As the world’s population continues to age, the demand will continue for individuals trained in gerontology, the study of the social, psychological, and biological aspects of aging. Gerontology examines the aging process from the biological, economic, psychological, social, and health/fitness aspects. A doctoral degree in psychology with a specialization in gerontology also covers the field of geropsychology, a specialty area within psychology that focuses on the mental health and well-being of older adults, and their families and caretakers.
The Gerontology specialization is designed to train you in supporting, informing, researching, and solving problems working with older adults and their families and caretakers. Coursework in this program prepares you for career opportunities in educational institutions, health facilities (such as VA hospitals/organizations, hospice, or nursing homes), mental health clinics, research institutions, government agencies (such as state and federal health departments), and community organizations.
Note on Licensure: The Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology program is not a licensure program and does not prepare an individual to become a licensed psychology or counseling professional.| Credit Hours | Courses | Est. Time to Complete | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PhD-Psy | 60 | 20 | 48 months | View Course Catalog |
Unmatched Flexibility
NCU offers weekly course starts, no scheduled lecture hours, no group assignments, weekly assignments, and the ability to schedule courses around your personal and professional obligations.
100% Doctoral Faculty
No matter the degree level you pursue, you can rest assured that you will be mentored by doctors in your field of study.
One-to-One Engagement
You won't have to fight for facetime as one of many within a classroom. At NCU, you'll have the opportunity to interact one-to-one with your professor, receiving personalized mentoring.
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology Learning Outcomes
- Apprise theories and principles in psychology to inform professional contexts
- Evaluate research methods and data analysis in psychology
- Select psychological principles and research for application to personal, social, and organizational issues
- Evaluate ethical principles of psychology in academic and professional issues
- Critique diversity issues in professional contexts
- Design clear and effective communication for fellow professionals and the public