Psychology (Ph.D.) - Social Psychology

Psychology (Ph.D.) - Social Psychology

Important: This degree plan is effective for those starting this degree program in fall 2024 through summer 2025. This degree plan will remain in effect for students who do not break enrollment or who do not change degree programs, concentrations, or cognates.

Core Courses
PSYC 510Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology I3
PSYC 515Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology II3
PSYC 700Foundations of Doctoral Study in Psychology3
PSYC 710Psychological Research & Biblical Worldview 13
PSYC 775Teaching of Psychology3
PSYC 810Advanced Research: Qualitative Research & Analysis3
PSYC 815Advanced Research: Quantitative Research & Analysis3
Total Hours21
1

Intensive format optional

Social Psychology Concentration
PSYC 712Theories and Research in Social Psychology3
PSYC 750Biological Bases of Behavior3
PSYC 812Social Cognitive Development3
PSYC 827Contemporary Topics in Social Psychology3
Choose nine credit hours of the following (at least two must be 800 level):9
Attitudes, Measurement, and Change
Survey Research Methods
Social Relationships
Social Cognitive Neuroscience
Social Psychology of the Digital Age
Total Hours21
Dissertation Courses
PSYC 870Prospectus: Developing the Dissertation Concept 13
PSYC 987Dissertation I 25
PSYC 988Dissertation II 25
PSYC 989Dissertation III 25
PSYC 990Dissertation Defense0
Total Hours18
1

Intensive format optional

2

PSYC 987 Dissertation I (5 c.h.), PSYC 988 Dissertation II (5 c.h.), and PSYC 989 Dissertation III (5 c.h.) can each be repeated one time to meet milestone

All applicable prerequisites must be met

Graduation Requirements

  • Complete 60 hours
  • A maximum of 50% of a post-graduate and doctoral degree may be transferred if approved and allowable, including credit from an earned degree from Liberty University on the same academic level
  • 3.0 GPA
  • No grades lower than a B- may be applied to the degree
  • Degree must be completed within 7 years
  • Submission of Degree Completion Application must be completed within the last semester of a student’s anticipated graduation date

Program Offered in Online Format

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
First SemesterHours
PSYC 510 Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology I 3
PSYC 700 Foundations of Doctoral Study in Psychology 3
PSYC 712 Theories and Research in Social Psychology 3
 Hours9
Second Semester
PSYC 515 Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology II 3
PSYC 710 Psychological Research & Biblical Worldview 1,2 3
PSYC 812 Social Cognitive Development 3
 Hours9
Second Year
First Semester
PSYC 750 Biological Bases of Behavior 3
PSYC 815 Advanced Research: Quantitative Research & Analysis 3
PSYC Elective 3 3
 Hours9
Second Semester
PSYC 775 Teaching of Psychology 3
PSYC 827 Contemporary Topics in Social Psychology 1,4 3
PSYC Elective 3 3
 Hours9
Third Year
First Semester
PSYC 810 Advanced Research: Qualitative Research & Analysis 3
PSYC 870 Prospectus: Developing the Dissertation Concept 1 3
PSYC Elective 3 3
 Hours9
Second Semester
PSYC 987 Dissertation I 5 5
 Hours5
Fourth Year
First Semester
PSYC 988 Dissertation II 5 5
 Hours5
Second Semester
PSYC 989 Dissertation III 5 5
PSYC 990 Dissertation Defense 0
 Hours5
 Total Hours60
1

Intensive Format optional 

2

Must be taken within the first year

3

Choose from the following courses (at least 2 must be 800 level): PSYC 860, 865, 866, 867, and 868

4

Must be taken within the second year

5

PSYC 987, 988, and 989 can be repeated one time to meet milestone. 

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