Main Departmental Office
Terrill Hall, 351
P.O. Box 311280
Denton, TX 76203-1280
(940) 565-2671
Graduate Faculty: Beyerlein, Bink, Campbell, Clark, Critelli, Doster, Guarnaccia, Harrell, Hayslip, Huff, Jenkins, Johnson, Kaminski, Kelly, Mahoney, Marshall, Martin, Neumann, Oliver, Petrie, Riggs, Rogers, Schneider, Sewell, Terrell, Toledo, Vosvick, Watkins.
The Department of Psychology affirms the importance of scholarship, research and quality of training for all students, whether they are preparing for careers in basic research, applied research, teaching, or service delivery. This training takes advantage of numerous resources within the department, including the Psychology Clinic, the Institute of Applied Research, the Brain Mapping Facility and specific laboratories for statistics, psychophysiology, psychosocial health, neuropsychology and psychoneuroimmunology. Graduates of the department have gone on to distinguish themselves in research, administrative, teaching and service careers in a range of settings, including universities, medical schools, hospitals, mental health centers, counseling centers, rehabilitation facilities, industrial and organizational settings, and private practices in consulting, therapy and assessment.
Faculty in the Department of Psychology are active researchers. Their programs of research offer students a variety of experiences, topics and perspectives, using a wide variety of methods. Faculty's expertise include topics and methods traditional to subdisciplines and theories of psychology (e.g., psychotherapy, vocational decisions, psychopathology, cognition, aging, physical and psychological health, physiology). Some faculty conduct purely theory-based research using a variety of perspectives (e.g., moral development, personal construct theory, personality theory, stress theory). Other faculty are expert in applied research, designed to address social problems (e.g., abuse, HIV/AIDS, sexual aggression). Many faculty members have programs on the cutting edge of psychology (e.g., psychoneuroimmunology, sport psychology, industrial/organization issues, cognitive neuroscience, memory). In addition, there are ongoing projects on ethical and professional issues, ethnic diversity, minority and women's concerns.
From the time that students enter our graduate program they are given many opportunities and are encouraged to be actively involved in conducting research. Students gain competence in research through course work, vertical research teams headed by a faculty member, as well as informal research experiences. This involvement allows students to gain valuable skills from different faculty members while learning the substantive and methodological knowledge necessary for their future careers. A student's research experience culminates in an independent doctoral dissertation that contributes to the knowledge base of psychology.
Center for Psychosocial Health. This center consists of a multidisciplinary group that draws upon the disciplines of anthropology, behavioral medicine, education, psychology, public health and sociology to pioneer research on psychosocial phenomena involved in healthy living. Basic research on wellness within a chronic illness context provides a foundation for the future development of psychosocial and behavioral interventions that encourage health-related behavioral change. As chronic illness can affect anyone—regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status—we strive to identify, from a multicultural perspective, psychosocial factors critical to the development of effective interventions.
Center for Sport Psychology and Performance Excellence. The Center for Sport Psychology and Performance Excellence (CSPPE) is a multidisciplinary center devoted to offering sport psychology interventions, research and training. The center combines knowledge, skill and expertise from psychology and exercise science to produce the most comprehensive and state-of-the-art sport psychology services available. In addition, through the center, graduate students are able to pursue specialized training in sport and exercise psychology.
Center for Collaborative Organizations. The goal of the Center for Collaborative Organizations is to create learning partnerships with industry for the purposes of generating, archiving and disseminating information about work teams. The center serves as a research and education entity for organizations using team-based and other collaborative structures and, in conjunction with its industry partners, provides those organizations with the highest quality products and services concerning team issues. The center is committed to harnessing strengths of business and academia in a joint effort to master the challenges of designing and implementing collaborative organizations.
Psychology Clinic. As part of the department's Applied Training Unit, the Psychology Clinic is a training site for graduate students. Through the clinic, psychological services are offered to the community within the Dallas_Fort Worth region. Services available to the community include psychotherapy, vocational counseling, psychological assessment and biofeedback.
1. Before being admitted to either the master's or the doctoral program, the applicant must meet the requirements for admission to the Toulouse School of Graduate Studies specified in the Admission section of this catalog.
2. Admission to graduate degree programs in psychology is competitive, as available facilities do not permit admission of all qualified applicants.
Applying is a two-part process. First, prospective applicants for graduate degree programs must obtain and file an application for admission to the UNT graduate school from the graduate dean's office. Second, applicants for graduate psychology degrees also must obtain and file a separate application for admission to psychology programs from the psychology department's graduate office. The application deadline for graduate programs in clinical and counseling psychology is the first university work day of January preceding the fall semester for which the student is applying. The application deadline for industrial/organizational psychology is February 1 preceding the fall semester for which the student is applying. All other programs will commence review of application files on February 1 and continue to admit students through the year according to the university calendar for admission for the fall semester. (See the Academic Calendar in this catalog for admissions deadlines.) All academic prerequisites for the clinical, counseling and industrial/organization programs must be completed by the end of the spring semester preceding the fall semester for which the student is applying.
3. All applicants must submit satisfactory scores on the aptitude (verbal and quantitative) section of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) prior to admission. For standardized admission test requirements, contact the department or the Toulouse School of Graduate Studies. Undergraduates who plan to apply for graduate training should arrange to take the GRE during their senior year.
4. References and recommendations must be submitted by applicants for admission to the doctoral and master's programs in psychology. Applicants are required to submit three satisfactory recommendations on special forms provided by the department, including one from their last professional employer (if they have had such previous experience) and one from the last academic institution attended.
In all cases, the Department of Psychology maintains the right to make independent inquiry of the applicant's employers and the faculties of institutions previously attended, as well as to deny admission to an applicant who in its judgment, or in the judgment of any of the psychology departments of the federated universities (in the case of doctoral applicants), fails to meet personal or academic admission standards.
The department offers graduate programs leading to the following degrees:
The doctoral programs in counseling and clinical psychology have been approved by the American Psychological Association [750 First Street NE; Washington, DC 20002-4242; (202) 336-5979].
The counseling psychology doctoral program is offered through the Federation of North Texas Area Universities.
The master's degree is intended to prepare students for higher degrees and to qualify them for a number of subdoctoral positions.
The experimental psychology curriculum is intended to provide a highly individualized program for the student interested in study and research in one of several specialized areas.
The doctoral curricula in clinical psychology and counseling psychology are designed to serve a variety of purposes that focus on the development of a well-rounded professional psychologist. These purposes include a thorough grounding in scientific methodology and an orientation to the profession, development of competency in psychological assessment and evaluation, and training in various psychotherapeutic and counseling techniques and skills.
The clinical psychology program in health psychology and behavioral medicine prepares psychologists for service delivery roles in medical and other health care settings as well as roles in program development and evaluation. There is strong emphasis on mind/body interaction as students focus on the matrix of psychological, social, physiological and environmental processes in understanding etiological and diagnostic factors of illness, prevention and recovery. Fundamental skills in clinical assessment, evaluation and psychotherapy are integrated with scientific advances in health psychology/behavioral medicine in order to meet the holistic needs of the individual.
All departmental PhD programs require successful completion of a doctoral dissertation.
1. A minimum of 24 hours in psychology, of which at least 12 must be advanced. These hours must include courses in experimental psychology or research design and a separate course in elementary statistics. The department strongly encourages undergraduate course preparation in the following areas of psychology: social, history and systems, tests and measurements, physiological, and learning/cognition.
2. A statement of purpose describing the student's educational and career goals.
3. A resume.
4. Submission of scores on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE even if 5a and/or 5b below are not used.
5. In addition, minimum criteria for application requires four of the following seven:
a. A score of at least 500 on the verbal section of the GRE;b. A score of at least 500 on the quantitative section of the GRE;
c. A score of at least 500 on the analytical section of the GRE, a score of at least 4 on the analytical writing test, or a score of at least 700 on the Psychology subject test of the GRE;
d. A GPA of at least 2.8 overall on the bachelor's degree or at least 3.0 on the last 60 hours of the bachelor's degree;
e. A GPA of at least 3.0 on all psychology courses taken;
f. A master's degree in another field; or
g. First or second author on an article in a peer-reviewed major scientific or professional journal.
1. A minimum of 24 hours in psychology of which at least 12 must be advanced, including a course in statistics and three of the following psychology courses: experimental psychology (or research methods), cognition, learning, perception (sensory processes), motivation, physiological psychology (biological psychology), psychological measurement, or research thesis.
2. For students with a master's degree applying to the clinical or counseling programs, prior credit must include a minimum of 6 hours of supervised practicum experience and a thesis or its equivalent. Lacking either of these prerequisites, the student may be required to remove the deficiencies during the first year in the program.
3. A statement of purpose describing the student's educational and career goals.
4. A resume.
5. Submission of scores on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE even if 6a and/or 6b below are not used.
6. In addition, minimum criteria for application requires four of the following seven:
a. A score of at least 500 on the verbal section of the GRE;b. A score of at least 500 on the quantitative section of the GRE;
c. A score of at least 500 on the analytical section of the GRE, a score of at least 4 on the analytical writing test, or a score of at least 700 on the Psychology subject test of the GRE;
d. A GPA of at least 3.0 overall on the bachelor's degree or at least 3.5 on the last 60 hours of the bachelor's degree or, for those with a master's degree, a GPA of at least 3.5 on all graduate work exclusive of practicum and thesis;
e. A GPA of at least 3.5 on all undergraduate psychology courses taken;
f. A doctoral degree in another field; or
g. First or second author on an article in a peer reviewed major scientific or professional journal.
A program committee has been constituted by the department to consider the possible separation from the degree program of any student who in the committee's judgment appears unlikely to succeed professionally, regardless of grades earned. Students who do not make satisfactory and continuous progress may be dropped from their program.
Students interested in becoming licensed and certified as psychologists or psychological associates in the state of Texas are required to have specified supervised experiences that are approved by the Department of Psychology. Departmental program directors should be consulted for details.
Both the Master of Arts and the Master of Science degrees are available in the Department of Psychology. The MA degree requires presentation of evidence that the student has a reading knowledge of at least one foreign language, while the foreign language requirement may be waived for the MS degree. Description of procedures for fulfilling the language requirement is located in the Master's Degree Requirements section of this catalog. For any master's degree that does not include a thesis, a final oral comprehensive examination is required.
All degree programs must be planned in consultation with the student's advisory committee. Students are strongly urged to file a degree plan during their first semester of graduate study.
50-60 Hours
Required courses: PSYC 5420, 5620, 5630, 5700, 5780, 5820 (6 hours), 5831-5832 and 5950.
Electives: PSYC 5640 or 5720 and one additional course selected from 5010, 5030, 5070, 5640, 5680, 5710 and 5720.
Additional courses: two courses (at least 3 hours each) selected from (a) the remaining 5000-level psychology courses, or (b) one field outside the Department of Psychology, as a minor.
61-64 Hours
Required courses: PSYC 5050, 5340, 5420, 5470, 5620, 5680, 5690, 5700, 5780, 5820, 5831-5832, 5880 and 5950 (see substitution option below).
Other courses will be selected in consultation with the student's advisory committee.
Students interested in becoming licensed professional counselors in the state of Texas should notify the director of their program area so their degree plan may be arranged to include appropriate course work.
Track 1, 32 Hours
Will not lead to eligibility to take the psychological associate examination in the state of Texas.
Required courses: PSYC 5030, 5640, 5700, 5840 and 5950.
Electives: 6 hours selected from the remaining 5000-level psychology courses, in consultation with the major professor.
Minor: a 6-hour minor from a field outside the Department of Psychology may be selected.
Required courses: PSYC 5640, 5700, 5790, 5840, 5900 and 5950.
Electives: 12 hours selected from the remaining 5000-level psychology courses, in consultation with the major professor.
Minor: a 6-hour minor from a field outside the Department of Psychology may be selected.
49-51 Hours
Two tracks are available within the program: one in personnel psychology and the other in employee counseling and consulting psychology. Students in both tracks will take a common core of courses consisting of PSYC 5230, 5240, 5420, 5700, 5740, 5750, 5820, 5831-5832 and 5950.
Additional required courses for students in the personnel psychology track are PSYC 5030, PSYC 5840 and two approved electives. Additional required courses for students in the employee counseling and consulting psychology track are PSYC 5440, 5680 and 5870, and an approved elective.
66-71 Hours, depending on area of licensure
Required courses: PSYC 5010, 5050 (Consultation; Multicultural; and Program Evaluation), 5420, 5600, 5620, 5700, 5730, 5790, 5831-5832 and 5950; EDAD 5710; and EDSP 5060.
Electives: two courses from PSYC 5100, a 5000-level developmental course, or a 5000-level exceptional course; two courses from PSYC 5680, 5720 or 6020. Any substitution must be approved by the program director.
For each master's degree specialization, except experimental and industrial, an option to substitute 6 hours of academic courses, practicums or field work for the thesis is provided for the student who does not intend to proceed with doctoral work. Such substitutions must be approved by the student's advisory committee. Programs in which such substitutions have been made must include 750 clock hours of practicum, and a minimum grade of B must be made on courses substituted for the thesis.
The PhD degrees in psychology require a minimum of 90 semester hours beyond the bachelor's degree, plus a one-year supervised internship for the clinical, counseling, industrial-organizational, and health psychology/behavioral medicine programs. The qualified and accepted student may enter a degree program holding either a bachelor's or master's degree. The maximum amount of transfer credit from an appropriate master's degree is 30 semester hours.
A student entering with a master's degree or equivalent may, upon the consent of the advisory committee, transfer a maximum of 12 appropriate semester hours beyond the master's degree, provided the work has been taken in a department offering a doctoral degree in psychology. Thus, a minimum of 48 hours in residence would remain to be completed.
Students should be aware that internship training sites are spread across the country. Responsibility for an internship training site's compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act rests with the internship site. Internships are competitive and the student is responsible for securing an internship that meets with departmental approval.
This program requires a minimum of 96 semester hours plus a one-year internship. The 20 hours in general core psychology include the following: advanced social psychology, advanced research design, advanced statistics, theories of learning, advanced history and systems, and advanced physiological psychology. The clinical core consists of professional issues and ethics; assessment, evaluation and diagnosis; psychotherapy; psychopathology; and clinical service skills.
This clinical psychology program with an emphasis in health psychology and behavioral medicine is offered in collaboration with our sister department at UNT Health Sciences Center. Professional study requires a minimum of 103 semester hours, including 20 hours of general psychology (social psychology, research design and statistics, learning and cognition, history and systems, and physiological psychology) and 42 hours of clinical core courses (psychological assessment, psychopathology, medical and behavioral disorders, professional ethics, cultural aspects of health, psychotherapy methods, behavior analysis, developmental health psychology, applied psychophysiological procedures, and psychoneuroimmunology). Students continually are involved in clinical and research experiences before culminating professional preparation with a one-year, full-time clinical internship.
This program requires a minimum of 111 semester hours plus a one-year internship and includes 20 hours in general core psychology: advanced social psychology, advanced research design, advanced statistics, theories of learning, advanced history and systems, and advanced physiological psychology.
The counseling core consists of 45 hours that includes course work in the following areas: developmental issues, assessment, individual and group techniques, legal and ethical issues, psychopathology, vocational psychology, personality and multiculturalism. Counseling majors are required to take a pre-practicum for which they receive 4 hours credit. A research core composed of 16 hours and practicum training consisting of 12 hours also are required. The elective cluster is composed of 12 hours selected to represent an organized and integrated sequence in the student's area of interest.
This program requires a minimum of 92 semester hours and includes 20 hours in general core psychology: advanced social psychology, advanced research design, advanced statistics, theories of learning, advanced history and systems, and advanced physiological psychology. The experimental core consists of a minimum of 15 hours in experimental psychology, statistics and research practicums. The student is expected to be involved in research throughout the program. Further experimental core requirements are selected in consultation with the student's major adviser, to be selected from one of four concentration areas. A minor field consisting of 12-18 hours may be selected. Each student must also complete a 6- to 12-hour integrated elective area in psychology that is consistent with individual interests.
This program requires a minimum of 93 semester hours beyond the bachelor's degree, including a one-year supervised internship. Additional credit hours may be necessary to satisfy the foreign language requirement. Students entering the program with a master's degree will be required to take a minimum of 60 semester hours, including the internship. The program is designed to be completed in five years of full-time study beyond the bachelor's degree.
The I-O psychology concentration core consists of 31 semester hours on the following topics: personnel selection, organizational psychology, teams in organizations, organizational consulting, assessment of individuals in organizations, psychometric theory, multivariate analysis, and strategic applications of I-O psychology. The strategic applications course is taken in the student's final semester of course work and serves as a capstone seminar that allows students to integrate their previous course work in preparation for their doctoral qualifying examinations and their internship.
All doctoral programs make provisions to allow the completion of a master's degree in general psychology.
Behavioral Medicine makes provision for this plus three other master's programs. En route to completing the requirements for the PhD students may select one of three additional options:
1. behavior analysis,
2. public health, and
3. school psychology.
These additional options require separate application to and admission by the Department of Behavior Analysis, the School of Biomedical Science, or the School Psychology Program Committee, respectively. The option with behavioral analysis provides a knowledge base in the principles, theory and research methods of behavioral analysis for applications in medicine and health contexts. The option with public health prepares students for roles in the development, implementation and evaluation of models involving the promotion of health behaviors, the prevention of physical and psychological trauma, and the creation of environmental contexts supportive of personal well-being. The option with school psychology offers a course study that prepares "pediatric school psychologists" for professional roles in both newly emerging, school-based health care systems and traditional medical centers and clinics. Its integrated training prepares professionals who can provide services within and across medical and school settings.
Candidates must present evidence that they have a reading knowledge of one foreign language (see the Doctoral Degree Requirements section for details) or have demonstrated competency in a research tool subject that has been approved by the Department of Psychology and the graduate council. If the tool substitution involves taking additional courses, the student must make a minimum grade of B in each course. Credits earned are in addition to the hours required for the degree.
The candidate must meet the doctoral residence requirement as outlined in the Admission section of this catalog.
Each of the departmental PhD programs requires successful completion of a comprehensive examination in the student's respective program. The faculty in each program area is responsible for the format, administration and grading of the examination.
Students complete two dissertation-related examinations: the proposal and the final comprehensive examination. Students first defend their dissertation proposal, which can be done only after successfully completing the language requirement, master's thesis or its equivalent, and the qualifying PhD examination for the program. Upon completion of the dissertation research, the student may schedule the final comprehensive exam for the dissertation.
A temporary degree program adviser is assigned to doctoral students during the first semester of enrollment. The dissertation committee is formed at some point later in the student's program. The minimum number of members for a dissertation committee is four. It is the department's expectation that one of the four members will be from outside the department of psychology.
All Courses of Instruction are located in one section at the back of this catalog.
The "Course and Subject Guide," found in the Courses of Instruction section of this book, serves as a table of contents and provides quick access to subject areas and prefixes.
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