Jump to HeaderJump to Main ContentJump to Footer
Michigan State University
Michigan State University
College of Social Science
  • Future Students
  • Undergraduate
  • Graduate
  • Degrees
  • Directory
  • Give

College of Social Science

  • Academics
    • Overview
    • Majors, Degrees & Programs
    • Undergraduate
    • Graduate
    • Advising
    • Career Development
    • Scholarships
    • Study Abroad/Away & Internships
    future-students

    Future Student Information

    Your future begins here
  • |
  • Research
    • Overview
    • Centers, Institutes & Programs
    • Faculty Initiatives Fund
    • Forms & Resources
    • Research Committee
  • |
  • Faculty & Staff
    • Overview
    • Policies & Forms
    • RPT Process
    • Support Student Careers
    • PAL Program
    • Services & Assistance
  • |
  • Alumni
    • Giving Opportunities
    • Career Development Assistance
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Alumni Awards
    • Blanchard Public Service Forum
    WLI-2-800w

    Learn about the WLI

    Visit Women's Leadership Institute
  • |
  • News
  • |
  • Events
  • |
  • Access
    • Overview
    • Dean's Research Associates (Postdoc) Program
    • Dean’s Institutional Access Small Grant Program
    • Access Accolades
    • Belonging Gatherings
    • Dean's Distinguished Senior Scholars Program
    • Dean’s Institutional Access Fellows Program
    • Advisory Committee
    essentials-corner

    Essentials Corner

    View Essentials Corner
  • |
  • About
    • Overview
    • Dean's Office
    • Leadership
    • Directory
    • College Awards
    • Contact Us
College of Social Science
  • Academics
  • Research
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Alumni
  • News
  • Events
  • Access
  • About

< Academics

  • Overview
  • Majors, Degrees & Programs
  • Undergraduate
  • Graduate
  • Advising
  • Career Development
  • Scholarships
  • Study Abroad/Away & Internships
future-students

Future Student Information

Your future begins here

< Research

  • Overview
  • Centers, Institutes & Programs
  • Faculty Initiatives Fund
  • Forms & Resources
  • Research Committee

< Faculty & Staff

  • Overview
  • Policies & Forms
  • RPT Process
  • Support Student Careers
  • PAL Program
  • Services & Assistance

< Alumni

  • Giving Opportunities
  • Career Development Assistance
  • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Alumni Awards
  • Blanchard Public Service Forum
WLI-2-800w

Learn about the WLI

Visit Women's Leadership Institute

< News

< Events

< Access

  • Overview
  • Dean's Research Associates (Postdoc) Program
  • Dean’s Institutional Access Small Grant Program
  • Access Accolades
  • Belonging Gatherings
  • Dean's Distinguished Senior Scholars Program
  • Dean’s Institutional Access Fellows Program
  • Advisory Committee
essentials-corner

Essentials Corner

View Essentials Corner

< About

  • Overview
  • Dean's Office
  • Leadership
  • Directory
  • College Awards
  • Contact Us
  • Future Students
  • Undergraduate
  • Graduate
  • Degrees
  • Directory
  • Give
Social Science > Academics > Programs >

Psychology PhD

Psychology

Doctor of Philosophy

Psychology

Academics

  • Majors, Degrees & Programs
  • Advising
  • Scholarships
  • Experiential Learning
  • Student Success & Help Rooms
  • Career Development
  • Graduate
  • Future Students
  • Professional Licensure and Certification

Faculty & Staff

  • Policies & Forms
  • Reappointment, Promotion, & Tenure
  • Services & Assistance
  • PAL Program
  • Support Student Careers

Research

  • Centers, Institutes & Programs
  • Faculty Initiatives Fund
  • Forms & Resources
  • Research Committee

Access

  • About
  • Advisory Committee
  • Dean's Research Associates (Postdoc) Program
  • Dean's Fellows Program
  • Senior Scholars Program
  • Small Grants Program
  • Access Matters Accolades
  • Essentials Corner
  • Belonging Gatherings

Alumni

  • Giving Opportunities
  • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Career Development Assistance
  • Blanchard Forum
  • Alumni Awards

About

  • College Awards
  • Contact
  • Dean's Office
  • Directory
  • Leadership
  • Procedures & Codes

Contact us

(517) 355-6676

Address

Berkey Hall 509 E Circle Dr East Lansing, MI 48824

Follow Us

  • Visit our Facebook page
  • Visit our page on X
  • Visit our Instagram page
  • Visit our LinkedIn page
  • Visit our YouTube page

If you're having accessibility issues, please let us know.

Know MoreTransparency Reporting: Budget & Salary/Compensation
  • Contact Information|
  • Site Map|
  • Privacy Statement|
  • Site Accessibility|
  • Call MSU: (517) 355-1855|
  • Visit: msu.edu|
  • Notice of Nondiscrimination|

SPARTANS WILL|© Michigan State University|

Majors, Degrees and Programs

  • Scholarships
  • Financial Aid
  • Admissions
  • Visit MSU
  • ADVISING
  • Details
  • Obtain a PhD in Psychology from Michigan State University by focusing your scholarship within one of these six on-campus graduate programs: 

    Behavioral Neuroscience

    The Behavioral Neuroscience program focuses on the neuronal, hormonal, and genetic control of behavior. This research provides insights into human behavior and disease. Students will benefit from our highly collaborative research environment as our program prepares them for careers in academia, higher education, and biomedical research.

    Clinical Science

    Our goal is to educate and train the next generation to become culturally responsive clinical scientists deeply involved in the generation and dissemination of knowledge that will further the understanding of mental health and inform prevention and treatment. 

    Cognition & Cognitive Neuroscience

    The Cognition & Cognitive Neuroscience graduate program provides training in the scientific study of cognition and its underlying neural mechanisms. Key areas of research include perception, attention, memory, executive processes, and skill acquisition. We are a research-focused program that promotes cutting-edge research with sophisticated and rigorous methodology.

    Ecological / Community

    The Ecological-Community Psychology program welcomes applications for graduate study from all individuals interested in pursuing a research-based PhD in Community Psychology. We are committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive environment for community-based research and action, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically under-represented and marginalized groups. Our past graduates have gone on to diverse careers as academic faculty, consultants, practitioners, and evaluators.

    Organizational

    The aim of the graduate program in Organizational Psychology at Michigan State University is to provide Ph.D. level training to students who intend to obtain faculty positions in universities or research-oriented positions in major corporations, government, or other organizations. The program provides a strong background in psychology and quantitative methods, as well as the content of Organizational psychology.

    Social / Personality

    The graduate program in social/personality psychology provides students with doctoral level training with the goal of preparing students to assume positions as faculty members in universities or as research associates in the private or public sector. The program is research intensive and provides students with expertise in theoretical and methodological aspects of both social and personality psychology.

  • Requirements
  • To meet individual needs, every student has a guidance committee with the student's advisor as chairperson. The committee develops a program of studies in consultation with the student. Students who are accepted into the doctoral program will fulfill the following program requirements for the degree:

    • Successful completion of all components of the comprehensive examination.
    • Completion of 24 to 36 credits of PSY 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research.
    • Develop a written dissertation proposal and a successfully complete the oral defense of the proposal.
    • Successful completion and defense of a dissertation.
    • Complete Responsible Conduct of Research requirements.

    Additional information about the requirements may be found in the Academic Programs Catalog on the Office of the Registrar website.

    REQUIREMENTS
  • Application
  • Students may obtain a PhD in Psychology from Michigan State University by focusing their scholarship within one of the six on campus graduate programs.  Admission decisions are made by each of our six areas separately, although the application process is same across our department.

    Visit the Psychology website to learn more about some of our policies and procedures to assist you as you prepare an application for admission.

    APPLICATION INFO

    LEARN MORE

    Explore More Programs