how many years for psychology phd

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How Long Does It Take to Become a Psychologist?

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Emily is a board-certified science editor who has worked with top digital publishing brands like Voices for Biodiversity, Study.com, GoodTherapy, Vox, and Verywell.

• Educational Requirements
• Other Psychology Career Options

In most cases, becoming a psychologist takes somewhere between eight and 12 years of schooling. However, when considering a career in psychology , this timeframe is not always cut-and-dry. The amount of time it takes to complete your college education depends largely on your specialty area and career interests.

If you want to pursue a career in psychology, it is important to be aware of all the educational and training requirements for becoming a licensed psychologist . Take the time to research your options and carefully examine your goals before you decide if this is the right career for you. This information can help.

Educational Requirements to Become a Psychologist

At a minimum, working in this field generally requires that you earn a bachelor's degree in psychology  or a related field such as sociology, education, anthropology, or social work. The next step is to decide if you want to earn a master's or doctorate-level degree.

The reason it's beneficial to make this decision even before beginning undergraduate schooling is that some programs do not offer a master's degree in psychology. In such cases, you will need to enroll in a graduate program after earning your bachelor's degree and then spend four to seven years working on your doctorate.

To become a clinical psychologist, you will need an undergraduate degree (four to five years of college) plus a doctorate degree (four to seven years of graduate school). For this specialty area of psychology , most people will spend between eight to 12 years in higher education.

Of course, there are other career options in psychology that do not require as many years of college. For example, you could become a licensed marriage and family therapist  with a master's degree, which would only require two to three years of graduate study.

If you decide not to pursue a doctorate at this point, start looking at different master's degree programs in psychology or in related fields such as counseling or social work. Learn your options and what each educational path prepares you for in terms of a psychology career.

Bachelor’s Degree

You might want to begin by earning your undergraduate degree in psychology , but some people choose to pursue a degree in a related social science field. While it depends upon the requirements of the individual graduate school you plan to attend, some programs also accept students who have undergraduate degrees in a subject unrelated to psychology or social science.

If you have a degree in a different field and want to become a psychologist, you may need to complete a number of prerequisites before you would be accepted into a graduate program.

Master’s Degree

A master’s degree can be a great way to delve deeper into a specific field of interest . However, a master’s is not always necessary. If you are interested in what is known as a terminal master’s degree in a field such as counseling, social work, or school psychology, you can often enter the workforce immediately after completing your education.

What Is a Terminal Degree?

A terminal degree refers to the highest degree you can achieve in a specific field, which is often a doctoral or graduate degree.

In other cases, you might use your master’s degree as a stepping stone toward a doctorate, or you might choose to forgo a master’s program and go directly into a Ph.D . or Psy.D. program immediately after earning your bachelor’s degree. The path you take depends largely on your career goals and the graduate program offerings at the school you choose to attend.

Doctorate Degree

The length of your doctoral program depends on many factors, including the specialty area you are pursuing as well as whether or not you have already earned a master’s degree. In order to become a licensed psychologist, every state's licensing board requires that you earn either a Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) or a Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology).

As with your master's degree, the doctorate degree you pursue really depends on your career goals. If you are interested in a career in research , a Ph.D. might be the best choice. Ph.D. programs place greater emphasis on research, experimental methods, and training graduates to work as scientists.

If you are more interested in starting a private therapy practice, consider a Psy.D degree . The Psy.D. option tends to be more centered on professional practice and clinical work, preparing graduates to enter careers in mental health.

The American Psychological Association recommends that you enroll in an accredited program. Accreditation provides public notification that an institution or program meets certain standards of quality.

In addition to your doctorate, you will be required to complete a year-long postdoctoral training period before you can be fully licensed to practice in your state.  

Degree Requirements for Other Psychology Roles

Becoming a licensed psychologist working in the field of mental health is certainly not the only career option if you are interested in the field of psychology. Licensing requirements for psychologists vary by state and specialty. Careers in forensic or sports psychology , for example, have differing requirements.

It can be helpful to learn about different degree options and requirements for various careers in psychology. Here are a few to consider. Please note that these represent the minimum educational requirements in these fields. Additionally, job opportunities and pay are generally greater with advanced training.

• Social worker : Bachelor's degree (four to five years of undergraduate school)
• Licensed counselor : Master's degree (two to three years of graduate school)
• Sports psychologist : Master's degree (two to three years of graduate school)
• Industrial-organizational psychologist : Master's degree (two to three years of graduate school)
• School psychologist : Varies by state (generally two to three years of graduate school)
• Forensic psychologist : Master's degree (two to three years of graduate school, ideally with a doctorate degree)
• Criminal psychologist : Master's degree (two to three years of graduate school, ideally with a doctoral degree)
• Clinical psychologist : Doctorate degree (four to seven years of graduate school)
• Health psychologist : Doctorate degree (four to seven years of graduate school)
• Social psychologist : Doctoral degree (five to seven years of graduate school)
• Child psychologist : Doctoral degree (five to seven years of graduate school)

Final Thoughts

Becoming a psychologist requires a substantial commitment of time, but this can be a rewarding career. Before you decide if becoming a psychologist is the right choice for you, consider your goals and resources as well as some of the potential alternatives. There are many different types of mental health professionals.

You might find that being a psychologist is the perfect choice for you, or you may find that an alternative career path is better suited to your needs. For example, you might also consider becoming a psychiatrist , counselor, physical therapist, or enter some other career centered on helping people. There are also a number of types of psychologists and each field has its own educational and training requirements.

Bureau of Labor Statistics. How to become a psychologist .

Tokar S. What is a terminal degree? Southern New Hampshire University.

American Psychological Association. State licensure and certification information for psychologists .

American Psychological Association. Doctoral degrees in psychology: How are they different, or not so different?

American Psychological Association. Why APA accreditation matters .

American Psychological Association. Postdoctoral fellowships .

Dinos S, Tsakopoulou M. Becoming a Psychologist: Is Psychology the Right Career for You?

Kuther TL. The Psychology Major's Handbook .

U.S. Department of Labor. O*NET OnLine .

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

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How Long Does it Take to Get a Ph.D. in Psychology?

An interest in helping people can lead many students to seek a career in psychology. But, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), some psychological careers require the investment in graduate degrees, such as a doctoral degree (Ph.D.). Undergraduates majoring in psychology need to consider how they wish to pursue their career in psychology. Going into graduate school is highly competitive; the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) states that psychology was the sixth most popular doctoral degree program in the country as of the 2009-2010 academic year. Knowing how long, and if one needs a doctorate for a particular niche in psychology is important to know while in undergraduate.

Different Graduate Degrees

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the highest graduate-level degrees in psychology are a Ph.D. in Psychology and a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D). A Ph.D. in Psychology is a research-intensive graduate program.

Most Ph.D. programs last about four to six years. The first few semesters in a Ph.D. program are filled with seminar and research classes. Those classes help a graduate student learn the general field of psychology in small classrooms where communication with fellow students and a professor is crucial. The research classes help train the student on how they must conduct proper research in the field of psychology. The rest of a psychology Ph.D. program is based around research for a dissertation. A dissertation is an original study that a student conducts, writes, and presents and defends in front of faculty. Successfully completing a dissertation earns the student a Ph.D.

A Psy.D., according to the BLS, is similar to a Ph.D., only instead of a dissertation, the student must display their clinical work and examinations as proof of their expertise.

Who Needs Doctoral Degrees?

The BLS states that for psychology careers rooted in research or in the fields of counseling or clinical psychology, a doctorate or Psy.D. degree is needed. Entire psychological graduate programs are often centered on clinical or counseling psychology. In other departments, clinical or counseling psychology may be a concentration, alongside other concentrations like adolescent or developmental psychology. Research work is often found in academia where a graduate student can become a professor who teaches classes to undergraduates and graduates, as well as researches psychological trends.

Clinical psychologists diagnose and treat psychological issues in patients and they may have in-depth knowledge on how the brain, nervous system, and the entire body is affected by psychological issues, like depression.

Counseling psychology is a field where the psychologist communicates with a patient about the patient’s emotional, mental, or behavioral problems and advises them on the best methods to help manage their psychological issues.

Benefits of the Ph.D.

Although it may take 4-6 years to complete, a Ph.D. in Psychology or a Psy.D. can help a student become a top researcher in academic psychology or with private firms that hire researchers. In addition, if the student wants to help patients medically or therapeutically with their mental issues, a Ph.D. or Psy.D. is the necessary degree required. It many consume time, but a doctorate degree is worth it if one wants to help people or learn new ways to help people.

Additional Resource: Graduate School Planning and Information

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How Long Does It Take To Get a PhD in Psychology?

Key Takeaways

• It typically takes between four to seven years for full time students to get a PhD degree in psychology.
• It takes part-time students five to seven years to complete a PhD program in psychology.
• The length of a PhD program varies based on program prerequisites, the type of degree, and whether you attend part or full-time or online or on-campus.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only 1.2% of the population have doctoral degrees. The reason? The daunting length of a PhD degree. However, that does not have to be the case for everyone. A PhD in psychology typically depends on the student’s program, education, and schedule. Knowing more about the process can help you plan your studies and career.

A PhD in psychology can brighten your career prospects and direct you toward higher-paying and rewarding career opportunities. To help you get there, we have done research on how long it takes to get a PhD in psychology.

How long does it take to get a PhD in psychology?

The time it takes to get a doctorate in psychology varies. It depends on factors like the degree type, your education, and your specific program. Typically, these programs last between four to seven years. Let’s explore how long your PhD degree will take according to your degree type.

PhD in Psychology

PhD programs usually take five to seven years  to finish. They often combine research and clinical training, following a scientist-practitioner model.

Moreover, you might need to do an internship or supervised residency alongside classes. The program typically ends with a big research project or dissertation.

PsyD Degree

PsyD programs generally take four to six years to finish. They aim to teach professionals how to use psychological knowledge to help treat people in real-life situations.

According to the American Psychological Association, PsyD programs focus more on applying psychological science through services.

EdD programs typically span three to five years, focusing on psychology, counseling, or counselor education. They integrate education and psychology themes.

Unlike PhD and PsyD applicants, who often start with a bachelor’s degree, many EdD candidates already possess a related psychology master’s degree . This distinction underscores the varied entry points into doctoral studies. Moreover, it reflects the specialized nature of EdD programs in preparing professionals for roles in education and psychology.

What is the duration of a PhD in psychology for part-time students?

You can earn a PhD in psychology while being a part-time student, says the  American Psychology Association . Both full and part-time students have the same program requirements, part-time students might take five to seven years to finish.

Not all schools accept part-time students, so check with your chosen schools first. Doing the required internship might be tough for part-time students. Part-time internships are less available compared to full-time ones.

The Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers offers hundreds of internships, only 17 are for part-time students.

Factors to Consider Before Choosing a PhD Program in Psychology

It’s always good to ensure you don’t sign up for a degree that takes longer than you thought. So, before picking a PhD program in Psychology, consider a few things related to how long it takes, such as:

• Program Rules:  Check what each program needs—like classes, research, and your dissertation. This helps you understand how much time you’ll spend.
• Program Setup:  See if the program is flexible with class schedules and research options that fit what you want to do.
• Teacher Support:  Look into how much help teachers give. Their guidance can make a big difference in how quickly you finish.
• Money Help:  Check if there are ways to get money, like scholarships or assistant jobs. This can ease financial stress and let you focus on studying.
• Research Focus:  Think about what the program likes to study. This can affect how long your degree takes.
• Internship Needs:  Check if the program needs you to do internships. This might change how long you’re in school.
• Success Rates:  Find out how many students finish the program and how long it takes. It gives you an idea of how long you might take.

Which Type of Degree Should You Get?

A doctorate is required to work in certain fields, like licensed clinical or counseling psychology . The American Psychological Association says you often need a doctorate for school psychology or health psychology, too.

While the PhD, PsyD, and EdD are good choices, don’t focus solely on how long they take to finish. Before committing to a doctorate, consider which degree aligns best with your career goals.

Here are some degrees and their objectives to help you understand which program best fits your career preferences.

Conducting Research

A PhD in Psychology is focused on a research-based education model. So, anyone with a PhD in Psychology offers many career choices. For instance, you can go for research, academia, and clinical positions in colleges, government offices, hospitals, and private mental health clinics.

Treating Mental Health Issues

The general focus of a PsyD degree is on a practitioner-based education model. So, individuals who earn a PsyD degree have the choice to teach or conduct research in psychology. Their main job is to offer direct mental health care in applied settings.

Applying Psychology to Help Students

Finally, you can consider a third doctorate option, the EdD or Doctor of Education. This degree is ideal for those interested in school psychology or related educational psychology fields .

Despite the time commitment, obtaining a PhD, PsyD, or EdD can be highly rewarding. According to the  U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , individuals with a doctoral or education specialist degree in clinical, counseling, and school psychology will have the most solid job opportunities.

Can you finish your degree early?

Generally, if your background in psychology is strong and you have finished all of the required prerequisites, you might complete your doctorate sooner. You will be ahead of those who haven’t taken those prerequisite courses.

Planning your degree well also helps you finish the program quickly. So, ensure you have a clear plan for what you want to do with your psychology degree after you’re done. You can teach, research, work with clients, or combine psychology with law or medicine.

If you’re unsure, talk to an advisor at your school. They can guide you, answer your questions, and help you decide what’s best for you.

Student Submitted Questions About PhD’s in Psychology

How hard is it to get a phd in psychology.

Obtaining an accelerated PhD in psychology  demands significant dedication and effort. Graduate students must tackle coursework, pass exams, undergo extensive internships, and conduct experimental dissertation studies. The process entails substantial commitment and perseverance, emphasizing the rigorous nature of doctoral studies in psychology.

Do you need a master’s to get a PhD in psychology?

No, a Master’s degree is not typically required to obtain a PhD in Psychology. Instead, you can apply to universities offering doctoral programs after completing a psychology bachelor’s degree . There are different types of postgraduate degrees in Psychology, such as PhD, PsyD, and EdD, each with its focus and requirements.

How much does a psychologist make?

PhD holders in Psychology can pursue diverse careers in schools, hospitals, and mental health facilities. Examples include Psychologist ($85,330), Counseling and School Psychologist ($ 81,500), and Psychology Professor ($78,810).

Earning a PhD in psychology involves years of study, typically taking three to seven years. If you’re considering a career as a psychologist, research the different program options and the time it takes to complete them.

Regardless of your choice, be prepared for a significant commitment to graduate school to complete your doctorate.

PhD Degree Requirements

This webpage provides a quick overview of the requirements for our PhD program. More detailed information can be found in the Psychology Graduate Guide . This webpage and the Graduate Guide supplement the Psychology PhD requirements defined in the Stanford Bulletin and the policies for all Stanford graduate education as defined in the Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures Handbook . 

The most important component of our PhD program is engaging in scientific research. Students in our PhD program conduct in-depth research in at least one of five areas of study: Affective , Cognitive , Developmental , Neuroscience , or Social Psychology. All students are expected to spend at least half of their time engaged in research. Each quarter, students should register for 8 - 10 research units (PSYCH207: Graduate Research) and take no more than 10 units of coursework.

The sections below outline program requirements regarding coursework and teaching, as well as key milestones towards a PhD degree.

Course Requirements

• Teaching Requirements  
• Key Program Milestones

Core Courses, Statistics/Methods Courses, and Advanced Units must be taken for a letter grade and passed with a grade of B- or higher. Click each requirement to open the relevant sections in the Graduate Guide.  

Professional Seminar 

All incoming students are required to take PSYCH207 in the first quarter (Year 1 Autumn). This is a course taught by the Department Chair with guest lectures from faculty across all areas, and serves to introduce the first-year students to the Department. 

• PSYCH 207: Professional Seminar for First-Year Ph.D Students

As a part of PSYCH 207, first-year students are also expected to meet with their advisor(s) early in the fall quarter of the first year to discuss mentorship expectations. 

Core Courses

Students are required to complete 4 of the following Core Courses by the end of Yr 3.

• PSYCH 202: Cognitive Neuroscience
• PSYCH 205: Foundations of Cognition
• PSYCH 211: Developmental Psychology
• PSYCH 213: Affective Science
• PSYCH 215: Mind, Culture, and Society

Statistics / Methods Courses

Students must complete PSYCH 251 and one additional statistics/methods courses by the end of Year 2. At least one of the two courses must be taken in the first year. 

• PSYCH 251: Experimental Methods (Required) 
• PSYCH 249: Large-Scale Neural Network Modeling for Neuroscience
• PSYCH 252: Statistical Methods for Behavioral and Social Sciences
• PSYCH 253: Measurement and the Study of Change in Social Science Research
• PSYCH 289: Longitudinal Data Analysis in Social Science Research

Some students may wish to take advanced courses in Statistics or CS not listed above; please consult with your advisor and send an inquiry to the Student Services Manager. These requests may be reviewed by the DGS and/or the GPC.

Advanced Units / PhD Minor  

Students must complete 12 units of advanced graduate coursework (“Advanced Units”, or AU), or complete a PhD Minor by the end of Year 4.  

Students and their advisor(s) should discuss the course requirements and create a plan together for completing the Advanced Units. To this end, rising 2nd year students must submit an Advanced Courses Form by the first Monday in October (usually the first Monday of the Fall Quarter) of the 2nd year. 

Terminal Graduate Registration (TGR) Statu s

Students should apply for Terminal Graduate Registration (TGR) status once they have accumulated 135 units of residency and have filed a Dissertation Reading Committee form . Students in TGR status should register for PSYCH 802: TGR Dissertation (0 units) and take no more than 3 units of coursework per quarter. Typically, students transition to TGR in the Winter quarter of 5th year. 

For more information about Course Requirements, consult the Graduate Guide and the Stanford Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures Handbook .

Teaching Requirements

All students serve as teaching assistants for at least 5 Psychology courses during their graduate study, regardless of the source of their financial support. Of these 5 TAships, students must apply for 2 of their TAships to be in one of the two tracks: 

• PSYCH 1 Track (2 quarters of Introduction to Psychology)  
• STATS Track (2 quarters of core statistics/methods course: PSYCH 10, PSYCH 251, PSYCH 252, PSYCH 253).  

Students can review the Department's complete  TA policy  for more details. Questions about TA assignments or TA policy should be directed to the Student Services Manager. 

Program Requirements and Milestones

Year 1: First Year Project (FYP)

At the end of their first year of graduate study, students must submit a written report of their first-year research activities, called the First Year Project (FYP) by June 1 The FYP is submitted to their advisor, second FYP reader (another faculty), and the students’ services manager. Students are also expected to present the results of their FYP in their area seminar. 

Year 2: Admission to Candidacy

In our department, a student’s application for candidacy must be filed as soon as all requirements for Year 1 and Year 2 are completed (and by the end of the 2nd year). The decision to advance a student to candidacy is made based on a holistic assessment of the student’s progress in the program. For more information, please refer to the Graduate Guide, section on Admission to Candidacy. 

Conferral of a masters degree: Graduate students in the Department of Psychology who have completed (a) the first-year and second-year course requirements and (b) at least 45 units of Psychology courses may apply for a conferral of the MA degree.

Master of Arts Degree in Psychology (Optional)

Graduate students in the Department of Psychology who have completed (a) the first-year and second-year course requirements and (b) at least 45 units of Psychology courses may apply for conferral of the MA degree. The application should be reviewed with the Student Services Manager. The  application process  typically occurs in 2nd or 3rd year.

Year 3: Research Plan and Dissertation Reading Committee   

Students in Year 3 are expected to:

(1) Form a dissertation reading committee (due Feb 1): The research committee includes the dissertation advisor and at least 2 additional faculty members, for a total of 3 members, at least two of whom should have primary appointments in the Psychology Department. 

(2) Schedule and hold the 3rd Year Committee Meeting to take place in Winter or Spring quarter (before June 1), and submit a research plan to their committee 2 weeks before the meeting

(3) After the committee meeting, submit the Research Plan to the Student Services Manager and report the meeting date using the Committee Meeting Google Form .

Year 4: Area Review and Research Roadmap (ARRR) and Committee Meeting

Students in Year 4 are expected to:

(1) Schedule and hold the 4th Year Committee Meeting in the Winter quarter and submit an Area Review & Research Roadmap (ARRR) to the committee two weeks before the meeting.

(2) After the committee meeting, submit the ARRR to the Student Services Manager and report the meeting date using the Committee Meeting Google Form . 

Final Year: Oral Examination and Dissertation  

Students in Year 3 and above are expected to hold a committee meeting every year. In their final year, students must form their Oral Examination Committee including identifying an external chair. Students must submit the Oral Exam Form to the Student Services Manager at least 2 weeks before the anticipated defense and follow the standard Department protocol for reserving a room for their defense.

Individual Development Plan

Every year, each graduate student completes an Individual Development Plan (IDP) and has a meeting with their advisor to discuss the IDP and set an Action Plan for the coming year. The goal of the IDP is for the student to step back from their daily tasks, reflect on the larger picture, discuss these topics with their mentor, and make an action plan for achieving their goals going forward. The IDP meeting must occur by June 1 each year. 

The IDP process has 4 steps:

1. Student completeness the IDP Self-Reflection form  

2. Student prepares the IDP Meeting and Action Plan form and schedules a one-on-one meeting with the advisor. 

3. Student and Advisor(s) complete the Action Plan (pages 3-4 of the IDP Meeting and Action Plan form ). 

4. Student submits the IDP Meeting Google Form to report the meeting to the Student Services.

Students can also use the IDP meeting to discuss mentorship expectations and schedule additional meetings if further conversations are needed. Note that first-year students must schedule a separate meeting with their advisors to discuss Mentorship Expectation as a part of their ProSem requirement

Graduation Quarter

Registration for Graduation Quarter is required for the term in which a student submits a dissertation or has a degree conferred. Please consult the Registrar's Academic Calendar for the quarterly deadlines for submitting dissertations; they are strict, and missing the deadline can have serious funding implications. For more information, please refer to the Graduate Guide and Registrar's Office website .

PhD Program Timeline At-A-Glance

• FYP Proposal and name of 2nd reader due to Student Services

End of Fall Quarter 

• Complete the mentorship expectations meeting with advisor
• FYP due to Student Services, advisor, and 2nd reader

Summer of 1st Year

• Meet and receive feedback from advisor and 2nd reader
• Submit  Advanced Units coursework form  to Student Services

June 1  

• IDP Meeting Due

By the end of 2nd Year

• Submit  Candidacy Form  to Student Services
• Submit  Doctoral Dissertation Reading Committee form  to Student Services
• Schedule 3rd Year Committee Meeting
• Hold Committee Meeting (Research Plan to committee 2 weeks before meeting), and report meeting to Student Services; IDP Meeting
• Schedule 4th Year Committee Meeting
• Submit ARRR to the committee two weeks before the meeting
• Hold Committee Meeting
• Report meeting to Student Services
• IDP Meeting

2 weeks before Defense: 

• Submit the  Oral Exam form  to Student Services

End of Spring Quarter: 

• Oral Examination
• Submit Dissertation 
• Schedule and hold a 5th Year Committee Meeting 

How Long Does It Take To Get a PhD in Psychology?

Find your degree

On average, earning a Doctor of Philosophy or Ph.D. in any field takes about eight years. That’s twice what it takes to earn a bachelor’s degree. But that doesn’t mean a doctorate degree takes everyone that long. Many factors contribute to the time it takes someone to earn a doctoral degree. Such factors include the field you choose, areas of specialization, transfer credits, or even career and family obligations. 

Many colleges and universities also offer flexible learning options. Students can tailor these psychology programs based on their needs and goals. This can also affect the time it takes to earn your doctorate degree. Additionally, online accelerated degree options are available. These remote programs help you to graduate sooner, even taking years off your projected time for graduation.

On the other hand, some online schools offer part-time programs that can be completed at a slower pace . Many students have demanding schedules and outside obligations. These flexible doctorate degree programs can help them stretch their time more efficiently. 

The circumstances for every student are different. So it is hard to offer a perfect answer to the question, “‘How long does is a PhD in psychology?” Some students take eight to ten years to earn a doctorate degree. For others, it can take significantly less. It all boils down to the decisions you make concerning your education. 

See also: 30 Best Online Ph.D. in Psychology

Table of Contents

How Long Does a Ph.D. in Psychology Take?

Like most doctorate degrees, the time it will take to earn a Ph.D. in psychology can differ dramatically among scholars. This article will discuss the requirements for getting your doctorate degree in psychology. But we’ll also cover projected time frames for certain specializations and programs. After reading, you’ll have a better idea of how much time it might take to earn your Ph.D. in psychology.

Educational Requirements for Earning Psychology Ph.D. Degrees 

The first thing you must do before pursuing your Ph.D. in Psychology is to complete your undergraduate education. This can be either a BA or BS in psychology or a related social science field. Students who attend traditional bachelor’s in psychology programs typically graduate in four years. However, like earning a Ph.D., the time for completion can vary widely. For example, it could take as long as six years for students who choose a part-time degree track. 

Additionally, more schools than ever are offering online bachelor in psychology programs . These programs are highly flexible, allowing students to go at their own pace. If a student needs to take longer than four years and attend part-time, there are numerous programs to accommodate those needs. Of course, with online programs, students can also do the opposite and earn a degree much quicker. 

For example, accelerated online courses condense the usual 16-week classes down to eight weeks. As a result, a fast-track program is likely to be extremely rigorous because you’re covering the same material at twice the pace. In addition, these programs continue through the calendar year instead of being divided into semesters. However, in some cases, accelerated programs allow students to earn their bachelor’s in as little as a year!

Do You Need a Master’s Degree To Get Into a Ph.D. Psychology Program?

Not necessarily. While some schools require students to complete their master’s degree before enrolling in a doctoral program, many do not. A lot of students are surprised to learn they can apply for a Ph.D. in psychology program with just a bachelor’s degree. However, these dual-degree programs are common. They are structured so you will earn enough credits to simultaneously get a master’s and doctoral degree . This type of program can save you money and time since the credits you earn are counted toward two degrees. Of course, earning a master’s degree in psychology first is also an option, depending on your goals.

Does Your Bachelor’s Degree Need To Be in Psychology To Pursue a Doctorate Degree in the Field?

Although it can be helpful to hold a bachelor’s degree (or even a master’s degree) in psychology to pursue your doctorate degree, it’s not always a requirement. Plenty of students pursue a doctoral degree even if their bachelor’s degree or master’s degree is not in psychology. However, depending on your degree, you will likely need to take some prerequisite courses in psychology. These are usually completed before starting your Ph.D. coursework. 

P.h.D, Psy.D, or Ed.D.—What’s The Difference?

The amount of time it takes to earn your doctorate degree in psychology also depends on the field you want to pursue after graduation. While we’re primarily discussing a Ph.D. in Psychology, other options exist. For example, you may wish to pursue an Ed. D. or a Psy.D. instead. How do these doctoral degrees differ? And how long does it take for each of them?

Ph.D. in Psychology

Credits Needed: 90 to 120 credit hours

It takes five to seven years to complete a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Psychology. Research is the focus of the coursework for a Ph.D. program. Students can expect classes in areas like statistics and research methods. These programs usually include at least one year-long internship. And most programs culminate with a dissertation or original research project. Ph.D. in psychology graduates often pursue psychology careers in academia or research-focused positions. 

Possible Careers with a Ph.D. in Psychology: 

• Program Director
• Psychology Professor
• Administrator

EdD in Psychology

Credits Needed: 54 to 64 credit hours

The Doctor of Education (EdD in Psychology) is also an option for those pursuing a psychology career. This degree qualifies graduates for roles in education. For example, if you wanted to pursue a career in school psychology, you might choose the EdD option. EdD programs usually take between three to five years. However, there is one important distinction with an EdD. For many programs, you must first obtain your master’s degree to be considered. An EdD degree in psychology is closely related to an education specialist degree.

Possible Careers with an EdD in Psychology:

• School Principal
• Curriculum & Instruction Specialist
• School Psychologist
• Educational Technology Specialist
• Educational Psychologist

You may also like: Top 20 Online Colleges with the Best PhD in Education or EdD

Psy.D. Degree

Credits Needed: 70 to 114 credit hours

A Psy.D. degree is a terminal degree similar to a Ph.D. However, most Psy.D. programs are practice-focused instead of research-based. Psy.D. programs are for those seeking careers providing psychological services or who would like to open private mental health practices. It takes four to six years to earn a Psy.D. degree. Students in a Psy.D. degree program acquire the skills and training needed to be practitioners in the field. With most Psy.D. programs, a dissertation or thesis is required. 

Possible Careers with a Psy.D. Degree:

• Psychotherapist
• Organizational psychologist
• Private Practice Psychologist
• Forensic Psychologist
• Clinical Psychology Professor

See also: PsyD vs PhD: What Is The Difference?

Can You Get Financial Aid To Purse a Ph.D. Psychology Degree?

Students who pursue research-based Ph.D. degrees can usually qualify for funding. This often includes research and teaching internships. Grants for Doctor of Philosophy programs are the most plentiful. 

However, there are still lots of opportunities for financial aid, no matter which educational path you choose. Assistance may include tuition tax credits, grants, and other awards. Some possible sources to help you fund your doctorate degree in psychology degree include:

Your College or University

Most colleges offer some scholarship opportunities, especially for new students. Amounts will vary and may be based on merit, financial need, and other factors. 

The Federal Government

The Federal Government has many sources of funding for education. Those applicable to PhD programs in psychology include:

• NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program
• NIH National Research Service Awards Grants and Fellowships
• The National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship
• Tac Deductions and Tax Credits

Psychological Organizations in Your State

Most state psychological associations offer grants and scholarships to help graduate students. Usually, you need to be a member to be eligible. Amounts and requirements vary by organization. 

The American Psychological Association Scholarships

The APA sponsors several scholarships, grants, and awards ranging from $1,000 and $5,000. They also have a Minority Fellowship Program. This program provides financial support to students studying ethnic minority behavioral health.

The American Psychological Association of Graduate Students (APAGS) 

APAGS is the student branch of the APA. They offer several grants, scholarships, and awards. These can be based on merit, independent research, leadership experience, and more. 

The American Psychological Foundation

The APF provides several fellowships, dissertation awards, grants, and scholarships. They range from $ 300 to $25,000 with varying requirements.

Psi Chi is the international honor society for psychology. Each year, the organization sponsors several grants and competitions. These are designed to help fund education for graduate students.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Ph.D. in Psychology With a Concentration?

Concentrations are also called specializations or areas of emphasis. They are subfields within a degree field. They allow students to get more specialized training in an area of interest. There are many such specializations in Ph.D. programs. Does it mean your program will take longer than the average five to seven years to complete?

Not necessarily. Concentrations may require you to take a few more courses, and you may earn extra credits. But they usually won’t lengthen the time it takes to earn your degree by a significant amount.

Doctoral students can pursue several areas of emphasis, depending on what the school offers. Common specializations include:

• Behavioral Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Sports Psychology
• Quantitative and Measurement Psychology
• Child Psychology
• Industrial-Organizational Psychology
• Forensic Psychology 

W hy Does It Take So Long To Get a Ph.D. in Psychology?

In years past, it was common to work on a terminal degree for about five years. Today’s students, however, can expect to study for up to eight years to earn their Ph.D. Modern scholars have more demands on them than ever. Often, doctoral students attend class while working full-time and raising a family.

In the first two to three years, students in a doctoral program will usually take required courses. Classes with a strong emphasis on research can be very time-consuming. Often, students are also working as research or teaching assistants. Additionally, Ph.D. programs often require residencies and internships. Many of these experiences are in clinical practice.

After completing the required coursework and electives for the graduate program, it’s on to the next phase. This is when doctoral students must pass an exhaustive exam. This ensures they have mastered the academic criteria. Studying for and taking this examination can take several months. 

Finally, Ph.D. students move on to the research and dissertation part of the program. Depending on the area of emphasis, this phase can take up to three years. Additionally, doctoral students are usually expected to have their work published in journals as part of the Ph.D. process.

Does It Take Less Time To Get an Online Ph.D. In Psychology?

When considering the question, “how long does it take to get a doctorate in psychology?” many people forget about remote programs. Online Ph.D. in Psychology programs are typically identical to those taught on campus. Therefore, they will have similar requirements in terms of coursework, exams, and dissertations. However, although students may still need to practice in clinical settings, they tend to be more flexible.

Many schools offer accelerated doctorate degree programs. Depending on the circumstances, you might be able to graduate faster than fellow students taking the on-campus version of the program. For example, a few online Ph.D. programs offer a cohort model. All students start at the same time and complete the program as a group. 

Other programs are presented in an asynchronous format. This format allows students to enroll anytime and go at their own pace. With asynchronous courses, students can proceed through the learning materials as quickly as they like. This may allow them to complete their doctoral degrees sooner. 

The primary benefit of an online asynchronous program is flexibility. Students have greater control over their time. If you have the time and ability to study at a rapid pace, you can reduce the time it takes to get your Ph.D. in psychology.

However, most students have ongoing work and family obligations. These commitments can prevent them from attending college full-time. How long will it take to earn a Ph.D. in psychology for part-time students? This depends on the time it takes to master the materials before moving on to the next phase of a program. 

You may also like Top Online Ph.D. Programs in Psychology

Final Thoughts on the Time It Takes To Earn a Ph.D. in Psychology

Whether it takes five years or an entire decade, earning a Ph.D. in Psychology is an incredible achievement. Additionally, admission to doctoral psychology programs is highly competitive. So being chosen as a candidate is also quite an accomplishment. It demonstrates you have the academic potential to succeed. 

These programs are rigorous and require a great deal of time and commitment. However, those who earn a doctoral degree will be prepared to practice psychology in advanced (and higher-paying) roles in the field.

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How Long Does It Take to Become a Psychologist?

Most people when asked to picture a psychologist probably conjure the image of a person sitting in a chair, taking notes and asking questions like “How does that make you feel” while their client lies on a couch describing their issues in life. To be sure, that’s one possible scenario for professional psychologists, but it’s far from the only potential daily work situation.

That’s because psychologists can work in a huge range of settings, including within medical facilities, in academia, for private companies — even for the military. And their jobs don’t always involve working one-on-one to help people manage their emotional and behavioral problems.

But regardless of the final destination, most everyone who becomes a psychologist follows a pretty standard path of education, professional training and state licensing. How long does it take to travel that path and become a psychologist? So how many years is a doctorate degree in psychology? What does it take for a psychology degree? The short answer is it depends on your own interests and the educational institutions from which you seek your degrees. And here’s the long answer:

What’s On This Page

Bachelor’s degree: 4-5 years, master’s degree: 2-3 years, doctoral degree: 4-7 years, internships & licensing: 1-2 years, online study: 4-7 years.

The first step to becoming a psychologist is earning a bachelor’s degree. Well, really, it’s graduating from high school, but we assume those who are interested in becoming psychologists are academically motivated, so high school should be a breeze.

While it’s true that most bachelor’s degrees are theoretically designed to be completed in four years, the average undergrad today finishes their degree in closer to five years, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.

Students may consider pursuing an undergraduate degree in psychology or a related field, but other applicable majors or areas of concentration for a bachelor’s degree includes education, social work, biology, sociology, or even English.

In addition to which major is the right one, students also may find themselves at a crossroads when selecting the degree type, whether a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science. B.A. degrees tend to be broader and based on a liberal arts-style education, while B.S. degrees generally place more focus on science and mathematics. Which option is right may depend on the type of doctoral degree the future psychologist wishes to pursue, though at the undergraduate level, it’s probably best to choose the path that fits you best rather than worrying too much about your eventual doctoral training.

SEE ALSO: How to Get a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology

Remember that the path to becoming a psychologist will extend far beyond you work as an undergraduate college student, so it’s important to take classes that give you exposure to a broad range of topics that could include things like:

• Communications
• Mathematics
• Research Methods
• Behavioral Science
• Anthropology

For most prospective psychologists, the next step after their bachelor’s degree is to earn a master’s degree, though some graduate schools do offer programs that allow students to bypass this step. Still, the majority of students will make a stop in graduate school to earn a master’s degree.

Depending on their area of practice and individual state licensing regulations, some psychologists may be able to seek licensure after completing their master’s, though that’s not the norm for most. School psychologists , for instance, may be able to seek licensure directly after finishing their master’s, but most clinical psychologists will need to obtain a doctorate first.

Either way, at the master’s level, most students will be able to further narrow down their area of focus and tailor their graduate degree to their psychology career goals . In addition to being able to select between a Master of Arts or Master of Science, depending on the educational institution, students could choose to focus on one of a handful of areas of psychology, including child development, clinical psychology or forensic psychology .

SEE ALSO:  How to Get a Masters in Psychology

For those who intend to continue onto a doctorate, it is helpful to consider possible PhD or PsyD program destinations first before deciding on their master’s focus, or even whether they need to get a master’s at all. It also may not be necessary to choose a psychology focus for your master’s degree, as degrees in social work, education, sociology or counseling could help you earn acceptance into a doctoral program, too.

Students who are able to attend full-time will, of course, finish their degrees more quickly than those who need to work or manage family obligations while they go to school. But a typical master’s degree will take just a couple of years to complete.

For most people who wish to work as a clinical psychologist , child psychologist or counseling psychologist , their final formal educational step will be earning a doctoral degree, though even here, there is no single path. That’s because there are two-degree types — a PhD in Psychology (PhD) or a Doctor of Psychology ( PsyD ) — that are both psychology doctorates.

The primary difference between the two types of degrees is the nature of the educational programs. A PhD will focus more heavily on research methods, while a PsyD will lean more toward the clinical applications of psychology, though, again, both qualify a person to sit for licensing exams.

SEE ALSO: PsyD vs PhD

But there’s another crucial difference between the two degrees — a PsyD program generally will be shorter and, therefore, faster to complete than a PhD. Depending on the educational institution, PsyD students may be able to bypass the dissertation requirement, which can help them complete their doctorates in as little as four years. For most PhD students, that will be closer to seven years, with many educational institutions setting maximum time limits for PhD candidates to complete their training. In general, the heavy research focus of the PhD program adds at least a year when compared to the PsyD.

A few students may choose to seek a third type of doctorate that could potentially qualify them to work in psychology — the Doctor of Education, or EdD. This degree is less common, but it may be the preferred degree for those who wish to work in psychology within educational settings, but for those who wish to work as clinical psychologists , one of the two psychology doctorates would probably be more appropriate.

Depending on the educational institution, a prospective psychologist may need to complete an internship as part of their doctoral degree, and in most states, psychologists must complete an internship before they can apply for state licensure. The number of hours varies by state and accrediting organizations, but they are typically between nine months and a year.

Also, in most states, legally claiming the title “psychologist” requires sitting for a licensure exam and completing a certain number of hours of supervised work. Most professional psychologists must pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology, and some states have additional state-level exams that you must pass.

For the typical psychologist, this process will take a couple of years, though some states require professional psychologists to complete continuing education classes to maintain their licensing.

Long before the COVID-19 pandemic made face-to-face instruction difficult, many PsyD- granting institutions incorporated online learning into their programs, including some that are done entirely online.

While this isn’t the norm for most PsyD programs, in many cases, bachelor’s and master’s degrees can be earned online, and many students find this makes them better able to fit education into their lives instead of the other way around. And, as mentioned, there are several PsyD programs that can be completed mostly or entirely online.

SEE ALSO:   Best Online PsyD Programs for 2020

Here’s a look at a few online PsyD programs:

• *Capella University Review
• *Chicago School of Professional Psychology Psy.D. Program Review
• *Walden University Review
• Ashford University Review
• California Southern Review
• Alliant International University Review

Before considering whether online education is right for you in your journey to becoming a psychologist, be sure that all educational programs will enable you to complete the steps to earning a license. All state rules are different, so consult the laws and regulations in the state where you intend to practice.

SEE ALSO: Best Online PhD in Psychology Programs for 2020

Adding up all the steps, we can see that a person just beginning their journey to becoming a psychologist has anywhere from 11 to 17 years of education, training and licensing ahead of them before they can begin practicing professionally a psychologist. That may seem daunting, particularly for those whose journeys will be closer to 17 years than 11, but given the nature of the work, a long, aggressive educational path is understandable. After all, a typical clinical psychologist is trusted with their clients’ deepest fears and anxieties.

But for those who are committed to helping others, this educational journey will be an exciting challenge they’re eager to tackle.

• National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, Time to Degree – 2016. (2016.) Retrieved from https://nscresearchcenter.org/signaturereport11/.
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Psychologists. (2019.) Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm#tab-4
• Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards, ASPPB PSY Book: Psychology Licensing Requirements. (Undated.) Retrieved from http://psybook.asppb.org/
• Average Clinical Psychologist Salary by State. (2019). Retrieved from  https://psydprograms.org/average-clinical-psychologist-salary-by-state/

9 Ways to Overcome Adversity

Resilience is a lie. steel bounces back. people cannot. they must adapt to a changed reality. start by finding a role model, then consider eight other takeaways from the latest neuroscience research..

By Hara Estroff Marano published November 5, 2024 - last reviewed on November 5, 2024

Of the many distinctions that have accompanied the career of psychiatrist Dennis Charney, longtime researcher of depression and PTSD , shepherd of ketamine , dean of New York’s Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, and president of its medical center, 15 came completely unannounced. On the morning of August 29, 2016, in the parking lot of a suburban deli where he had stopped to get a buttered bagel and an iced coffee for the hour-long drive to work, a scientist the medical center had dismissed seven years earlier for research data fraud pumped 15 shots into Charney’s chest, puncturing a lung, breaking a rib, endangering his liver, but missing his heart.

The blast put Charney in the ICU for a week and pitched him into a most singular experiment, a test of the through theme of all his life’s work—how well could a person recover the ability to function after a shattering experience? With a colleague, Charney had written a book on the topic— Resilience : The Science of Mastering Life’s Greatest Challenges . Then he was called on to live it.

From the research and experience of Charney and others, there is a growing consensus on what it takes to survive the major and minor insults life throws our way, whether a childhood of racial discrimination or poverty and deprivation, an intimate betrayal, a crippling accident, an earthquake, the death of a comrade in your arms, or a direct assault on your life. All have the capacity to overwhelm the system, to stress it to the breaking point, to shatter the sense of safety that allows mind and body to flourish, to destabilize the neural circuitry powering everyday life—affecting what we notice and pay attention to, the degree of control we have over thoughts and feelings and fears, our sense of self, our ability to maintain inner calm.

All have the capacity to put people on a path to disorders of mind and body. Or not. All also have the power to force us to redraw our relationship to ourselves and to life and to make us feel stronger than before.

Resilience, from the Latin re and salire , literally means to jump back . To bounce back. It is the prevailing vision of how people overcome adversity. But it is, on the face of it, a lie. Steel bounces back; it returns to its previous form after a perturbation. People do not, cannot. People are invariably changed by experience. At the very least, neural connections are ruptured, rearranging lines of communication between control centers in the brain. People must redress the altered ways they are typically pushed to think and feel and behave so that they can continue to function, to be able to live in the new realities of their habitat—that is, after accepting those realities.

What they go back to, if they are lucky, is a state of equilibrium, but it is a different one from before. At its core, resilience is the capacity to adapt, to update ourselves, to adjust to new conditions after an unexpected and almost invariably unwanted experience has disrupted our old moorings. It is a necessary capacity for setting up the human tent in an unrelentingly dynamic and often unpredictable world. “It doesn’t mean that people don’t have symptoms or problems,” says Charney, “ but they get through it. And in many cases they thrive.”

We enter the world with a certain capacity for resilience. Our neurons are designed for adapting, their ability to connect to one another and the strength of those connections responsive to experience, to training and practice, at least up to a point. The tricky part is maintaining cognitive functioning in the face of emotional overarousal brought on by the upset of adversity. After all, we need our cognitive faculties for figuring out how to navigate the altered conditions of life, although the jolt of adversity tends to override them through an alarm circuit thrown into threat-detection overdrive—what researchers see on brain scans as signals from a hypervigilant salience network swamping a central executive network.

The problem with resilience, though, is that it sounds suspiciously like a tidy package of inspirational traits you either have or you don’t. And in the wake of a disaster, it’s easy to feel you don’t. It’s taken researchers decades to figure out that getting beyond adversity is a process, a very active one, sometimes a very messy one.

Still, a shake-up in thinking is occurring: While it’s necessary to process the upheaval of adversity when it occurs, it is possible to have resilience all along, so as to be able to manage serious disruption when it strikes. Because it almost certainly will. Early exposure to challenge reduces hyperactivity of the stress-response system so that there is less upheaval to contend with and less perception of calamity.

There’s no one magic capacity of resilience; it takes deploying an array of them and switching among them as needed, to reset multiple systems of body and brain. In the ICU, Charney clung to a Bruce Springsteen anthem, “Tougher Than the Rest.” Inspired by its title, he recalls, “I kept saying to myself, ‘I’m going to be tougher than the rest in how I recover.’ And believe it or not, just repeating that to myself was very helpful.”

No question, getting through adversity is typically a struggle. It’s one you have to be willing to engage in, believing that you can get to the other side. What follows are nine strategies of resilience that, research shows, can help pull a person through.

1. Find a role model

It’s always reassuring to know that someone else has experienced the same challenge you have; it mitigates the sense of alienation that difficulties create. It’s even more helpful to know that they got through it—and how.

Whether it’s people in the flesh, subjects of biographies, or fictional characters, role models provide tangible proof that it’s possible to get through adversity and the inspiration to do so. It’s an axiom of human psychology that we rarely attempt what we don’t believe we can do.

What’s more, role models serve as instruction manuals in how to do what needs to be done. Social transfer of information is not just the most indelible form of learning, it’s the oldest form. Our brains are wired for it. A neural circuit known as the social behavior network, connecting six major nuclei in the brain, including parts of the amygdala and hypothalamus, makes us exquisitely sensitive to the behavior of others and facilitates the processing of social information.

Personal contact is not even necessary for absorbing the wisdom of role models: Simply having a mental representation of someone who’s survived a major blow allows us to imagine what they would be doing if they were in our shoes, providing material for emulation. The process goes beyond copycat coping—in the doing one learns skills for handling future challenges and rules of behavior that can be applied to them.

Role models are extremely important because they provide a road map of how to overcome what you’re facing, Charney says. He believes that’s the best place to start in becoming resilient. Where to find role models? They’re hiding everywhere; if asked, most people recall having endured some adversity.

2. Seek—and give—social support

Because the human system is built for social connection, individuals deteriorate mentally and physically in its absence. A partial catalog of the ways positive social connection promotes well-being would acknowledge that it’s one of the most powerful human motivators—it shores up self-esteem, it bolsters immunity, it lowers blood pressure and helps the heart.

Not least, it also calms the nervous system. Social connection prompts the release of oxytocin , a hormone known to curb reactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA), the key orchestrator of the body’s response to threat, and of the amygdala, minimizing reactivity to stress- inducing signals. Deliberately seeking the assistance and comfort of others reduces negative feelings and helps stabilize emotions.

But here’s the twist. Giving social support to others is at least as important as getting it. Social connection is a two-way proposition, and both parties benefit from a social interaction. Being the support for others adds several distinct dimensions of well-being; acts of giving activate networks of reward in the brain. They provide a sense of purpose. They increase self-efficacy and confidence . Not to mention that helping others takes your mind off your own discomfort.

3. Face your fears

Avoidance is a distinguishing feature of anxiety disorders; unfortunately, avoiding situations related to a distressing experience prevents recovery. It’s a form of defeat: What you do and especially what you don’t do is controlled by fear of threats signaled by the alarmist amygdala. Acts of avoidance actually magnify the fear and fog the brain, keeping it from learning to distinguish past threat from present threat. With the brain’s frontal lobes taken offline by high levels of norepinephrine, the capacity to rationally assess situations and figure out a way to adapt and move forward is inhibited.

Directly confronting fears in a safe environment as quickly as possible after a disruptive experience reduces the consolidation of fear-etched memories and helps extinguish already consolidated ones. It also bolsters the ability of the prefrontal cortex to quiet the amygdala.

Techniques to manage fear, like deep breathing, help. So do exposure therapy and cognitive processing therapy. A short-term treatment often used for those with PTSD and for victims of violence and natural disasters, cognitive processing therapy helps people modify the maladaptive thoughts related to their traumatic experience. Exposure therapy involves repeatedly facing direct reminders of such an experience.

4. Do difficult things

Deliberate exposure to increasingly challenging situations in childhood—and likely to some extent in adulthood—builds physical and psychological stress tolerance. Exposure to moderately difficult circumstances, studies show, alters the HPA axis, dampening subsequent HPA reactivity, reducing both the hormones that put the system in alarm mode and the duration of their effect. It softens the perception of being overwhelmed. And it allows people opportunities not merely to develop an array of coping skills but to acquire confidence in their ability to make it through. Individuals change during the process of coping with stressors, researchers find. The change results from activation of dynamic mechanisms of cognitive processing, not by becoming insensitive to stressors.

Ironically, the idea of exposing children to increasing levels of difficulty directly contradicts contemporary parenting practices, although it protects them far more and for far longer than most present-day efforts to keep them safe. Knowing the facts, Charney was committed to taking his children, as teenagers, outside their comfort zone. “I worried that if my kids had it too easy, they wouldn’t be resilient.” He took them on “adventure trips that were semi dangerous, that pushed the envelope a bit.” He recalls fondly one such occasion, when a thunderstorm struck and “some wildlife” appeared; one of his daughters looked him straight in the eye and declared, “I despise you.”

Research shows that the mental protection such experiences confer generalizes to all kinds of challenges of all degrees of intensity, creating a kind of global resilience. Stress inoculation stimulates active coping. And it accelerates the extinction of fear memories stamped into neural circuits by heightened levels of norepinephrine from the amygdala during the original perturbation. In doing so, it is akin to one of the most effective treatments in the psychotherapeutic universe—exposure therapy for anxiety. What researchers don’t yet know is whether there is an optimal time window, such as adolescence , for stress inoculation.

5. Loosen your grip on yourself

Toughness is one way to resilience. There is another way, what University of Wisconsin neuroscientist Richard Davidson calls the “quiet path”: instead of subduing distress, building the skills of well-being, making friends with one’s mind through “befriend strategies.” Then, when adversity strikes, as it surely will, recovery is fast. That’s important, Davidson says, because speed of recovery protects against the entrenchment of anxiety and neuroticism . It also attenuates cortisol outpouring, amygdala overarousal, the disruption of neural circuits, and other biological consequences of an acute jolt.

Decades ago, after exploring why some people are vulnerable to anxiety and depression in the wake of adverse experiences, Davidson shifted his focus toward human flourishing. He identifies four major elements of resilience—two that are cited by almost everyone else: connection to others and a sense of purpose. But two others are unique to his perspective—awareness and insight. All four compose what he calls the “pillars of well-being,” and they can be cultivated. “Our brains are constantly changing, shaped by the forces around us,” Davidson says, “but we typically have little awareness of what those forces are and little control over them. We can actually take more responsibility for our own brain by transforming our minds.”

He has spent decades demonstrating that an effective way to cultivate those capacities of mind is through meditation, actually a variety of contemplative practices, including mindfulness meditation . Even five minutes a day for a month is enough to start affecting experience. Underneath are changes in the brain’s neural circuitry and gene expression, altering the function of brain cells.

Awareness, Davidson’s first pillar, is the capacity to focus attention to resist distraction. It also includes meta-awareness, knowing what our minds are up to. It starts with acceptance of what is present and deepening awareness of it, which briefly intensifies the experience of pain, only to accelerate recovery.

Davidson describes insight as curiosity-driven knowledge of the self—“the entity we’ve created that we call ‘me’ or ‘I’”—and it liberates people from the negative self-talk that, for many, is the architect of defeat and depression. Having a resilient mind isn’t so much about changing the self-narrative as it is changing one’s relationship to it, seeing it for what it is—not rock-solid truth but a bunch of thoughts.

The power of insight, especially developed through mindfulness meditation, is visible in MRI scans: The self-referential default mode network unhooks from other parts of the brain it can dominate with its negativity. It limits rumination over past and potential threats and the damage it can wreak. Says Davidson: “People stop holding onto a ‘me’ or an ‘I.’”

Everyone knows that physical activity is good for the body. It is at least as good for the brain, and it is almost perfectly designed to nurture resilience. It lowers vulnerability to stress by dampening HPA reactivity. Exercise is itself a stressor, prompting release of cortisol. Courtesy of negative feedback loops in the HPA, the more cortisol released by exercise, the less released by psychosocial stress.

But that’s just the start of it. Activity also begets neuroplasticity, by stimulating release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. It builds white and gray matter in key parts of the brain. It bolsters short- and long-term memory , not only facilitating cognitive performance but shielding against damage. It counters inflammation and speeds nutrients to the brain.

How much physical activity? No one can say for sure. Any is better than none. A moderate amount is better still. But bouts of vigorous exercise may be best of all, done regularly.

Walking works. So does running and bicycling. But if you really want resilience, turn up the music and dance.

7. Search for meaning

“In some ways, suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning,” Viktor Frankl wrote in Man’s Search for Meaning . It’s not circumstances that make life unbearable but only lack of a sense of purpose.

Having a sense of purpose, and adhering to values that support it, provides the structure of something positive—and serves as proof that some part of you isn’t damaged by adversity. Purpose pulls people forward; it’s a motivational force that operates even—perhaps especially—in the face of difficulties. And while it is generally relegated to the spiritual domain, it has biological consequences.

Whether one finds it through religion or oneself, people’s sense of purpose is woven into their self-narrative, which influences the critical activity of the brain’s default mode network. By keeping people focused on what matters, a sense of meaning and purpose curbs the repetitive negative thinking that fuels psychological distress.

Its contribution to resilience doesn’t stop there. Having a sense of purpose in life also has demonstrable effects on the immune system. It is associated with reduced levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 6—a substance known to trigger the HPA axis. It builds cognitive reserves, holding a line against dementia .

Spoiler alert: Searching for meaning takes cognitive work. But benefit-finding after a traumatic experience transforms that experience. The ability to do that relies on another resilience factor, cognitive flexibility.

8. Flip your mind

At the heart of adapting is the readiness with which a person can selectively switch between mental processes to generate behavioral responses that meet the demands of a situation. Understanding any situation—assessing what’s needed, and deciding on and deploying workable strategies—rests with the executive control network, so essential for many tasks but notably for its ability to modulate the output of the threat-signaling amygdala and the negative emotions it unleashes.

To come up with solutions to challenges and selectively deploy them you have to know when and how to disengage from distress and other negative emotions—a tough task, given how compelling our emotions are. Cognitive flexibility not only enables emotion regulation —so-called affective flexibility—it undercuts rumination, a potent perpetuator of negative feelings. Further, cognitive flexibility enables people to know which coping strategy to deploy and when.

The most effective way to enhance mental flexibility is cognitive reappraisal—deliberately changing your thoughts, seeing a difficult situation from a different perspective than comes automatically to mind—a technique known as reframing. Extracting some positive meaning from adversity, learning something from it, even seeing humor in it, is a signature feature of mental flexibility.

When people talk about their post-traumatic growth , being transformed by tribulation, cognitive flexibility is usually one of the reasons. To get through adversity people learn to reframe and extract something of value from unwelcome experience—an ability they carry for the rest of their life. The capacity to positively reframe experience is especially helpful to those who had a difficult childhood—and feels far better than the alternative, suppressing expression of negative feelings.

9. Balance your bugs

Resilience is almost universally regarded as a psychological phenomenon, and most approaches to resilience target the mind. But new research makes a persuasive case that resilience is a whole-body phenomenon, and one of the most active processes takes place in the gut. To create a resilient brain, you need to create a resilient microbiome . Microbes in the gut release a suite of biochemicals that, acting via the gut-brain axis , shape the neural circuitry of the brain and how it functions.

UCLA researchers recently found that a specific array of bacteria—a “microbial signature of resilience”—enables the brain’s executive center, headquartered in the frontal cortex, to put the brakes on the overactive emotional centers operating on overdrive. “No one brain region functions in isolation,” says psychologist Arpana Gupta, co-director of UCLA’s microbiome center.

Gupta’s team determined the biological profile of resilience by examining 116 people, half of whom ranked high on a scale of resilience—such as tolerance of negative affect and positive acceptance of change—and half of whom did not. At the microbiome level, high resilience shows up as a specific cluster of bacteria-generated biochemicals—metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids and neurotransmitters—and genes expressed by those bugs that regulate their functions.

What distinguished all the substances was that they all helped reduce inflammation and maintain the integrity of the gut barrier. They are, observes Gupta, “things that prevent you from getting sick. They keep the bad stuff out and the good stuff in.”

Gupta had previously found that excessive stress overactivates not only the emotional center of the brain but also dopamine -rich reward centers. Switched on, they crave calorie-dense foods, especially sweet ones. The new study showed that with a resilient microbiome, “the frontal regions of the brain were able to modulate the hyper-responsive reward regions. The brakes were working really great.”

How, then, to create a resilient biome? Gupta is conducting clinical studies of blends of prebiotics, which stimulate the growth of good bacteria, and probiotics, the bugs that make up the microbiome of resilience. But there’s no need to wait for the results. The microbial composition of the gut is exquisitely responsive to influence by diet . “The easiest way to increase resilience is to have a balanced diet,” diverse in fiber and probiotics, omega fatty acids, and antioxidants, while light on processed foods. “Be sure to get at least 30 different fruits and vegetables per week in your diet,” Gupta commands. Start counting!

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Master Science Health Administration (MHA)

School of health professions, advance your career prospects in health administration..

The Master Science Health Administration (MHA) degree positions graduates for upper-level management opportunities in the expanding healthcare industry. Tremendous changes underway in healthcare delivery demand trained administrators and managers who understand how to achieve cost-effective care through process improvement and a focus on improving overall wellness. Hospitals, insurers, and other care providers all have to do more with less, and they need managers who understand the new models.

The fully-online graduate program is taught by experienced faculty and working professionals. Students are admitted in the fall, spring or summer semesters and remain in a cohort model for two years, which also creates networking opportunities with fellow students.

The MHA is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Health Management Education ( CAHME ), which demands that academic programs meet the highest educational standards and best practices in the field. More than 96% of graduates of CAHME-accredited programs are employed after graduation, and their salaries are higher by $10,500 on average one year after earning their degree than graduates of non-accredited programs.

HA Virtual Open House for RMU's Master's Programs

Robert Morris University faculty and staff speak with other healthcare officials about the benefits of a Health Administration master's degree.

Earn a Certificate in Patient Safety and Quality

The Certificate in Patient Safety and Quality at Robert Morris University is designed for healthcare professionals interested in expanding their knowledge regarding patient safety and quality. Today’s healthcare environment includes challenges in many areas---decreasing reimbursement, new patient-centered initiatives, increasing costs, health professional burnout, and turnover—issues of clinical quality and patient safety take on even greater importance than ever. Learn more >>

Contact Information

Holly Hampe, DSc, RN, MHA, MRM Health Administration Program Director [email protected] 412-397-5483

Carla Conrad, PhD Department Head, Psychology & Health Sciences [email protected]

Year 1 - Fall Semester

• HSAM6020 Executive Leadership in Healthcare (1st 8 weeks)
• HSAM6030 Performance Improvement & Quality management in Healthcare (2nd 8 weeks)
• HSAM7901 Preparation for Capstone (1st 8 weeks)

Year 1 - Spring Semester

• HSAM6040 Healthcare Finance I:  Introduction to Healthcare Financial Analysis and Decision-Making (First 8 weeks)
• HSAM6045 Healthcare Finance II:  Financial Analysis and Management or Executives (Second 8 weeks)

Year 1 - Summer Semester

• HSAM6050 Strategic Planning and Marketing (1st 8 weeks)
• HSAM6080 Healthcare Logistics & Operations (1st 8 weeks)
• HSAM6060 Healthcare Policy, Law & Politics (2nd 8 weeks)

Year 2 - Fall Semester

• HSAM6320 Evidence-based Decision Making for Healthcare Managers (1st 8 weeks)
• HSAM6310 Coordinated Care & Population Health Management (2nd 8 weeks)
• HSAM7911 Internship (1 credit)

Year 2 - Spring Semester

• HSAM6330 Managing Healthcare Information Systems
• HSAM6340 Health Care Negotiation & Conflict Resolution
• HSAM7921 Internship (1 credit)

Year 2 - Summer Semester

• HSAM6360 Ethical Issues in Health Services Administration (1st 8 weeks)
• HSAM6350 Inter-Professional Management & Diversity (2nd 8 weeks)
• HSAM7931 Internship (1 credit)

The Robert Morris University Health Administration program transforms highly qualified, diverse healthcare professionals with varying levels of experience into leaders through the development of advanced skills in management to perform in a variety of healthcare organizations. The curriculum incorporates the Quadruple Aim Framework and evidence based leadership principles. The academically and professionally prepared faculty facilitates student learning by incorporating experiential learning, applied scholarship and service activities in coursework. An emphasis is placed on internships providing individualized opportunities for the student to apply academic theories into managerial practices at successive levels of employment. Students are exposed to a variety of healthcare experiences which prepare them for increasingly responsible leadership roles in all healthcare environments.

What is the format of the program and when are classes?

The M.S. in HA program is 24 months long and offered in a cohort format. Starting in August, students take eight-week classes in the first and second session of each semester.

What does the coursework cover?

The courses in the program build a foundation for the students to obtain a mid- to upper-level management position. Topics include administration/leadership, quality and performance improvement, finance, information systems, ethics, operations management, strategic planning, healthcare policy, population health, conflict resolution and negotiation and inter-professional development and diversity.

What qualifications do the faculty have?

Full-time faculty are executive-level healthcare professionals with extensive experience in quality, patient safety and performance improvement. Dr. Hampe has a nursing background and two master’s degrees and experience in risk management, patient safety, and quality management, and served as chief quality officer for a Pittsburgh-based health system that has won numerous recognitions for patient safety and quality.  Dr. Frndak has experience as a physician assistant and an M.B.A, and has served as a vice president of safety and quality as well as a vice president of organizational excellence, with experience in Lean/Six Sigma. Part-time faculty are executives in the area from the fields of human resources, information technology, research and managed care.

How are internships arranged?

During the second year of the program, the faculty advisor works closely with the student to customize an internship that meets the student’s unique career focus and desires. Sites for internships have included hospital/healthcare systems, physician office practices, long term care facilities, home care organizations, insurance companies and residential care facilities.

How can I have an internship if I am already working?

In order for students to be able to continue working full-time or part-time through the program, the internship is broken into 40-hour segments in the fall, spring, and summer of the second year, for a total of 120 hours.

What kind of jobs do students typically find after completing the program?

Some students are already on a career path in healthcare and are looking for advancement into leadership/management positions, while others are looking for a career path into healthcare. Students who are interested in switching careers usually start in jobs related to their interest such as billing, compliance, patient safety, operations, data analysis, or quality improvement. More experienced healthcare professionals typically advance to management positions in their area of specialization.

What is required in the application process?

Students are required to submit their undergraduate transcripts along with two letters of recommendation and a short, reflective essay by the applicant indicating their desire for pursuing the degree. An admissions counselor as well as a financial aid counselor will be assigned to the student applicant.

Please see our Graduate Admissions Requirements page for more information.

The basis for the competency model for the RMU MS Degree HA program is from the National Center for Healthcare Leadership- Health Leadership Competency Model.  Created through the research by the Hay Group with practicing health leaders and managers across the administrative, nursing and medical professionals, and early, mid and advanced stages, it was felt this model would provide the needed foundation for this program.  The model is based on three different domains:  1) Transformation, 2) Execution, and 3) People.  Based on feedback from the HA Advisory Board, SNHS and HA administration and Industry experts, specific competencies from the NCHL model were selected as well as additional competencies that were specific to the HA program, as indicated below.  It is felt that the following concepts are incorporated throughout the competencies as defined below: Human Resources, Ethics, Finance, and Legal Issues.  

Transformation

• Analytical Thinking (NCHL)
• Financial Skills (NCHL)
• Innovative Thinking (NCHL)
• Population Health (RMU)
• Triple Aim (Institute for Healthcare Improvement) (RMU)
• Health Economics and Policy (RMU)
• Communication Skills (NCHL)
• Information Technology Management (NCHL)
• Project Management (NCHL)
• Legal Regulatory Environment (RMU)
• Relationship Building (NCHL)
• Team Leadership (NCHL)
• Professionalism (NCHL) 

Teaching/Learning Methods: 1)  Discussion Board Questions (written and video), 2) Focused Individual Writing Assignments, 3) Day in the Life Interviews 4) Quizzes/Exams 5) Synchronous/Simulation Exercises, 6) Weekly Learning Summaries,  7) Team Activities/Case Studies, 8) Internships/Field Assignments, 9) Reflective Papers, 10) Blogs/Journals, 11) Readings/Videos, 12) Finance or other analysis problems   Assessment Methods: 1) Quiz scores and feedback, 2) Presentation feedback, 3) Competency Assessments, 4) Discussion Board Rubrics. 5) Written Assignment Rubric , 6) Reflective Exercise Rubric, 7) Process Analysis Assignment Rubric,  8)Team-Self and Peer Assessments, 9) Learning Summary scoring, 10) Course participation 11) Preceptor evaluations, 12) Self evaluation and Evaluations of the Preceptor, 13) Time logs

Outcomes Measures:

• Degree Completion: From the inception of the program in 2014, the completion rate has been 88%. Reasons for noncompletion include health concerns/issues, work demands and family obligations.
• Employment rates: From the inception of the program in 2014, 99% of the graduates were employed within 90 days of graduation. Types of positions included Vice Presidents, Directors, Project Coordinators, Managers, Business Analysts and Quality Management Specialists.

Additional student outcomes measures can be found by visiting the CAHME website .

Sample Courses:

These are some of the classes for students in this academic program:

Top Employers

Call us at: 1-800-762-0097

The School of Health Professions is dedicated to training the next generation of healthcare leaders and professionals.

We’re ready when you’re ready. Request additional information:

Let us know and we can share some more details about our degree programs and other majors and study options at RMU.

Call us at: 412-397-5200

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