Psychology Department
The Department of Psychology, in the College of Arts and Sciences, is one of Stony Brook’s largest graduate departments. Our graduate programs have as their foundation rigorous training in science and research. Students are admitted to work with a faculty mentor and are trained to conduct independent research. Collaboration with other labs is welcomed to foster development of expertise in areas relevant to each student's interests. Graduates from the program are prepared for careers in academic and applied settings, including universities, colleges, medical centers, hospitals, clinics, research and governmental organizations, and business and industry.
Description of the PhD Program in Psychology
The department is administratively organized into four program areas: Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Science, Integrative Neuroscience, and Social and Health Psychology.
Stony Brook’s doctoral program in Clinical Psychology is fully accredited by the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS) and also currently holds "Accredited (on probation)" status from the American Psychological Association (Commission on Accreditation, American Psychological Association, 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242, Phone: 202-336-5979). Beginning with the entering class of Fall 2022, all incoming Stony Brook Clinical Psychology graduate students will be trained in our PCSAS-only accredited program.
In all four program areas, the primary emphasis is on research training through apprenticeship, advisement and independent research. New students are encouraged to become involved immediately in ongoing research and to engage in independent research when sufficient skills and knowledge permit, with the goal of becoming active and original contributors.
Description of the Masters Program in Psychology
The full-time program begins with enrollment in required graduate courses in the first and second summer school sessions and continues into the subsequent fall and spring academic semesters. The program is generalist in its orientation and provides advanced education that will transfer well either to a career right after graduation or to further graduate education in a variety of fields such as law, business, medical school, social work, and psychology. Specific applied training leading directly to professional licensure is not provided. Instead, the students in the MA program receive traditional and general grounding in psychology via courses chosen from our regularly offered graduate courses.
A faculty director specifically for the MA program is available for consultation on course selection, career opportunities, and professional development. In addition to courses in clinical, social/health, cognitive/experimental, and integrative neuroscience, professional development workshops that address concerns about graduate school, career and personal choices, and professional presentation, are a regular part of the curriculum. Students complete relevant coursework, and engage in supervised research mentorship and training under the direction of Psychology or University affiliated faculty at the University. “Brown bag†seminars in Clinical, Social and Health Psychology, Cognitive Science, or Integrative Neuroscience provide awareness of ongoing research at Stony Brook and that of guest speakers at other research institutions, and the opportunity to gain applied skills through Internship placements is available.