Psychology, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Southam-Gerow, Dr. Michael
Director, Graduate Programs in Psychology
masouthamger@vcu.edu
(804) 827-0585
Porter, Dr. Joseph
Director, Biopsychology Division
jporter@vcu.edu
(804) 828-0096
Myers, Dr. Barbara
Director, Developmental Psychology Division
bmyers@vcu.edu
(804) 828-6752
Green, Dr. Jeff
Director, Social Psychology Division
jdgreen@vcu.edu
(804) 828-0336
Admission requirements summary
Psychology, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
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| Degree: Ph.D. |
Semester(s) of entry: Fall only |
Deadline dates: Jan 10 (biopsychology, developmental psychology) Dec 15 (social psychology) |
Test requirements: GRE-General |
| Special requirements: Applicants should apply to the Ph.D. program only, but will earn a master’s degree during their course of study. Applicants who are interested in only the terminal master’s degree are not admitted. Please indicate your interest in biopsychology, developmental psychology or social psychology in your application. Websites – biopsychology: www.psychology.vcu.edu/biopsychology; developmental psychology: www.psychology.vcu.edu/developmental; social psychology: www.psychology.vcu.edu/social Personal interview may be required. | |||
The Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology offered by Virginia Commonwealth University prepares students for basic or applied research and includes three specialty areas: biopsychology, developmental and social psychology. The concentration in developmental trains students for work in either college or university academic departments or applied settings. Applied developmentalists work in a variety of settings and programs (violence prevention, community intervention, schools, family service agencies, nonprofit agencies, health care settings, disability agencies) with a variety of human populations (infants and young children, school-age children, adolescents, at-risk youth, incarcerated youth and adults, parents, older adults, persons with disabilities); they do not offer counseling/therapy services.
The Center for Psychological Services and Development, a campus-based community service agency operated by the department, provides training opportunities for graduate students in all departmental programs. A wide variety of other on- and off-campus practicum placements also are available.
The department maintains laboratory facilities for research in the areas of behavioral assessment, behavioral medicine, developmental, learning, behavioral pharmacology, psychophysiology, psychotherapy process, social perception, social influence and group dynamics. Opportunities for field research also are available in a variety of settings. A collection of current journals and books in psychology is housed in the James Branch Cabell Library on the Monroe Park Campus and in the Tompkins-McCaw Library on the MCV Campus.
Teaching assistantships, research assistantships and paid practicum placements are available.