Department website: http://liberalarts.utexas.edu/psychology/

Graduate work is offered in the following areas of specialization: behavioral neuroscience; clinical psychology; cognition, perception, and brain; developmental psychology; individual differences and evolutionary psychology; and social and personality psychology; Students are admitted for graduate work in one of these areas. The program in clinical psychology has been approved by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS). The program in general psychology is a STEM Designated Degree Program, as identified by the Department of Homeland Security for purposes of the 24-month STEM optional practical training extension. 

Graduate Handbook

Graduate handbook information is updated and maintained by each program. Graduate handbooks are available within each program's office and online. Please contact the program with concerns or questions.

Total Hours Required: 30

Requirements

The PhD requires up to 99 hours to complete the program. Graduate training in the Department of Psychology is flexible and every effort is made to permit students to take courses that fit their own interests and professional goals. Students may engage in considerable work in computer sciences, biology, sociology, mathematics, or other fields. All graduate students must complete at least two statistics courses, one to be taken during the first year, a research method and ethics course, coursework in their area of specialization, research hours, dissertation courses, and three core courses from topics that include behavioral neuroscience, cognitive and perceptual systems, social, developmental, clinical, evolutionary psychology and advanced statistics. One core course must be taken the first year; the remaining requirements must be fulfilled during the first three years. Students are expected to maintain a 3.0 (B average) in all coursework and must complete up to 99 hours for the PhD in Psychology.

In addition, students are expected to participate in professional development. This includes participation in seminars, workshops, research, and teaching positions. It is also expected that students attend annual conferences and present on their research.

Clinical students complete additional coursework specific to Clinical training as governed by the American Psychology Association, and the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS). They are also expected to complete an internship and to demonstrate ultimate suitability for the practice of professional psychology. Upon confirmation of completion of degree requirements in clinical psychology, the following will appear on the clinical students' transcripts: name of the internship, location (city and state), start and end dates, and if it was accredited by the American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (Per the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB)).

Students are formally evaluated by their faculty supervisor and research area at the end of each year. This evaluation is based on the student’s performance in their coursework, demonstration of research aptitude, and potential for professional competence. Annual evaluations provide students feedback on their progress, areas needing growth, and setting goals for the upcoming year.

The department’s general requirements for the doctoral degree include completion of the core courses and other appropriate courses, research, completion of area requirements, and preliminary and final oral examinations related to a dissertation that gives evidence of the student’s ability to carry out independent investigation in the major field.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
All students must also follow the following requirements and policies:
Graduate Liberal Arts Requirements
Graduate University Requirements