in person
PhD in Psychology
Positive psychology is the scientific study of the factors that contribute to human flourishing and well-being. You’ll research the positive developmental trajectories and processes that contribute to positive outcomes at both the individual and sociocultural levels, integrating that scholarship with research from developmental science, positive psychology, statistics, and methodology. The positive psychology program at CGU was founded by the grandfather of Positive Psychology, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. At CGU, you will continue the good work began by late Professor Csikszentmihalyi with the only positive psych doctorate in the country. Led by faculty-scholars who are experts in the field, you’ll apply social science concepts and methods to important social issues through supervised fieldwork or teaching, preparing you to succeed in an array of organizations and institutions and to make a lasting impact on the lives within them.
Our programming in Positive Developmental Psychology is built upon the following core principles:
72 units
required units
PhD in Psychology
degree awarded
In Person
modality
Spring, Fall
program start
5-7 years | full time*
estimated completion time
First Five California
Senior Research Analyst
University of Miami Linda Ray Center for Early Intervention Research
Research Director in Psychology
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Associate Professor of Research
California State University, Fullerton
Assistant Professor
Children’s Institute International
Program Analyst
University of California, Irvine, Health Policy and Research Center
Researcher
Pomona College
Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology
Claremont McKenna College, The Berger Institute for Work, Family, and Children
Associate Director
University of Washington, Seattle
Research Associate
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Assistant Professor
Yale University
Post-doctoral Researcher
Child Trends
Research Scientist
Associate Professor
Director, Quality of Life Research Center
Research Interests
Engagement, Mentoring, Positive Aging
Dean, School of Social Science, Policy & Evaluation
Full Research Professor
Research Interests
Educational Program Evaluation, K–12 Educational Curricula, Comprehensive School Reform
Professor of Psychology
Research Interests
Purpose in Life, Adolescent Moral Development, Positive Youth Development, Qualitative Methods
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Research Interests
Human Flourishing Across the Lifespan, Positive Relationships & Love, Longitudinal Analysis
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Research Interests
Developmental experiences in youth programs
Claremont McKenna College
Research Interests
Emotional, sociocultural and developmental influences on physical and psychological health; mind-body interaction; the effect of emotions and stress; social relationships
Claremont McKenna College/Claremont Autism Center
Research Interests
Child and family contributions to social emotional development, biobehavioral regulation, and clinical outcomes in children with autism spectrum disorder and related intellectual and developmental disabilities
Scripps College
Research Interests
Cultural values, Migration, Social change, Multiculturalism, Ethnic minority development, Child socialization, Adolescent development, Family relations, Sleep health and actigraphy
Core Courses (20 units)
Foundations of Positive Psychology (4 units)
Theories & Concepts in Lifespan Developmental Psychology (4 units)
Applied Developmental Psychology (4 units)
Plus two of the following:
Child Development: Traditional & Positive Perspectives (4 units)
Adolescent Development: Traditional & Positive Perspectives (4 units)
Adult Development: Traditional & Positive Perspectives (4 units)
Related Elective Courses (24 units)
Students are required to take an additional 24 units of Positive Developmental Psychology or related coursework, following an approved plan of study.
Recommended elective courses include:
Advanced Topics in Positive Psychology (4 units)
Emotions (4 units)
Evaluating Developmental Interventions (4 units)
Flow: The Positive Psychology Experience (2 units)
Good Work (4 units)
Positive Contexts (4 units)
Positive and Inclusive Education (4 units)
Positive Relationships across the Lifespan (4 units)
Purpose at Work and in Life (4 units)
Science of Human Flourishing (4 units)
Required Methods and Statistics Courses (20 units)
Research Methods (4 units)
Directed Research Seminar (two 2-unit courses)
Intermediate Statistics (2 units)
Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) (2 units)
Applied Multiple Regression (2 units)
Categorical Data Analysis (2 units)
PSYCH 315 Sequence: Advanced Methodology (4 units)
Field Experience/Teaching Experience (4 units)
Supervised Teaching Seminar or Field Placement
Transdisciplinary Course
All students are required to enroll in a transdisciplinary core course from the “TNDY” course sequence during their first three semesters at Claremont Graduate University.
Portfolio
In addition to 72 units of coursework, all students must complete a portfolio that represents a cohesive set of experiences balancing training in their area of specialization.
PhD Completion
In the Field Opportunities
Under the supervision of professionals with expertise in your particular areas of interest, you can participate in fieldwork, research, and paid internships at a range of organizations, including:
University Requirements | |
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Application Fee | $80 (fee is non-refundable) |
Official Transcripts | Undergraduate/graduate Applicants must submit a sealed, official transcript from every undergraduate and graduate institution that has granted the applicant a degree. Electronic transcripts sent to admissions@cgu.edu are also accepted. For undergraduate coursework, applicants are required to submit proof of a completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Unofficial copies of transcripts are accepted for review purposes, but official copies will be required upon admission. Applicants currently earning a degree that will be completed prior to attending CGU are required to submit a transcript showing work in progress for evaluation purposes. Once the degree has been granted, a final official transcript documenting the degree conferred must be submitted to CGU. International applicants are advised to review the International Transcript Guidelines for additional information on submitting international transcripts. |
English Proficiency Exam | Required (international applicants only) A valid score on one of the following examinations TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson PTE, Duolingo English Test is required of all non-native English-speaking applicants. The examination is not required for the following applicants:
CGU’s school code for the TOEFL exam is 4053. International applicants are encouraged to visit our International Applicants page for more information, including score requirements. |
Resume | Applicants must submit an up-to-date copy of their resume. |
Program Requirements | |
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Statement of Purpose | Please submit a 2-3 page statement of purpose that details your academic and/or professional achievements, your specific areas of research interest within your desired field of study, why you are a strong candidate for graduate studies at CGU, and your career goals. |
Letter of Recommendation | 2 letters required When filling out the online application, please enter references acquainted with your potential for success who will submit a written recommendation on your behalf. In most academic departments, references from faculty members who can speak to your academic ability are preferred; applicants with substantial work experience may request professional references. Please do not enter family members as references. You will be required to input information for your recommenders (whether they are submitting online or not) in the “Recommendations” section of the online application. Please follow the directions in this section carefully before clicking on “Recommendation Provider List” to input the names and contact information for each recommender. You will have an opportunity to indicate if the reference writer will be submitting online. These reference writers will receive an email from CGU with instructions on submitting an online recommendation. Recommenders who are indicated as offline will not receive an email from CGU with instructions to submit. These reference writers can submit via traditional mail and should use the supplemental New Student Recommendation Form. Recommenders can also email their letter of recommendation to the Office of Admissions at admissions@cgu.edu. |
Standardized Test Scores | GRE (optional) For applicants applying to begin in a 2024 term, standardized test scores are not required for this program. Applicants who have taken the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test are invited to submit scores but are not required to do so. Applicants who feel that their Grade Point Averages do not adequately represent their ability to succeed in a graduate program may find it helpful to submit GRE scores for consideration. CGU’s school code: |
CGU operates on a priority deadline cycle. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit complete applications by the priority dates in order to assure maximum consideration for both admission and fellowships.
Once the priority deadlines have passed, the University will continue to review applications for qualified candidates on a competitive, space-available basis. The final deadlines listed are the last date the University can accept an application in order to allow sufficient time to complete the admissions, financial aid, and other enrollment processes.
Spring 2025
Priority Deadline – November 1, 2024
Final Deadline (International) – November 15, 2024
Final Deadline (Domestic) – December 1, 2024
Classes begin – January 21, 2025
Fall 2025
Priority Deadline – February 1, 2025
Final Deadline (International) – July 5, 2025
Final Deadline (Domestic) – August 1, 2025
Classes begin – August 25, 2025
Program | 72 units |
Tuition per unit* | $2,020 |
*Based on 2024-2025 tuition rates.
$245 Student Fee |
$150 Technology Fee |
International Student Services Fee*: $661 fall semester, $776 spring semester **Applies to all international students (F-1 visa only) who are registered in coursework, doctoral study, or continuous registration. The fee is assessed each fall and spring semester for annual ISO accident and sickness plans and administrative fees. Subject to change. |
For estimates of room & board, books, etc., please download CGU’s Cost of Attendance 2024-2025.