
• PsyD in School Psychology

Industrial/organizational psychology:  Support leaders and organizations through an understanding of human behavior to help create efficiencies and advance team performance.

• MS in Psychology, Industrial/Organizational Psychology
• PhD in Psychology, Industrial/Organizational Psychology  

Learn more about Capella’s  bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral psychology programs and graduate certificates.

You may also like

The difference between school counselors and school psychologists

How long does it take to become a psychologist?

What can you do with a bachelor’s in psychology?

Start learning today.

Get started on your journey now by connecting with an enrollment counselor. See how Capella may be a good fit for you, and start the application process.

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The 100% online PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy (60 credits) is specially designed for people looking to expand their hearts and minds while developing skills to meet the challenges of 21st Century life. Research and study in counseling theories and practice are integrated with theological inquiry in this vibrant doctoral program.  

You may also be interested in: Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy .

Program Details

• Note: Internship placements will be in-person at a location near you.
• Additional credits required until the completion of dissertation; additional credits may also be required if interested in pursuing state license)
• Enrolling New Students: August (View application deadlines) .
• $28,800 total in tuition & fees for the full 60-credit program (2023-2024)
• Financial Aid: Explore our federal financial aid options that may be available to you.

100% Online. Flexible. Affordable.

• Integration of Psychology & Christianity : Students assess individuals, couples, families, and congregations from an integrated point of view, incorporating theological issues with Marriage and Family systems theory and pertinent psychological perspectives in pastoral or clinical settings.
• Broad Audience : Students demonstrate advanced counseling skills appropriate to meet the needs of individuals, couples, families, and congregations seeking mental health services and programs.
• Self-Reflection : Students practice in-depth self-reflection to enhance their ongoing personal and professional development.
• Significant Research Project: Students create and present a significant research project resulting in a dissertation that contributes to the field of marriage and family therapy.
• Enrichment Programs : Students create and deliver integrated psychological and spiritual enrichment programs.  Examples of previous enrichment programs created by Eastern doctoral students include workshops for individuals, couples, and families, as well as seminars offered on special topics in a clinical or church setting.

Brooke Wheeler, PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy ’25

Our Mission

The PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy trains students in professional mental health and pastoral counseling fields to be skilled scholar/practitioners in marriage and family therapy who apply their minds and hearts to promoting processes of change and growth in individuals, couples, families, and communities. This scholar/practitioner research program prepares students for leadership roles in academia, research, behavioral healthcare, and pastoral care.

State Authorizations

Please check the  State Authorizations page  to determine if Eastern University’s program fulfills your state credentialing requirements. Students who seek similar credentialing in states other than Pennsylvania are advised to contact the appropriate credentialing agency within their home state to seek information and additional guidance about credentialing in your state of residence. Additional state or local requirements may exist for field placements or practica in this state. Out-of-state student placements/practica cannot be guaranteed by the program or the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences. Students are responsible for following all state and local requirements and regulations for their field placement/practica coursework.

Learn More: PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy

• Admissions Requirements
• Course Descriptions
• Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy
• DMin in Contextual Leadership
• PhD in Organizational Leadership

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Upper Iowa University to launch new graduate degree program in fall 2024

In eastern Iowa, Upper Iowa University (UIU) is adding a new graduate degree program to its curriculum in the fall of 2024.

It's called the Master of Arts in Psychology Degree. It's completely online and is designed to expose students to faculty and peers that work in the Psychological field.

A press release outlining the degree program Monday included statements about the curriculum and what students can expect to see:

The Master of Arts in Psychology degree will be a fully online degree which will provide students opportunities for career advancement, especially for leadership and managerial positions. For students aspiring to pursue a Ph.D., the Master of Arts in Psychology at UIU will provide a robust foundation. The program's comprehensive curriculum and emphasis on scholarly interests make it an excellent stepping stone for those looking to advance into doctoral studies in a psychology subfield.

With a Leadership and Professional Development Emphasis, the Master of Arts in Psychology was designed to be affordable, flexible, and will equip students with career-related skills, including data analytics, professional communication, critical thinking and leadership skills.

Carrying a 31-credit hour requirement for completion, most students can finish the degree in about a year through convenient 8-week course schedules.

Right now, enrollment is open for that program. 

"The Master of Arts in Psychology program was designed to support each student in fulfilling their passion to learn, while also providing skills that better prepare them for the workforce and further graduate training," said Program Director, Hillary Wehe. "The program is flexible, personalized, and fully-online, allowing students to explore a variety of topics relevant to the field of psychology."

The degree program will offer two session periods each year. One of those will be in the fall and the other one in the spring time. School officials say that kind of structure helps offer students more flexibility with their scheduling.

"At UIU, we are committed to delivering top-tier educational programs that not only meet the demands of today's job market but also empower students to achieve their personal and professional goals," said Dr. Doug Binsfeld, Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs. "The Master of Arts in Psychology program at UIU provides rigorous academic training and prepares graduates to excel in diverse settings. This program aligns with UIU's mission to inspire success and empower lives by offering accessible, high-quality educational opportunities. It is tailored to foster critical thinking, ethical responsibility, and a deep understanding of human behavior, all of which are integral to personal and community success."

You can read more about that degree program and signup on the university's website .