Psychology, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology

The Department of Psychology offers a doctoral degree in psychology with specialization in either Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Counseling Psychology, or Adult Development and Aging.

Industrial Organizational Psychology

The I/O Psychology graduate program at The University of Akron is one of the highest rated and most respected programs in the nation.

Whether this evaluation is based on research productivity (Beiler, Doerr, Zimmerman & Clark, 2014; Oliver, Blair, Gohrman, & Woehr, 2005), reputational ratings (U.S. News and World Reports, 2005), attraction of high-caliber students, or the placement of our graduates, the University of Akron's program is consistently rated one of the top 10 I/O graduate programs in the nation.

The scientist-practitioner model allows graduate students to pursue a wide range of career and research options. Due to the emphasis on I/O coursework, students graduate with a strong background in all areas of I/O Psychology.

• Fulfill admission requirements of the Graduate School and department requirements as follows:
  • submission of official transcripts
  • completion of Graduate Record Examination General Test;
  • securing of three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with applicant’s academic work;
  • submission of a brief personal statement of professional goals and reasons for choosing the field of Industrial/Organizational Psychology;
  • submission of a vita outlining educational and professional experiences.

Application materials must be received by December 15.

• Major field:
  • a minimum of 90 graduate credits including a 30-credit master’s program. A student may be required to complete additional credits beyond the 90 minimum credit requirement.
• Written comprehensive examinations:
  • satisfactory performance on doctoral written and oral comprehensive examinations in the student’s major area of industrial/organizational psychology (refer to the department’s Graduate Student Manual).
• Dissertation research:
  • completion of PSYC 899 Doctoral Dissertation; (minimum 12 credits);
  • satisfactory performance on final examination and defense of dissertation research.
• Other requirements:
  • refer to the department’s programs or graduate student manual for other requirements or guidelines;
  • complete and fulfill general doctoral degree requirements of the Graduate School.

Counseling Psychology

Students must fulfill both Departmental and Graduate School admission requirements. The following application materials must be submitted by the December 1 application deadline:

• Graduate School application.
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) coursework from each institution attended.
• Brief statement of professional goals and reasons for choosing the field of counseling psychology and The University of Akron.
• Minimum of three letters of recommendation attesting to success in the field and probable academic success at the doctoral level.
• Resume/Vita.

Psychology of the Adult Development and Aging Program

The psychology departments at The University of Akron and Cleveland State University offer a joint doctoral program in the Psychology of Adult Development and Aging. Our unique program is one of only a handful of Adult Development and Aging doctoral programs in the country, and the only one in the state of Ohio.

By the end of doctoral training, our students are well-prepared to work in a number of roles including research, teaching, and applied settings.

Research Training

Given the dramatic shifts in global demographics toward an increasingly older society, the need for expert researchers in adult development and aging is at an all-time high. Our students are trained by experienced, full-time faculty using a mentor model. Each student works with his or her mentor to develop and carry out research projects of mutual interest. The faculty mentor serves as an expert guide, providing frequent, casual, and structured supervision to students as they gain research design and analysis skills. Students submit completed projects for presentation at regional and national conferences and for publication in peer-reviewed journals. Students are also encouraged to collaborate with other faculty and students on additional projects of interest.

Teaching Training

Students admitted through University of Akron receive formal training on best practices in teaching undergraduate students in a seminar provided in the summer prior to their first year. In addition, students continue to receive support, guidance, and supervision in hands-on teaching opportunities.

Curriculum

Students admitted to the program are required to take approximately equal amounts of coursework at each institution. The coursework covers the areas of research methods/design, foundation courses in adult biobehavioral functioning, adult psychosocial functioning, and advanced research seminars (e.g., cognitive functioning, advanced statistics).

Fulfill admission requirements of the Graduate School and department requirements as follows:

• submission of official transcripts
• completion of Graduate Record Examination General Test;
• securing of three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with applicant’s academic work;
• submission of a brief personal statement of professional goals and reasons for choosing the field of Adult Development and Aging;
• submission of a vita outlining educational and professional experiences.

 Application materials must be received by January 15.

Requirements

Industrial Organizational Psychology

Electives and sequencing of classes are to be planned along with the student’s advisor.

• Psychology core courses
• Counseling psychology core courses
• Practicum sequence
• Statistics
• Thesis credits (for those entering with a bachelor's degree)
• Dissertation credits

A thesis waiver project completed as specified in the Graduate Student Manual of the Department of Psychology for students entering with a bachelor's degree.

The written and oral comprehensive examinations are prepared, administered, and graded by program faculty.

Dissertation – independent research project conducted under the supervision of dissertation chair and faculty committee.

Internship – a full-time APA accredited pre-doctoral internship over no more than two years.

Students must maintain a 3.50 GPA in their content courses to remain in good standing.

Counseling Psychology

Electives and sequencing of classes are to be planned along with the student’s advisor.

• Psychology core courses
• Counseling psychology core courses
• Practicum sequence
• Statistics
• Thesis credits (for those entering with a bachelor's degree)
• Dissertation credits

A thesis waiver project completed as specified in the Graduate Student Manual of the Department of Psychology for students entering with a bachelor's degree.

The written and oral comprehensive examinations are prepared, administered, and graded by program faculty.

Dissertation – independent research project conducted under the supervision of dissertation chair and faculty committee.

Internship – a full-time APA accredited pre-doctoral internship over no more than two years.

Students must maintain a 3.50 GPA in their content courses to remain in good standing.

Adult Development and Aging

Required Courses

Electives

Language Requirements