Psychology - PhD

Behavior Analysis

The graduate program in Psychology offers students the opportunity to obtain specialty training in behavior analysis. The Behavior Analysis specialization in the Psychology Ph.D. program provides training for students interested in experimental behavior analysis and translational research. Students receive extensive classroom and hands-on training in laboratory, applied research, and translating contemporary behavioral theories into innovative behavior-analytic practice.

For more specific information, see the department’s website at https://cehs.usu.edu/psychology/doctoral/behavior-analysis.

Brain and Cognition

The Brain and Cognition area of specialization in the Psychology Ph.D. program offers students the opportunity to obtain specialty training in areas related to cognition and neuroscience. The Brain and Cognition specialization provides extensive training for behavioral, cognitive, molecular, systems, or computational neuroscience students. Training opportunities for students include investigating basic behavioral, cognitive, and neurological processes; understanding the contribution of basic neurological processes to psychological disorders; neural correlates of behavioral phenomena; and related issues. Students interested in neuroscience may also want to consider the Neuroscience Ph.D. program.

For more specific information, see the department’s website at https://cehs.usu.edu/psychology/doctoral/brain-and-cognition.

Data Science and Research Methodology-Currently Not Accepting Students

Combined Clinical/Counseling Psychology (APA-accredited)

This program integrates the theory and practice of psychology common to the disciplines traditionally denoted as clinical and counseling psychology. It subscribes to the scientist-practitioner model and seeks to balance research and clinical training. Students completing the program will enter professional practice in various settings, including university counseling centers, community mental health centers, hospitals, clinics, and academic settings. Independent research, in the form of a thesis and dissertation, is required of all students. The Combined Clinical/Counseling program provides generalized training but also provides specialized training opportunities aligned with student interests via elective coursework and practica. These experiences are intended to help students develop a specialty area aligned with their future career goals. The program is also affiliated with the American Indian Support Project, one of the nation’s most successful programs for training and mentoring American Indian psychologists.

Complete information on accreditation and standards for accreditation are available through the Commission on Accreditation (CoA) at Education Directorate, American Psychological Association, 750 First Street NE, Washington DC 20002-4242, (202) 336-5979, or on the web at https://accreditation.apa.org/.

Undergraduate prerequisites: Applicants admitted to the Ph.D. program in Combined Clinical/Counseling who did not major in psychology or a related field may need to take some undergraduate psychology courses (e.g., basic statistics) as prerequisites for program requirements. Any prerequisite requirements will be determined in consultation with the student and program faculty.

For more specific information about the program, see the department’s website at https://cehs.usu.edu/psychology/doctoral/combined-clinical-counseling.

School Psychology

The School Psychology Ph.D. program trains psychologists with expertise in promoting the academic, social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health of youth in schools and related settings. Training is grounded in the scientist-practitioner model and involves assessment and intervention across multiple levels, including direct services with youth, consultation-based services with parents and teachers, and systems-level services with educational administrators and multidisciplinary teams. The program emphasizes research that advances science-based practice and requires the completion of original research projects. Program graduates are prepared to work in various professional settings, including academia, educational/psychological research firms, school systems, and traditional clinical settings.

For more information, see the program’s website at https://cehs.usu.edu/psychology/doctoral/school-psychology

Disclosure of Educational Requirements for Licensure by State

https://www.usu.edu/online/state-authorization/

Admissions requirements vary somewhat across Psychology graduate programs. Therefore, applicants should review program web pages for more details. However, applications submitted to the School of Graduate Studies must include the following:

• Transcripts from all previous universities attended.

• Three letters of recommendation

• A statement of professional goals and intent

• A curriculum vitae/resume

Applicants to the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs are advised that they should possess a broad base of knowledge at the undergraduate level in a substantive subgroup of the following: general psychology, human development, learning theory, cognition, personality theory research, psychometrics, elementary statistics, history and systems, physiological, sensation and perception, and social psychology.