psychology phd kent state

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Psychology - B.A.

Students in the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology apply the science of understanding and explaining thoughts, emotions and behavior to solving real-world problems. Topics include stress, biological influences on behavior, growth and development of children and diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders. Elective courses may be used to specialize in a number of areas of psychology and to gain hands-on experience in research labs. The degree prepares students for graduate school and employment in a range of fields, including clinical, applied and experimental areas of psychology and related fields such as education, law, human resources and health care.

• Program Coordinator: Jocelyn Folk | [email protected] | 330-672-4095
• Ashtabula Campus
• East Liverpool Campus
• Geauga Campus
• Kent Campus
• Salem Campus
• Stark Campus
• Trumbull Campus
• Tuscarawas Campus
• Chat with an Admissions Counselor: Kent Campus | Regional Campuses

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Who Is The B.A. Path Recommended For?

The B.A. degree is recommended for most students interested in majoring in psychology. It is suitable for most career paths in psychology with the exception of psychiatry, as well as for those interested in pursuing careers outside of psychology such as human resources, hospitality, law, etc.

Interested in the B.S. instead? It’s a great fit for those interested in mathematics (more math classes are required for the B.S.), biology, chemistry, and the more neuroscience-oriented side of psychology (courses in biology, chemistry and anthropology can fulfill certain major requirements).

Program Information

Full description.

The Psychology major includes the following optional concentrations:

• The Child Psychology concentration is designed for students who are interested specifically in children and adolescents. Topics include child development, psychological disorders of childhood and adolescence, children's cognitive processes, personality development and child-related research experience. The concentration prepares students for graduate study and employment in a range of fields, including clinical psychology, school psychology, school counseling and employment in settings such as child development centers and related agencies.
• The Counseling Careers concentration is designed to prepare students for employment in a range of fields and for master's-level study in all fields of counseling. Topics include human adjustment, stress and coping, human development, personality, psychological disorders, treatment and intervention techniques, psychometrics, psychopharmacology and clinical or counseling-related research experience.

Students interested in other career paths within psychology may pursue the major without a concentration.

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students .

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices .

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency unless they meet specific exceptions. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students .

Transfer Students: Students who have attended any other educational institution after graduating from high school must apply as undergraduate transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students .

Former Students: Former Kent State students or graduates who have not attended another college or university since Kent State may complete the reenrollment or reinstatement form on the University Registrar’s website .

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog.

Some programs may require that students meet certain requirements before progressing through the program. For programs with progression requirements, the information is shown on the Coursework tab.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Describe the basic theoretical perspectives, principles, concepts, empirical findings and historical trends in psychology.
• Understand and use fundamental data analysis techniques.
• Understand and apply basic research methods/tools in psychology and evaluate the adequacy of research designs.
• Write effectively in the discipline.
• Recognize, understand and respect the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity.

Program Requirements

Graduation requirements, major requirements.

Students in a double major with either Sociology or Criminology and Justice Studies may substitute SOC 32220 and SOC 32221 for PSYC 21621 .

On the Kent Campus, students take PSYC 41980 , which has a pre/corequisite of PSYC 31574 . Students who take PSYC 41901 (offered on the regional campuses only) must take an upper-division course in psychology as a corequisite. That course cannot be any of the following: PSYC 31498 , PSYC 41498 , PSYC 41573 or PSYC 41993 .

A minimum C grade must be earned in one course to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration

Maximum 6 credit hours of PSYC 31498 , PSYC 41492 and PSYC 41498 combined may be applied toward major requirements in psychology.

Child Psychology Concentration Requirements

Maximum 9 credit hours of PSYC 41395 may be applied toward concentration requirements.

Counseling Careers Concentration Requirements

Foreign language college requirement, b.a..

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Arts and Sciences must complete 14-16 credit hours of foreign language. 1 To complete the requirement, students need the equivalent of Elementary I and II in any language, plus one of the following options 2 :

• Intermediate I and II of the same language
• Elementary I and II of a second language
• Any combination of two courses from the following list:
• Intermediate I of the same language
• ARAB 21401
• ASL 19401
• CHIN 25421
• MCLS 10001
• MCLS 20001
• MCLS 20091
• MCLS 21417
• MCLS 21420
• MCLS 22217
• MCLS 28403
• MCLS 28404

All students with prior foreign language experience should take the foreign language placement test to determine the appropriate level at which to start. Some students may start beyond the Elementary I level and will complete the requirement with fewer credit hours and fewer courses. This may be accomplished by (1) passing a course beyond Elementary I through Intermediate II level; (2) receiving credit through one of the alternative credit programs offered by Kent State University; or (3) demonstrating language proficiency comparable to Elementary II of a foreign language. When students complete the requirement with fewer than 14 credit hours and four courses, they will complete remaining credit hours with general electives.

Certain majors, concentrations and minors may require specific languages, limit the languages from which a student may choose or require coursework through Intermediate II. Students who plan to pursue graduate study may need particular language coursework.

Psychology Major (No Concentration)

Child psychology concentration, counseling careers concentration.

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries

about as fast as the average

number of jobs

potential earnings

slower than the average

much faster than the average

faster than the average

What's Next

Be one step closer to joining our Golden Flashes family!

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University Catalog 2023-2024

Clinical psychology - ph.d..

About This Program

The Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program provides you with the knowledge and practical experience needed to excel in this rewarding field. With expert faculty, cutting-edge research opportunities, and a comprehensive curriculum, you'll be prepared to make a real difference in the lives of your patients Read more...

Contact Information

• Program Coordinator: Joel Hughes | [email protected] | 330-672-8536
• Connect with an Admissions Counselor: U.S. Student | International Student

Program Delivery

• Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists.

• 3.1% about as fast as the average
• 171,500 number of jobs
• $79,820 potential earnings

Psychology teachers, postsecondary

• 8.8% much faster than the average
• 46,800 number of jobs
• $78,180 potential earnings

Accreditation

The Ph.D. degree in Clinical Psychology is accredited by the American Psychological Association. Information on accreditation can be obtained by contacting the APA Commission on Accreditation by phone at 202-336-5979 or by mail at the Commission on Accreditation, American Psychological Association, 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC, 20002-4242.

* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook . Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website . For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website .

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• Minimum junior-senior 3.000 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• 18 credit hours in psychology, including a course in statistics
• Broad background in psychology
• Official transcript(s)
• GRE scores (effective with fall 2024 admission term, GRE scores are no longer required)
• Goal statement
• Three letters of recommendation
• Minimum 587 TOEFL PBT score
• Minimum 94 TOEFL IBT score
• Minimum 82 MELAB score
• Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
• Minimum 65 PTE score
• Minimum 120 Duolingo English score

Admission to the Ph.D. degree is limited to students whose records clearly indicate both scholarly and research potential to do doctoral-level work.

Admitted students to the Ph.D. who would like to declare the Quantitative Methods for Psychology concentration must meet the following admission requirements:

• Good academic standing
• Written approval of the student’s primary advisor
• Completion of PSYC 61651 and PSYC 61654 with an A grade or an approved waiver of this criterion based on equivalent prior coursework
• Identification and written acceptance of a quantitative mentor from the list of department quantitative faculty

Application Deadlines

• Application deadline: December 1

Applications submitted by this deadline will receive the strongest consideration for admission .

Program Requirements

Graduation requirements, major requirements.

PSYC 71894 is required for students who teach starting their third year.

A limited number of graduate courses outside the department may be credited toward graduation. No 50000-level psychology courses may be applied to the degree. PSYC 81498 can be used to partially satisfy additional program electives.

Doctoral candidates, upon admission to candidacy, must register for PSYC 81199 for a total of 30 hours. It is expected that doctoral candidates will continuously register for PSYC 81199 , and thereafter PSYC 81299 , each semester, until all requirements for the degree have been met.

Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring the Concentration

Quantitative methods of psychology concentration requirements.

Psychologists with strong quantitative skills often are expected to disseminate statistical knowledge to their colleagues; thus, students who pursue the concentration must have at least one practicum experience. This teaching experience can be as an instructor of an undergraduate course ( PSYC 21621 , PSYC 31684 ) or becoming the teaching assistant for the first-year graduate sequence.

Students must demonstrate mastery of quantitative methodology through the inclusion of an advanced technique as part of a milestone or independent project that has been approved by the student’s quantitative mentor. Students should either (a) complete a thesis/dissertation that has a strong quantitative component or (b) publish a first-authored quantitative-focused paper or a first-authored content paper with sophisticated analyses, as determined by the student’s quantitative mentor. Specifically, students should demonstrate that they are able to appropriately conduct and interpret sophisticated statistical analyses. Note, however, that this requirement does not necessarily suggest that students need to develop a new statistical technique or methodology.

Candidacy Requirement

• Students who have been admitted into the doctoral program will be considered for Ph.D. candidacy after they have met all requirements for the M.A. degree and have passed a qualifying examination in a major area of specialization in psychology.
• The Department of Psychological Sciences reserves the right to separate from the program a student who, in the opinion of a duly constituted departmental committee, is not likely to succeed professionally despite earning acceptable grades.
• Proficiency in a foreign language is not a requirement for the Ph.D. degree.
• The program requires full-time continuous enrollment, including summers.
• Post-baccalaureate students are required to complete a minimum of four years of full-time attendance.
• All Ph.D. candidates (regardless of area of specialization) complete a program of basic core courses and clinical practica, select additional courses and seminars with the aid of a faculty advisor and complete a doctoral dissertation.
• Students must complete a supervised traineeship in a faculty-approved mental health facility outside the department, which involves a minimum of 1,000 hours. Additionally, a 2,000-hour internship in a setting approved by the American Psychological Association is required over a calendar year's duration.
• The Department of Psychological Sciences will permit the waiving of program coursework if supported by appropriate graduate-level coursework for post-master's students admitted to the program. Students may earn the Ph.D. degree with less than 113 credit hours but no less than 98 total credit hours.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate competencies in research methodologies specific to their area of interest.
• Demonstrate competencies in teaching undergraduate courses.
• Demonstrate competencies in providing psychological assessment and treatment services.

Full Description

The Ph.D. degree in Clinical Psychology prepares students to conduct research, to serve on college and university faculties and to provide a range of clinical services. The program adheres to the clinical scientist model of education and training, which is founded on the idea that the practice of psychology should be based on the science of psychology, and that practicing psychologists should be able to translate clinical observation into researchable questions and pursue new knowledge on the basis of their observations. Students are expected to develop an area of special expertise in research, and opportunities for specialized clinical training are offered.

In addition to general training in clinical psychology, students may receive specialized research and clinical training in one of the following areas: adult psychopathology, assessment, child, health or neuropsychology.

The Clinical Psychology major includes the following optional concentration:

• The Quantitative Methods of Psychology optional concentration trains individuals in some of the more recent developments of statistical science and, particularly, the application of these developments to real-world psychological data. One unique feature of the concentration is the focus on the application of quantitative methods in psychological research; although department faculty members have expertise in an area of statistics, they also conduct research in a substantive area of psychology. The concentration is intended for those students who intend to pursue academic careers, wherein the use of advanced quantitative methods in one’s own program of research is highly valued, and who also intend to teach undergraduate or graduate courses in statistical methods.

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NEW ONLINE PROGRAM - What is a Sport Psychologist? Learn more with an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology at Kent State University

The scientific field of sport and exercise psychology has increasingly received attention in the last two decades. National and regional labor market demands in a sport exercise and psychology field will be expected to grow 7% from 2020 to 2030.

And to date, there are few universities in the country that offer an undergraduate major in Sports, Exercise and Performance Psychology that provides students with an in-depth overview of the area and the skill development to readily apply that knowledge to their chosen sports career or competent to be accepted at a SEPP graduate program.

The new 100% online Bachelor of Science degree in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology (SEPP) examines the mental aspects of athletic competition and performance.

Sound interesting? These are some of the courses students will take in the program:

• Motivation in Sport
• Performance and Movement Settings
• Stress: Recognition and Management
• High Performance of Athletes in Sport
• Psychology of Exercise

What is a Sport Psychologist?

To facilitate coping with the demands of student-athletes, sport specialists, trainers, and sport organizations, there has been a call for seeking knowledge and techniques to increase exercise adherence and help athletes with psychological rehab from injuries, team dynamics, or coaching education.

Sport psychologists help professional and amateur athletes overcome problems, enhance their performance, and achieve their goals. 1 They explore the link between the psychological and physical factors that may affect an athlete’s performance.

Sport psychologists are necessary because mental skills and strategies help athletes overall by dealing with stress, training more efficiently, and concentrating better, among others.

Principle areas of study may include 2

• Cognitive and behavioral skills training for performance enhancement. Goal setting; imagery and performance planning; concentration and attention control strategies; development of self-confidence, self-esteem, and competence in sports; cognitive-behavioral self-regulation techniques; emotion management, sportsmanship, and leadership skills.
• Counseling and clinical interventions. Athletic motivation; eating disorders and weight management; substance abuse; grief, depression, loss, and suicide; over-training and burnout; sexual identity issues; aggression and violence; athletic injury and rehabilitation; career transitions and identity crises.
• Consultation and training. Team building; sports organization consultation; systems interventions with parents and families involved in youth sports participation; education of coaches regarding motivation, interpersonal and leadership skills, and talent development; education of coaches and administrators regarding early identification and prevention of psychological difficulties.

Graduates of the online Bachelor of Science degree in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology may work in a wide range of settings, including

• Club sports teams
• Fitness and recreation centers
• Youth sports organizations
• High schools, colleges, or universities
• Recreational, amateur, and elite level of competition

Why Kent State University?

The Physical Education & Sport Performance program at Kent State University is among the best in the United States in preparing teachers who exemplify best practices in the PK-12 setting and professionals who promote high-quality physical activity opportunities for individuals across the lifespan.

With a high demand for Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology programs, the newly developed SEPP online degree at Kent State University fills a void within the existing programs at Kent State when sport, exercise, and performance are becoming even more visible within the field. The NCCA accredits certifying programs based on the highest quality standards in professional certification to ensure the programs adhere to modern standards of practice in the certification industry.

An added benefit of the new major at Kent State is the combined bachelor/master’s pathway that allows exceptional, well-prepared undergraduate students early admission into the KSU M.A. Sport Administration major. Students in a combined degree program take graduate-level coursework as undergraduate students, thus enabling courses to be applied toward both degree programs. This pathway will prepare students to complete requirements for the Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) accreditation by AASP upon completing their master’s and provide an alternative route for students who are not pursuing a graduate degree in sport psychology.

What is Unique about this Kent State University program?

The Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology online program at Kent State is unique and necessary because:

• It allows students an opportunity to incorporate application and instruction in the field of sport, exercise, and psychology; and do so in accordance with proficiency guidelines of the AASP as well as those of the American Psychological Association (APA).
• It allows students with interest in exercise, coaching, sport, or performance as their primary area to choose the unique program of SEPP at Kent State. This specialization will recruit new students to the university and offer additional alternative degree programs to students who might otherwise select to study in areas ranging from sport administration to teacher education, general psychology, or exercise science. Even though the new SEPP minor is only in its second term (Fall 2020 and Spring 2021), it has attracted students from those diverse programs and a few students from outside of Ohio who were able to take courses while continuing with their full-time teaching job.
• It provides an opportunity for students to complete a fully online program that would let them follow two different paths after graduation; (a) to incorporate and apply their new knowledge into their chosen sport-related field (e.g., performance coach, mental conditioning, performance specialist, or life-skills coaching) and (b) continuing further study into a graduate program in sport and exercise psychology.
• It is distinct from the typical structure of majors in that this proposed program allows students to complete it entirely online. This is a new option that appeals to diverse students. The 100% online delivery will allow them to interact with professors in a virtual environment while having complete flexibility and autonomy to balance their studies with their jobs (or other responsibilities) while retaining the same excellence in quality curriculum and teaching with the latest online learning technology. With the unfortunate arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on colleges and universities, the allure of being able to complete a fully online major via distance learning is an even more enticing and inclusive opportunity. One could argue that the timing is significant to the development of this program.

NEW PROGRAM! Enroll today in the online Bachelor of Science in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology at Kent State University

The online Bachelor of Science degree in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology provides students, athletes, and those preparing for careers as coaches and sport practitioners with the knowledge of psychological theory and skills to enhance human behavior in the sport and exercise settings and the performing arts. The major differs from existing sport-related bachelor’s degree programs due to its focus on psychological processes related to sport performance, as opposed to existing programs that focus on pedagogical, physiological, or business aspects of sport performance.

The Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology major explores social-psychological concepts such as motivation, self-confidence, anxiety, or burnout, and how these concepts interact with the sport environment to influence athletes (e.g., losing focus under pressure or having self-doubts during a game) and performance.

The program prepares students with essential knowledge of psychological aspects of sport performance and ethical practice to work in wide-ranging sport-related fields or to further their education in their chosen careers via graduate programs and mental performance certification by the Association of Applied Sport Psychology .

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Explain the role of the individual and the environments in sport and exercise behavior.
• Demonstrate understanding of the foundation of motivation in sport sciences, learning, and personal life.
• Define and illustrate the concepts, tools, and application of mental skills and performance enhancement.
• Design and evaluate an applied research study from inception to conclusions.
• Define the standards for competence, domestic and global diversity, and ethical principles (i.e., AASP and APA) and its role in sport psychology professional practice.

For more information on Kent State’s Online Bachelor of Science in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology, visit https://onlinedegrees.kent.edu/degrees/bachelor-of-science-sport-exercise-performance-psychology .

1 Retrieved on November 22, 2021, from https://www.apa.org/topics/sport-rehabilitation/psychologists#:~:text=Sport%20psychologists%20help%20professional%20and%20amateur%20athletes%20overcome%20problems%2C%20enhance,performance%2C%20and%20achieve%20their%20goals.

2 Retrieved on November 22, 2021, from https://www.apa.org/ed/graduate/specialize/sports.