Psychology Doctoral Degree (PhD)
Our PhD Degree Program offers students the opportunity to gain research experience and training in their area of interest. Students engage in research with faculty advisors, as well as develop and conduct their own research projects. The PhD Degree is appropriate for students seeking academic or research positions, as well as those interested in working in the mental health or medical fields.
The PhD Degree Program typically takes two to four years past the MA Degree Program to complete.
- For clinical psychology students there is an internship requirement.
The following provides a guideline of the PhD coursework requirements:
Foundation Courses
For PhD candidates, completion of one additional Psychology Foundation Area course is required:
- Cognitive: PSY 626, PSY 631
- Behavioral Neuroscience: PSY 622, PSY 633, PSY 634
- Developmental: PSY 640
- Social: PSY 650
- Clinical: PSY 670, PSY 676, PSY 776
- Community and Cultural Psychology: PSY 680
Research Methodology/Statistics
- One additional three (3) credit course in statistics or psychometrics
Research Courses (7x9, 699)
- Students are expected to enroll in research courses each semester throughout graduate training.
- 7x9 is the preferred vehicle for research credits.
Dissertation (PSY 800)
Students must enroll in a minimum of 1 credit hour of dissertation credit during the semester they defend and submit their dissertation.
Program Area Requirements
Final course work requirements vary among graduate program areas. Students should consult their program area for any additional course work guidelines.
Preliminary Conference
- Students formulate a degree plan with faculty advisor.
Comprehensive Exams
- All PhD candidates must successfully complete a comprehensive exam.
- As procedures for comprehensive exams will vary by graduate program area, students should consult their program area for comprehensive exam guidelines.
- Upon completion of the comprehensive exam, students may begin working on the doctoral dissertation.
Doctoral Dissertation
- All PhD candidates must successfully complete a Doctoral Dissertation.
Appointment of Doctoral Committee and Approval of Dissertation Topic
- The doctoral (dissertation) committee consists of at least five members.
- At least 3 members of the core psychology faculty (i.e., non-emeritus faculty who hold tenure-track or tenured faculty positions in the Department of Psychology at UH Mānoa).
- 1 member of the Graduate Faculty from a department other than Psychology.
- Submit a written proposal to doctoral committee members. An oral defense of the dissertation proposal is subsequently held.
- Students should email gradpsy@hawaii.edu with their committee members' contact information 24 hours before their defense.
- After successfully defending the proposal, students must submit a Doctorate Form II - Advance to Candidacy, signed by the members of the dissertation committee, to the Graduate Studies Chair.
- The Graduate Studies Chair signs the form and transmits it to Graduate Division.
- The dissertation proposal must be approved and Form II submitted prior to the semester in which the student plans to register for PSY 800 (dissertation).
Dissertation Writing and Oral Defense
- Students must submit a dissertation draft to all doctoral committee members at least two weeks prior to their scheduled defense, which is subject to revisions.
- Students must publicly announce their dissertation defense by completing a Final Oral Examination for Doctoral Dissertation Defense form at least two weeks prior to their scheduled defense date.
- Students must distribute a copy of their dissertation abstract to the department faculty by sending a copy of the abstract to gradpsy@hawaii.edu who will distribute it to the faculty.
- Upon completion of dissertation revisions, an oral defense of the dissertation is held.
- Students should email gradpsy@hawaii.edu with their committee members' contact information 24 hours before their defense.
- After the dissertation is approved by the doctoral committee, students must submit a Doctorate Form III - Dissertation Evaluation to the Graduate Studies Chair.
Completion of Graduate Division Requirements
- Students must submit of final copy of the dissertation along with the Doctorate Form IV - Dissertation Submission to Graduate Division.
- The deadline for dissertation submission varies slightly each semester and can be found in the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Academic Calendar.
- Students must complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates, an application for diploma and pay associated administrative fees.
