Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology

General Psychology Specialization

School of Psychology

This specialization is designed for learners who want a great deal of flexibility in selecting elective course offerings based on personal and professional goals. Learners can take elective courses tailored around one of three focus areas including addictions, family, or health psychology. Learners can also choose electives from courses in the Schools of Human Services, Education, and Business and Technology to form individualized programs of study.

Residency Requirements: As a doctoral learner you will attend residential colloquia in addition to your online courses. Taken during specific milestones in your program, you will attend three colloquia, each one week in length.

Note: These degree requirements are not designed for licensure as a professional psychologist.

ENROLL NOW FOR CLASSES BEGINNING: January 6, 2025 COST PER 5-CREDIT COURSE: $2,075 Two or three concurrent 5-credit courses: $1,875 per course (pricing is subject to periodic adjustment) TOTAL QUARTER CREDITS : 120 credits

Core Courses:

• PSY 7021 - Foundations of Psychology - Doctoral Learners - 5 credits
• PSY 7210 - Lifespan Development - 5 credits
• PSY 7421 - Cognitive/Affective Psychology - 5 credits
• PSY 7520 - Social Psychology - 5 credits
• PSY 7540 - Multicultural Perspectives in Human Behavior - 5 credits
• PSY 7610 - Tests and Measurements - 5 credits
• PSY 7625 - Advanced Inferential Statistics - 5 credits
• PSY 7630 - Qualitative Analysis - 5 credits
• PSY 7656 - Advanced Research Methods - 5 credits
• PSY 8330 - Ethics and Standards of Professional Practice - 5 credits

Specialization Courses:

• PSY 7110 - History and Systems of Psychology - 5 credits
• PSY 7510 - Psychology of Personality - 5 credits
• PSY 9984 - Doctoral Comprehensive Examination I - 5 credits
• PSY 9985 - Doctoral Comprehensive Examination II - 5 credits
• PSY 9301 - Dissertation Research I - 5 credits
• PSY 9302 - Dissertation Research II - 5 credits
• PSY 9303 - Dissertation Research III - 5 credits
• PSY 9304 - Dissertation Research IV - 5 credits

Six Elective Courses:

Choose six elective courses from the lists below:

• For a focus in addiction psychology, recommended electives include:
• PSY 7330 - Psychopharmacology - 5 credits
• PSY 8410 - Substance Abuse Therapies - 5 credits
• PSY 8420 - Multicultural Trends in Addictions - 5 credits
• PSY 8430 - Issues and Trends in Addiction/Compusion Treatments - 5 credits
• PSY 8440 - Substance Abuse Program Evaluation - 5 credits
• PSY 8450 - Compulsive Behavior and the Disturbance of the Self - 5 credits
• PSY 8460 - Dual Diagnosis in Mental and Addictive Disorders - 5 credits
• PSY 8570 - Family Systems Approach to Addictive Behavior Problems - 5 credits
• For a focus in family psychology, recommended electives include:
• PSY 8510 - Family Systems Theories - 5 credits
• PSY 8520 - Couples Therapy - 5 credits
• PSY 8530 - Family Therapy - 5 credits
• PSY 8540 - Current Issues and Methods in Family Research - 5 credits
• PSY 8560 - Principles of Family Pathology - 5 credits
• PSY 8570 - Family Systems Approach to Addictive Behavior Problems - 5 credits
• For a focus in health psychology, recommended electives include:
• PSY 7320 - Advanced Biological Psychology - 5 credits
• PSY 7330 - Psychopharmacology - 5 credits
• PSY 8610 - Principles of Health Psychology - 5 credits
• PSY 8630 - Health Care Delivery - 5 credits
• PSY 8640 - Community Psychology - 5 credits
• PSY 8650 - Innovative Health Care Practices - 5 credits
• PSY 8660 - Coping with Chronic Physical Illness - 5 credits
• PSY 8670 - Cognitive/Affective Basis of Physical Illness - 5 credits
• Or choose from graduate courses across the univeristy, excluding 8000-level School of Psychology testing, practicum, and internship courses.

• Note: Courses without a PSY designation may be worth fewer than 5 credits. Learners must carefully plan their elective courses to ensure that total credit requirements are met.

Learn more about our related specializations:

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology - Industrial/Organizational Psychology
• Doctor Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology - Educational Psychology