PROGRAM AND REQUIREMENTS
The PhD program in Psychology prepares students for research , teaching, and practice in the various fields of psychology. There are eleven concentrations within the department, each of which is centered in a semi-autonomous subprogram at one of seven CUNY campuses.For individual subprogram admission details, please visit here.
Students must register as full time students in the Psychology Ph.D. Program, there is no part-time option available.
The Psychology Ph.D. Program only offers doctoral degrees in psychology. As part of the required course work, it is possible to attain an en-route Master's degree. A student must first complete 45 letter-graded credits with an average grade of B, pass the First Doctoral Examination, and satisfactorily complete a major research paper. The student may then apply for an en-route Master's degree.The degree is awarded formally by one of the participating CUNY colleges.
The Master of Philosophy degree (M.Phil.) will be awarded upon request to Ph.D. students who are currently enrolled at The Graduate Center, have been advanced to candidacy, and have met their financial obligations to the University. Application forms for the degree are routinely sent to students at the appropriate time, but if this form is not received it is the responsibility of any student wishing this degree to obtain an application from the Office of the Registrar. (The M.Phil. degree is not awarded to students in the D.M.A. degree program.) Please note that the date of filing for the degree determines the date upon which the degree will be conferred.
There are no language requirements in the Ph.D Program in Psychology. However, if you are interested in learning a second language, there are language reading programs at the Graduate Center. For details, please visit the website
All requirements for the degree must be completed no later than eight years after matriculation. A student who matriculates after the completion of 30 credits of acceptable work must complete all requirements within seven years.