North Dakota State University - Graduate School

Ph.D. in Psychology

Doctoral Program

The program accommodates approximately 20 students, with approximately 4 new Ph.D. degrees awarded each year. Training in the program includes:

• course work in the student's area of emphasis
• methods courses
• breadth requirements
• research experience under the supervision of a faculty mentor

Training and experience in college-level teaching is an important part of all three programs. Student support is available through teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and teaching stipends.

Program Requirements

Coursework: Students enrolled in the Ph.D. in Psychology program will complete 31 didactic credit hours.

Mentored Research experience: We select students for our program who have the interest and desire to engage in intensive, cutting-edge research with faculty members in our department. 

Grant Writing Experience: In addition to completing the didactic course Grant Writing for Psychological Scientists (PSYC 763), all doctoral students are required to prepare and submit a fellowship or grant application. 

College Teaching Experience: Following completing didactic coursework in college teaching (STEM 810 or COMM 702), all doctoral students will teach one psychology course as the instructor of record.

In addition to these formal requirements, students have access to a broad range of professional development experiences, including journal clubs, brown bags, colloquium speakers, professional workshops, and training opportunities from the Department of Psychology, NDSU, and the broader research community of Fargo-Moorhead. Individual labs provide training in specific methodologies, analytic techniques, and data collection strategies.