The Ph.D. program in Psychology emphases academic quality and provides expert training in basic research and its application. Students master a series of core courses designed to facilitate a thorough grounding in theory, methodology, and content. Students are also required to pursue specific areas of interest and to acquire research experience through apprenticeship with a primary advisor. A minimum of 90 credits of approved graduate work beyond the baccalaureate is required, including a dissertation based upon the student’s original research. A maximum of 36 credits may be transferred from another graduate program with the approval of the area program committee. The following areas of specialization are offered:
The Clinical Science area focuses on the application of scientific evidence to further the design, implementation, and evaluation of assessment, prevention, and treatment procedures for use with children from infancy to adolescence. Faculty interests cover each of the major problem areas of childhood and adolescence, including ADHD, anxiety, conduct problems, depression and suicidal behaviors, and risky problem behaviors.
The Developmental Science area emphasizes both basic and applied research across the lifespan. Faculty interests include development aspects of perception, learning, cognition, social relationships, self awareness and identity, parenting, adolescent risky behavior, intervention, and positive youth development.
The Industrial-Organizational area focuses on issues such as the psychology of human resource management, group behavior, cultural diversity in organizations, leadership, and training and development. Faculty are interested in meta-analysis, assessment, personality, and work-family issues.
The Legal Psychology area focuses on the interface of psychology and law. Faculty interests include
jury decision making, eyewitness memory and identification,
deception detection, and investigative interviewing.
