Psychology, PhD
Work with faculty mentors through an apprenticeship-style model, contributing to ongoing research and developing into an independent scholar. You'll advance your understanding of the mind, brain, thinking, feeling and behavior while conducting vital research, from cellular processes to societal impact.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes
International students (F1) can extend U.S. work experience by 24 months.
Accreditation and professional licensure
The clinical psychology area of study is accredited by the Commission ...
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Psychology, PhD degree description
The Doctor of Philosophy program in psychology offers you comprehensive training in innovative research methods and the application of psychological principles across various human conditions. This program stands out with six highly ranked areas of study:
- behavioral neuroscience and comparative psychology
- clinical psychology
- cognitive psychology
- developmental psychology
- quantitative research methods (formal degree concentration)
- social psychology
Each specialization shapes the core curriculum for you, encouraging interdisciplinary learning opportunities across the university.
Faculty members engage you in groundbreaking research, fostering theoretical exploration in areas such as evolution and behavior; cognitive processes such as attention and memory; personality studies; and societal issues such as stigma and prejudices. You investigate diverse topics, including individual resilience, cultural influences, neurobiological and psychosocial factors impacting behavior and health, child mental health prevention and life span developmental aspects of emotion and cognition.
A distinct strength of this doctoral psychology program is the wealth of outstanding faculty members who excel in quantitative methods. No matter your specialized area of focus, you gain access to a wide variety of courses and hands-on experiences, seamlessly integrating quantitative methodologies into your work.
Why earn your psychology PhD at ASU?
You study within an academic unit that has helped shape modern psychological science for decades. ASU's Department of Psychology is home to internationally recognized scholars whose research has influenced fields from social and developmental psychology to behavioral neuroscience, addiction science and quantitative methodology. Its legacy includes pioneers such as Robert Cialdini, who transformed the science of influence and persuasion; Nancy Eisenberg, who advanced understanding of children's emotional and social development; and Laurie Chassin, whose landmark studies have reshaped knowledge of substance use and addiction across generations.
You also tap into a large, active research ecosystem featuring more than 50 laboratories, nationally recognized research centers and faculty collaborations that span psychology, neuroscience, health, education, engineering and data science.
Additional details
Beyond your research, you can join the Psychology Graduate Student Association, a student-led graduate organization that builds connections among peers while supporting mentorship, professional growth and public engagement.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation
Required Core (3 credit hours) Electives and Research (69 credit hours) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information
PSY 502 Professional Issues in Psychology (3)
PSY 799 Dissertation (12)
In addition to required coursework pertaining to the training area, students take courses related to their area of interest, as determined in consultation with their supervisory committees. Requirements vary across training areas.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Critically evaluate existing psychological literature to identify novel research questions within their area of specialization.
- Design an independent study to test theoretical models of human behavior, utilizing appropriate statistical methods.
- Integrate their research findings within the larger context in their field to identify limitations and provide areas for future direction.
- Effectively communicate research findings through written publications and oral presentations.
Critically evaluate existing psychological literature to identify novel research questions within their area of specialization.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in psychology or a related field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. Due to the competitiveness of the program, applicants to the clinical area must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.30 rather than 3.00 in either their first bachelor's or applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information Applicants may submit GRE scores if available, but GRE scores are not required for admission. ASU does not accept the GRE General Test at home edition. To apply to the doctoral programs, applicants must follow the instructions on the doctoral program admission instructions and checklist. It is strongly recommended that applicants download and print this form to ensure completion of the application process and to include all of the required supplemental forms. The Department of Psychology application process is completed online through ASU's graduate admission services, which includes the application form and official transcripts. Application to the Department of Psychology doctoral programs is also completed via SlideRoom, for processing of supplemental application materials. The SlideRoom account requires an additional fee. Applicants must submit three academic letters of recommendation from faculty members who know the student well. Three letters are required, but four letters of recommendation may be submitted.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/07 | Final* |
*A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Admission Services by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this psychology PhD degree prepares you for
The PhD in psychology opens up diverse career opportunities across academia, education, health care, industry, government and community organizations. This program equips graduates with a versatile skill set in research design, data analysis, measurement, mental health assessment, treatment and program evaluation.
Graduates are prepared for impactful roles such as consultants, data scientists-biostatisticians, program evaluation specialists, licensed clinical psychologists, psychology professors, research associates, research professors, senior analysts, staff psychologists and teaching faculty.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
Department of Psychology
|
PSY 201
psychgrad@asu.edu
480-727-4561
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
