Psychology, Ph.D.

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The doctoral program prepares participants primarily for scholarly careers and for leadership roles in organizations. A total of 72 units is required.

Academic Program. The program leading to the Ph.D. degree in psychology is organized around eight defined major concentration areas:

Applied Cognitive Psychology
Applied Developmental Psychology
Applied Social Psychology
Evaluation and Applied Research Methods
Industrial/Organizational Behavior
Organizational Behavior
Positive Developmental Psychology
Positive Organizational Psychology

The course of study is governed by the general Graduate University regulations for the Ph.D. degree (See the “Degree Regulations ” section of this Bulletin).

Students who enter graduate study in psychology with a master’s degree must either present evidence of having completed an empirical master’s thesis or complete a master’s project under supervision of CGU faculty members. Every student is expected to be engaged in a research project every semester. It also is expected that all students will regularly attend colloquia and research discussion groups as part of their education.

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 (PSYCH 310 ), 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.