Psychological Sciences, Ph.D.

          psychology.ucmerced.edu
          Contact: Jan Wallander, Chair, jwallander@ucmerced.edu

Psychological Sciences cover a broad array of approaches to the study of both basic and applied problems. Psychological Sciences at UC Merced focuses on three of those approaches—Developmental Psychology, Health Psychology, and Quantitative Psychology–culminating in the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Psychological Sciences. Training begins with five core courses, two in statistics, one in methodology and two in a year-long professional seminar designed to introduce students to the field of Psychological Sciences. Along the way to degree completion, the student will complete at least seven additional courses, an empirical pre-candidacy project (by end of second year), a candidacy exam portfolio (by end of third year), and a dissertation. Students entering the program with a Bachelor’s degree are expected to complete the doctoral degree in five-six years on average. Students entering with prior graduate coursework may take less time. We do not admit students unless we expect to support them with teaching or research assistantships while they are in the program, contingent on acceptable progress.

The graduate program in Psychological Sciences accepts and trains students who wish to pursue careers in research. We do not offer training in clinical psychology or related fields like counseling or school psychology. Graduates of the Psychological Sciences doctoral program will find a wide variety of careers. Settings will include academia and other university research positions, federal and state government research positions, hospitals and other medical settings, and private sector employers. Many graduates may pursue postdoctoral fellowships to help prepare them further for employment.