best universities for phd in psychology

Psychology Headlines

From around the world.

• People's Moral Values Change with the Seasons, Study Finds
• U.K. Reports of Antisemitic Incidents Reach Record High
• U.S. Secretaries of State Urge Musk to Block Election Misinformation
• Sierra Leone Used to Chain Mental Health Patients; Times Are Changing
• Report Details Systemic Racism Within London Police Service
• U.S. Schools Taking Meditation Breaks to Help Students Manage Stress
• B'tselem's report contains testimony from 55 recently released Palestinian detainees, whose graphic accounts suggest a dramatic worsening of prison conditions since the start of the Gaza war 10 months ago. A U.N. report last week also contained shocking allegations of abuse directed against Palestinian…">Israeli Human Rights Group Alleges Abuse of Palestinian Detainees
• Worldwide, Scientists Very Concerned About Climate Change, Survey Finds

Source: Psychology News Center

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2024 Best Psychology Doctor's Degree Schools

Choosing a great psychology school for your doctor's degree, overall quality is a must, average early-career salaries, other factors we consider, one size does not fit all, best schools for doctorate students to study psychology in the united states, 25 top schools for a doctorate in psychology, rest of the top best psychology doctor's degree schools, honorable mentions.

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Notes and References

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Best Universities for Psychology in the World

Updated: February 29, 2024

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Below is a list of best universities in the World ranked based on their research performance in Psychology. A graph of 550M citations received by 21.8M academic papers made by 6,528 universities in the World was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. Harvard University

For Psychology

2. University College London

3. University of Toronto

4. Johns Hopkins University

5. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

6. Stanford University

7. University of Washington - Seattle

8. Yale University

9. University of Pennsylvania

10. University of California - San Francisco

11. Columbia University

12. University of California - Los Angeles

13. University of Pittsburgh

14. University of Oxford

15. University of California-San Diego

16. Cornell University

17. University of British Columbia

18. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

19. New York University

20. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

21. University of Wisconsin - Madison

22. McGill University

23. University of Cambridge

24. Karolinska Institute

25. Washington University in St Louis

26. University of California - Berkeley

27. University of Melbourne

28. King's College London

29. Emory University

30. University of Southern California

31. University of Sydney

32. Ohio State University

33. Northwestern University

34. Boston University

35. University of Chicago

36. Pennsylvania State University

37. University of Florida

38. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science

39. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

40. Duke University

41. University of Iowa

42. University of Amsterdam

43. University of Queensland

44. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

45. Catholic University of Leuven

46. Heidelberg University - Germany

47. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

48. Baylor College of Medicine

49. McMaster University

50. Radboud University

51. University of New South Wales

52. University of Texas at Austin

53. University of Manchester

54. University of California - Davis

55. Monash University

56. Michigan State University

57. Case Western Reserve University

58. University of Arizona

59. University of Alberta

60. Vanderbilt University

61. University of Utah

62. University of Virginia

63. University of Miami

64. University of California - Irvine

65. University of Calgary

66. Tel Aviv University

67. Imperial College London

68. University of Illinois at Chicago

69. Western University

70. Lund University

71. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

72. University of Edinburgh

73. University of Tokyo

74. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

75. Pierre and Marie Curie University

76. University of Groningen

77. University of Montreal

78. University of Rochester

79. University of Sao Paulo

80. Arizona State University - Tempe

81. University of Copenhagen

82. University of Alabama at Birmingham

83. University of Maryland, Baltimore

84. Brown University

85. University of Hong Kong

86. Oregon Health & Science University

87. University of Maryland - College Park

88. University of Kentucky

89. University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

90. Carnegie Mellon University

91. University of Zurich

92. University of Munich

93. University of Ottawa

94. Utrecht University

95. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

96. University of Bristol

97. Providence College

98. University of Helsinki

99. Maastricht University

100. Kyoto University

Psychology subfields in the World

PhD in Clinical Psychology

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Fielding’s doctoral program in Clinical Psychology is accredited by the American Psychological Association. It is the only distributed learning program accredited by the APA. The Psychology PhD serves adults, many of whom who have trained or worked in the mental health field. Our unique distributed learning model blends the best of in-person learning opportunities with digital formats.

Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation: Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association 750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002 Phone: (202) 336-5979 / E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

For questions regarding the Clinical Psychology PhD Program contact [email protected].

About the Clinical Psychology Program

Application requirements.

Earning your doctorate in Clinical Psychology includes online and in-person seminars, meetings with faculty and other students in your region, weeklong residential sessions, as well as research and clinical training experiences.

The unique mix of online and residential learning provides flexible opportunities for individuals with career, family, and community responsibilities to achieve their advanced educational goals. Faculty are active scholars and practitioners with a wide variety of expertise, making it possible to offer training in a variety of therapeutic orientations and specialized concentrations in some of the most exciting growth areas of psychology.

• Conferred Bachelor’s Degree
• Minimum GPA of 3.0
• Online Application Form
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Statement of Purpose
• Critical Thinking Writing Sample
• 3 Letters of Recommendation
• Official Transcript
• No GRE Required

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Apply now for fall 2025, student admissions, outcomes, and other data.

In accordance with requirements of the American Psychological Association (APA), Fielding Graduate University provides Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data pertaining to the education of our graduate students.

The Fielding Experience

• Become a member of a dynamic and diverse community of colleagues
• Interact with and learn from our expert faculty located all across the country
• Attend monthly professional development seminar in your geographic area
• Engage with alumni, faculty, and other students at sessions

Mission & Aims of the Program

Fielding’s APA accredited Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program is strongly aligned with the university’s mission to create a more humane, just, and sustainable world, and the university’s values that include academic excellence, community, diversity, and social justice.

Consistent with these values, a core mission of our program is to foster the inclusion of students from under-represented populations. These populations include students living in small communities, rural, or remote locations of the United States, students currently in the military or spouses of military members, adult learners with families, and students whose ongoing participation in their current communities cannot be halted for doctoral study elsewhere. These are student populations who are often unable to enter the field through preparation at a traditional university campus, yet these are the future psychologists for which the discipline and profession have expressed an urgent need.

In addition, our program aims to graduate entry-level scholar-practitioner psychologists who bring social justice values to their work as licensed health service professionals. Consistent with this overarching aim, we have four specific aims for our students, which must be achieved by the time of graduation.

• Students will demonstrate doctoral-level discipline-specific knowledge that represents the scientific and theoretical knowledge areas of the discipline of psychology (i.e., history and systems of psychology and the affective, biological, cognitive, developmental, and social bases of behavior).
• Students will demonstrate doctoral-level conceptualization, evaluation, analysis, and integration of discipline-specific knowledge across the curriculum.
• Students will demonstrate doctoral-level ability to understand and critique research; design, conduct, analyze, and communicate theoretically informed research; and conduct research in a manner that is culturally sensitive and consistent with legal code and ethical standards, including the APA ethics code.
• Students will demonstrate doctoral-level competence in the profession-wide competencies, including conducting an evidence-based diagnosis, assessment, and psychotherapy; and applying theory and research to develop case conceptualizations, treatment plans, and interventions that are consistent with legal and ethical standards and individual and cultural diversity factors.

Serving adults, many of whom have trained or worked in the mental health field, our unique distributed learning model blends the best of face-to-face learning opportunities with digital formats.

Faculty are active scholars and practitioners with a wide variety of expertise, which allows us to offer specialized concentrations and training in a variety of therapeutic orientations.

Geographic Eligibility

The program only considers applicants who reside in the contiguous United States and Canada. The program is not available to those residing internationally (except Canada). Applicants from Alaska and Hawaii may be considered pending confirmation of their ability and resources to attend local professional development seminars in contiguous U.S. on a regular basis, access to acceptable practicum training sites, and ability to relocate for internship. (Contact [email protected] to be put in touch with the Program Director for consideration prior to applying.)

Due to state licensing requirements, graduates of the program are not eligible for licensure in Oklahoma. For licensure information on your particular state of interest, please visit our Professional Licensure page [CLICK HERE].

School of Psychology News

The latest news, announcements, and special events from Fielding’s School of Psychology.

Dr. Lauren Mizock Appointed 2024-25 Ruthellen Josselson Chair in Qualitative Inquiry

By Kaylin Staten | 2024-07-08T11:18:31-07:00 July 8th, 2024 |

Fielding University Press’ Struggling with Infertility Explores Devasting Effects of Infertility

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AWC-SB Honors Four Leaders in Education at Fielding Graduate University Sponsored Women of Achievement 2024 Awards Luncheon

By Fielding News | 2024-05-09T08:50:53-07:00 May 9th, 2024 |

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Best universities for psychology degrees in the US 2024

Explore the best universities the us for psychology degrees using data from the times higher education world university rankings 2024.

Top 10 universities in the US for psychology degrees 2024

Scroll down for the full list of best universities for psychology in the US

The US higher education system offers flexible course options, and most undergraduates can study a range of subjects before declaring their specialisation or major at the end of their second year. Psychology is a popular major or minor choice for students in the US. Students can study a range of topics, including cognitive psychology, social behaviours and abnormal psychology. Students often get the chance to be involved in research projects with academics at their institutions.

Postgraduate options are varied and usually require students to undertake a large independent research project.  Below are the best universities in the US for psychology degrees. 

Best universities in the world for psychology degrees Best universities for psychology degrees in Canada Best universities for psychology degrees in Australia Best universities for psychology degrees in the UK Best universities in the US for law degrees 

5. Yale University

Yale University 's department of psychology offers programmes in psychology to undergraduates, postgraduates and PhD candidates.

Undergraduate students are able to pursue a psychology major or students more interested in neuroscience can take the neuroscience track. Students are able to then specialise further based on their interests and career goals. Undergraduate students are also able to take part in research opportunities within the department. 

The department offers doctoral training in the following areas: clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, neuroscience, and social/personality psychology. Applicants must indicate which of these areas they wish to focus on. 

The Psychology department was established at Yale University in the 1940s by Carl Hovland.

4.  University of California, Berkeley

The  University of California, Berkeley ’s department of psychology was established as a stand-alone department in 1921, having previously been part of the department of philosophy.

UC Berkeley offers undergraduate and graduate degree programmes in psychology, focusing on six areas: behavioural neuroscience; cognition; development; clinical science; cognitive neuroscience and social-personality psychology.

Undergraduates can study either a major or a minor in psychology. There is a wide range of co-curricular activities for undergraduates, such as research, internships and field study. The UC Berkeley Psychology Clinic has served the public of the Bay Area for more than 50 years and provides training to psychology students to help them prepare for their professional future.

What can you do with a psychology degree?

3.  Harvard University

Psychology is one of the most popular courses among  Harvard University  undergraduates, and the subject can be studied alongside a range of other disciplines.

The undergraduate major in psychology at Harvard offers courses from introductory level to more advanced as students progress through their degree. 

Students are given flexibility in their learning through a number of tracks, such as the general cognitive neuroscience and evolutionary psychology track or the cognitive science track.

The graduate programme in psychology at Harvard covers four major research areas: cognition, brain and behaviour; developmental psychology; social psychology and clinical science. 

2.  Princeton University

Princeton University  is a member of the Ivy League and its psychology department, was established more than a century ago.

Princeton undergraduates can study the psychology major as part of the Bachelor of Arts programme.

As well as learning about the psychology of language, movement and social interaction, students will learn basic statistical methods. They will also undertake courses in neuroscience.

At the graduate level, students can undertake the Doctor of Philosophy with psychology as their specialism. The department is closely affiliated with the Center for the Study of Brain, Mind and Behaviour (CSBMB), which conducts research on the neural underpinnings of psychological function. The CSBMB houses facilities for the study of brain function, including a research-dedicated, high-field fMRI scanner, an EEG laboratory, an eye-tracking laboratory and high-performance computing facilities for data analysis and computational modelling.

1.  Stanford University

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley,  Stanford University  was founded in 1885 by Jane and Leland Stanford.

The psychology department was one of the first to be established at the institution. 

Psychology courses at Stanford are split into five major areas: affective science, neuroscience, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology and social psychology. Students can choose courses from any of these departments.

Undergraduates can take the psychology major or minor programme as part of a Bachelor of Arts degree. They will study a range of topics, including abnormal psychology, cultural psychology and clinical psychology. Undergraduates also have the opportunity to conduct independent research for course credit. 

Graduate courses are available through Stanford’s extended doctorate in psychology programme, where no master’s degree is required.  Among the department’s famous work is the Stanford prison experiment of the 1970s, which investigated the effects of perceived power on people’s conduct. The Stanford marshmallow experiment looked at delayed gratification in children and was completed in the same decade.

Top universities in the US for psychology degrees 2024

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Top 10 PhD in industrial organizational psychology Programs

Welcome to our ranking of the Top 10 PhD programs in industrial organizational psychology .

The field of industrial and organizational psychology takes an in-depth look at human behavior in the workplace. I/O psychologists are an asset to any organization in today’s competitive business environment. Doctoral level psychologists have advanced training in areas like human performance and human factors and job analysis. They are able to address issues in areas like training and development, recruitment, and workplace motivation. Industrial/organizational psychology is a great fit for psychologists who want to help teams succeed and organizations achieve their business goals.

Featured Schools

Methodology.

We created this ranking of the top industrial organizational psychology PhD programs to showcase some of the best IO psych PhD programs in the country. We used information from the National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator to identify accredited colleges offering a doctoral degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. We narrowed our focus to programs offering a well rounded curriculum based on the scientist-practitioner approach which prepares graduates for a variety of different career settings. All programs require a dissertation and research experience which provide students with the necessary training and skill development to be successful in the field. We then applied our ranking criteria using the average graduate tuition rate (realizing it may differ for PhD programs) and student to faculty ratio.

Ranking: Top 10 IO Psychology PhD programs

Average Graduate Tuition

• Less than $10,000 per year= 5 Points
• $10,000 to $15,000 per year= 4 Points
• $15,001 to $20,000 per year= 3 Points
• $20,001 to $25,000 per year= 2 Points
• Greater than $25,001 per year= 1 Point

Student to Faculty Ratio

• 12:1 or less= 5 Points
• 13:1 to 15:1= 3 Points
• Greater than 15:1= 1 Point

10. DePaul University – Chicago, Illinois

Industrial organizational psychology ma/phd.

More Information

Student to Faculty Ratio: 17:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $17,951/year Points: 4 The College of Science and Health at DePaul University features an industrial organizational psychology MA/PhD program. Students can tailor the program to meet their professional goals by choosing a secondary specialization in:

• communication
• women’s and gender studies

Students are engaged in forward-thinking research that helps prepare them for successful careers. 100% of I/O psychology graduates from DePaul were employed or pursuing other goals within six months of graduation.

9. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign – Champaign, Illinois

Phd in industrial-organizational psychology.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 21:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $14,635/year in-state and $27,674/year out-of-state Points: 5 The Department of Psychology at the University of Illinois offers a top doctorate in organizational psychology that prepares students for research and to apply theory to organizations around the world. Students will participate in research tackling tough challenges like:

• hiring/personnel selection
• race gaps in HR
• effects of job loss

The curriculum covers the breadth of I/O psychology and general psychology through coursework with faculty and the depth of the field with an individualized program of study created by the student and their advisor. Program alumni include prominent I/O psychologists and journal editors.

8. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College – New York, New York

Doctoral program in industrial organizational psychology.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 20:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $11,090/year in-state and $20,520/year out-of-state Points: 5 The City University of New York Baruch College is a regionally accredited institution offering a top doctoral program in industrial organizational psychology. The program supports a collaborative culture of faculty and student support in research excellence. Diversity is a core value, emphasized by student and faculty research in areas like demographic diversity and LGBTQ issues in the workplace. The program attracts some of the top talents in the field and faculty are widely recognized for their contributions to I/O psychology. Graduates are ready for a wide variety of career paths in academic and consulting settings.

7. Clemson University – Clemson, South Carolina

Industrial organizational psychology phd.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 16:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $10,600/year in-state and $22,050/year out-of-state Points: 5 The top organizational psychology doctorate program from Clemson University follows the scientist-practitioner model and follows the doctoral program guidelines set by the SIOP. Students gain experience in quantitative research techniques and design and in solving complex organizational issues. Students complete dissertation research and internships to gain professional experience. The program is designed to be completed in four or five years.

6. Columbia University in the City of New York – New York, New York

Doctor of philosophy in social-organizational psychology.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 6:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $50,496/year Points: 6 The Teachers College at Columbia University offers a top PhD in social-organizational psychology for students interested in research, practice, or scholarship. The program is designed for full-time graduate students. A unique aspect of the program is the theoretical, research, and applied focus that allows students to study organizations from a variety of perspectives. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods are used to tackle complex issues. Most students can complete their degree in six or seven years of post-baccalaureate study.

5. University of Georgia – Athens, Georgia

The industrial organizational psychology doctoral program.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 17:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $8,878/year in-state and $25,186/year out-of-state Points: 6 The top industrial organizational doctorate degree at the University of Georgia is a highly customizable program. Students can choose to focus exclusively in the area of I/O psychology or complete a blended program that includes measurement and individual differences. Students will participate in research and select courses that align with their career goals. Professional experience opportunities are available through internships approved by the faculty. Graduates are ready to pursue exciting I/O psychology careers in settings like academia and government.

4. University of Houston – Houston, Texas

Phd industrial organizational psychology.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 21:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $8,713/year in-state and $17,857/year out-of-state Points: 6 The University of Houston offers the oldest and largest I/O psychology graduate program in the United States. Students produce high-quality research featured in peer-reviewed journals and at conferences. Courses include:

• Multilevel Modeling
• Personnel Psychology
• Statistics for Psychology

The program structure allows students to work with their advisors as well as other program faculty, including business school faculty and faculty at other universities. Students are trained to be academic faculty members and real-world practitioners through the scientists-practitioner model. Most students can complete their degree in four years.

3. Texas A&M University – College Station, Texas

Doctor of philosophy (phd) in industrial and organizational psychology.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 19:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $6,885/year in-state and $19,592/year out-of-state Points: 6 The industrial organizational psychology doctoral program at Texas A&M University prepares students to be scientists and practitioners. The program emphasizes academic research-based training, but graduates are also prepared to work in government agencies, consulting firms, and research organizations. Faculty are renown scholars in areas like performance appraisal, group processes, and workplace diversity. Students can complete the program in about five years of post-baccalaureate study.

2. Louisiana Tech University – Ruston, Louisiana

Industrial organizational psychology (phd).

Student to Faculty Ratio: 20:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $5,416/year in-state and $10,147/year out-of-state Points: 6 The College of Education at Louisiana Tech University features a top industrial organizational psychology PhD program rich with hands-on learning opportunities. Courses cover areas like:

• Job Analysis and Performance Appraisal
• Psychometrics
• Organizational Consulting

Students complete 84 semester hours of coursework, a dissertation, practicum training, and must pass a doctoral comprehensive examination. Students work on research and applied projects through the Applied Research for Organizational Solutions group. Most students take between three and four years of full-time post-baccalaureate study to complete the program.

1. Saint Louis University – Saint Louis, Missouri

Industrial and organizational psychology phd.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 9:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $21,960/year Points: 7 Our top choice for a PhD in industrial organizational psychology is offered by Saint Louis University. Saint Louis University features the oldest psychology department at a Jesuit university, offering courses in psychology for over 100 years. This top I/O psychology PhD program covers areas like:

• Occupational health
• Systems and process consultation

Students are involved in supervised research and professional experience while gain competence in research and organizational consultation. Graduates are employed at top organizations like Nike, the US Secret Service, and Pfizer.

Should I Obtain My Masters or PhD in Organizational Psychology?

As a student begins to plan for their ultimate careers in the field of IO psychology, the decision should be made as to how much education is desired, a master’s degree or a doctorate. Typically speaking, in a master’s program, the student is training to be an IO professional.  An IO professional will consider how to apply the principles of IO psychology to solve specific organizational problems. Simply speaking, IO professionals are trained to help organizations; IO professionals practice IO psychology.

In a PhD organizational psychology program, students are training to become an IO scholar.  An IO scholar will do the same tasks as the IO professional, but will also use those experiences to advance our general understanding of IO through research. For students that would like to teach at a collegiate level, the only suitable degree is a PhD. Ultimately, IO scholars are trained to advance organizational science, helping organizations along the way; IO scholars conduct research.

In practice, this means that an I/O psychology PhD will generally be making the big decisions, while the IOs with Master’s degree will aid with implementation or conduct background research.

A student should decide if he or she wants to pursue a terminal master’s or continue on to a PhD as early as is possible in his or her educational career.  This will help the student tailor his or her coursework through the undergraduate and graduate years specifically to the degree and future job prospects that he or she desires.

Job Descriptions for I/O Psychologists

According to a 2014 report by the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, positions in industrial and organizational psychology are expected to increase by 53.4% from 2012 to 2022, placing trained I/O professionals in high demand. I/O psychology is still fairly uncommon in the grand scheme of psychologists, but the number of practitioners continues to rise exponentially.

I/O practitioners typically find employment in a number of areas including:

• public and private industries
• educational institutions
• government agencies

Because the skills they possess are so varied, it is sometimes difficult to enumerate the jobs that an IO psychologist could successfully fill.  One obvious area where IO psychologists thrive is in human resources. Typically, these types of jobs include working directly with employees in such areas as:

• employee training and development
• employee relations
• employee compensation and benefit negotiations

Many times, the human resource skills brought to the table by IO psychologists make for solid general managers, as well.  Another area where IO psychologists thrive is in government.  Those with an advanced degree in social (industrial organizational) psychology are especially adept in labor law, affirmative action cases and policy, and union relations. Finally, many industrial organizational psychologists, especially at the PhD level, find their home in the area of research.  Studying such areas of business such as personnel selection, work motivation, talent development, and organizational change can make monumental improvements in the working lives of millions of people.

Additional job titles held by Industrial Organizational professionals are: HR Practice Leader * Behavioral Analyst * Behavioral Scientist * Talent Management Specialist * HR Organizational Development Specialist * Executive Coach * Career Coach * Leadership Coach * Employment Testing Professional * Testing Specialist * Tests and Measurement Specialist * Assessment and Selection Specialist * Employment Law Expert * Research Analyst * Organizational Development * Organization Effectiveness * Organizational Capability * Talent Management * Management Development * Workforce Insights * Human Resources * Human Resources Research * Employee Relations * Training and Development * Professional Development * Leadership Development * Selection Systems * Evaluation & Assessment * Testing Programs * Leadership Research * Assessment * Applied Behavioral Research * Optimization * Managing * Leadership * Learning & Performance * Career Planning

Related Resources:

• 30 Great Scholarships, Grants & Awards for Industrial-Organizational Psychology
• Top 10 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology
• Top 9 Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology Online
• Top 10 Master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology Online
• 10 Most Affordable Top-Ranked Master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology
• Top 10 Bachelor’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology 
• Top 25 Campus Based Industrial-Organizational Psychology Master’s Degree Programs
• Top 15 Industrial/Organizational Certificate Programs
• Neoacademic.com
• Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology
• U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics
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Expand Your Knowledge of the Human Experience

As a Psychology major, you will develop a deep understanding of the human mind and behavior, as well as exceptional communication skills essential for work in social services, case management, consumer research and human resources.

Why earn your Psychology degree at St. Edward’s?

Whether you’re looking to become a psychologist, leader at a mental health facility or embark on a career in consumer research, one thing is certain: The advantages of your St. Edward’s education will prepare you to succeed. You’ll find opportunities in and outside the classroom to learn, give back and achieve your goals. And your mentors will support you every step of the way.

Take advantage of invaluable internship opportunities

In a field internship, you’ll apply your knowledge of psychology in a professional setting. While you’re there, you’ll complete a product – a handbook, institutional report or presentation – that the organization can keep using after you complete your internship.

Gain knowledge as a teaching assistant

Enjoy teaching and mentoring? You can serve as a teaching assistant, helping fellow students develop essential skills and techniques in a related field. Expand your communication skills and improve your own people skills by helping other students learn the material.

Build relationships with your professors

You’ll learn in small classes taught by award-winning professors who make a point of getting to know you and becoming your trusted advisors. They’ll help you identify and focus on your goals, and provide guidance and insight during and after your college years.

Earn two degrees in five years

Complete your  BA in Psychology and MEd Applied Behavior Analysis with our pathway to receive two degrees in five years. Your success coach and academic advisor will guide you through undergraduate and graduate courses to maximize benefits.

Reap the Rewards of Austin

Austin is a home base for numerous nonprofits and advocacy groups aiding the mental health and wellness needs of diverse communities. As a Psychology major, you’ll have access to internship opportunities at such organizations where you will learn how to make a difference for the causes you care about.

What do our graduates do?

Psychology majors go on to a variety of careers and graduate schools from St. Edward’s. Here’s a sample.

• Research and planning analyst for a community college district in San Diego.
• Coordinator in the People Department on the flight operations/technology recruiting team at Southwest Airlines.
• Chief of staff at a global tax firm.
• Research assistant at the Terrorism Research Initiative.
• Psychometrician at Elsevier, a global information analytics company.
• Director of Forensic and Family Services for Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center.
• Policy analyst at the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition.
• Graduate students at The University of Texas at Austin, Stanford University, Columbia University, the University of Houston and more.

Explore Details About a Degree in Psychology

Degree requirements.

Major Requirements: The BA in Psychology requires 31–32 hours of major courses, which include a combination of introductory and advanced topics. In addition, students choose 9 hours of career-emphasis elective courses that help prepare them for future interests, such as graduate study or their career path in psychology.

Electives: Students are free to complete 26 hours of elective courses in any area of study they choose. These courses do not have to relate to the Psychology degree.

General Education Requirements: The Psychology degree requires 57 hours of general education courses that students complete over four years in addition to their major courses and electives.

View and download the full  degree plan for our Psychology major  (PDF).

A few examples of the Psychology major courses students take:             

• Social Psychology – Examines how people interact with and are influenced by others, including topics such as conformity and obedience, nonverbal behavior, person perception, leadership, and attraction.
• Abnormal Psychology – Addresses the causes, consequences, and cures for maladaptive behavior, such as depression, mood disorders, antisocial personality disorder, or schizophrenia.
• Biopsychology – Delves into the function and anatomy of the nervous system and the role it plays in directing perception, emotion, thought, memory, and motor behavior.

Learning Outcomes

Experiential learning and research.

As a Psychology major, you’ll graduate with practical experience you can put on your resume. Whether you choose a research assistantship, teaching assistantship or field internship, you’ll get a head start on your career.

For example, St. Edward’s students have recently explored how cues to status affect college students’ preferences for relationship partners, and how different types of distractions affect working memory. To get the full research experience, you’ll travel to a conference like the Southwestern Psychological Association or the Society for Personality and Social Psychology and present your work. These meetings give you a chance to see research that other undergraduates, graduate students and professors have conducted, network with graduate school in mind, and decide if a career in research is right for you.

Internships

Your internship depends on what you’re curious about: child development, mental health and mental illness, counseling, criminal justice, LGBTQIA+ issues or politics, to name a few. Students have recently interned at these Austin organizations:

• Center for Child Protection
• Lone Star Victims Advocacy Program
• Austin Family Institute
• National Alliance on Mental Illness
• QWell Community Foundation
• Therapists in private practice – several of them St. Edward’s graduates

Whatever setting you choose, you’ll discover how the psychology you learned in class translates into the world of work, and you’ll build your portfolio of professional skills.

Minor in Psychology

The study of psychology enhances our understanding of how people think, feel, and behave. It provides valuable insight for every area of work and life, and aligns with any field of study. Students interested in learning more about how the human mind works and why people do what they do are encouraged to pursue a minor in psychology, which requires 18 hours of coursework

Required Courses:

• General Psychology (PSYC 2301)
• Lifespan Development (PSYC 2310)
• Social Psychology (PSYC 3319)
• 1 lower-division Psychology elective (PSYC 2300+)
• 2 upper-division Psychology electives (PSYC 3300+)

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Department of Geography

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

The Ph.D. is a different kind of degree from the master’s degree. A doctoral candidate in geography must be capable of making original contributions to knowledge and scholarship. For the students to make such contributions, they must concentrate on a narrow and clearly defined field of study. We require, however, that doctoral candidates know more of geography than their particular specialties; thus, any aspirant for a doctorate must obtain master’s training or its equivalent before being admitted to doctoral candidacy. In short, admission to doctoral candidacy is official recognition that a student’s general foundation in the breadth of geography is satisfactory. Students then devote their attention to developing depth in chosen specialties.

The general requirements for a doctoral degree in geography are more rigorous than those for a master’s degree. At the same time, the greater flexibility of the doctoral program allows advanced students to pursue programs of study tailored to their special interests and needs.

Progress through the degree is marked by: 

• Successful performance in a verbal qualifying exam; 
• Four-day written comprehensive exam, with a verbal portion after the written answers have been assessed by the committee;  
• Formal dissertation proposal; and 
• Verbal defense of a completed dissertation.

The four-year Ph.D. program is reserved for students who have a master’s degree from another graduate program. That can be another geography program at another university, a non-geography program at another university, or a non-geography program at Penn State.

Students entering the four-year Ph.D. program must take the doctoral qualifying exam in their first year. A committee from three of the four fields of geography and formally appointed by the Graduate Program Officer will administer the qualifying exam. The qualifying exam can take place any time during the year, but students in the four-year Ph.D. program typically take it during spring semester.

Students in the four-year Ph.D. program complete a comprehensive exam and defend their dissertation proposal in the second year. Depending on the needs of their research, and in agreement with their doctoral committee, students can fulfill these two requirements in either order. Once students have successfully passed their comprehensive exam and defended their proposal, they typically take two years to research, write, and defend their dissertations.

Our online Graduate Student Handbook explains the program requirements for all degrees.