PhD in Psychology & Psychotherapy

Program Overview

At the heart of our research-driven doctoral programme lies the objective of cultivating scholar-practitioners capable of both advancing psychological science and applying evidence-based psychotherapy at the highest level.

Programme Structure

• Duration: Typically 4 to 6 years full-time (or equivalent part-time arrangement) depending on prior qualifications and dissertation progress. [Source: typical doctoral timespan 4-8 years] 

• Entry routes:

  1. Candidates entering with a Bachelor’s degree embark on the full doctoral trajectory including advanced coursework, research training and dissertation.

  2. Candidates entering with a Master’s may follow an accelerated route with tailored coursework and focus on independent research earlier.

• Model: An apprenticeship-style research model where each doctoral candidate is paired with a supervising faculty mentor, engages in progressively independent scholarship, and completes practicum or clinical-research components. 

• Key phases:

  1. Coursework and research methods (Year 1-2)

  2. Qualifying/ comprehensive examination and research proposal (Year 2-3)

  3. Dissertation research, data collection/analysis, manuscript writing and oral defence (Year 3-6)

• Part-time / flexible delivery possible (subject to institutional approval) for candidates combining practice, professional commitments or international placement.

Programme Goals

On completion of the PhD in Psychology & Psychotherapy you will:

• Demonstrate mastery of theory, evidence and practice in selected specialisms of psychology and psychotherapy (e.g., clinical, counselling, organisational, developmental or neuroscience).

• Conduct independent, original research that makes a significant contribution to the field of psychology or psychotherapy.

• Translate research findings into professional practice, policy or organisational settings.

• Demonstrate advanced competence in research methods, statistical and qualitative analysis, psychometric assessment, and psychotherapy outcome evaluation.

• Critically evaluate ethical, cultural, social and global dimensions of psychological and therapeutic practice.

• Lead, supervise or consult in academic, clinical or organisational contexts and disseminate findings via publications, conferences and professional networks.

Programme Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this programme you will be able to:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

   • Formulate advanced understanding of psychological theory, psychotherapy approaches, research design, and assessment.

   • Critically evaluate contemporary debates and emerging issues in psychology and psychotherapy.

2. Research & Scholarship:

   • Design, implement, analyse and interpret original empirical or theoretical research addressing complex psychological/therapeutic questions.

   • Publish or prepare for publication high-quality findings in peer-reviewed outlets or professional practice settings.

3. Professional Practice & Application:

   • Apply advanced psychotherapeutic and psychological assessment/intervention skills to complex individual, group or organisational issues.

   • Integrate research evidence, reflective practice and ethical standards in therapy or consultancy roles.

4. Critical Thinking & Problem Solving:

   • Evaluate complex psychological problems, generate evidence-informed solutions, and adapt interventions across diverse populations and settings.

   • Critique research, methodological limitations and interpret findings in context.

5. Communication & Leadership:

   • Communicate research and clinical findings effectively to academic, practitioner and public audiences.

   • Lead, supervise or collaborate in interdisciplinary teams, provide mentorship and/or consultancy services.

6. Global & Ethical Awareness:

   • Demonstrate awareness of cultural, international, ethical and policy implications of psychological research and psychotherapeutic practice.

   • Contribute to mental health, wellbeing and resilience at individual, organisational and societal levels.

Pathways Available

Students may tailor their doctoral journey by choosing one of several pathways according to their interests and career ambitions:

• Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy Pathway: Emphasis on assessment, diagnosis, intervention and outcome evaluation in clinical/health-service settings.

• Counselling / Integrative Psychotherapy Pathway: Focus on integrative therapeutic approaches, supervision, and applied practice in counselling, human services or community contexts.

• Organisational & Workplace Psychology Pathway: Research and practice in organisational behaviour, leadership, wellbeing, change, consulting and coaching.

• Developmental & Lifespan Psychology Pathway: Study of psychological change across the lifespan, developmental psychopathology, intervention, resilience and policy.

• Cognitive Neuroscience & Psychotherapy Pathway: Emphasis on brain-behaviour relationships, neuroimaging/psychophysiology, applied therapeutic implications (for instance in neuro-rehabilitation, trauma or brain injury).
  Students may combine elements across pathways (i.e., a hybrid or interdisciplinary route) in consultation with their supervisor and doctoral committee.

Possible Career Options

Graduates of the PhD in Psychology & Psychotherapy are equipped for a wide range of professional roles, including but not limited to:

• University faculty (researcher / lecturer) in psychology, psychotherapy, counselling or behavioural sciences.

• Clinical or counselling psychologist (subject to regional licensure/regulation) in hospital, clinic, community health or private practice.

• Organisational consultant, executive coach, workplace wellbeing lead or change-agent in business, non-profit or public sector.

• Clinical researcher or scientist in health-care, neuroscience, trauma, or psychotherapy outcome fields.

• Senior policy adviser or programme lead in government, international agencies, NGOs working in mental health, resilience or humanitarian contexts.

• Supervising practitioner / director of training in psychotherapy, counselling or clinical services.

• Author, editor or thought-leader in psychological/therapeutic publishing, media or professional organisations.

Curriculum & Structure with Learning Outcomes

Year 1 (Core Coursework & Research Foundations)

• PSY-801 Advanced Psychological Theory (6 credits) – develops knowledge of major theories in psychology and psychotherapy.
  LO: Knowledge & Understanding, Professional Practice

• PSY-802 Research Methods in Psychology I (6 credits) – quantitative & qualitative methods, design, ethics.
  LO: Research & Scholarship, Critical Thinking

• PSY-803 Psychotherapy: Theory & Practice (6 credits) – integrative therapeutic models.
  LO: Professional Practice, Knowledge & Understanding

• PSY-804 Statistical Methods for Psychology (6 credits) – advanced statistics.
  LO: Research & Scholarship

• PSY-805 Elective I (6 credits)
  LO: Student-selected or pathway-specific

Year 2 (Advanced Coursework & Research Projects)

• PSY-806 Research Methods in Psychology II (6 credits) – advanced design, mixed methods.
  LO: Research & Scholarship

• PSY-807 Psychotherapy Outcome & Evaluation (6 credits) – methods for assessing therapeutic efficacy.
  LO: Professional Practice, Critical Thinking

• PSY-808 Pathway Seminar I (6 credits) – specialised to chosen pathway.
  LO: Knowledge & Understanding, Communication & Leadership

• PSY-809 Elective II (6 credits) – student choice or cross-discipline.
  LO: Leadership, Global & Ethical Awareness

• PSY-810 Research Practicum I (6 credits) – hands-on supervised research under mentor.
  LO: Research & Scholarship, Professional Practice

Year 3 (Candidacy, Proposal & Dissertation Launch)

• Qualifying exam / comprehensive assessment.

• PSY-811 Dissertation Proposal Workshop (3 credits)
  LO: Research & Scholarship, Critical Thinking

• PSY-812 Teaching/Clinical Supervision Practicum (3 credits) – optional depending on route.
  LO: Professional Practice, Communication & Leadership

• Begin dissertation research.
  LO: Research & Scholarship, Knowledge & Understanding

Year 4–6 (Dissertation Research, Writing & Defence)

• PSY-899 Dissertation Research (24–48 credits) – independent original research culminating in written dissertation and oral defence.
  LO: Research & Scholarship, Critical Thinking, Communication & Leadership

• Optional: PSY-813 Advanced Seminar in Psychology & Psychotherapy (3 credits) – for publication preparation, pedagogy or leadership.
  LO: Leadership, Communication & Leadership

• Annual research milestones, progress reports, seminar presentations.

Total credit requirement: ~90–120 graduate credits (or equivalent) depending on prior credentials, pathway and part-time/full-time status. 

Assessment Methods

• Coursework graded by assignments, participation, seminars and examinations.

• Research Practica evaluated via research reports, supervisor evaluation, seminar presentations.

• Qualifying examinations (written and/or oral) to assess readiness for dissertation research. 

• Dissertation: (1) Research proposal must be approved, (2) Conduct of independent research, (3) Submission of dissertation document, (4) Successful oral defence before committee.

• Periodic feedback, annual progress review and milestone checks to ensure timely completion.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum criteria (additional institutional/faculty requirements may apply):

• A Master’s degree in Psychology, Psychotherapy, Counselling, Social Sciences or equivalent with strong research component OR a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology (or closely related field) with outstanding academic record and evidence of research potential.

• Minimum GPA or equivalent academic performance (typically upper second (2:1) UK or 3.0/4.0 US or above).

• Demonstrated research experience (e.g., undergraduate/masters thesis, publications, conference presentations, work in research-led role).

• For clinical/counselling pathways: evidence of relevant professional experience, clinical exposure, supervised practice or certification may be required.

• Submission of the following:

  • Curriculum vitae / résumé

  • Statement of research interests (including intended topic, supervisor preferences)

  • Official academic transcripts

  • Two or three academic references (one of which ideally addresses research potential)

  • Where applicable, proof of English language proficiency (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL) for non-native speakers.

• Interview (in-person or online) may be required for short-listed candidates.

• Submission deadlines: [insert your institution’s dates].

• Note: Admission is competitive and funding (scholarships/assistantships) may be available.

Awards & Honours

To recognise and incentivise excellence within the programme, the following awards are available:

• Global Excellence Dissertation Award – an international prize awarded biennially for the most outstanding doctoral thesis in psychology or psychotherapy.

• Emerging Scholar Award – American AACTD University Chapter – awarded annually to a doctoral candidate who produces high-impact research and early publications.

• International Practitioner-Scholar Impact Award – honours a graduate whose doctoral research has made measurable impact in psychotherapeutic practice or policy across borders.

• Faculty-Student Research Collaboration Grant – internal award to support joint research publication, conference attendance or international collaboration.

• Clinical Innovation Award – awarded to a candidate whose research or practicum leads to an innovative therapeutic intervention, service model or community-based programme.