Department website: http://psychology.wvu.edu/
Degrees Offered
- Master of Science (Psychology and Behavior Analysis) for students admitted to the doctoral program
- Doctor of Philosophy
Doctoral Program Majors
The doctoral degrees in Behavior Analysis, Behavioral Neuroscience, Clinical Psychology, and Life-Span Developmental Psychology prepare students for careers in research, teaching, and practice.
Program Accreditation
The Clinical Program at West Virginia University has been accredited continuously by the American Psychological Association since 1966. In 2020, the Program was re-accredited until 2030. For any questions regarding accreditation of this or any other APA-accredited program, contact the Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation of the American Psychological Association, 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002. Phone number: (202) 336-5979. Website: http://www.accreditation.apa.org.
The Behavior Analysis Program at West Virginia University has been accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International since 2003. In 2024, the Program was re-accredited until 2031. For any questions regarding accreditation of this or any other ABAI-accredited program, contact the ABAI Accreditation Board, 550 West Centre Avenue, Portage, MI 49024. Phone number: (269) 492-9310. Website: https://accreditation.abainternational.org.
Faculty
Chair
- Claire St. Peter - Ph.D. (University of Florida)
Associate Chair
- Karen Anderson - Ph.D. (University of Florida)
Director of Graduate Studies
- Melissa Blank - Ph.D. (Virginia Commonwealth University)
Director of Undergraduate Studies
- Sharon Tenenholz - Ph.D. (University of California, Los Angeles)
Director of Recruitment, Advising, and Student Success
- Elizabeth Levelle - Ph.D. (West Virginia University)
Professors
- Amy Fiske - Ph.D. (University of Southern California)
Late Life Depression and Suicide - Amy Gentzler - Ph.D. (Kent State University)
Emotion Regulation and Adjustment in Children and Adolescents, Positive Psychology - Kevin Larkin - Ph.D. (University of Pittsburgh)
Clinical Health Psychology, Applied Psychophysiology, Cardiovascular Behavioral Medicine - Kennon A. Lattal - Ph.D. (University of Alabama)
Centennial Professor. Experimental Analysis of Behavior, History and Philosophy of Psychology - Tracy Morris - Ph.D. (University of Mississippi)
Eberly Distinguished Professor of Outstanding Teaching - Melanie Page - Ph.D. (Arizona State University)
Quantitative/Developmental Psychology - Julie Hicks Patrick - Ph.D. (University of Akron)
Health Disparities, Cognitive Aging, Mid- and Late-Life, Methodology - Claire St. Peter - Ph.D. (University of Florida)
Eberly Family Professor for Outstanding Public Service. Procedural Fidelity, School-Based Behavior Supports, Observational Measurement - JoNell Strough - Ph.D. (University of Utah)
Life-Span Development, Decision Making, Gender Development, Climate Change, Emotional Well-Being
Associate Professors
- Karen Anderson - Ph.D. (University of Florida)
Behavioral Pharmacology, Choice, Decision Making - Melissa Blank - Ph.D. (Virginia Commonwealth University)
Behavioral Pharmacology, Nicotine/Tobacco Addiction, Tobacco Use Disparities - Hilary DeShong - Ph.D. (Oklahoma State University)
Personality, Personality Pathology Influences on Mental Health and Well-Being - Elisa Krackow - Ph.D. (Binghamton University-SUNY)
Adult and Child Testimony, Developmental Psychopathology - Elizabeth Levelle - Ph.D. (West Virginia University)
Lifespan Development, Teaching of Psychology, Academic Advising - Stephanie McWilliams - Ph.D. (West Virginia University)
Youth Mentorship, Sport and Exercise Psychology, Health Psychology, Behavior Change and Weight Management - Sharon Tenenholz - Ph.D. (University of California, Los Angeles)
Visual and Crossmodal Perception, Teaching of Psychology, Curriculum Design, Academic Advising - Nicholas Turiano - Ph.D. (Purdue University)
Life-Span Development, Early-Life Adversity, Personality, Health, Aging
Assistant Professors
- Brennan Armshaw - Ph.D. (University of North Texas)
Behavioral Medicine and Neuromuscular Behavior, Behavior Analysis and Education, Advising and Mentorship - Ryan Best - Ph.D. (Florida State University)
Adult Development, Decision-Making, Motivation, Numeracy, Cognitive Aging - Mariya Cherkasova - Ph.D. (McGill University)
Addiction, Psychopharmacology, Reward-Related Behavior - James Cole - Ph.D. (University of Virginia)
Teaching of Neuroscience and Biological Basis of Behavior, Advising and Mentorship - Ray Joslyn - Ph.D. (University of Florida)
Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavioral Education, Crime and Delinquency - Kathryn Kestner - Ph.D. (Western Michigan University)
Behavior Analysis, Relapse and Persistence, Assessment and Treatment of Challenging Behavior - Kathleen Morrison - Ph.D. (University of Tennessee)
Stress and Neuropsychiatric Disease, Women's Health - Hannah Rea - Ph.D. (University of Georgia)
Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Challenging Behaviors, Executive Functioning, Emotion Regulation in Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Down Syndrome - Michelle Roley-Roberts - Ph.D. (University of Toledo)
Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Childhood Traumatic Stress, Cultural Factors - Kelly Smith - Ph.D. (West Virginia University)
Teaching of Psychology, Life-Span Development, Decision Making, Gender Development
Professors emeriti
- Edward Caldwell - Ph.D.
- Phillip Chase - Ph.D.
- Stanley Cohen - Ph.D.
- Christina Duncan - Ph.D.
- William Fremouw - Ph.D.
- Robert Hawkins - Ph.D.
- Katherine Karraker - Ph.D.
- Daniel McNeil - Ph.D.
- Cheryl McNeil - Ph.D.
- Kent Parker - Ph.D.
- Constance Toffle - Ph.D.
Admissions for 2027-2028
Ph.D. Programs in Psychology
The Psychology programs admit students directly to the doctoral degree. The requirements for the master's of science are completed as part of the doctoral degree requirements. The department currently offers degrees in Psychology with a specialization in four areas: Behavior Analysis, Behavioral Neuroscience, Clinical, and Life-Span Development
In addition to WVU’s general admission requirements, applicants for graduate studies in Psychology should have adequate preparation in psychology and related fields and a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in undergraduate coursework. The GRE is not required for admission to any of these programs.
List of Admission Requirements:
- See the steps to apply for admissions and access the application on the Admissions How to Apply website.
- Applicants must submit:
- Transcripts from all institutions attended
- Three letters of recommendation, written by people (typically faculty) in a position to evaluate the applicant's academic strengths and abilities
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae
- Statement of purpose that describes the applicants’ specific academic and professional goals; relevant experiences that have prepared the applicant for graduate study; any academic or professional challenges overcome by the applicant; description of the fit of the program for the applicant; any other relevant information about the applicant’s decision for graduate study.
International Applicants:
- See the steps to apply for admissions and access the application on the Admissions How to Apply website.
- International applicants should view additional requirements on the International Student Admission page and the Admissions for International applicants page.
- Language proficiency is required in order to hold a graduate teaching assistantship. More information can be found on the English Proficiency for GTAs webpage.
Application Deadlines:
- Psychology only admits students in the fall semester; all application materials, including letters of recommendation, must be received by the preceding December 1st
- All applications received by the deadline will be considered for financial support, typically in the form of a graduate teaching assistantship (GTA).
- Applications received after the deadline may be reviewed at the discretion of the admissions committee.
- Exceptional Ph.D. applicants may be nominated by the Psychology program for competitive University Fellowships. Qualified applicants will be notified if they are nominated. More information on WVU fellowships can be found on the Graduate Education and Life Fellowships page.
Certain application requirements may be waived based on a preliminary review of an application by the program.
Ph.D. Behavior Analysis 14D1
Ph.D. Behavioral Neuroscience 14D2
Ph.D. Clinical 14D4
Ph.D. Life-Span Development 14D5
For specific information on the following program, please see the link to the right:
- Psychology, M.S.
-
Psychology: Behavior Analysis, M.S.
For specific information on the following program, please see the link to the right:
- Psychology, Ph.D.
Degree Progress
The Department of Psychology requires the below milestones for all students. According to the graduate catalog, students will receive a yearly evaluation. Specific processes and timelines for each program’s evaluation can be found in the Department of Psychology Graduate Student Handbook. Students who are either not making adequate degree progress or are failing to uphold professional standards may receive notice of probation, suspension or dismissal. Students may be notified of academic consequences outside of routine evaluation processes if an issue must be addressed immediately.
Each year, no later than the first day of classes of the Fall semester, the department will distribute an updated version of the Department of Psychology Graduate Student Handbook.
Master's Benchmarks
Timely Progress
- Year Two: Students should have successfully proposed their thesis
- Year Three: Students should have successfully defended their thesis and had it accepted by the library
Satisfactory Progress
Students who do not meet one or more of the standards outlined below may be placed on probation or dismissed:
- Making timely progress through the program
- Successfully forming a thesis committee
- Maintaining course grades of at least B- (or S)
- Removing incomplete grades from record, as specified in incomplete contracts
- Maintaining academic, professional, behavioral, and ethical standards as outlined in the Department of Psychology Graduate Student Handbook or program area supplements to the handbook, the WVU Graduate/Professional Handbook, the American Psychological Association code of ethics, or codes of ethics specified for the student’s Program Area.
Doctoral Benchmarks
Timely Progress
- Year Three: Students who entered with an approved master’s thesis should have successfully proposed their dissertation
- Year Four: Students who did not enter with an approved master’s thesis should have successfully proposed their dissertation
Satisfactory Progress
Students who do not meet one or more of the standards outlined below may be placed on probation or dismissed:
- Making timely progress through the program
- Passing the preliminary examination
- Being advanced to doctoral candidacy by the training area and full faculty
- Successfully forming a dissertation committee
- Maintaining course grades of at least B- (or S)
- Removing incomplete grades from record, as specified in incomplete contracts
- Maintaining academic, professional, behavioral, and ethical standards as outlined in the Department of Psychology Graduate Student Handbook or program area supplements to the handbook, the WVU Graduate/Professional Handbook, the American Psychological Association code of ethics, or codes of ethics specified for the student’s Program Area.
- Comprehensive Examination: Students must successfully complete a preliminary examination prior to advancement to doctoral candidacy. Comprehensive examinations must be passed no later May 15th, Year 3. Note the terminology examination component of the comprehensive examination must be completed prior to Dec 31st, Year 2.
- Dissertation: Students must complete an empirical research project in an area of psychology approved by the student's dissertation committee. Dissertation proposal should be approved no later than May 15, Year 4. For students entering with an approved master's thesis, May 15, Year 3.
More information regarding requirements for both the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees can be found in the Department of Psychology Graduate Student Handbook.