Program highlights
- Diverse opportunities. Choose from one of four specializations in our Ph.D. program. Our program is designed to cultivate scholars, innovators and leaders in their respective fields.
- A community of inquiry and impact. Join a community of scholar-practitioners who share your passion for understanding and improving the human experience. The BGSU interdisciplinary approach encourages innovation and collaboration across specializations.
- Invaluable learning experiences. Students benefit from our facilities, resources and connections with external leaders in fields like healthcare, education and industry. The BGSU Department of Psychology offers first-hand experience and real-world connections to prepare students for successful careers in psychology.
- Start researching and teaching right away. Most psychology doctoral candidates at BGSU become involved in research – basic and applied – early in their first year of graduate training. Many teaching positions are also available, including teaching assistant, recitation instructor, laboratory instructor or instructor of record for certain undergraduate courses.
- Make a living doing what you love. BGSU students working toward a Ph.D. in psychology receive training and mentorship that opens doors to meaningful, well-paid careers in research, clinical practice, consulting, industry, healthcare, academia, government and public service.
Career opportunities
Graduates with a Ph.D. in psychology are equipped with specialized knowledge, practical skills and informed vision to drive meaningful change in society. No matter which psychology specialty you enter, your work will have great potential for lasting impacts.
- Conduct research that advances our understanding of human behavior.
- Design interventions to better support mental health.
- Work 1:1 with individuals confronting personal crises.
- Provide insight to organizations to create happier workplaces.
BGSU offers three clinical psychology concentrations:
- Child clinical psychology
- Community clinical psychology
- Health psychology
Clinical psychologists assess, diagnose and treat psychological disorders through direct patient care, essential research or policy development. As staunch social justice advocates, they also help marginalized people access essential resources. They often work in hospitals, community organizations, academic settings or in private practice.
Developmental psychologists focus on understanding cognitive, emotional and social development across the lifespan. Graduates often find roles in education, healthcare, research and public policy.
This field of study combines psychology and business insights. It explores workplace behavior, organizational dynamics and human research strategies. The BGSU Industrial and Organizational Psychology graduate program was ranked # 2 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Professionals in this field typically work in consulting firms, large corporations, government agencies and academic institutions. I-O psychologists drive organizational change, optimize performance and create workplaces where people thrive.
Practitioners in this field delve into the mechanisms underlying cognition, emotion and behavior. Graduates land roles in neuroscience research, academia and healthcare. They contribute to advancements in areas such as neurodegenerative disease treatment, cognitive rehabilitation and artificial intelligence.
Career paths
- Clinical psychologist
- Neuropsychologist
- Developmental psychologist
- Industrial-organizational psychologist
- Research psychologist
- Psychology professor
Quick Facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Curriculum
The curriculum in the Ph.D. in psychology program will vary depending on which of the four specializations you pursue. All start with a solid foundation of psychological theories and principles through their coursework. Studying a variety of psychological areas ensures our graduates emerge from the BGSU doctoral program as well-rounded scientist practitioners.
Students earn their master’s degree on their way to their doctorate. BGSU does not offer a general master’s degree in psychology.
Culminating experience
All psychology doctoral students must register for a minimum of 16 hours in Dissertation Research.
Sample courses
- Behavior Pathology
- Theory and Techniques of Therapy
- The Social Environment of Work
- Community Psychology
- Cognitive Development
- Psychobiology
The Ph.D. in psychology program is part of the Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Updated: 02/27/2025 08:29AM