Psychology (Doctoral)

The Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology degree is a research- b a s e d program focused on career advancement in teaching, consulting, administration, or institutional research. The program prepares innovative scholars, researchers, and educators to contribute to the body of knowledge through intensive study in the field of psychology. The program, culminating in a dissertation, builds the foundation for theoretically grounded research and development of knowledge in the study and application of personality, motivation, learning, emotion, and behavior.

Program Goals

1. Develop an advanced understanding of general psychological principles and theories to include motivation, learning, emotion, and behavior.
2. Apply diverse, culturally appropriate methods to evaluate and support individuals, communities, and organizations in the field of psychology.
3. Apply psychological principles and effective research methods to academic and social service settings by identifying problems, designing and conducting research studies, analyzing data, and formulating conclusions.
4. Demonstrate professional communication skills in writing through organizing, thinking critically, and communicating ideas and information in documents, presentations, and publications.

Applicants desiring to enter Keiser University must submit an application to the Admissions Office well in advance of the start date. This permits proper scheduling and ensures availability of classroom space. Applications for Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall semesters should be made as early as possible, as these entry dates are normally the time of greatest enrollment.

Credit for courses or degrees completed at another institution is subject to approval by the Dean of Academic Affairs. These courses or degrees must be similar in content and duration to those offered in the program for which an applicant has applied. The Dean of Academic Affairs makes the final decision of accepted transfer credits from the received transcript. However, only courses listed on official transcripts receive permanent official transfer credit. To grant such credit, Keiser University must receive official transcript directly from the previous institution by the end of a student’s first semester. Keiser University requires that, at a minimum, a student complete at least one third of the credit hours required for any graduate or post-baccalaureate professional degree through instruction offered by Keiser University. Active duty, reservists, and National Guard service members who are students can complete at a minimum one third of a program at any time through the University. Transfer students are informed in writing of any credits accepted as transferable. Preliminary notification is presented, in most cases, prior to enrollment but in no case later than the end of a transfer student's first semester. Students are responsible for having official transcripts sent to Keiser University from all former institution(s). It may be necessary for students to forfeit some previously earned credit in the transfer process since college philosophies, objectives and programs may vary and change from year to year. Keiser University does not make any blanket assurances or guarantees regarding the acceptance or transferability of credits from other institutions. Each credit evaluation is conducted on a caseby-case basis in accordance with university policy.

Keiser University may accept transfer credits from a college or university recognized by the by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE). Coursework must be equivalent in content, level, and credit hours to the corresponding Keiser University course/s.

Qualified, accepted doctoral degree seeking students may transfer a maximum of 18 graduate level credits, but no more than two-thirds of the total credit hours (whichever is less), required for the program unless otherwise specified by a programmatic accreditor.

Acceptable courses will be equivalent to a B grade or higher unless otherwise specified by programmatic requirements. Courses represented with a Pass or Satisfactory grade may be transferable at the discretion of the program chair and/or appropriate program Dean.

To receive a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology degree, students with a master’s degree must earn 54 graduate semester credit hours as described below. Students with a bachelor’s degree must complete an additional 12 graduate semester credit hours and a thesis to receive their master’s degree while enrolled in the Ph.D. in Psychology. The length of the program entering with a master’s degree is approximately 40 months, whereas the length of the baccalaureate entry program is approximately 48 months.

NOTE: Courses in the PhD program are eight-weeks in length, and students are scheduled for one or two courses concurrently. Dissertation courses are eight-weeks in length and students are scheduled for two dissertation courses per semester.

Doctoral students must complete two residencies prior to DSS900.

Keiser University charges tuition and education fees per semester, based on scheduled credit hours. Each semester is 16 weeks.

A semester of sixteen (16) weeks may consist of four (4) consecutive four (4) week terms or two (2) consecutive eight (8) week terms or one (1) consecutive sixteen (16) week semester of instruction.

Keiser University charges tuition and education fees per semester, based on scheduled credit hours. Each semester is 16 weeks. The rates below are the university’s published Tuition and Fee Disclosure for the Graduate School, effective Fall Semester 2026, and are subject to annual review.

This program is charged at the rate for Doctoral degree programs.

An education fee of $750.00 per semester is charged for all graduate-level programs. One-time charges on enrolment are an application fee of $55.00 and a registration fee of $145.00.

Doctoral students are charged $8,628.00 for the four-credit dissertation and $1,000.00 for each of the two on-campus residencies. Students are responsible for travel, accommodation and other costs associated with their residencies.

Graduates of Keiser University’s Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology are well-positioned to pursue leadership roles in research, academia, mental health, and public service. This non-clinical doctoral degree supports professionals who want to deepen their expertise in psychological science and take on advanced roles in healthcare organizations, community agencies, corporations, social services, and schools. The program strengthens the ability to conduct research, apply psychological principles, and contribute to the broader field through scholarly publication and program evaluation.

• Researcher
• University faculty or professor
• Education program evaluator
• Psychosocial specialist
• Social service management
• Behavioral scientist
• Organizational research analyst
• Government policy researcher
• Program evaluation specialist
• Behavioral health researcher
• Corporate human behavior consultant
• Community psychology specialist
• Mental health program director

Keiser University’s doctoral psychology program suits experienced professionals ready to advance through rigorous doctoral study and original research. With a flexible online PhD format and on-campus options across Florida, the program aligns with a range of career goals, whether the aim is to lead research initiatives, pursue academic faculty roles, contribute to government or nonprofit organizations, or build expertise in health psychology, developmental psychology, or general psychology. Keiser provides the academic foundation and practical research experience needed to make a lasting contribution to the psychology field.