Earning a doctoral degree could open up opportunities for you in the career world. It allows you to become an expert in a particular area and discover new information related to your field. For those interested in psychology, you could pursue a PhD without having to pay a penny towards your degree. Fully funded PhD programs are an excellent opportunity to earn your doctorate without taking out more student loans. Search online to learn more about fully funded programs.
There are many prestigious universities that offer fully funded PhD programs across the country. Find out which ones are currently accepting applications with an online search.
Motortion Films / ShutterstockHere’s what you should know about fully funded psychology PhD programs.
What’s a Fully Funded Program?
Fully funded programs are like all expenses paid tuition, but even better. It’s essentially a financial aid package for full-time students that waives the cost of tuition. Plus, you receive an annual stipend or salary during your three to six years as a doctorate student.
The money you earn can cover the cost of housing, transportation, food, and other necessary living expenses. This gives you the opportunity to dive full-time into your doctorate program without needing to work another job to pay for it.
In exchange for the free tuition and stipend, ProFellow says this funding comes with expectations set by the school you attend. Students will typically be expected to teach or complete research in their field of study as a PhD student.1
Best Fully Funded PhD Psychology Programs
Although not all PhD programs are fully funded, there are some excellent schools that offer fully funded psychology programs that are worth checking out.
Columbia University
Pursue a doctorate degree in clinical psychology at Columbia University. This New York institution has been around since 1947 and provides students with rigorous training in contemporary clinical science and clinical assessment and intervention.2
Students must complete 95 points of academic credit during this three to four year program. This fully funded program offers incoming students free tuition and a $25,000 stipend. In exchange for this funding, students are expected to complete all coursework at the end of three to four years and work as a graduate teaching or research assistant.3
Arizona State University
Located in the Phoenix metropolitan area is Arizona State University. This public university is one of the country’s fastest growing research enterprises and employs more than 17,000 individuals.4
The Department of Psychology offers six areas of study for doctorate students:
- Behavioral Neuroscience and Comparative Psychology;
- Clinical Psychology;
- Cognitive Science;
- Developmental Psychology;
- Quantitative Research Methods, and;
- Social Psychology.5
Arizona State covers the cost of tuition for full-time doctorate students with 20 hour-per-week graduate teaching or research assistantships. Students in the Department of Psychology receive $18,564 for nine months pre-masters and $19,064 for nine months post-masters.6
Rutgers University
Pursue the highest level of academic training in psychology at Rutgers University. The New Jersey-based school offers a PhD program in clinical psychology, which prepares students for careers in teaching or research positions in academia.
PhD students are given years of guaranteed funding, as long as they maintain a good academic standing. This money is used towards tuition and also includes a 10-month stipend or salary.
After completing the necessary coursework, students enter a one-year psychological residency at various locations across the country.7
University of Michigan
Earn your PhD in clinical psychology at the University of Michigan. This particular PhD program is fully funded for five years, which includes tuition, stipend or salary, and health insurance.
The program is broken down into two phases. The first two years consist of courses and gaining proper research skills. The second is candidacy, a three-to-five-year phase where students conduct their dissertation research and hone other essential skills. During a sixth year of study, students are required to complete a full-time internship.8
Yale University
Attend one of the most prestigious institutions in the U.S. as a PhD student. Yale University has been around since 1701 and is located in New Haven, Connecticut. It offers a fully funded PhD program to graduate students in good standing.9
Yale University provides its PhD students with tuition, stipend, and summer funding for up to five years. Most often, it’s offered in the form of fellowships. Graduate students can also be paid for up to 20 hours per week from faculty research funds, as long as it contributes to their overall development in the program.10
Learn More About Fully Funded Programs Online
If you’re interested in earning a doctorate, then it can’t hurt to look into fully funded programs. You can pursue your education tuition-free and earn enough money to cover living expenses. These programs give students the opportunity to focus on their studies and advance their skills in academia.
To find a fully funded psychology program, start an online search. You can find out which schools offer this type of funding and how to submit a successful application. Programs can take as long as six years to complete, so make sure to do your research and find a school that’s right for you.