Psychology (Ph.D.)
https://www.unh.edu/program/doctor-philosophy/psychology
The Department of Psychology offers a five-year program of study leading to the doctor of philosophy degree. The basic goal of the program is the development of behavioral scientists who have a broad knowledge of psychology, can teach and communicate effectively, and can carry out sound research in an area of specialization. Although some students seek employment outside academia, the program is oriented toward developing the skills required by the research psychologist who intends to become a college or university teacher.
Specialization Areas
The three areas in which a student may specialize are:
- brain, behavior, and cognition
- developmental psychology
- social psychology/personality
Distinctive Features
All psychology graduate students in the Ph.D. program receive a stipend and a full tuition waiver for up to five years. A low graduate student/faculty ratio provides opportunities to work closely with one or more faculty mentors. Graduates typically acquire tenure-track academic or postdoctoral positions at colleges and universities across the U.S.
The Department of Psychology is a national model for preparing future faculty. All graduate students teach Introduction to Psychology while taking a year-long seminar in the teaching of psychology, as well as one or two undergraduate survey courses in statistics and/or the student's area of specialization.
There are active research laboratories in all areas represented in the graduate program. The department has strong partnerships with such nationally recognized programs as UNH's Child Study and Development Center and the Family Research Laboratory. UNH also has resources to help graduate students and faculty improve the quality of their teaching.
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| PSYC 805 | Research Methodology and Statistics I | 4 |
| PSYC 806 | Research Methodology and Statistics II | 4 |
| PSYC 901 & PSYC 902 | Graduate Pro-seminar and Graduate Pro-seminar 1 | 0 |
| PSYC 904 | First-year Graduate Seminar | 4 |
| PSYC 907 | Research Methods and Statistics III | 4 |
| PSYC 894 | Paper of Publishable Quality (PPQ) | 8 |
| or PSYC 899 | Master's Thesis | |
| PSYC 991 & PSYC 992 | Practicum and Seminar in the Teaching of Psychology and Practicum and Seminar in the Teaching of Psychology | 12 |
| Advanced Graduate Seminars | ||
| Select six advanced graduate seminars from the following: 2 | ||
| Advanced Seminar in Cognition | ||
| Advanced Seminar in Sensory and Perceptual Processes | ||
| Advanced Seminar in Physiological Psychology | ||
| Advanced Seminar in Behavioral Analysis | ||
| Advanced Seminar in Social Psychology | ||
| Advanced Seminar in Developmental Psychology | ||
| Doctoral Research | ||
| PSYC 999 | Doctoral Research (two semesters) | 0 |
- 1
First-year students participate in a noncredit graduate pro-seminar which introduces students to the research programs of the faculty.
- 2
Seminar topics change and can be repeated.
Depth in a particular area is obtained through participation in advanced seminars and by independent reading and research conducted under the supervision of a faculty member.
Prior to the doctoral dissertation, the student carries out original research that culminates in either a master's thesis or a paper of publishable quality. A master's degree is awarded upon the successful completion of a program approved by the department and dean of the Graduate School. This typically takes place by the end of the second year.
The third year of the program is dedicated to the practicum and seminar in the teaching of psychology in conjunction with the teaching of introductory psychology.
Advancement to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree depends on receiving the master's degree, passing a specialist examination in one of the department's areas of specialization, and identifying a topic for doctoral research. Advancement to candidacy is usually accomplished by the end of a student's fourth year in the program. During the fourth year, students typically begin dissertation research and teach an introductory course in their specialty area. Most students complete the Ph.D. degree in the fifth year.