Psychology Ph.D.
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Program description
We are a collaborative department with highly-ranked programs in both basic and applied areas of psychology and a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The doctoral program offers tracks in clinical science and psychopathology research; cognitive and brain sciences; counseling psychology; industrial-organizational psychology; personality, individual differences, and behavior genetics; quantitative/psychometric methods; and social psychology. Students apply directly to one of these seven areas of specialization depending on their individual interests and goals.
The requirements vary across areas but all include coursework, mentored research, training in developing and conducting research, analyzing and interpreting data, and interpreting existing theory and research in psychology (i.e., scholarship). Our goal is to produce accomplished scholars and researchers for a variety of occupational roles. All students are expected to learn methods relevant to their research and to acquire competency in the quantitative analysis of data. Students gain skills in teaching and mentoring via such opportunities as classroom teaching, mentoring undergraduate students in the lab, presenting research, and/or through engaging in pedagogical development. Students are also encouraged, but not required, to participate in service at the departmental, university, and national levels as part of their career development.
Accreditation: Our Counseling Psychology program is accredited by the American Psychological Association. Our Clinical Science and Psychopathology Research (CSPR) program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS). For more information on accreditation, visit z.umn.edu/PsychAccreditation.
The requirements vary across areas but all include coursework, mentored research, training in developing and conducting research, analyzing and interpreting data, and interpreting existing theory and research in psychology (i.e., scholarship). Our goal is to produce accomplished scholars and researchers for a variety of occupational roles. All students are expected to learn methods relevant to their research and to acquire competency in the quantitative analysis of data. Students gain skills in teaching and mentoring via such opportunities as classroom teaching, mentoring undergraduate students in the lab, presenting research, and/or through engaging in pedagogical development. Students are also encouraged, but not required, to participate in service at the departmental, university, and national levels as part of their career development.
Accreditation: Our Counseling Psychology program is accredited by the American Psychological Association. Our Clinical Science and Psychopathology Research (CSPR) program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS). For more information on accreditation, visit z.umn.edu/PsychAccreditation.
Program last updated
Fall 2026