How many years does it take to get a Ph. D in psychology?

Question

I'm double majoring in anthropology and psychology and was wondering how many years after I graduate with my Bachelor's will it take to get my Masters and then my Ph.D.

I'm going to specialize in social psychology.

Answer 1

It depends on your speciality area of psychology. If it's an applied field (clinical, counseling, school) -- you're looking at around 4 years of course work post bachelor's, plus a 5th year internship. Some programs place restrictions on when a student can apply for internship (e.g., successful proposal of one's dissertation project), which may delay applying for internship. The one exception to the internship "rule" in the applied areas is I/O. They typically don't require a pre-doctoral internship (as most I/O folk don't go on to sit for the national licensure exam as a psychologist).

If, on the other hand, you're looking a basic (e.g., general, experimental, social, developmental, and so forth), you may be looking more at 4 years. That is, there is no pre-doctoral internship requirement for graduation.

However, as one poster noted, the actual date of graduation is really dependent on completing one's thesis (master's) and dissertation (PhD) requirements in a timely fashion. These are self-paced projects requiring a lot of dedication and time management on your part. Sure, your major professor helps guide you through the process, but it is ultimately up to the student to do the research and write it up. You can complete all coursework and other requirements but still not complete the dissertation -- hence the term ABD (all but dissertation). Some people never seems to finish it.

Most universities do have general deadlines by which a student must complete his or her thesis and/or dissertation requirements based on year of entry (e.g., 7 years from date of admission to the doctoral program). But some ABDs will petition to go beyond that deadline once they are up against it. Be aware, most universities will require a student to be continuously enrolled (and pay tuition for credit hours) until the dissertation is complete! So, save yourself some bucks and get the dissertation done!

Answer 2

If you're going full time then you can expect that it will take you at least four years. But it is dependent on how long it takes you to complete the comprehensive exam (if required) and also, more importantly, the dissertation. I've seen students take 20 years to finish their dissertations. If you can stick to a rigid writing schedule, then it won't take you too long. Here where I work and go to school, the time limit for a PhD is 7 years. I expect it will take me exactly that long. (my degree will be in Sociology)

Answer 3

What "specialty" in psychology? That will make a difference.