This page contains information for current Ph. D. students in Psychological Sciences. If you would like information about admission to the Psychological Sciences Doctoral program, please view the admissions page.
A major component of doctoral study is active involvement in research that is assessed by completion of a series of research projects. Deadlines for completion of the Qualifying Thesis (Qualifying Plan 1) and Dissertation are listed below. Students are responsible for keeping track of the deadlines for the various research projects, downloading and completing forms and reports, acquiring necessary signatures and submitting the appropriate forms to the BBS Graduate Studies Office and Research Committee.
Please remember that all documents should be submitted to committee members at least two weeks before meeting with your committee. Committees should be convened prior to these dates in order to meet these deadlines. These dates reflect when completed paperwork should be submitted to the Psychological Sciences Program Office.
Graduation deadline for each semester is posted on the webpage of the UTD Office of Graduate Studies (http://www.utdallas.edu/dept/graddean/). Deadlines for other required steps, such as submitting a request to hold the final oral defense and applying for graduation, are posted on this webpage. As students reach this stage in their training, they should pay close attention to these details and procedures.
PROGRESS REPORTS
Each October 1, students should submit the appropriate report or project detailed above OR a progress report to the Graduate Studies Office and the faculty committee. If a student is unable to meet the goal specified for the specific October 1 date (e.g., complete the Qualifying Thesis, hold the first Dissertation Committee meeting), then the student must submit a progress report with an overview of progress and status on the project, a request for an extension, and the length of the extension and proposed deadline.
Please note that these deadlines are adjusted for part-time students, students who begin the program in Spring semester, and students who complete Qualifying Plan 2. Please see the Psychological Sciences Program Office and the BBS PhD Student Guide for this information.
OVERVIEW OF COURSEWORK REQUIREMENTS
Credit Hours
Doctoral Proseminar
(Two courses typically taken during the first year in the program)
6
Research Methods Core
(Two sequential courses in statistics and research methods)
6
Psychological Sciences Core
(Four courses total. Two courses selected from the student’s major area of study. At least one course must be taken outside the student’s major area of study.)
12
Advanced Electives
(Three courses. One of these must be an advanced research methods course.)
9
Independent Study (HCS 8V80)
Students enrolling in Independent Study are required to devote 3 hours to research for each registered credit hour during spring and fall semesters.
Independent Study Contract Forms are to be completed with the Research Advisor each semester enrolled
Student initiates form with advisor during first class week
Student meets with advisor to discuss evaluation at end of semester
Advisor completes evaluation form by grade due date & submits to BBS Ph.D. Program Office
Total credit hours vary and must be approved by research advisor
and program head.
Please note: The number of credit hours outlined in the course requirements is the minimal number of hours required. Students are encouraged to take additional coursework that will enhance their training.
If you have questions or concerns that are not addressed within the linked documents, please contact the Program Head, the Associate Dean, or the Administrative Assistant.
Additional Information
If you have questions or concerns that are not addressed within the linked documents, please contact the Program Head, the Associate Dean, or the Administrative Assistant.
Program Head of the Psychological Sciences Ph. D. program:
Dr. Melanie Spence mspence@utdallas.edu; 972-883-2206
Associate Dean of BBS Graduate Studies:
Dr. Robert Stillman stillman@utdallas.edu; 214-905-3106
Ph. D. Administrative Assistant, BBS Graduate Studies Office:
Ms. Mary Felipe mef025000@utdallas.edu; 972-883-2358
