Psychology

The Ph.D. Program in Psychology encourages students to find creative solutions to critical issues through scholarship and service. The program readies students for meaningful careers in research, teaching, clinical practice, policy, and industry.

Request Information

Degree Offered

Ph.D. in Psychology

Full-time
10 Training Areas

Admissions Deadlines

December 1 for fall enrollment
(No spring enrollment)

Contact

Psychology

psychology@gc.cuny.edu

+1 212-817-8750 Room 6304

Please note: In accordance with CUNY's guidelines surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Psychology Executive Office will be working partially remote for the foreseeable future.

Please see the Graduate Center’s official Covid-19 information and safety guidance page for additional information and resources.

The Psychology program spans 10 distinct training areas. Each one allows students to focus on a specific area of interest. Students become part of an active and diverse community, participating in interdisciplinary research and programs. The program promotes human welfare and service to society while fostering student growth and development.

To contact us, visit our governance page for important contacts.

Training Areas

Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience (CUNY Neuroscience Collaborative)

Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience (CUNY Neuroscience Collaborative)

Clinical Psychology @ John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Clinical Psychology @ John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Clinical Psychology @ Queens College

Clinical Psychology @ Queens College

Cognitive and Comparative Psychology

Cognitive and Comparative Psychology

Critical Social/Personality and Environmental Psychology

Critical Social/Personality and Environmental Psychology (merger of Critical Social/Personality Psychology and Environmental Psychology)

Developmental Psychology

Developmental Psychology

Health Psychology & Clinical Science

Health Psychology & Clinical Science

Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Psychology & Law

Psychology & Law

Our Program

The Psychology curriculum includes 60-90 credits of coursework, a first and second examination, and completion of a dissertation that embodies original research. Each training area has its own program requirements. As a part of The Graduate Center, students take advantage of a variety of interdisciplinary concentrations, research centers and institutes, and other specialized programs throughout The Graduate Center that are relevant to psychology.

Curriculum

Our Faculty

Our faculty are top scholars in their fields of study, as well as journal editors and leaders of professional societies and organizations. The faculty work closely with students in courses, through research, and as advisers. Faculty and their labs are based on eight campuses throughout the CUNY system, with courses offered at The Graduate Center, as well as Baruch College, Brooklyn College, City College, Hunter College, John Jay College, Queens College, and the College of Staten Island.

Faculty

Student Support

Our students become thoughtful scholars and lifelong learners. The Psychology program and its Executive Office are committed to seeing students succeed and to creating avenues for professional development. They offer many means of support, including comprehensive forms and procedures and student resources.

Forms and Procedures

Ph.D. Program in Psychology event participants

Events and Accomplishments

Joining the Ph.D. Program in Psychology means becoming part of a vibrant community of ambitious scholars. Student leaders organize a series of cross-CUNY events with distinguished speakers, including the Teaching of Psychology conference and Psychology Student Research Day. Learn more about the activities and achievements of our students, faculty, and alumni in our program news.

News and Events

May 17, 2023

Congratulations to Dr. Puleng Segalo for being awarded the Annual GC Graduate of the Last Decade Award.

Announcement

Apr 19, 2023

Congratulations to Dr. Anna Stetsenko on receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Educational Research Association

Congratulations to Dr. Anna Stetsenko, professor at The Graduate Center of CUNY (Developmental Psychology Training Area), on receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Educational Research Association (AERA).

Congratulations/Kudos

Apr 19, 2023

Congratulations to Dr. Virginia Valian on being elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Congratulations to Dr. Virginia Valian, Distinguished Professor at Hunter College of CUNY, on being elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

See below for more information:
New Members Elected in 2023: American Academy of Arts & Sciences Press Release
All Newly Elected Members in 2023: American Academy of Arts & Sciences

Congratulations/Kudos

Apr 19, 2023

Congratulations to Wai Man Wong on receiving the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science Summer Fellowship.

Congratulations to Psychology Ph.D. student Wai Man Wong (Clinical Psychology at Queens Training Area) for receiving the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Summer 2023 Fellowship.

Congratulations/Kudos

Psychology Spotlights

Our Sciences Spotlight series profiles students, faculty, and alumni associated with GC Sciences programs. Learn about our community:

Student: Donald Brown

Brown received an NSF doctoral dissertation research improvement grant to support him in completing his dissertation, which is currently entitled Social Identity, Scientific Practice, and the Production of Social Knowledge: An Ethnographic Investigation of Experimental Social Psychology.

Faculty: Danielle S. Berke

Berke was awarded two grants from the National Institutes of Health to study the impact of traumatic stress, violence and discrimination experiences on transgender and gender diverse New Yorkers and to deliver a tailored violence prevention program to these communities.