PhD in Psychology Programs in the USA: Top 20

1 Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Psychology

Washington State University at Vancouver

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration4–6 years
• StartsFall
• Research citations7,838,804

Washington State's Vancouver campus runs a research doctorate in experimental psychology, covering cognitive psychology, neuropsychology and social psychology.

The training is in method as much as in content: how to design a study whose result will survive scrutiny.

Entry wants a master's in psychology or a close field, strong prior work in research methods and statistics, and real research experience. International applicants need IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0.

Entry requirements, as the university states them

• A master’s degree in psychology or a closely related field.
• Strong academic performance in prior coursework, particularly in research methods and statistics.
• Relevant research experience is highly regarded and helps strengthen applications.
• IELTS: An overall score of 6.5 with no individual band score below 6.0.
• TOEFL: A minimum score of 90 on the internet-based test.

Full programme details →

2 Ph.D. in Psychology

U University of Alaska - Fairbanks

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration4–6 years
• StartsFall
• Research citations2,178,269

A psychology doctorate at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, covering cognitive, developmental, clinical and social psychology. The course is built for students who want to add to what is known in the field.

Alaska's setting makes rural and northern community health a strong area of research there.

Full programme details →

3 PhD Psychology

C CUNY Graduate School and University Center

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration4–6 years
• StartsFall
• Research citations4,302,690

A psychology doctorate at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. This is the part of the system where doctoral research is based, and the faculty are spread across several New York campuses.

The course covers human behaviour and the things that shape it, and trains you in advanced research. One listed career is industrial-organisational psychologist.

Jobs graduates go into

• Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

Full programme details →

4 Experimental Psychology (Ph.D.)

N New Mexico State University

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration4–6 years
• StartsFall
• Research citations2,388,227

New Mexico State teaches the science underneath psychological research rather than its applications.

Advanced experimental method and statistics are the core, used to run studies that hold up. Graduates move into behavioural health work, data analysis in psychological research and consulting on human behaviour, all of which rest on the same methodological training.

Jobs graduates go into

• Consultant in Human Behavior
• Data Analyst in Psychological Research
• Behavioral Health Specialist

Full programme details →

5 PhD Applied Developmental Psychology

University of Maryland, Baltimore County

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration4–6 years
• StartsFall
• Research citations2,246,824

Applied developmental psychology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. You study how people develop across their whole life, and the work is applied to real problems rather than kept theoretical.

One career listed for graduates is programme director in a non-profit organisation.

Jobs graduates go into

• Program Director in Nonprofits

Full programme details →

6 Experimental Psychology PhD

University of Idaho

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration78 credits
• StartsFall
• Research citations2,184,563

A doctorate in experimental psychology at the University of Idaho, taught in the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences. You look at psychology in everyday interaction, in the workplace and in consumer behaviour, and build research and writing skills.

Its length is given as 78 credits rather than in years, which tells you the actual workload. Entry needs a bachelor's degree, three references, and TOEFL 79, IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 115 for students taught in another language.

Entry requirements, as the university states them

• Education level: Bachelor's degree
• TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo: 79/6.5/115 (for applicants whose education was completed in countries where English is not an official language)
• Number of references: Three

Full programme details →

7 PhD Psychology

Loma Linda University

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration4–6 years
• StartsFall
• Research citations2,096,477

Loma Linda places its psychology doctorate inside a health sciences institution, which pulls the research towards clinical questions.

Research and practical application are integrated, with clinical work and advocacy both part of the programme. Advocacy is an unusual inclusion in a research doctorate and signals what the institution expects graduates to do with their findings.

Jobs graduates go into

• Consultant in Mental Health Services
• Human Resources Specialist

Full programme details →

8 Ph.D. in Community Psychology

C Catholic University of America

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Research citations1,918,137

A doctorate in community psychology at the Catholic University of America. This branch works on whole systems rather than individuals, dealing with poverty, affordable housing, urban education and child protection.

It suits people who want to change how organisations and communities work, rather than to see clients one at a time. Organisational consultant is one of the careers listed. No length or start date is given for this course.

Jobs graduates go into

• Organizational consultant

Full programme details →

9 Counseling Psychology (PhD)

Louisiana Tech University

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• DurationAt least four academic years of residenc
• StartsFall
• Research citations852,161

A doctorate in counselling psychology at Louisiana Tech University, built on the scientist-practitioner model. You train in psychological theory, research methods, clinical assessment and therapy, and the aim is to become a health service psychologist.

Its length is given as at least four academic years of residency. Graduates work in university counselling centres, community mental health, private practice, university teaching and behavioural health research.

Also named for this programme

• University Counseling Center Clinician
• Community Mental Health Provider
• Private Practice Psychologist
• Psychology Faculty Member
• Researcher in Behavioral Health

Full programme details →

10 PhD Applied Experimental Psychology

Central Michigan University

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration4–6 years
• StartsFall
• Research citations638,559

Central Michigan calls its doctorate applied experimental psychology, and the word applied describes where the questions come from.

Research happens in real settings rather than only in a laboratory, which is harder to control and more useful to act on. The named destinations run from academic posts and research science to policy advice on mental health.

Jobs graduates go into

• Research Scientist in Psychology
• Academic Faculty in Psychology
• Consultant in Psychological Services
• Policy Advisor in Mental Health

Full programme details →

11 PhD in Psychology

Claremont Graduate University

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration4–6 years
• StartsFall
• Research citations381,908

Claremont teaches only postgraduate students, so doctoral candidates are not competing with undergraduates for faculty attention.

Psychological theory and research methodology form the core, with practical and theoretical work weighted equally. Industrial and organisational psychology is one named route, which points at consultancy and corporate research rather than the clinic.

Jobs graduates go into

• Industrial-Organizational Psychologist
• Human Resources Specialist

Full programme details →

12 PhD Experimental Psychology

East Texas A&M University

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration4–6 years
• StartsFall
• Research citations147,000

East Texas A&M trains doctoral students in the scientific study of behaviour and mental process.

Advanced research methods and statistical technique let students design an experiment, run it and analyse what came back. That full cycle is the actual skill of a research psychologist, and it is what separates a doctorate from an advanced taught degree.

Jobs graduates go into

• Research Scientist in Psychology
• Consultant for Psychological Services
• Policy Advisor in Mental Health Organizations

Full programme details →

13 School Psychology (PsyD)

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration4–6 years
• StartsFall
• Research citations138,527

A school psychology PsyD at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. A PsyD is a practice doctorate, so the training is for professional work rather than research.

The course puts psychology and education together, and focuses on the mental health and wellbeing of pupils. One career listed is policy adviser in education.

Jobs graduates go into

• Policy Advisor in Education

Full programme details →

14 Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology

National University

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration46 months
• StartsEvery Monday; year-round enrollment
• Research citations129,043

A psychology doctorate at National University, built around dissertation research. You study psychological theory, develop research skills and then use them on your own project.

The length is given as 46 months, and enrolment is open every Monday, all year round. That structure is made for people studying alongside a job, rather than for a campus research cohort.

Full programme details →

15 PhD in Developmental Psychology

W Walden University

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• DurationAs few as 33 months
• StartsOctober
• Research citations103,863

An online doctorate in developmental psychology from Walden University. Coursework covers thinking, physical growth, emotion, social life, health and culture across human development.

Students also complete a doctoral writing assessment, foundation courses, core courses and research training. The length is given as as few as 33 months, with an October start.

Full programme details →

16 PhD in Applied Psychology

F Fielding Institute

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration4–6 years
• StartsFall
• Research citations102,825

A doctorate in applied psychological science at Fielding Graduate University. The training is in using psychology in real organisations: business, education, government, the military, non-profits and community groups.

This is deliberately non-clinical work. Entry asks for a bachelor's or master's degree and an official transcript or international degree evaluation.

Entry requirements, as the university states them

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree
• Official Transcript or International Degree Evaluation

Full programme details →

17 PhD Counseling Psychology

Radford University

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration4–6 years
• StartsFall
• Research citations91,882

A doctorate in counselling psychology at Radford University. It prepares graduates for academic, clinical and community work, with theory and applied practice together.

Careers listed include research scientist, human resources specialist in mental health services and policy analyst.

Jobs graduates go into

• Research Scientist in Psychology
• Agricultural and Applied Economist
• HR Specialist in Mental Health Services
• Policy Analyst in Mental Health

Full programme details →

18 PhD Health Psychology

V Virginia State University

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration4–6 years
• StartsFall
• Research citations89,365

Virginia State's doctorate sits where the mind meets the body, studying how psychological processes act on physical health.

The emphasis falls on health behaviour and outcomes: why people do the things that make them ill, and what actually changes those decisions. Graduates work as behavioural health consultants and coordinate public health programmes, both of which use that evidence directly.

Jobs graduates go into

• Behavioral Health Consultant
• Program Coordinator in Public Health

Full programme details →

19 Doctorate Program School and Behavioral Psychology

Stephen F. Austin State University

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Research citations73,750

A doctoral programme in school and behavioural psychology at Stephen F. Austin State University. It trains educators, researchers and practitioners to work with children and families who have special needs.

One career named for graduates is licensed specialist in school psychology, which makes this a route into professional practice. No length or start date is given for this course.

Jobs graduates go into

• Licensed specialist in school psychology

Full programme details →

20 Counseling Psychology Psy.D.

A Angelo State University

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration4–6 years
• StartsFall
• Research citations54,209

Angelo State awards a PsyD, which is a practice doctorate: the training produces a practitioner rather than a researcher.

Psychological assessment and therapeutic technique form the core, taught alongside the applied skills clinical work demands. The named destinations match that purpose, from licensed private practice to directing a mental health organisation.

Jobs graduates go into

• Program Director in Mental Health Organizations
• Licensed Therapist in Private Practice

Full programme details →