phd psychology programs dallas tx

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Psychology PhD

The Psychology PhD degree program offers advanced study and research training for students seeking to become leading scientists and scholars in the field

The Psychology PhD degree program offers advanced study and research training for students seeking to become leading scientists and scholars in the field. The program encompasses a wide array of specialty areas within psychology, including developmental, cognitive, social and personality psychology, and spans the study of both healthy and clinical populations from infancy through older adulthood.

From the start of their training, doctoral students in psychology work closely in research laboratories with faculty mentors. Although the department is highly interdisciplinary, there are three primary areas of research focus:

• Developmental psychology, which spans topics in children’s social-emotional, cognitive, and language development;
• Cognitive psychology, including topics in traditional cognitive psychology such as attention, motivation, perception, learning and memory, and face perception ranging from basic science perspectives to applied approaches including interventions to improve cognitive function.
• Social and personality psychology, including work focused on cultural differences in socio-emotional processing, moral decision making, the formation and evolution of interpersonal relationships between romantic partners and friends, and research on health disparities.

In addition, a number of research labs conduct research with implications for clinical science, including the effects of stress on health, adolescent mood disorders, and social cognition in autism and schizophrenia populations. We also offer strong training in advanced statistical techniques critical for psychology research including courses on dyadic group analyses, longitudinal growth curve modeling, multilevel modeling, and advanced multivariate analyses.

Doctoral students in psychology benefit from a rich intellectual climate at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences (BBS), including weekly lectures and research presentations by students, faculty, and visiting scholars. The school hosts an annual colloquium series presented by internationally known scientists, and its four research centers periodically offer symposia and workshops that are freely available to doctoral students. Doctoral students receive funding support for presenting their research at professional meetings and conducting their dissertation research. Finally, doctoral students are provided with a variety of other professional development experiences, including opportunities to develop their teaching skills.

The BBS offices and research facilities are located on the Richardson campus and in centers located in Dallas near the campus of the UT Southwestern Medical Center. Facilities at all locations include classrooms and research laboratories for studies of neuroscience, psychology and communication across the lifespan in both typical and clinical populations.

The PhD program in psychology offers exceptional research facilities on the Richardson campus, including state-of-the-art laboratories equipped for studies of event-related potentials, eye tracking, infant visual and auditory preferences, child learning and development, parent-child interactions and adult interpersonal relationships. In addition, the school’s Center for Children and Families , housed at the Callier Center-Richardson location, offers an array of clinical and community outreach activities organized around three main initiatives: promoting healthy families, strengthening interpersonal relationships and enhancing children’s thinking and learning. Partnerships with area hospitals, clinics, agencies and schools further expand student research opportunities. Students also benefit from working with faculty mentors in the Center for BrainHealth and the Center for Vital Longevity.

Degree Requirements

The PhD program in psychology requires a minimum of 75 semester credit hours beyond the baccalaureate degree. Students declare a concentration in developmental psychology, cognitive psychology or social/personality psychology. Students are expected to complete the program coursework and research requirements in four to five years. The research requirements include a qualifying thesis research project and a dissertation research project. Students work collaboratively with their faculty mentor and committee to successfully complete all program milestone projects.

The UT Dallas graduate catalog provides information on degree requirements for the PhD in psychology . For updates, please contact [email protected] . The university’s course look-up site, CourseBook , describes some of the program’s specific courses. The Office of Graduate Studies provides information on academic and other policies .

The psychology admissions committee evaluates applications using a holistic review, which includes prior GPA, letters of recommendation, quantitative and verbal scores for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), and a close examination of the statement of purpose. Admission is contingent on a match between the research interests of the applicant and faculty. Applicants are strongly encouraged to identify faculty with similar research interests and to contact them about current opportunities for admission.

Typically, applicants have an average undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above, and completion of an undergraduate degree in a related major is advisable. Completion of a master’s degree is not required. Applicants without a prior degree in psychology should contact the program head for prerequisite coursework.

Applications to the PhD program must include official transcripts, GRE scores, three letters of reference from people qualified to evaluate your potential for successful doctoral study, and a statement of purpose detailing your previous research and professional experiences, your current research interests, and your career goals. The statement of purpose is an extremely important part of your application.

International applicants must provide proof of English proficiency via TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE meeting University minimum requirements.

* GRE scores waived for Fall 2022-24 applicants. Submission of GRE scores (general or subject tests) are optional.

To Submit an Application

Please see the enrollment page of the UT Dallas Office of Graduate Admissions for details on how to submit an application to the PhD program in psychology .

Completed applications must be received on or before December 1 for admission the following fall. There are no spring or summer admissions.

You can check the status of your application using the university’s Orion program.

Questions about the application process can be directed to:

Psychology Doctoral Program School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences The University of Texas at Dallas 800 W. Campbell Rd., GR41 Richardson, TX 75080 [email protected]

Graduate Application Fee Waiver Program

The Office of Graduate Education and the Office of Admission and Enrollment at The University of Texas at Dallas are pleased to offer a Graduate Application Fee Waiver Program to  qualified participants  (past or present). To qualify, students must be applying for a PhD or Master’s degree at UT Dallas. Non-degree applicants are not eligible for fee waivers. Only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to request a fee waiver.

Financial Aid

Financial support of full-time doctoral students in psychology is awarded through teaching or research assistantship stipends and tuition scholarships. Admitted students are automatically considered for teaching and research assistant positions.

Other information on financial aid for graduate students is available on the UT Dallas graduate admissions page.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Financial support of full-time doctoral students in psychology is awarded through teaching or research assistantship stipends and tuition scholarships. Admitted students are automatically considered for these sources of financial support, and most admitted students receive some type of support. Please see the UT Dallas Graduate Admissions site for information on other sources of financial aid for PhD students.

UT Dallas’ main campus is located in Richardson, Texas, about 15 miles north of downtown Dallas; some of the centers of the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences are located in Dallas, near the campus of the UT Southwestern Medical School. Both Richardson and Dallas are vibrant communities, with opportunities for art, drama, music, athletics, and other activities. Visit the UT Dallas visitors website for more information about the University.

Richardson and Dallas are richly diverse cities located in one of America’s largest and fastest growing metropolitan areas. The Dallas area boasts 50,000 acres of public park land, the nation’s largest urban arts district with excellent symphony, opera, and art museums, five major sports franchises, multiple entertainment districts, and a thriving culinary scene. The DART rail system runs from the suburbs of Plano and Richardson to the arts district, downtown Dallas, and DFW airport. Yes, it is hot in the summer, but the average daily temperature is 65 degrees (spring, fall, and winter are great!). The area offers a reasonable cost of living and an abundance of sunshine.

Most doctoral classes are held on the main UT Dallas campus in Richardson, but some class offerings may be held in Dallas, at the Callier Center for Communication Disorders, the Center for Brain Health, or the Center for Vital Longevity. Your duties as a teaching assistant or research assistant likely will take place on the main campus in Richardson or at one of the centers in Dallas. Because locations of classes and duties may change over semesters it can be difficult to choose a place to live. Public transportation options are improving, but because commuting by car is relatively easy, many students choose to live in areas between Richardson and Dallas. Some student housing is available on the main campus in Richardson, but on-campus housing caters primarily to undergraduates. You can use online search engines to find housing options that fit your price range and target location, and the program office can also provide information and recommendations from current doctoral students.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact potential mentors prior to submitting application materials. The admissions committee evaluates applications on several dimensions, including not only prior GPA and GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and personal statements, but also the fit between the research interests of the applicant and faculty, and the willingness and ability of the proposed mentor or mentoring team to accept new PhD student supervision responsibilities.

Prior to being admitted, students are invited to visit UT Dallas, to meet with prospective faculty mentors and see their laboratories.

Completed applications must be received on or before  December 1  for admission the following fall. There are no spring or summer admissions.

Yes. We strongly encourage you to identify faculty who share your research interests and to contact them about current opportunities for admission. A primary consideration in PhD admission is a faculty member’s agreement to serve as a student’s mentor.

Decisions on admission are made in mid- to late-February.

The psychology PhD program is an experimental psychology program and provides training for a career in teaching and research. Former graduates have successfully acquired university faculty positions, as well as research positions in hospitals, school systems, healthcare start-ups, and research institutes. Graduates also have worked in applied research settings, conducting program evaluation research with education and intervention programs.

No, we do not offer a clinical or counseling master’s or PhD degree.

This depends on your goals. The master’s degree is appropriate for students interested in broad psychology training beyond the undergraduate level or additional training to prepare them for applying to doctoral programs in clinical psychology and other areas of psychology. The PhD program is appropriate for students interested in careers in research and teaching and involves extensive training in research design and methodology.

These two programs have a lot in common. There is overlap in the coursework of these programs and many of the faculty members are involved with both programs. The psychology program allows for broader training in psychology; students can select a concentration in developmental psychology, cognitive psychology, or social/personality psychology. The cognition and neuroscience program focuses more narrowly on cognitive psychology or neuroscience. One way to decide what program may be best for you is to think about what type of department you see yourself affiliated with in the future and which degree best serves your career goals.

Program Contacts

Program head.

Karen M. Rodrigue, PhD [email protected]

Program Coordinator

Alice Presti Office: JO 4.310 Phone: 972-883-2697 [email protected]

For Additional Program Information

Phd student guide.

The PhD student guide provides information on policies and procedures in the PhD programs in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences.

PhD Student Forms and Information

Degree Plan Psychology Registration and Related Forms Graduate Change of Program Register, Add, Drop, Withdraw Repeated Course Grade Adjustment Transfer of Credit Request Milestones and Annual Reporting Forms Milestones Agreement Form Psychology Guidelines for Completing Theses and Dissertations Psychology Annual Report Qualifying Papers and Projects Qualifying Plan 1: Thesis Overview of Qualifying Plan 1 Psychology Guidelines for Completing Theses and Dissertations Qualifying Thesis Committee Membership Qualifying Thesis Proposal Approval Qualifying Thesis Final Approval Public Presentation of Research Project Request for Extension Dissertation Committee Appointment Form Dissertation Proposal Meeting Public Presentation of Dissertation Proposal Request for Final Oral Exam In Absentia Registration Memo – Absent Committee Member Memo – Committee Member Attending Remotely Checklist for Final Submission of Doctoral Dissertation UTDPP1052

Teaching and Research Assistantship Forms and FAQs UTDPP1075

Requests for Student Travel and Dissertation Support Student Request for Travel Support PhD Research Small Grants Program Application

Program Resources

Psychology PhD Fast Facts This document provides a quick, printable overview of the program.

Please visit the Office of Graduate studies for additional information on academic policies , PhD deadlines , PhD forms , guidelines for preparing dissertations , and a profile of characteristics of doctoral programs at UT Dallas.

Student Achievement Data

View the Student Achievement Data on the Callier Center for Communication Disorders page.

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School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences GR41 | 800 W Campbell Road | Richardson, TX 75080-3021

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Clinical Psychology Ph.D.

Want more info.

We're so glad you're interested in UNT! Let us know if you'd like more information and we'll get you everything you need.

Why Earn a Clinical Psychology Ph.D.?

Our program adheres to APA accreditation standards and prepares students for entry into the profession of Clinical Psychology. We are committed to a student-centered learning approach with close faculty mentorship.

The program offers intensive research training in the science of Clinical Psychology via highly productive faculty research labs . Simultaneously, students obtain in-depth, closely supervised training in the practice of Clinical Psychology.

Our commitment to excellence requires that high standards of research and clinical practice be maintained. These high expectations enable you to be highly competitive at the national level for prominent positions in science and practice settings. We empower you to meet or exceed our expectations by providing high quality, well-supervised training in a supportive environment.

• Assessment evaluations
• Psychological diagnostics
• Psychotherapy interventions
• Measurement and psychometrics
• Psychological consultation

Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Highlights

What can you do with a clinical psychology ph.d..

Overall employment of psychologists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 13,400 openings for psychologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Courses You Could Take

Learn More About UNT

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Counseling Psychology Ph.D.

Behavioral Science Ph.D.

It’s easy to apply online. Join us and discover why we’re the choice of nearly 47,000 students.

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Ph.D. Program Clinical Psychology

Training psychological clinical scientists.

The Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at Southern Methodist University is American Psychological Association (APA) accredited and a member of the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science (APCS). This program focuses on training psychological clinical scientists through hands on research. Students have ample opportunities to gain extensive research experiences working alongside productive faculty. Our department ranks in the top 10% of psychology departments nationally in terms of faculty research productivity (Academic Analytics). Students participate in scientific publications, conference presentations, grant applications, and make meaningful contributions to research.

Why should you pursue a Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program at SMU?

Research, clinical, and teaching training.

Dallas Connection

Inclusive, welcoming, and supportive environment

Recent student accomplishments.

Eli Bell and Caroline Lee

Eli and Caroline, PhD students in our program, are recipients of the Psychology Department's Diversity Award Research Grant! We are thrilled about this achievement and are excited to hear about their future accomplishments!

Mayson Trujillo

Caitlin Rancher, Ph.D.

Reach out and learn more.

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Doctor of Clinical Psychology Programs in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area

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Psychology, ba.

The BA in psychology is shaped by the concept of psychology as a liberal art as well as a rigorous science. To this end, it is engaged in the enterprise of questioning and rethinking the discipline of psychology. Such a broad and deep understanding of psychology places into perspective the value and limits of views that claim that psychology is the study of mind, or the science of behavior, or the interaction of mind and body, or the personal growth and enrichment of the person.

Situate psychology in the intellectual history of the West.

Psychology at the University of Dallas is shaped by the understanding of the study as a liberal art as well as a rigorous science. To this end, it is engaged in the enterprise of questioning and rethinking the discipline of psychology. Such a broad and deep understanding of psychology places into perspective the value and limits of views that claim that psychology is the study of mind, or the science of behavior, or the interaction of mind and body, or the personal growth and enrichment of the person.

Active research and writing is expected of students; original reflection is as important as detailed scholarship. Research seminars during the junior and senior years provide the occasions for students and faculty to work together in close association.

Through Plan and Master's Program in Psychology

Psychology majors may earn a master's degree in psychology after approximately a full year of coursework beyond the bachelor's degree.

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Ph.d. program in psychology @ university of texas at dallas.

Interested in developmental psychology? Consider applying to the Ph.D. program in Psychology at the University of Texas at Dallas. Prospective students are encouraged to contact faculty members of interest. But for more general information about the program, please go to:  http://www.utdallas.edu/bbs/degrees/psy-degrees/  Or contact Kim Cosner, Academic Support Coordinator at  [email protected] .  Applications are due December 1st.  The following researchers with interests related to child development are recruiting new doctoral students for the upcoming academic year:

Shayla Holub  ( [email protected] ). Dr. Holub leads the Healthy Development Project—a lab that focuses on how families socialize healthy eating habits and healthy body size attitudes in young children. Her research examines various self-related cognitions, including perceived competence and body esteem. Ongoing research examines the development of prejudice, specifically the preconceptions children hold because of others’ weight, and how to lessen weight bias.   http://healthydevelopmentproject.utdallas.edu

Mandy Maguire  ( [email protected] ). Dr. Maguire leads the Developmental Neurolinguistics lab, which uses EEG to study how the brain supports typical language development. Her current research, funded by NSF, is related to how a childhood in poverty impacts brain and language development, specifically vocabulary growth, in grade schoolers (ages 8-15).   https://www.utdallas.edu/bbs/brainlab/

Candice Mills  ( [email protected] ). Dr. Mills leads the Think Lab, which examines how children learn from others. Central to much of her research is how children engage in the process of inquiry: how children evaluate what they know and don’t know, how they seek out new information in response to gaps in their knowledge, and how they make sense of the answers they receive to questions. An ongoing NSF grant examines how elementary school-aged children learn about science through explanations from others.  http://www.utdallas.edu/thinklab/

Jackie Nelson  ( [email protected] ). Dr. Nelson leads the Family Research Lab, which focuses on family relationships and processes. Her research examines associations between parenting, conflict, family stress, emotion socialization, and children’s social-emotional development. Ongoing research examines daily family stressors and mealtime interactions among parents and preschoolers.   https://labs.utdallas.edu/familyresearchlab/

Margaret Owen  ( [email protected] ;  http://ccf.utdallas.edu ). Dr. Owen’s Children and Families Lab is examining children’s self-regulation and executive function skills, school readiness and later achievement in low-income African American and Hispanic children followed longitudinally from early childhood through the transition to middle school. With federal grant funding, the study is examining the children’s developmental trajectories across multiple domains in contexts of their family relationships, cultural socialization, and school experiences in this unique and diverse sample.  https://bbs.utdallas.edu/children-and-families-lab/

Melanie Spence  ( [email protected] ). Dr. Spence studies the development of young infants' perception of communicative signals. Her research includes studying young infants’ discrimination of infant-directed speech (IDS) signals that communicate different emotions and intent, as well as how facial motion and emotion affect infants’ attention to speech and faces. Opportunities exist within the lab, the Infant Learning Project, to collaborate with others who have expertise in speech sciences.  http://www.utdallas.edu/bbs/ilp/

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