Ph.D. in Psychological Science

Emphasis is placed on training skilled researchers that will be prepared to work in a broad range of careers in education, health, and industry. Coursework is designed to provide disciplinary knowledge in the core domains of psychology and a solid foundation of quantitative and methodological skills.

Students earning their Ph.D. in the Psychological Science concentration will be able to pursue research-oriented careers in academic, industry, or government settings. Graduates of the program are not eligible for licensure.

As a part of our PhD program in Psychological Science, students first go through the requirements for M.S. in Psychological Science, then progress to doctoral-level courses. More details on these course sequences and requirements are found below. Although we accept students who have existing Master's work, all PhD students must complete master's course and thesis requirements at UNCW. Once accepted to the program, and upon review of the Master's transcript and thesis from the previous institution by the graduate coordinator, thesis credits and thesis may be transferred. 

After completing master's course and thesis requirements, student complete the doctoral-level course requirements and research experiences including qualifying examinations.

• The program requires at least 66 post-baccalaureate credit hours of graduate study.
• Each student will complete an M.A. degree in Psychological Science in their first two to three years including at least 34 credit hours, and an empirical thesis. Students must successfully present and defend their thesis to their faculty committee.
• Each student must pass a doctoral qualifying examination.
• Each student will complete at least 32 credit hours in doctoral-level coursework.
• Each student must complete and defend a dissertation based on a research program approved by the student’s committee that results in an original, high quality, significant, and substantial body of research. Students must successfully present and defend their dissertation to their committee.
• All requirements for the degree must be completed within the timeframe set forth by the Graduate School.
• At least two of the academic training years must be completed at UNCW.
• At least one year of the program must be completed in full-time residence.

After completion of the master’s degree requirements (see above), students take the following courses:

I. Advanced Quantitative Methods (3 credit hours)

• PSY 655 – Advanced Modeling & Simulations (Credit Hours: 3)

II. Electives (9 credit hours; select from the following courses; a minimum of 2 Topical Seminars are required; no more than 1 course at the 500 level may be used to fulfill this requirement)

• PSY 595 – Topical Seminar (Credit Hours: 3)
• PSY 695 – Topical Seminar (Credit Hours: 3)
• Elective: Approved by the research mentor and Graduate Coordinator (Credit Hours: 3)

III. Psychological Science Weekly Colloquium (4 credit hours)

• PSY 601 - Current Topics in Psychological Science (Credit Hours: 1; 4 total)

IV. Teaching (1 credit hour)

• PSY 530 – Teaching Psychology I (Credit Hours: 1)
• PSY 531 – Teaching Psychology II (Credit Hours: 1; optional)

V. Research (6 credit hours)

• PSY 698 – Research (Credit Hours: 1-3; 6 total)

VI. Dissertation (9 credit hours)

• PSY 699 – Dissertation Proposal (Credit Hours: 1-3; 3 credits required)
• PSY 799 – Dissertation Research (Credit Hours: 1-6; 6 credits to be taken over at least two semesters)