Example Ph.D. Program of Study

Although your final program of courses will be individualized, a sample Ph.D. program is provided below. In addition to outlined coursework, you're expected to be involved in ongoing research throughout your time in the program.

Year Fall Spring Summer

One

  • Analysis of variance and hypothesis: testing in psychological research
  • Theory and assessment of intellectual functioning
  • Psychopathology
  • Independent study (thesis readings)
  • Psychological research
  • Correlation and regression analyses in psychological research
  • Second assessment course or
  • Ethics and professional issues
  • Clinical research methods
  • Traumatology (if trauma focused student who entered in an even year)
  • Pre-practicum
  • Psychological research
  • Assessment practicum 

Two

  • Developmental psychopathology
  • Cognitive-behavioral theory and techniques
  • Experimental social psychology
  • Trauma assessment and intervention (if trauma-focused who entered in an even year)
  • Practicum
  • Thesis hours
  • Psychological research
  • Thesis hours 

Three

  • Biopsychology
  • Course to fulfill tool requirement
  • Trauma assessment and intervention (if trauma-focused who entered in an odd year)
  • Practicum
  • Thesis hours
  • Psychological research
  • Social-personality development
  • History of psychology (if entered program in odd year)
  • Practicum
  • Thesis hours
  • Psychological research
  • Thesis hours

Four

  • Course to fulfill tool requirement
  • Externship
  • Dissertation hours
  • Multicultural diversity, supervision and consultation
  • History of psychology (if entered program in even year)
  • Externship
  • Dissertation hours
  • Dissertation hours

Five

  • Externship
  • Dissertation hours
  • Supervision practicum
  • Externship
  • Dissertation hours 
  • Dissertation hours

Six

  • Internship
  • Dissertation hours
  • Internship
  • Dissertation hours
  • Internship

Contact Us

Department of Psychology
Psychology/Computer Science Building 400
815-753-0372

Kevin Wu, Ph.D
Director of graduate studies
kevinwu@niu.edu

Kathi West
Graduate studies assistant
kwest1@niu.edu

Admission questions:
clinicalpsychologyadmissions@niu.edu