west virginia psychology phd

College of Applied Human Sciences: School of Sport Sciences

Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology, -->PhD -->

The PhD program in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology at WVU is recognized as one of the premier training programs in the world.

It provides students with a comprehensive curriculum delivered by highly qualified faculty. The program combines academic rigor, extensive research experiences and applied consulting opportunities to train highly competent, well-rounded future sport, exercise and performance psychology professionals.

Students initiate their own line of research, work with faculty to produce publishable manuscripts, and complete three research benchmarks in addition to their dissertation. Furthermore, students take part in supervised applied experiences working within a range of different sport, exercise and performance settings, including Division I, II and III athletic programs.

This PhD program, which includes a concurrent master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling , allows individuals to sit for counseling licensure upon graduation. With this combination of research and applied aspects of sport, exercise and performance psychology, the program prepares students for careers as sport psychology consultants, researchers and future faculty members. Students may also apply for a science track with more emphasis on research, which does not include the master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

Many students work 20 hours a week during the semester as a graduate assistant, either teaching, providing service or conducting research. In return for these contributions, graduate assistants receive a tuition waiver and stipend.

This program is delivered in-person and requires full-time residency in Morgantown for the majority of the 3-4 year program.

Your Degree Plan

The PhD program in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology combines academic rigor, extensive research experiences and applied consulting opportunities to train highly competent, well-rounded sport, exercise and performance psychology professionals.

• Plan of Study

The program combines academic rigor, extensive research experiences and applied consulting opportunities to train highly competent, well-rounded future sport, exercise and performance psychology professionals. The comprehensive curriculum represents the science-practice model of psychology.

Foundational Courses Students complete 65-75 credit hours that cover traditional SEP coursework, professional practice courses and research methods. They will have individual plan of studies meetings to finalize their doctoral curriculum with all courses needed to complete the requirements for the SEP doctoral degree.

Dissertation Throughout the program students select a line of research that coincides with their area of interest. The SEP doctoral degree program culminates with a dissertation research project, exploring an important topic in the field of sport, exercise and performance psychology. The dissertation will be in the form of two or three publishable papers researching the chosen topic, which will be presented in a public forum. The dissertation committee must approve of the dissertation to be fully accepted.

Earn a Dual Degree in Counseling Once admitted into this program, students can opt to dual enroll in the master's degree program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling . Courses for these two programs are completed simultaneously. Upon completion students are eligible to sit for licensure as a licensed professional counselor in most states.

The deadline to apply for Fall 2024 has passed, but you are welcome to reach out to the admissions coordinator to learn more about Fall 2025 admission. If you have any questions about this graduate program, please contact Sam Zizzi at [email protected] .

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

Expand your curiosity — and enhance your curriculum — through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations for first- and second-year students and Honors EXCEL for third- and fourth-year students.

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart from its competitors?

• 100% of program graduates are employed in the area of their choice.
• Students teach undergraduate classes in sport, exercise and performance psychology.
• Students are expected to produce publishable manuscripts.
• Graduates will be license-eligible and may pursue a counseling or consulting career with full-time applied work.
• Students consult with NCAA Division I, II and III athletic programs, high school and youth sport teams, exercise/health settings and other performance domains.
• Admitted students can dual enroll in the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program and complete both simultaneously.
• The WVU School of Sport Sciences was recognized as one of the best in the country by Newsweek .

Learn by Doing

Learning happens outside the classroom. Get involved.

Research and Academic Opportunities

Applied Experiences Students have the opportunity to gain applied experience working with a range of performers, including student-athletes of Division I, II and III athletic programs. As a result, most students accrue more than 400 hours of supervised service provision allowing them to meet the requirements for AASP certification (CMPC). In addition, the dual enrollment in a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling allows individuals to sit for counseling licensure upon graduation.

Research The program boasts seven faculty members trained in sport, exercise and performance psychology. These faculty members have different training backgrounds and research specialties (see faculty profiles) allowing them to supervise students with various research interests. Students will have the opportunity to collaborate with those faculty members and are expected to produce publishable manuscripts. In their research, students are encouraged to identify topics that align with their own interests and will help them reach their professional goals.

Student Organizations

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

• Sport and Exercise Psychology Graduate Student Club

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Professional Organizations

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

• American Psychological Association
• Association for Applied Sport Psychology
• European Federation of Sport Psychology
• International Society of Sport Psychology
• North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity
• Society of Behavioral Medicine

Internships

Graduate Teaching Assistantships

• Basic Instruction Program (BIP)

Graduate Service Assistantships

• WVU Student Recreation Center
• WVU Athletics

Graduate Service/Teaching Assistantships

• University Advising Center

What Skills You'll Take Away With You

Attending college will prepare you for many things. The Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology major will give you the following skills:

• Analytical skills
• Research skills

What you learn outside of the classroom is just as important as what you learn during class. We’ll help you follow your curiosity.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

• Career Profiles
• How We Prepare You

Education Administrators, Postsecondary

Plan, direct or coordinate research, instructional, student administration and services and other educational activities at postsecondary institutions, including universities, colleges and junior and community colleges.

May require a Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $99,940

Possible job titles include: Academic Dean, Dean, Provost, Registrar.

Clinical and Counseling Psychologists

Assess, diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview and psychological tests. Help individuals with distress or maladjustment understand their problems through their knowledge of case history, interviews with patients and theory. Provide individual or group counseling services to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal, social, educational and vocational development and adjustment. May design behavior modification programs and consult with medical personnel regarding the best treatment for patients.

Has a Bright Outlook , May require a Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $90,130

Possible job titles include: Clinical Psychologist, Forensic Psychologist, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Psychologist, Applied Behavior Science Specialist, Child Psychologist, Clinical Therapist, Counseling Psychologist, Licensed Professional Counselor, Psychotherapist, Pediatric Psychologist.

Mental Health Counselors

Counsel with emphasis on prevention. Work with individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health. May help individuals deal with issues associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; and aging.

Median Salary: $49,710

Possible job titles include: Clinician, Counselor, Mental Health Counselor, Therapist.

Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in psychology, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology and psychological counseling. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Median Salary: $78,810

Possible job titles include: Instructor, Professor, Psychology Instructor, Psychology Professor.

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy and veterinary medicine.

Median Salary: $102,720

Possible job titles include: Assistant Professor, Clinical Professor, Physical Therapy Professor, Professor.

Where our grads are working

Graduates leave the program with advanced skills in the areas of research, practice and teaching. WVU boasts one of the largest SEP alumni networks in the nation with former students working in most areas of the sport, exercise and performance psychology profession. Alumni take a genuine interest in current students and their future success. Graduates work in a variety of roles which include sport psychology consultants, researchers and faculty members.

Common career areas:

• Research based faculty positions in sport sciences
• Teaching based faculty positions in sport sciences
• Private practice consulting
• Military consulting
• Public Health

Example employers and job titles of graduates:

• Ian Connole, private practitioner, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Peak Performance, Dartmouth College
• Paul Downey, Associate Athletic Director for Academics, University of Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletics
• Adrian Ferrera, practitioner with special forces soldiers, Fort Bragg
• Aaron Goodson, Assistant Director of Counseling and Sport Psychology, Mississippi State University
• Brandon Harris, Associate Professor, Georgia Southern University
• Jesse Michel, Head Mental Skills Coordinator, Houston Astros
• Raymond Prior, private practitioner, Chicago, Illinois
• Rebecca Zakrajsek, Associate Professor, University of Tennessee

Meet Your Community

The Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology family will inspire and support you.

• Program Faculty
• Alumni Network

Damien Clement

Professional highlights:

• Fellow, Association for Applied Sport Psychology, 2020-Present
• WVU Foundation Award for Outstanding Teaching, 2015
• Dorothy V. Harris Award, Association for Applied Sport Psychology, 2014
• Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award, WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, 2013
• Acting Dean, WVU Honors College, August 2019–June 2020

Ashley Coker-Cranney

• Certified Mental Performance Consultant, Association for Applied Sport Psychology
• Licensed Professional Counselor, West Virginia Board of Examiners for Counseling

Peter Giacobbi Jr.

• Research focus on chronic disease risk reduction using digital and other delivery technologies
• Expert in the use of guided imagery in sport and exercise settings, overall well-being and managing health behavior
• Current Google Scholar H-index of 33, Scopus H-index of 23

Dana Voelker

• Steelcase Education Active Learning Center Grant, 2019
• WVU Foundation Award for Outstanding Teachers, 2018
• Association for Applied Sport Psychology Dorothy V. Harris Memorial Award, 2018

• Twice recognized as Most Outstanding Teacher at WVU CPASS, and has mentored over 30 PhD students through degree completion
• Serves as the Dr. Pat Fehl Endowed Professor to focus efforts on the health and wellness of WV citizens
• Published one of the first books on self-awareness in sport, Being Mindful in Sport and Exercise Psychology (2017), with friend and colleague Mark Andersen
• Certified Mental Performance Consultant, Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP)

The SEP faculty helped me develop holistically as a scholar and person, with high expectations and a strong desire to achieve.

My success is a direct result of the training and guidance I received while a student in the SEP program.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission into a graduate program at WVU an applicant must submit official, bachelor's degree transcripts from a regionally accredited institution and hold a GPA of at least 2.75. WVU operates decentralized admissions. Decentralized admissions allows each graduate program to set its own application requirements in addition to the University requirements.

To be eligible for admission into the Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology graduate program an applicant must submit the following documentation:

• Statement of Purpose
• Letters of Recommendation - Two

Application Requirements

Applicants can seek admission to the doctoral program in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology with either a baccalaureate degree or master's degree. To be considered for admission, applicants must upload the following documentation within the graduate application :

• Résumé or CV
• Transcripts from all previous institutions
• Official GRE scores
• Personal statement (1-2 written pages on professional background, goals and reasons for pursuing doctoral degree at WVU, and rationale for potential faculty advisor)
• Two (2) Letters of recommendation

You will not be able to submit your application until the above documents are uploaded. Once the application is submitted and (unofficial/official) transcripts are received, your application will be reviewed for an admission decision. International applicants will not be reviewed with unofficial transcripts.

Prospective students should NOT apply to the dual master's program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at this time. If accepted into the PhD program, admission fees will be waived.

Please contact the Office of Student Success at 304-293-4800 for more information about the application process.

Additional Application Considerations

Admission application form deadline: December 1. Admission is limited to fall start only.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their application with unofficial transcripts from all previously attended institutions. Submitting unofficial transcripts speeds up the application review process as most graduate programs make admission decisions using unofficial transcripts.

If you are offered acceptance, you are required to submit official transcripts from all previously attended institutions to be fully admitted into your intended graduate program. You will not be able to register for classes until the official transcripts are received. The preferred method to submit your official transcripts is through a secure online service, such as eScript, The National Clearing House or Parchment, to [email protected] .

Alternatively, if you are unable to submit an electronic version of your official transcript, the physical, sealed, un-tampered with documents can be mailed to:

WVU Graduate Admissions, PO Box 6510, Morgantown, WV 26501

WVU Graduate Admissions, 1 Waterfront Place, 2nd Floor, Morgantown, WV 26505

• Applications that are incomplete or are submitted after the deadline may be reviewed if openings remain.
• International applicants must also submit required materials for international applicants .

Review process

Following the application deadline, program faculty will evaluate applicant credentials based on the materials submitted. After that initial review, a limited number of applicants will be invited to personal online and/or on-campus interviews with the program faculty and current students prior to a final admission decision.

Program Contact

If you have any questions about this graduate program, please contact Sam Zizzi at [email protected] .

Application Deadlines

Each graduate program sets their own terms for admission and application deadlines. Applicants can only apply for admission for the terms displayed below. Any questions regarding the application deadline should be directed to the graduate program representative.

• Fall: December 1

Ready to take the next step?

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Want to know more about Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology at WVU? Fill out our request form to receive more information.

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Psychology Graduate Programs in West Virginia

1-3 of 3 results

WVU College of Education and Human Services

Morgantown, WV •

West Virginia University •

Graduate School

• • Rating 5 out of 5   1 review

Graduate Student: I am in my first year of the social work program and it is great so far. I feel like the academics have been stellar and that I have gotten a lot out of it. I have been able to get help from faculty for the most part and do not have any complaints. ... Read 1 review

West Virginia University ,

Graduate School ,

MORGANTOWN, WV ,

1 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Graduate Student says I am in my first year of the social work program and it is great so far. I feel like the academics have been stellar and that I have gotten a lot out of it. I have been able to get help from faculty... .

Read 1 reviews.

College of Liberal Arts - Marshall University

Huntington, WV •

Marshall University •

Blue checkmark.

Marshall University ,

HUNTINGTON, WV ,

School of Arts & Humanities - American Public University System

Charles Town, WV •

American Public University System •

• • Rating 4 out of 5   2 reviews

Master's Student: Teachers are engaging and the coursework is laid out in a manner that is easy to understand. The layout of the course is also easy to work with. ... Read 2 reviews

American Public University System ,

CHARLES TOWN, WV ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says Teachers are engaging and the coursework is laid out in a manner that is easy to understand. The layout of the course is also easy to work with. .

Read 2 reviews.

University of North Texas

Graduate School •

• • Rating 4.61 out of 5   128

Sacred Heart University

FAIRFIELD, CT

• • Rating 4.4 out of 5   45

Tarleton State University

STEPHENVILLE, TX

• • Rating 4.69 out of 5   54

Houston Christian University

HOUSTON, TX

• • Rating 4.17 out of 5   24

College of Arts and Sciences - Sacred Heart University

Sacred Heart University •

• • Rating 5 out of 5   6

Miami University

• • Rating 4.56 out of 5   25

Showing results 1 through 3 of 3

• Accreditation
• Project TRAIN
• School of Counseling and Well-Being

Counseling Psychology, Ph.D.

The counseling psychology program is currently phasing out. as such, we are no longer accepting applications..

Counseling psychology, as a psychological specialty, facilitates personal and interpersonal functioning across the lifespan with a focus on emotional, social, vocational, educational, health-related, developmental, and organizational concerns. Through the integration of theory, research, and practice and with a sensitivity to multicultural issues, this specialty encompasses a broad range of practices that help people improve their well-being, alleviate distress and maladjustment, resolve crises, and increase their ability to live more highly functioning lives. Counseling psychology is unique in its attention to both normal developmental issues and to problems associated with physical, emotional, and mental disorders.

Populations served by counseling psychologists include people of all ages and cultural backgrounds. Examples include late adolescents or adults with career/educational concerns and children or adults facing severe personal difficulties. Counseling psychologists also consult with organizations seeking to enhance their effectiveness or the well-being of their members. Counseling psychologists adhere to the standards and ethics established by the APA.

The doctoral program is approved and designated by the National Register of Health Service Psychologists .

The doctoral program is accredited, inactive by the American Psychological Association to provide doctoral level training in counseling psychology.

Accreditation and Licensure

The Counseling Psychology doctoral program at West Virginia University is currently Accredited-Inactive.

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 First Street NE Washington, DC 20002 Phone: 202-336-5979 Email: [email protected] Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

Licensure in Counseling Psychology

If you wish to pursue licensure as a counseling psychologist, it is important to know that most states require a degree from a program accredited by the American Psychological Association ( APA ), such as our program here at WVU. Please check with the licensing body in any state(s) where you intend to practice. Also, visit the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards ( ASPPB ) website for more information.

Student Admissions, Outcomes and Other Data

You can download our PDF covering student admissions, outcomes and other data .

Program Aims

The aim of the doctoral program at West Virginia University is to provide trainees the means to become competent Health Service Psychologists who, upon graduation, are ready for entry-level clinical and academic practice in the area of Counseling Psychology.

Our program has a strong sense of community and we strive to offer training within a supportive, growth-oriented model. We also highly value our multicultural focus and social justice orientation. Read the core values of Counseling Psychology reflected in this philosophy on the website of APA Division 17, The Society of Counseling Psychology .

To this end, the program requires trainees to obtain graduate-level understanding in discipline-specific foundations of psychological science to include history and systems of psychology, affective, biological, cognitive, developmental, and social bases of behavior. In addition, the program requires trainees to demonstrate competency in research design and quantitative methods as well as graduate-level knowledge that entails integration of multiple basic discipline-specific content areas (i.e., integration of at least two of: affective, biological, cognitive, social, or developmental aspects of behavior).

Research Training

In order to achieve readiness for practice at the entry level, the program requires trainees to become competent producers, consumers, and communicators of psychological research. The program expects trainees, upon successful completion of the program, to demonstrate knowledge, skills, and competence sufficient to produce new knowledge, to critically evaluate and use existing knowledge to solve problems, and to disseminate research.

Students in our program conduct their own research, collaborate on faculty research, and complete a scholarly dissertation. Research and empirical knowledge are fundamental elements of our training program.

Clinical Training

Trainees are further required to demonstrate profession-wide competencies in ethical and legal standards, individual and cultural diversity, professional values, attitudes, and behaviors, communication and interpersonal skills, assessment, intervention, multicultural competent, consultation, and interprofessional/interdisciplinary skills.

To this end, our program offers a wide range of top practicum placements including university counseling centers, VA placements, community mental health centers, and inpatient units. We have an excellent match rate for students obtaining APA/CPA-accredited internships. We also have a strong record of our graduates obtaining licensure across the U.S. Outstanding clinical training is a central feature of our doctoral program.

The Counseling Psychology program at West Virginia University is committed to fostering an educational experience and training environment that promotes diversity, multiculturalism, and social justice as fundamental ethical, societal, and scientific values. This commitment is at the center of the professional and personal values of the faculty, staff, and students in our program.

Our commitment to inclusion, equity, and social justice is reflected in the aspirational goals of the program including:

• Create and sustain a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive departmental climate.
• Increasing recruitment and retention of students from historically underrepresented and marginalized groups, broadly defined.
• Increasing recruitment and retention of faculty from historically underrepresented and marginalized groups, broadly defined.
• Ensure that curricular requirements reflect the Department's commitment to diversity and social justice.
• Preparation of graduate students to become researchers, teachers, and clinicians in a diverse world.

Admission Requirements

The counseling psychology doctoral program is closing and not accepting new applications..

Admission to the doctoral program is competitive. The program typically receives two to three times more applicants than students admitted.

Applicants must have a Master’s degree in a field closely related to counseling psychology prior to enrollment. Examples include counseling psychology, clinical psychology, counseling, or rehabilitation counseling. Degrees from other training programs may be considered, but the faculty reserves the right to determine whether a specific degree meets the prerequisite.

Other requirements:

• GPA of 3.5, verified by official transcripts of graduate coursework. Please send hard copy of transcripts to West Virginia University, Office of Graduate Admissions and Recruitment, P.O. Box 6510, One Waterfront Place, 2nd Fl, Morgantown, WV 26505-6510. Electronic copies are accepted via services such as E-Scripts, National Clearinghouse or Parchment. If sending via one of the electronic services, please choose the main WVU Graduate Admissions email address, [email protected] .
• Three letters of recommendation to support the applicant’s competency in counseling, testing, research, and personal qualities of readiness for completion of a doctoral degree
• A statement of purpose outlining the applicant’s interest in doctoral training in counseling psychology, professional aspirations, and research interests
• Graduate Record Examination scores: Please use WVU code 5904 when sending GRE scores. As of August, 2011,the ETS revised its score reporting system for the Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning measures. A 130-170 range of scores reported in 1-point increments has replaced the earlier 200-800 range that was reported in10-point increments for both sections for tests taken in August 2011 or later. We recommend a minimum Revised Verbal Reasoning score of 153; and a Revised Quantitative Reasoning score of 144. A combined Verbal and Quantitative score should be about 300. See the ETS website for detailed information on the revised scoring system and a conversion chart: http://www.ets.org/gre/
• If you report test scores taken prior to August 2011, combined Verbal and Quantitative scores should be at minimum 1,000. The scoring for the Analytic Writing test remains the same.
• A completed Department Doctoral Application Form
• Two years of relevant work experience is desirable

• Graduate Students

Ph.D. in Psychology – Behavioral Neuroscience

The behavioral neuroscience area of emphasis is the newest and fastest growing area in the Department of Psychology. Students in behavioral neuroscience work closely with highly experienced faculty to study the biological bases of behavior. Training in behavioral neuroscience prepares students for a career in research in academics, academic medicine, government and/or industry.

We expect our graduates to succeed in research, with an emphasis on publishing and obtaining extramural funding to support their work. We also foster strong mentorship skills, so that our students are prepared to teach their skills and way of thinking to their own students upon completion of our program. Our graduates make significant contributions to solving important problems in their field.

Behavioral neuroscience students may also elect to pursue a specialization in behavior analysis. This option should be discussed with the advisor or program coordinator.

For information about behavioral neuroscience training, contact Dr. Melissa Blank at  [email protected] . 

Laboratories

Dr. Blank’s Tobacco and Health Behavior Lab Dr. Mariya Cherkasova's Brain Behavior And Addiction Lab Dr. Kathleen Morrison’s Translational Neuroscience Lab    

      Affiliate Faculty Dr. Patrick’s Healthy Aging Lab

About the Program

Students in behavioral neuroscience study complex interactions between the brain and other physio logical systems. You will be trained in basic brain sciences, including neuroanatomy, behavioral research techniques, statistical analyses of data and research ethics. Advanced topics may cover topics such as behavioral endocrinology, neuroinflammation, behavioral pharmacology and psychoneuroimmunology.

As a student in behavioral neuroscience, you will work closely with your faculty mentor to develop research projects, which may also involve collaboration with other departments at WVU and beyond. Student involvement in research is central to training in behavioral neuroscience. Once you have learned essential skills, you will be expected to design and carry out your own research projects soon after entering the program.

Program of Study

Training in behavioral neuroscience consists of coursework and extensive research training in a laboratory setting, leading to the completion of a Ph.D. in four years. The coursework consists of set core requirements, and advanced topics are chosen by the student in consultation with their advising committee to create an individualized program of skills and knowledge toward the completion of the dissertation. 

During the first two years of study, students work with their faculty mentor to design, carry out, and write a master’s thesis for publication. At the end of the second year, students will complete the candidacy exam. Successful completion of the candidacy exam admits students to doctoral candidacy. At this time, most formal coursework is complete, and the focus becomes completing the dissertation.

A description of specific degree requirements can be found in the graduate catalog .

Facilities and Financial Support

The laboratories in the behavioral neuroscience program area are located in the Life Sciences Building. Each lab is outfitted with modern equipment within our building. For example, these labs include facilities for operant conditioning, western blotting, single and multi-unit recording, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), cell culture, surgery and automated behavioral analysis systems. In addition, all faculty members of behavioral neuroscience program area are members of the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute , a multi-disciplinary collaborative group of investigators who share resources and core facilities including histology, transgenic model generation, confocal microscopy, optogenetics and brain imaging.

Students will gain teaching experience, which offers not only opportunities to gain experience in preparation as future faculty members and public speakers, but is also helpful while reviewing for the candidacy exam. Our students are also funded through fellowships available on a competitive basis though the Behavioral and Biomedical T32 Training Grant, and dissertation awards are also available on a competitive basis though the University. Our students are also often hired as research assistants to work on grant-funded studies.

Clinical Psychology, Psy.D.

Our Clinical Psychology doctoral degree at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, will make you a versatile and highly employable worker. When you enter the program, we will provide you with a background in: Human Behavior Research Data College and Management Development of a Psychology Program Observation of Findings Technical Writing You will develop a culturally sensitive lens through which to understand human nature and why humans live and act the way they do. 

Why Study Clinical Psychology at Marshall?

Our doctoral students in Clinical Psychology learn from faculty who practice cutting-edge techniques in the field of psychology. The Clinical Psychology Doctorate program provides our students with an intense focus on Psychology in 5-6 years. Students who already have a Masters Degree in psychology, with a clinical emphasis, from a regionally accredited institution can apply for advanced standing in the Psy.D. program.  To be considered Advanced Standing, applicants should have successfully completed graduate-level coursework consistent with the first 2-years of the PsyD program curriculum and be prepared to enter into our training clinic upon admission. Our program houses both a full-time and part-time track for students.

Our program sets forth 10 goals for our students: Knowledge Base of Psychology Research Methods in Psychology Critical Thinking Skills in Psychology Application of Psychology Values in Psychology Information and Technological Literacy Communication Skills Sociocultural and International Awareness Personal Development Career Planning and Development

Among the courses that are offered in the Clinical Psychology Doctorate program are Individual Psychotherapy/Interviewing, Cognitive Psychology and Chemical Dependency.

Career Outlook for Clinical Psychology Doctoral Students

Our Psy.D. program has a nearly 100% job placement rate. The 2019 median pay for psychologists is $80,370 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The job outlook in the field of psychology from 2019-2029 is 3%. Employment of clinical, counseling and school psychologists is projected to grow because of an increased demand for psychological services in hospitals, social service agencies, mental health centers and schools.

Opportunities for Clinical Psychology Doctoral Students

The Psy.D. program in Psychology prepares students for the opportunity to work on projects with faculty throughout the community. Research is conducted off campus at various sites in West Virginia, such as schools, prisons and community centers. We’re also host to a Behavioral Health Speakers Bureau , where we bring in experts on many different topics.

Our hope is through the opportunities we provide, we prepare our students to be well-rounded with a diverse set of skills that can apply to several marketable psychology backgrounds. Students are prepared to understand human behavior, respond appropriately, think critically, communicate well and evaluate information. You will develop several skills that will benefit you in a wide range of workplace and professional school settings in West Virginia and beyond.

Admission Requirements

Applying to the psy.d. program, prerequisite coursework.

Applicants must have completed a minimum of 18 undergraduate semester hours of psychology, including statistics, experimental psychology or research methods, and abnormal psychology in order to be considered for admission. Please note that some courses may have undergraduate prerequisite coursework attached to them. While these undergraduate courses are not required for admission, they must be taken prior to a student’s enrollment in those courses with such prerequisites.

Application Deadline and Materials

Students are admitted to the Psy.D. program once per year for classes starting in the Fall semester. Applicants are required to submit the completed application form with all requested supplemental materials, official transcripts from degree-granting institutions, official transcripts of all previous graduate coursework, official report of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test (scores may not be more than five (5) years old), and three letters of recommendation. Completed applications along with all supporting materials must be received by the December 1 deadline to receive priority consideration for admission the following fall. It should be noted that the application process is competitive. It is recommended that scores on the Verbal section not be lower than 150 and scores on the Quantitative section not be lower than 141. Likewise, it is recommended that applications have a minimum combined total on those two sections of 297. Grade point averages for successful candidates typically range from 3.2 to 3.6. Application materials and current program information can be obtained by contacting the Marshall University Psychology Department, the Marshall University Graduate Admissions office, or by consulting the Psychology Department website at www.marshall.edu/psych .

Applicant Review Process

Applicants are divided into two groups as follows:

• Post-B.A.: This track is designed for students who either possess no graduate degree or whose graduate degree is in an area other than psychology. Students who have completed some graduate work towards a master’s degree in psychology but will not have completed the degree prior to admission to the Psy.D. program would also be a part of this track. Students accepted into this track are expected to enroll as full-time students throughout the program. A student accepted through this track may earn a master’s degree in general psychology as he or she makes successful progress toward the Psy.D.
• Advanced Standing: A student who already has a master’s degree in psychology can apply for advanced standing in the Psy.D. program. In order to apply for advanced standing, a student must have completed a master’s degree in psychology from an accepted, accredited institution. Students who are admitted with advanced standing must select to enter in either a full-time track or a part-time track by the end of their first semester of enrollment. These tracks are described as follows: Full-time track: Students who apply for advanced standing and the full-time track must be able to document coursework and practicum equivalencies equal to approximately 36 hours of coursework required in the Psy.D. program at Marshall University. Review of equivalencies is described in the next section. Students in the full-time track must commit to a minimum of 9 hours of coursework and practica per semester during the entire time of their enrollment. They must also commit to taking summer coursework as needed. As such, these students can anticipate completing the program in approximately four years. This would assume 5-6 semesters of coursework and a full year for the pre-doctoral internship. Students admitted to the full-time track can apply to change to the part-time track if their circumstances warrant such a change. Although students with extenuating circumstances may drop below full-time for a given semester without changing tracks, they should recognize that this change may impact the time it will take to complete the program. Students in this track desiring to attend part time for more than one semester may be required to switch formally to the part-time track. Part-time track: Students who apply for advanced standing and the part-time track are not required to document equivalencies at any particular level, although they must still possess a master’s degree in psychology from an accredited institution. Students in the part-time track may enroll either full-time or part-time in any given semester with the exception of the residency year, described in the next section. During the residency year, full-time enrollment is required. Students in this track should anticipate completing the program in no fewer than 5 years and no more than 7 years from the date of enrollment.

Vertical Team Practica

Practica in the program are arranged according to vertical teams. Each team is led by a clinical faculty member who is a licensed psychologist. Teams are organized around a particular orientation to clinical conceptualization and treatment planning. Teams include students at all levels of training and allow newer students to be exposed to practica in which they may be placed as they progress through the program. Vertical team arrangements also allow more experienced students to become mentors to more junior students.

Comprehensive Evaluation Process

All students admitted to the program must complete the portfolio evaluation review as part of the comprehensive evaluation process. In addition, students who are admitted without a master’s degree will take a written comprehensive prior to being awarded the master’s degree.

Doctoral Research Project

All students are required to complete a doctoral research project prior to receiving their Psy.D. degree. Details of the doctoral research process are discussed in the Psy.D. Student Handbook.

Internship Requirement

All students are required to complete a one year, full time (or two year, half time) internship in clinical psychology at an approved internship training site. There are a very limited number of local approved sites and students should anticipate the possibility of relocation during this portion of the training period. Please contact the Psy.D. program director for additional information concerning this requirement.

Residency Requirement

All students are required to enroll as full time students for a one year “residency” period. For most students, this will be the 4th year, when students focus on their doctoral research and their rural practicum placements.

Rural Practicum Placement

A key component of our program is training in and supervised delivery of psychological services in rural settings. All students will spend at least one academic year (two sequential full semesters) placed in an approved rural training site. This placement will require driving to the site and may require an overnight stay each week. More information about this part of the program is available from the Psy.D. Program Director and/or the Practicum Coordinator.

Scheduling of Coursework

Courses are offered during Fall, Spring and Summer terms, with most courses offered no more than once per year. Students must plan to take courses during each term to make appropriate progress through the curriculum.

Other information about program (e.g. comprehensive exams, specific procedures for requesting evaluation of prior graduate coursework, graduate assistantships and other student funding opportunities; the doctoral program fee charged to students each semester of enrollment) is available from the psychology department; please contact the Psy.D. Program Coordinator.

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Psychology: Life-Span Development  Doctoral

What is Psychology: Life-Span Development at WVU like?

Description

WVU has an illustrious history in life-span development as the first program in this field. Our program continues to provide in-depth training to the next generation of life-span developmental psychologists. Graduates are highly successful in obtaining employment and find positions in academia, government, research institutions, foundations and applied settings.

The Ph.D. in developmental psychology combines breadth of training in perspectives on normal development across the life span with depth and rigor of training in an area of specialization selected by the student. The program produces disciplined researchers who are also skilled classroom instructors. Students are funded via teaching and research assistantships.

WVU’s Psychology Department received the Innovation in Graduate Education Award from the American Psychological Association in recognition of the junior-colleague model used to train graduate students. Students acquire professional skills trough direct participation in classroom instruction. As junior colleagues, students and faculty collaborate in research rather than students serving as research assistants assigned to individual faculty. Contact among faculty and students outside the classroom is frequent and informal.

Application Deadlines

Each graduate program sets their own term of admission and application deadline. Applicants can only apply for admission for the term displayed below. Any questions regarding the application deadline should be directed to the graduate program representative. Fall:  December 1

At a Glance

• Admission Requirements

Contact Information

• College/School: Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
• Department:
• Degree Designation: PhD
• Degree Program:
• Program: Psychology: Life-Span Development

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Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Psychology: Life-Span Development at WVU?

University Requirements

To be eligible for admission into a graduate program at WVU an applicant must submit official, bachelors degree transcripts from a regionally accredited institution and hold a GPA of at least 2.75.

WVU operates decentralized admissions. Decentralized admissions allows each graduate program to set its own application requirements in addition to the University requirements.

Program Requirements

To be eligible for admission into the Psychology: Life-Span Development graduate program an applicant must submit the following documentation:

• Letters of Recommendation - Three
• Statement of Purpose

Additional admissions considerations:

• Applicants must submit official transcripts from all attended institutions.

Certain application requirements may be waived based on a preliminary review of an application by program.

International Applicants must also submit the materials outlined here .

Who do I contact if I have questions?

Graduate Admissions and Recruitment

Email:   [email protected]

Phone:  (304) 293-5980

International Admissions

Email:   [email protected]

Phone:  (304) 293-2121

Program Contact

Dr. JoNell Strough

Professor & Area Coordinator

Email:   [email protected]

Phone:  3042932001

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Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology, M.S., Ph.D.

Degree offered.

• Master of Science
• Doctor of Philosophy

Nature of the Program

The Ph.D. program in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology at WVU is recognized as among the premier training programs in the discipline globally. To train highly competent and well-rounded future professionals, this program provides students with a comprehensive experience that combines academic rigor, extensive engagement in research and teaching, and opportunities in applied practice settings. Students work with our nationally- and internationally-recognized faculty to make meaningful contributions to the science and practice of the field.

Importantly, plans of study are uniquely designed in collaboration with each student to meet their unique needs toward a range of career goals, including those in research, teaching, and applied practice. Beyond coursework, students in this program complete several benchmarks in research leading to the dissertation and garner experience in teaching, often as the primary instructor. Students may choose to additionally engage in supervised applied experiences in a range of sport, exercise, and performance settings toward credentialing in mental performance consulting. For students further interested in applied practice, a concurrent completion of a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is an option that qualifies them to sit for counseling licensure upon graduation. Alternatively, students may opt to place greater emphasis on research output and teaching experience to prepare for a career in higher education or another setting. Unique to students admitted to the Ph.D. program with a baccalaureate degree, a M.S. in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology is completed concurrently with their doctorate. 

Applicants can seek admission to the doctoral program in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology with either a baccalaureate degree or master's degree [Note: The M.S. program in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology does not offer direct admission at this time]. To be considered for admission, applicants must upload the following documentation within the graduate application:  

• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Transcripts from all previous institutions. This program utilizes the University GPA requirement for entry to the program. 
• Official GRE scores
• Personal statement (1-2 written pages on professional background, goals, reasons for pursuing doctoral degree at WVU, and rationale for potential faculty advisor)
• Letters of recommendation (2)

You will not be able to submit your application until the above documents are uploaded. Once the application is submitted and (unofficial/official) transcripts are received, your application will be reviewed for an admission decision. International applicants will not be reviewed with unofficial transcripts. 

Admission Requirements 2024-2025

The Admission Requirements above will be the same for the 2024-2025 Academic Year.

MS Major Code: 5534

PhD Major Code: 5540

For specific information on the following program please see the link to the right:

• Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology, M.S.
• Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology, Ph.D.

WVU Morgantown

Graduate/Professional Catalog Information

• Academic and Professional Standards
• Advising, Enrollment and Evaluation
• Degree Regulations
• Financial Aid
• Graduate Certificates
• Programs, Courses and Credits
• Tuition, Fees and Residency

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