Individualized Program

Individualized Program PhD Requirements

Specific course requirements within the individualized program are developed in consultation with the primary advisor and two additional faculty who form an oversight committee for the period that the student is enrolled in the graduate program. This committee evaluates the student once a year, reviewing accomplishments and assisting the student in working toward his or her long term goals.

Throughout their course of study, students are expected to take courses that will advance their research goals. At least three graduate level courses in statistics are strongly recommended. Other courses will primarily be in psychology, but may be taken in other schools as well.

Within the second or third year, students will complete a masters level research project. Next, students are expected to write a 50 page review of some research area that is reviewed by a four person committee. This specialty exam serves as the comprehensive exam. Once this is completed, students will move on to proposing a dissertation. The dissertation should ideally be completed within the fourth or fifth year.

By the end of their graduate training, students should have written several conference papers and/or journal articles. They should also have developed experience in teaching. They should be prepared for an academic position or for a position involving research.

Individualized Program Research

Irene Hanson Frieze, PhD, University of California, Los Angeles, Professor of Psychology. Students wishing to work with Dr. Frieze should apply for an individualized program. Dr. Frieze is now accepting students who wish to work on cross-cultural studies of gender, work attitudes, or on violence in close relationships.

For further information, e-mail frieze@pitt.edu.