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Psychology, Ph.D.

A Scientific Understanding of How Humans Behave, Think and Feel
  • 3

    Concentrations: General Clinical, Applied Behavior Analysis and Psychological Science

  • Service

    Hands-on Opportunities to Put Your Knowledge in Action

  • Skills

    Scholarship − Solid Foundation of Quantitative & Methodological Skills

Choose Your Area of Study

Psychology is natural science and social science used to advance areas ranging from basic brain, behavioral and developmental processes, to understanding cultural effects on behavior, to developing and evaluating treatments for chronic psychological and behavioral disorders.

At this level of study, you will conduct and disseminate human and non-human research in both laboratory and applied settings.

Our program offers three concentrations:

The Ph.D. program in General Clinical Psychology is accredited on contingency by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association, effective April 11, 2021. 

Learn more about APA accreditation

The Ph.D. program in Applied Behavior Analysis is accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International Accreditation Board.

Learn more about ABAI accreditation

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Learn To

Understand theoretical and empirical frameworks of the science and application of psychology

Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge in research design and quantitative methods

Effectively communicate empirical findings

Critically evaluate research and develop a plan based on empirical findings

“ I think this university is one of the most accommodating I’ve seen, and that’s a result of the supportive atmosphere if you communicate your needs. ”
Sydney Batchelder '19 M.A., '21 Ph.D.
Psychology, Ph.D. Program Overview

A Core Connection

We not only provide training for specific pursuits within our own field, but we also provide instruction that translates to the disciplines of education, nursing, medicine, social work, business and law. Psychological literacy is achieved through active learning experiences, resulting in an improved ability to analyze and communicate.

The UNCW General Psychotherapy & Assessment Clinic (GPAC) is a psychology clinic serving the community while offering hands-on for training students in the general clinical psychology concentration. It provides affordable psychodiagnostic assessment services (e.g., testing for learning disabilities, ADHD, etc.) for individuals ages 18 and up.

Sound Scientists

Faculty members will treat you as a colleague fully supporting your advancing intellectual inquiry. The department recognizes scientific research as not only a teaching tool, but as a means to improving the quality of life. You will be equipped to translate basic science into clinical application and address societal challenges.

Learn More about the Department of Psychology
student pointing to graph on computer screen

Psychology professors Raymond Pitts and Christine Hughes received a grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health to research how acute and chronic exposure to oxycodone affect specific processes involved in impulsive and risky behavior.

Sample Courses in the Psychology, Ph.D. Program

see sample courses
PSY 505 History & Systems of Psychology
PSY 589 Advanced Research Methods in Psychology
PSY 552 Cultural, Ethical, & Legal Issues in Mental Health
PSY 556 Advanced Physiological Psychology
PSY 547 Advanced Psychopathology
PSY 619 Verbal Behavior: A Translational Approach
See The Full Curriculum

Admission Deadlines & Requirements

Information: Ph.D. Psychology

Apply Now

  • All complete applications received on or before the priority deadline will be reviewed immediately and will be considered for admission. 
  • All application and supporting documents must be received by the published deadline. 
  • All complete applications received after the priority deadline, but before the space available deadline will be reviewed and considered for admission until the class is filled and no other openings are available.

Coordinator

Location/Delivery Method

  • Main Campus

Concentration

  • Applied Behavior Analysis
  • General Clinical
    (Applicants with a master's degree in Psychology are NOT eligible for the General Clinical concentration.)
  • Psychological Science

Deadlines (11:59 p.m. EST)

  • Fall 2025
    • Priority Consideration: December 1, 2024
    • Space Available Deadline: January 1, 2025

Transcripts

  • One official transcript is required from each U.S. post-secondary institution attended. Refer to the Getting Started page for international transcript instructions.

Test Scores

  • GRE General Test
  • WAIVED - Test scores are waived for this program during 2025 due to the pandemic.
  • No additional action required. Test scores will be waived during application processing

Recommendations

  • 3 letters of recommendation from professionals in a psychology-related field. At least two letters must be from faculty members.

Additional Requirements

  1. Upload Supplemental Documents After Application Submission
    Upload Supplemental Documents
  2. Curriculum Vitae/Resume:
  3. Statement of Interest: 
    A 500-800 word statement of interest written in essay form that is composed of research experiences, other psychology-related experiences, research interests to pursue within graduate school, career goals, and any other additional strengths that will make the applicant an excellent candidate for the graduate program.
  4. Degree & Prerequisite Requirements:  
    Major of psychology or at least 21 hr. of psychology with a GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) with evidence of a grade of at least a B- in a course in statistics and a grade of at least a B in a course in psychology research methods.
    Note: Science-based statistics and research methods courses in departments outside of psychology will be considered for non-psychology majors only after the application has been submitted. It will then be reviewed for possible approval by the graduate coordinator and graduate admissions committee. Applicants who are non-psychology majors may count these two courses for up to 6 hours of the 21 hours of psychology courses. Applicants who are considering this option must include relevant syllabi as part of their application.
  5. Interview:  
    Interview with the Department of Psychology faculty required to determine faculty research match.
  6. Concentration Note: 
    Individuals can apply to the Psychological Science or the Applied Behavioral Analysis concentrations, if they have a master’s in Psychology. At this time, individuals cannot apply to the General Clinical concentration if they have a master’s in Psychology.
  7. Review Timeline: 
    Our timeline is built around moving as many complete applications as possible through our process starting on the week after December 1. Therefore, having a complete application within a couple of days of this timeframe the ideal. Every application submitted during our application window will receive fair and equal consideration. We will move them through in batches as they come in.  We expect to invite selected applicants for interviews in late January, which is why having a complete application by the priority deadline is important.

Find your career in:

Promote socially significant improvements in behavior.

Lead in a variety of industry, academic, and government settings.

Write grants and work in sponsored research.

Work in exciting research careers in psychological and medical settings.

Work and do research in behavioral and health service clinical psychology settings.


Learn more about the Ph.D. Program 

Learn more about theDEpartment 

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