Degree Requirements

Research Assistantships. As an important element in the educational experience, all new students are required to participate in faculty-directed research by enrolling in Directed Research (PSYCH 306 ) for their first two semesters.

Field Experience. All students are required to have at least one semester’s field experience, either as a teacher or a teaching assistant in conjunction with Seminar in Teaching of Psychology ([[permalink=22|tooltip]][[permalink=22|tooltip]]%prefix% %code%[[/permalink]][[/permalink]]), or in an assignment related to Field Placement (PSYCH 450 ).

Research Tools. In lieu of a specific language requirement, demonstrated proficiency in two research tools tailored to individual needs is required. Faculty approval of the specific tools and satisfactory evidence of their mastery should be presented during the first three years of graduate study.

Core Courses. A series of core courses provides basic foundations in the major concentrations as well as the primary mechanism for the qualifying examination procedure. The roster of core courses changes from time to time but typically includes two or more specifically designated seminars in each of the concentration areas (see course listings under “Core Courses”). Each student is required to take and pass core courses in their area of major concentration within the first three years of graduate study, as follows: three applied cognitive core courses, three applied developmental core courses, four applied social core courses, four evaluation core courses, three industrial/organizational behavior core courses, three organizational behavior core courses, six positive developmental core courses, or five positive organizational core courses. To obtain qualifying examination credit, a qualifying core course must be passed at the B- level or higher.

Portfolio. Each student is required to assemble a portfolio to provide evidence of professional development within an area of career specialization. The portfolio must contain a minimum of six different products or experiences, accumulated over the period of graduate study, that are relevant to the professional goals and specialization area defined by the student in consultation with the supervisory committee.Approval of the portfolio plan should be obtained by the end of the third year of graduate study.

Oral Qualifying Examination. The oral examination is intended to demonstrate the student’s ability to organize, integrate, and evaluate knowledge in the area of concentration. Satisfactory completion of qualifying requirements and approval of a dissertation proposal are prerequisites to advancement to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree.

Dissertation. Each candidate must submit acceptable dissertation research conducted with the approval of an advisory committee and must take an oral examination upon the dissertation and related work.

Prerequisite Courses

Students must demonstrate knowledge of basic concepts in selected areas of psychology at a level equivalent to the content contained in upper-division college courses. The following prerequisites are required of all students:

• Research Methodology and Statistics,
• Learning or Cognitive Psychology,
• Social Psychology,
  
  AND

One of the following two areas:

• Biological Bases of Behavior
• Individual Differences

Presenting evidence of satisfactory completion of undergraduate college courses may satisfy the above requirements. Two upper-division undergraduate courses (8 units) taken at The Claremont Colleges while enrolled in graduate study may be applied in the M.A. program.With approval of the student’s advisory committee, additional upper-division undergraduate course credit from The Claremont Colleges may be applied in the Ph.D. program.