(PPSYC)
The departmental-level academic course plan for each student will be developed in consultation with and approved by the student’s graduate advisory committee, and varies depending on the area of focus. The committee will include the student’s major advisor and at least two additional members of the graduate faculty such that the LSU Graduate School’s requirements for graduate committees are satisfied.
The degree is a thesis degree requiring a dissertation project. Forty-eight hours of credit at the graduate level must be earned including a maximum of 12 hours of credit for the dissertation project. The curricular requirements include:
- At least 24 hours at the 7000 level or above, exclusive of any type of independent studies credit except for special project credit earned.
- A primary area consisting of a minimum of 15 hours of earned credit in a specified field of study.
- The student must pass a general exam consisting of a written exam and a comprehensive oral exam, at the discretion of the student’s advisory committee. The nature of the written and oral portions of the general exam is listed below in the area-specific curricula section for each area.
Information about these and other requirements are available online. Below are further requirements for the different program areas: Biological, Clinical, Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Industrial/Organizational, and School. These area requirements include those listed above, but address others that are area specific. Additional details about each area-specific curriculum may be found at the following Psychology website.
Clinical Psychology
A PhD in psychology from the clinical area requires at least 3 full-time academic years for graduate students while in residence that includes at least 60 credit hours at the graduate level. In addition to didactic coursework, the program requires successful completion of practicum hours, a thesis, a general exam (that includes a written and oral defense component), a dissertation, and a one-year pre-doctoral clinical internship at an APA-accredited training site (please see the Clinical Area Handbook located on the Psychology Department webpage for specific course and other program requirements). Note that successful completion of the clinical-area psychology PhD typically requires 5-6 years of training.
Cognitive and Brain Sciences
A PhD in psychology in the cognitive and brain sciences area requires at least 3 full-time academic years for graduate students while in residence that includes at least 60 credit hours at the graduate level. In addition to didactic coursework, the program requires successful completion of seminars, a thesis, an intermediate project, a general exam (that includes a written and oral defense component), and a dissertation, (please see the Cognitive and Brain Sciences Area Handbook located on the Psychology Department webpage for specific course and other program requirements).
Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Satisfactory completion of the qualifying core courses (at least 1 content course and at least 2 quantitative courses) is required to be qualified for advanced doctoral study. Satisfactory completion constitutes passing the required courses with a grade of “B minus” or higher by the end of your 4th year in the program. It is recommended that as many of these classes as possible be taken during the first two years of graduate school. Each course is generally offered once a year. The I/O General Exam will consist of a written/typed exam, and an oral defense (please see the Industrial/Organizational Area Handbook located on the Psychology Department webpage for specific course and other program requirements)
Biological Psychology
Satisfactory completion of the qualifying core courses, which constitutes passing the required courses with a grade of “B minus” or higher is required for advanced doctoral study. Note that the Biological Psychology area is not currently accepting students.
School Psychology
In order to complete the PhD in Psychology with the concentration in School Psychology students are required to complete a program of study approved by a departmental advisor that conforms with the requirements of the School Psychology Graduate Student Handbook. Such a program of study will include at least 3 years of study in residence and at least 60 hours of advanced graduate study. The concentration also requires completion of the dissertation and completion of an internship of no less than 1500 hours of supervised work.
The general examination for School Psychology students is composed of a written examination covering critical topics from the required elements of the program of study and an oral examination, dissertation (please see the School Psychology Area Handbook located on the Psychology Department webpage for specific course and other program requirements)