Program Overview
Ph.D. in Behavioral Psychology
The mission of our doctoral program is to train highly competent researchers in behavior analysis. Students are taught to discover and produce, translate and apply, and communicate knowledge in the behavioral sciences for understanding and solving problems of societal importance.
Curriculum
The curriculum provides a sequence of instruction that integrates:
- Courses in the basic principles of behavior, experimental methods and research design
- Conceptual foundations with training in basic, applied, and intervention research (e.g., assessment, analysis, intervention, evaluation)
Research and Training
The department receives considerable grant and other external funding for its research and training. The doctoral training program operates according to a junior colleague model, where students work closely with their advisors in every aspect of professional development. This includes designing and conducting research, preparing manuscripts for presentation and publication, and presenting and publishing those manuscripts. Students typically work with one advisor but may work with others or have co-advisors.
Accreditation
The Doctorate in Behavioral Psychology is accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International Accreditation Board.
Licensure
KU’s licensure programs strive to maintain accurate and up-to-date information about the educational requirements for licensure in U.S. states and territories. However, regulations are subject to change and varying interpretations. In addition to possible changes in educational requirements, licensure often includes additional requirements, such as specific examinations and additional training or practicum hours. It is highly recommended that students seek guidance from the appropriate licensing agency before beginning an academic program to ensure they know what is needed to obtain the license/certification/registration in the state in which they intend to practice and/or seek licensure.
The PhD program meets the educational requirements for licensure in the state of Kansas and Missouri. Students who plan to practice their profession outside Kansas need to familiarize themselves with licensure requirements in the state in which they would like to practice. Some states currently do not require licensure, but most do and may have additional licensure laws or requirements. Note also that licensure rules and regulations may change at any time.
Annual Reporting Period
- Number of students whose degrees were conferred by the program: 4
- Median years until graduation for students whose degrees were conferred by the program: 4.5
- Number of students enrolled in the program: 27
- Number of students no longer enrolled for any reason other than conferral of degree: 0
- Number of completed applications received: 24
- Number of students admitted: 5
- Median graduate GPA of graduate applicants admitted: 3.93
- Median standardized test scores: n/a
Course Requirements
Ph.D. students are required to take one course in each of seven content areas, along with two practicum courses. Students complete and orally defend an empirically based Master's thesis. With approval, empirically-based theses from other graduate programs may meet this requirement. Following competency exams, students propose, conduct, and defend an empirically based dissertation.
Affiliated Programs
The department offers a joint PhD-MPH degree in collaboration with the Master's of Public Health (MPH) program in the Department of Preventive Medicine at the University of Kansas Medical Center. This is the first degree in the nation to combine an MPH with the strengths of advanced study in applied behavioral science. It incorporates efficiencies in the elective and research requirements of both departments.
Faculty and student research teams address issues in community health and development, child and youth health and development, disabilities and independent living, and healthy aging. Separate admission is required for both the department (Ph.D. program) and Preventative Medicine (M.P.H. program).