PhD in Experimental Psychology

This program provides training for students interested in a career in behavioral research. Most students who are admitted aspire to a position in academics; however, opportunities for employment in private industry or research institutes also exist. The program offers students training in both basic and applied research. Focus is on high quality training with intensive student-faculty involvement in joint research. Students are expected to participate actively in research with faculty members throughout their tenure in the program. This emphasis on one-to-one training allows students to acquire research skills while working on projects leading to publication or grant application. Each student will eventually develop advanced knowledge and research expertise in one or more specialty area(s). It requires a minimum of 90 semester hours and includes 38 hours in experimental general core psychology, including social psychology, statistics (Quantitative Methods I and II), cognitive and affective bases of behavior, history and systems, and advanced physiological psychology. In addition, 22 hours of course work are selected in consultation with the major professor and committee to reflect an emphasis either on the developmental aspects of psychology or on the cognitive and physiological aspects of psychology. These additional 22 hours are required in order to satisfy the student’s specialty area and allow the student to customize the specialty area using a unique combination of courses. The doctoral degree plans require a minimum of 42 hours of graduate credit beyond the master’s degree, or 72 credits beyond the bachelor’s degree, taken within the UNT system.