Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology General Psychology courses
General Psychology coursework overview
Coursework tailored to your learning preferences
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Planning for your degree
- total quarter credits: 84
- Quarter length: 10 weeks
- Course length: 10 weeks
- Break: 3 weeks between quarters
General Psychology course requirements
- Core 7 courses
- Specialization 3 courses
- Elective 4 courses
- Residencies 3 courses
- Dissertation Minimum 4 courses
Example program course sequence
This example course sequence takes course prerequisites into account, so it can be helpful as a general guide when you register for courses. In GuidedPath, the number of courses you take in a quarter and time it takes to complete your program can vary. Your academic coach can help answer any course registration questions.
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PSY7015
Core Foundations of Doctoral Studies in Applied Psychology
4 quarter credits
Learners improve their ability to navigate the virtual campus and become familiar with library, career center, and writing center resources. Learners identify the educational steps and requirements necessary to successfully completing the doctoral degree program in their chosen specialization; review their specialization's requirements, associated professional roles and organizations, and ethics and professional standards; and articulate a professional identity based on doctoral-level psychology training. For PhD in Psychology learners only. Must be taken during the learner's first quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
Elective Requirement Choose an Elective Course
5 quarter credits
RSCH7020
Core Navigating the Ethical Landscape of Research in a Modern World
4 quarter credits
Learners evaluate their own biases with an emphasis on self-awareness and reflection on cultural identity and ethics in research. Learners will develop strategies to apply and incorporate ethical and multicultural principles and influences in research and publications.
4 quarter credits
RSCH7864
Core Quantitative Design and Analysis
4 quarter credits
In this course, learners investigate the fundamental concepts needed to conduct quantitative research. Learners examine and apply quantitative research techniques; appropriate applications of quantitative research; research design, measurement, and analysis, and their associated interdependencies; variable types and levels of measurement; sampling; descriptive and inferential statistics; and hypothesis testing. Learners define the strengths and limitations of descriptive statistics, analyze the quantitative scales of measurement, review the logic of probability and null hypothesis testing, and leverage technology when applicable. Learners also determine the steps necessary to ensure human subjects protection, and consider methodological adaptations when conducting research with vulnerable and diverse populations. Prerequisite: MS in Psychology learners must have completed PSY5110. PhD in Psychology learners must have completed RSCH7020.
4 quarter credits
Elective Requirement Choose an Elective Course
5 quarter credits
RSCH7868
Core Qualitative Design and Analysis
4 quarter credits
Learners in this course assess the fundamental concepts needed to conduct qualitative research. Learners practice qualitative research techniques; appropriate applications of qualitative research; the strengths and weaknesses of qualitative research design, sampling, and analysis and their associated interdependencies; and leverage technology when applicable. Learners also determine the steps necessary to ensure human subjects protection, and consider methodological adaptations when conducting research with vulnerable and diverse populations. Prerequisite: PhD in Psychology learners must have completed RSCH7020.
4 quarter credits
PSY7105
Core Building a Doctoral Foundation: History, Theory, and Topics in Psychology
4 quarter credits
Learners explore historical and contemporary schools of thought such as behavioral, humanistic, and psychodynamic psychology. In particular, learners begin the process of becoming independent researchers by developing a dissertation topic that is appropriate for their specialization and aligned with foundational theories within their chosen school of thought. Learners will begin building a theoretical foundation to support their future dissertation research study. For PhD learners in Psychology only. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. Prerequisite: RSCH7020 or PSY5110; RSCH7864 or PSY7864; RSCH7868 or PSY7868
4 quarter credits
Elective Requirement Choose an Elective Course
5 quarter credits
RSCH-V8925
Residency Doctoral Project Development - Topic Ideation
3 quarter credits
3 quarter credits
PSY7610
Specialization Course Tests and Measurements
5 quarter credits
Learners investigate focuses on essential concepts, principles, applications, and social and theoretical issues of psychological testing. Learners gain understanding in the construction of tests; analyze the development and use of tests in measuring aptitudes, achievement, attitudes, interests, and personality; and identify underlying theories of various tests. Learners analyze the characteristics desired in psychological and educational tests, with particular emphasis on reliability and validity, and evaluate best practices and professional standards for educational and psychological testing, including test bias and fairness. In addition, learners assess the role of technology in delivery, administration, scoring, and interpretation of tests. Prerequisite(s): BS in Psychology, Combined BS in Psychology/MS in Clinical Psychology option and BS in Psychology, Combined BS in Psychology/MS in Psychology option learners must have completed Student Group BMGA.
5 quarter credits
Elective Requirement Choose an Elective Course
5 quarter credits
PSY7660
Specialization Course Survey Construction and Administration
5 quarter credits
Learners in this course explore the conceptual and applied aspects of survey construction and administration processes. Course topics include comparative study designs (cross sections versus panels); sampling techniques; data collection procedures and methods (face-to-face, telephone, paper, and Internet); survey question design that accurately measures behavior, attitude, and personality; data processing and analysis; results reporting; ethics of surveys; causal inference; and survey critiques. Prerequisite(s): PSY7864 or RSCH7864.
5 quarter credits
PSY7870
Core Doctoral Research Design
4 quarter credits
Learners synthesize knowledge of quantitative research methodology and use it to develop a quantitative research design that may form the basis of their dissertation research project. Learners compare their quantitative research design to a previously developed qualitative design on a similar topic and identify and justify the methodology most appropriate for investigating their research topic. For PsyD and PhD in Psychology learners only. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. Prerequisite: PSY-V8925.
4 quarter credits
RSCH-V8926
Residency Doctoral Project Development - Topic Development
3 quarter credits
3 quarter credits
Specialization Course Choose a Specialization Course - Specialization Course
5 quarter credits
Core Choose a Core Course - Core
4 quarter credits
RSCH-V8927
Residency Doctoral Project Development - Framework Development
3 quarter credits
3 quarter credits
PSY9960
Dissertation Dissertation Courseroom
3 quarter credits
This course provides learners with resources, guidance, and peer and mentor support during each dissertation course as they complete the required milestones. Special permission is required for registration. Grading for this course is S/NS. Learners must register for this course a minimum of four times to fulfill their specialization requirements. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. Prerequisite: PSY9909 or PSY9919.
3 quarter credits
PSY9960
Dissertation Dissertation Courseroom
3 quarter credits
This course provides learners with resources, guidance, and peer and mentor support during each dissertation course as they complete the required milestones. Special permission is required for registration. Grading for this course is S/NS. Learners must register for this course a minimum of four times to fulfill their specialization requirements. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. Prerequisite: PSY9909 or PSY9919.
3 quarter credits
PSY9960
Dissertation Dissertation Courseroom
3 quarter credits
This course provides learners with resources, guidance, and peer and mentor support during each dissertation course as they complete the required milestones. Special permission is required for registration. Grading for this course is S/NS. Learners must register for this course a minimum of four times to fulfill their specialization requirements. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. Prerequisite: PSY9909 or PSY9919.
3 quarter credits
PSY9960
Dissertation Dissertation Courseroom
3 quarter credits
This course provides learners with resources, guidance, and peer and mentor support during each dissertation course as they complete the required milestones. Special permission is required for registration. Grading for this course is S/NS. Learners must register for this course a minimum of four times to fulfill their specialization requirements. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. Prerequisite: PSY9909 or PSY9919.
3 quarter credits
Total
At least 84 quarter credits
One or more courses in this program may require a prerequisite(s). Refer to the course descriptions for details.
Learners who do not complete all program requirements within quarter credit/program point minimums will be required to accrue such additional quarter credits/program points as are associated with any additional or repeat coursework necessary for successful completion of program requirements.
Core course requirements
Complete at least 28 quarter credits in the core courses category. Choose from the courses shown below.
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RSCH7864
Core Quantitative Design and Analysis
4 quarter credits
In this course, learners investigate the fundamental concepts needed to conduct quantitative research. Learners examine and apply quantitative research techniques; appropriate applications of quantitative research; research design, measurement, and analysis, and their associated interdependencies; variable types and levels of measurement; sampling; descriptive and inferential statistics; and hypothesis testing. Learners define the strengths and limitations of descriptive statistics, analyze the quantitative scales of measurement, review the logic of probability and null hypothesis testing, and leverage technology when applicable. Learners also determine the steps necessary to ensure human subjects protection, and consider methodological adaptations when conducting research with vulnerable and diverse populations. Prerequisite: MS in Psychology learners must have completed PSY5110. PhD in Psychology learners must have completed RSCH7020.
4 quarter credits
RSCH7868
Core Qualitative Design and Analysis
4 quarter credits
Learners in this course assess the fundamental concepts needed to conduct qualitative research. Learners practice qualitative research techniques; appropriate applications of qualitative research; the strengths and weaknesses of qualitative research design, sampling, and analysis and their associated interdependencies; and leverage technology when applicable. Learners also determine the steps necessary to ensure human subjects protection, and consider methodological adaptations when conducting research with vulnerable and diverse populations. Prerequisite: PhD in Psychology learners must have completed RSCH7020.
4 quarter credits
PSY7015
Core Foundations of Doctoral Studies in Applied Psychology
4 quarter credits
Learners improve their ability to navigate the virtual campus and become familiar with library, career center, and writing center resources. Learners identify the educational steps and requirements necessary to successfully completing the doctoral degree program in their chosen specialization; review their specialization's requirements, associated professional roles and organizations, and ethics and professional standards; and articulate a professional identity based on doctoral-level psychology training. For PhD in Psychology learners only. Must be taken during the learner's first quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
PSY7105
Core Building a Doctoral Foundation: History, Theory, and Topics in Psychology
4 quarter credits
Learners explore historical and contemporary schools of thought such as behavioral, humanistic, and psychodynamic psychology. In particular, learners begin the process of becoming independent researchers by developing a dissertation topic that is appropriate for their specialization and aligned with foundational theories within their chosen school of thought. Learners will begin building a theoretical foundation to support their future dissertation research study. For PhD learners in Psychology only. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. Prerequisite: RSCH7020 or PSY5110; RSCH7864 or PSY7864; RSCH7868 or PSY7868
4 quarter credits
PSY7870
Core Doctoral Research Design
4 quarter credits
Learners synthesize knowledge of quantitative research methodology and use it to develop a quantitative research design that may form the basis of their dissertation research project. Learners compare their quantitative research design to a previously developed qualitative design on a similar topic and identify and justify the methodology most appropriate for investigating their research topic. For PsyD and PhD in Psychology learners only. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. Prerequisite: PSY-V8925.
4 quarter credits
RSCH7020
Core Navigating the Ethical Landscape of Research in a Modern World
4 quarter credits
Learners evaluate their own biases with an emphasis on self-awareness and reflection on cultural identity and ethics in research. Learners will develop strategies to apply and incorporate ethical and multicultural principles and influences in research and publications.
4 quarter credits
RSCH8635
Core Advanced Qualitative Analysis
4 quarter credits
Learners further explore the philosophical underpinnings of qualitative research and inquiry and investigate effective execution of the six school-approved dissertation research methodologies: ethnography, case study, grounded-theory phenomenology, heuristics, and generic qualitative research. Learners examine primary source references, books, and journal articles written by the developers of the six methodologies and gain an understanding of their nuances and applications. Learners gain skills necessary to develop and conduct their own qualitative study for a dissertation. Prerequisite: PSY-V8926.
4 quarter credits
RSCH8625
Core Advanced Quantitative Statistics
4 quarter credits
Learners in this advanced course examine a variety of statistical analyses, including statistical power and effect size in research design, factorial and repeated measures of analysis of variance (ANOVA), analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), selected nonparametric analyses, and bivariate and multiple regression. Learners are expected to have proficiency in the use of statistical software appropriate to dissertation-level research. Prerequisite: PSY-V8926 or PSY-R8926; RSCH7864 or PSY7864.
4 quarter credits
Total
At least 84 quarter credits
One or more courses in this program may require a prerequisite(s). Refer to the course descriptions for details.
Learners who do not complete all program requirements within quarter credit/program point minimums will be required to accrue such additional quarter credits/program points as are associated with any additional or repeat coursework necessary for successful completion of program requirements.
Specialization course requirements
Complete at least 15 quarter credits.
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PSY7610
Specialization Course Tests and Measurements
5 quarter credits
Learners investigate focuses on essential concepts, principles, applications, and social and theoretical issues of psychological testing. Learners gain understanding in the construction of tests; analyze the development and use of tests in measuring aptitudes, achievement, attitudes, interests, and personality; and identify underlying theories of various tests. Learners analyze the characteristics desired in psychological and educational tests, with particular emphasis on reliability and validity, and evaluate best practices and professional standards for educational and psychological testing, including test bias and fairness. In addition, learners assess the role of technology in delivery, administration, scoring, and interpretation of tests. Prerequisite(s): BS in Psychology, Combined BS in Psychology/MS in Clinical Psychology option and BS in Psychology, Combined BS in Psychology/MS in Psychology option learners must have completed Student Group BMGA.
5 quarter credits
PSY7660
Specialization Course Survey Construction and Administration
5 quarter credits
Learners in this course explore the conceptual and applied aspects of survey construction and administration processes. Course topics include comparative study designs (cross sections versus panels); sampling techniques; data collection procedures and methods (face-to-face, telephone, paper, and Internet); survey question design that accurately measures behavior, attitude, and personality; data processing and analysis; results reporting; ethics of surveys; causal inference; and survey critiques. Prerequisite(s): PSY7864 or RSCH7864.
5 quarter credits
PSY7421
Specialization Course Cognitive/Affective Psychology
5 quarter credits
Learners in this course apply knowledge of theoretical foundations and the basic principles and models of cognitive/affective psychology to mental processes, such as how individuals acquire, process, and store information; how they think, perceive, remember, and learn; and how they experience feelings, moods, and emotions. Learners also demonstrate ways in which the integration of cognitive and affect influence an individual's behavior.
5 quarter credits
PSY5120
Specialization Course Social Psychology
5 quarter credits
This course provides an overview of how behavior is shaped and influenced within a social context. Within this framework, learners analyze interpersonal relationships, social cognition, social inference, emotion, and personality. Learners review and demonstrate their knowledge of the social psychology of decision making, attitude formation, and social attribution as they relate to contemporary issues. Learners also apply social psychological theory and research to various clinical, educational, and organizational settings.
5 quarter credits
PSY8626
Specialization Course Multivariate Statistics: Theory and Application
5 quarter credits
Learners investigate the theory and application of multivariate statistics, including discriminant analysis, factor (components) analysis, multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA), and logistic regression. Using JASP, learners perform and interpret the results of these analyses. Learners also apply multivariate analysis, analyze and understand research results in peer-reviewed psychology journals, and utilize JASP to produce output consistent with the correct parameters and assumptions of specific multivariate procedures. In addition, learners evaluate the mathematical aspects of multivariate and inferential statistics theory and application. Prerequisite: RSCH8625 or PSY8625.
5 quarter credits
PSY5140
Specialization Course Program Evaluation
5 quarter credits
This course provides an examination of the theories, techniques, methods, and processes of program evaluation. Learners synthesize knowledge and skills gained from prior coursework to design a program evaluation, plan its implementation, and communicate the results in appropriate and effective formats. Prerequisite(s): PSY7864 or RSCH7864.
5 quarter credits
Total
At least 84 quarter credits
One or more courses in this program may require a prerequisite(s). Refer to the course descriptions for details.
Learners who do not complete all program requirements within quarter credit/program point minimums will be required to accrue such additional quarter credits/program points as are associated with any additional or repeat coursework necessary for successful completion of program requirements.
Residency course requirements
Complete at least 9 quarter credits.
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RSCH-V8926
Residency Doctoral Project Development - Topic Development
3 quarter credits
3 quarter credits
RSCH-V8927
Residency Doctoral Project Development - Framework Development
3 quarter credits
3 quarter credits
RSCH-V8925
Residency Doctoral Project Development - Topic Ideation
3 quarter credits
3 quarter credits
Total
At least 84 quarter credits
One or more courses in this program may require a prerequisite(s). Refer to the course descriptions for details.
Learners who do not complete all program requirements within quarter credit/program point minimums will be required to accrue such additional quarter credits/program points as are associated with any additional or repeat coursework necessary for successful completion of program requirements.
Dissertation course requirements
Complete at least 12 quarter credits. You must enroll in the capstone course a minimum of four times. If you require more time to complete your capstone, you have the option to enroll in additional sessions.
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PSY9960
Dissertation Dissertation Courseroom
3 quarter credits
This course provides learners with resources, guidance, and peer and mentor support during each dissertation course as they complete the required milestones. Special permission is required for registration. Grading for this course is S/NS. Learners must register for this course a minimum of four times to fulfill their specialization requirements. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. Prerequisite: PSY9909 or PSY9919.
3 quarter credits
Total
At least 84 quarter credits
One or more courses in this program may require a prerequisite(s). Refer to the course descriptions for details.
Learners who do not complete all program requirements within quarter credit/program point minimums will be required to accrue such additional quarter credits/program points as are associated with any additional or repeat coursework necessary for successful completion of program requirements.
What can I expect in the courseroom?
Each unit consists of readings, discussions and other activities you will be expected to complete throughout the week. Most deadlines for coursework occur on Thursdays and/or Sundays but may vary by program and course. In each course, you will receive a detailed scoring guide that describes expectations for every graded assignment.
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How will I be graded?
Grades are based on your participation in weekly reading discussions and completion of assignments, based on criteria outlined in the rubric. You will also be assessed on your ability to demonstrate an understanding of expected outcomes for your program or specialization. These outcomes are based on the needs and performance standards of your field or discipline.