• Data Analysis Sequence, Psy 611, 612, 613. Completion, end of spring term of first year.
• First Year Research Sequence (three terms, includes Ethics). Completion, end of spring term of first year.
• Core Course Sequence (three out of five Core Courses). Complete, at least two Core courses by the end of spring term of first year. Third Core Course by the end of spring of second year.
• First Year Research Requirement. Completion, research paper due by November 15 of second year.
• Supporting Area Requirement. Completion, October 15 of fourth year.
• Major Preliminary Examination. Completion, October 15 of fourth year.
• Doctoral Dissertation. Completion, within seven years of matriculation.

The Department expects that most students will complete their doctoral degree in 5-7 years.

With the exception of students who study clinical psychology, no particular courses other than those listed above are required. However, students and their advisors should develop a program of courses, seminars, and practica appropriate to their academic and career goals. Because students in the graduate program come from a wide variety of backgrounds, and because their interests may require very different graduate programs, students may petition the Graduate Education Committee (GEC) to allow deviations from any requirement. For example, students with extensive background in statistics may petition to waive any or all of the data analysis sequence. A student entering with a Master’s degree may petition to have previous coursework and/or research apply towards satisfying one or more of the other requirements.

The Ph.D. is a research and scholarly degree, and it is expected that students will be engaged in research throughout their graduate program. The ultimate goal of the graduate curriculum is to enable students to formulate interesting research questions and to put those questions to adequate empirical test. Therefore, student research is a basic and integral component of graduate work throughout all four years.

Although teaching experience is not formally required for the Ph.D., most students obtain experience in teaching, as a teaching assistant and/or as the sole instructor in an undergraduate course. Since experience at teaching is important for academic appointments, most students should do some teaching during their stay in the program. However, they should not allow teaching to prevent research activity from continuing throughout their graduate education.

Students intending to receive their degree in clinical psychology have additional requirements. These requirements are discussed in the Guide to the Clinical Program, linked below.

• Doctoral Student Handbook (Fall 2021)
• Guide to the Clinical Program (Fall 2020)