Personality Psychology (Ph.D.)

Personality Psychology (Ph.D.) | Graduate

We prepare students for careers as psychologists, research scientists, community health and wellness professionals, and university and college faculty who advance the use of culturally responsive personality theories, methods, and approaches to promote health and wellness, emotional intelligence, and racial and gender inclusion and equity.

The APA-accredited Ph.D. program in Psychology (specialization in Personality Psychology) at Howard’s Graduate School provides rigorous training in the study of the affective, cognitive, sociocultural, biological, and motivational processes underlying psychological differences among individuals. Our Ph.D. program in Personality Psychology emphasizes a strong grounding in contemporary theoretical orientations in personality psychology and multi-method approaches that combine personality measurement and assessment, self-report and direct behavioral observation, narrative and life story methods, experience, correlational, longitudinal, and dyadic sampling methods, survey and field research design, measurement of electrodermal, electromyographic, and cardiovascular activity, fMRI, and peripheral psychophysiology. As a doctoral student in the Personality Psychology graduate program, you'll be part of an active research culture at Howard and collaborate with faculty on research projects across a range of knowledge domains in personality science, including cognitive, experiential, and sociocultural areas. You'll have numerous opportunities to present your research findings at key meetings in Washington, D.C., and benefit from the close mentorship of faculty with wide-ranging research interests, including emotional intelligence and emotion regulation, self-knowledge and social identification, impacts of personality on social functioning and socialization, motivation, and personalized goal setting.

Program Snapshot

      ❱  72 credit hours 
      ❱  Full-time
      ❱  On-campus format
      ❱  Degree: Ph.D. 

Application Deadlines

The Personality Psychology Ph.D. program is not accepting applicants for this application cycle.

Transfer credits accepted (reviewed by committee)

• Degree Classification: Graduate
• Related Degrees: Ph.D.

Application for Admission 

The Personality Psychology Ph.D. program is not accepting applicants for this application cycle. 

• Online PSYCAS application
• Statement of purpose/ Statement of academic interest (500-1,000 words)
• GRE scores not required
• Official transcripts sent to PSYCAS
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or the international equivalent
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Autobiographical statement (500-750 words)

GRE Required?

• No

GRE Preferred Minimums

• GRE Verbal Reasoning: N/A
• GRE Quantitative Reasoning: N/A
• GRE Analytical Writing: N/A

GPA Required Minimums

• Overall GPA minimum: 3.0
• Undergrad GPA minimum: 3.0

Reference Requirements

Evaluator type accepted:

• Professor (Required)
• Supervisor/Manager

Evaluator type not accepted:

• Clergy
• Friend
• Family Member
• Coworker
• Other

Personal Statement Guidance

Statement of purpose/statement of academic interest should highlight why you wish to pursue a degree in personality psychology and address the following:

• Describe your academic and research interests, identifying specific faculty member(s) with whom you want to work.
• Describe your personal, professional, and educational goals related to the Ph.D. in Personality Psychology.
• How will obtaining your Ph.D. in Personality Psychology enhance you in your current position and/or future career?

Letter of Recommendation Guidance

Provide three (3) letters of recommendation from individuals who are familiar with your ability and/or potential for rigorous graduate study, clinical work, and/or research. Whenever possible, Howard University recommends seeking recommendations from faculty members in psychology or practicing professionals in psychology or other mental health disciplines. Letters of recommendation should be submitted through the PSYCAS system.