Ph.D. Program

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Curriculum

The requirements for the Ph.D. degree are summarized below. Modifications of the course requirements are possible with the approval of the Student Advisory Committee and the Director. Course requirements may be considered for waivers, if the student has received a satisfactory grade in a similar course elsewhere. Any exceptions to program requirements must be approved in writing by the Director and a copy placed on file with the Graduate Programs Coordinator.

A cumulative minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 must be maintained to be in good standing. Incomplete grades must be cleared before the end of the semester after the course in which the incomplete was given. Failure to clear incomplete grades, or the frequent accumulation of incomplete grades, will be considered in the annual evaluation of student progress. The range of credit hours per semester that can be taken is stated in the Graduate Catalog and other University publications. The newsletter for graduate students, published by The Graduate School, should be read carefully as issued for the latest policy and clarifications, as well as general suggestions for doing well in graduate school.

1. Two semester hours of Colloquium in Experimental Psychology 515.
   During the first year all students should enroll in Psychology 515 both Fall and Spring semesters. The goal of this Colloquium is to facilitate informal discussions between faculty and new students. The sessions will focus on research projects, teaching, and other aspects of an academic and professional career in psychology.
2. Twelve semester hours of statistics and research methodology.
   During the first year, all students are required to take a six semester hour statistics sequence. We strongly recommend Statistics 537-538; this course provides the necessary foundation for upper-level statistics courses and will be accepted should you wish to pursue a minor in statistics. Students may also satisfy the statistics sequence with Statistics 531-532, or equivalent. You must make at least a grade of "C" in this course. For the remaining six semester hours, there are several options available in the psychology, statistics, computer science, or mathematics departments. Some examples are Psychology 505, 555-557, 605-661, Educational Psychology 662, and Statistics 671. Whichever courses you choose, you may complete them at any time before you graduate.
3. Core Coursework: Fifteen semester hours in general psychology.
   This will consist of Psychology 565 (History and Systems of Psychology) or equivalent and four courses from the list below.
   • 511 Developmental, or
   • 512 Life-span Developmental
     
   • 513 Foundations in Biopsychology
     
   • 543 Cognitive Science
     
   • 546 Ethological Psychology, or
   • 547 Concepts in Evolution and Behavior
     
   • 550 Social
     
   • 560 Learning
     
   • 570-71 Personality
4. At least two graduate seminars in psychology at the 600 level.
5. Six semester hours of graduate-level courses in one or more departments outside the psychology department.

Contact Information

Experimental Psychology
Austin Peay Building
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN 37996

Phone: 865-974-3328
Fax: 865-974-3330