The Doctoral Program

Isabel Gauthier

Isabel Gauthier is named 2015 SEC Professor of the year2

The doctoral program in Psychological Sciences is offered jointly by the Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Science and the Department of Psychology and Human Development in Peabody College. The Psychological Sciences program focuses on psychological theory and the development of original empirical research. Students are admitted to work toward the Ph.D. degree in the following areas:

A major goal of our Doctoral Program is the placement of its graduates in academic settings. The faculty attempt always to tailor graduate training to meet the needs and the interests of each individual student. Students are monitored very closely from the beginning of their training, and emphasis is on active student participation during every stage of training. Master's degrees are generally only available to those students who are accepted into the Ph.D. program. The only exceptions are a Masters of Education (M.Ed.) in Child Studies and a Masters of Education (M.Ed.) in Quantitative Methods, both offered through the Department of Psychology and Human Development.

The curriculum is designed to: (a) familiarize students with the major areas of psychology; (b) provide specialized training in at least one of the five specific areas of psychology emphasized in the program; and (c) provide students sufficient flexibility to enroll in classes consistent with their interests and long-term developmental trajectory. During the first two years, students take several core courses in quantitative methods and in substantive areas. Beyond this, the program consists of seminars, further research participation, and other inquiries expressly designed to fulfill career objectives. Each of the five areas offers a seminar on current research every semester, attended by all faculty and graduate students in that area.

We expect students to be continually involved in research throughout their tenure in our program. We use a one-on-one mentoring model as a primary though not exclusive means of advisement for the acquisition of scientific skills by students. As such, students work very closely with their advisors in all phases of the research process. In addition, advisory committees that consist of both the advisor and other faculty members offer guidance throughout the student’s graduate school years. There is the potential for considerable interaction among programs and with other disciplines across campus. This interaction produces an exciting intellectual environment that is further enriched by visiting faculty members and speakers. Interested students are encouraged to find out more about our research programs by reading the descriptions of faculty research interests contained in this brochure and available on our departmental web site.

University Tuition Scholarships are service-free awards that pay all or part of tuition costs. The following graduate awards are normally supplemented by a full University Tuition Scholarship, which usually includes student health insurance coverage: University Fellowships, Graduate Teaching Assistantships, Graduate Research Assistantships, Traineeships, and Teacher Training Awards.