Online PhD in Psychology: Cognition and Instruction

A PhD student learning about cognition and instruction in an educational setting.
Start your GCU
journey today.
Step 1: Educational Interests
This helps us connect you with the right enrollment counselor to help you through the process.
GCU alumni enrolling in a doctoral program for the first time may be eligible for a $2,000 scholarship
Alumni Doctoral Degree Scholarship
Request Info
Overview

Help Communities Process Behavior and Experiences

Grand Canyon University’s Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in General Psychology: Cognition and Instruction is designed for students who wish to work with adult educational communities. You will investigate how cognitive processes can inform the most appropriate and effective instructional methods.

Entry into this qualitative doctorate program focusing on cognition and instruction requires a master’s degree.

PhD in cognition and instructional psychology sits with a group of teachers in the local community.
Why GCU

Benefits of GCU’s Qualitative Doctorate in Psychology

In this PhD in General Psychology, you will personally examine events with the expectation of working toward a better understanding of an observed phenomenon. You are taught how to develop research studies for the purpose of gaining insight into how and why people think, believe and behave as they do. This program differs from GCU’s quantitative PhD in General Psychology: Cognition and Instruction degree, which focuses on the creation of a sampling plan and the collection of numeric data.

What GCU Students Love About Our University
When I chose my PhD in General Psychology at GCU, I was drawn to the emphasis on cognition and instruction as it complemented my role as an English composition professor. I can enhance my teaching by analyzing students’ learning styles and my teaching methods, leading to a unified approach.
Dr. Keziah Tinkle-Williams
Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology, Class of 2021

Earn Your PhD in Psychology Online1

GCU is committed to meeting the needs of adult learners. Our university offers an intuitive and interactive e-learning platform designed to allow you to earn your doctorate from anywhere. You’ll benefit from the same quality of instruction and curriculum as our on-campus evening students, and you’ll be able to engage in discussions with fellow learners and instructors online. Continue to meet your other responsibilities while working toward your PhD in psychology online.1

A PhD working with a group of educators to provide creative instructional solutions for teaching children.
Coursework

Cognition Psychology Course Topics

An empirical, research-based approach is at the heart of the doctorate in general psychology: cognition and instruction program. By exploring the principles of learning in theory and practice, you may have the opportunity to make an impact in the instruction that takes place in formal education settings.

The coursework in this doctorate degree in psychology covers topics relevant to building and analyzing desired learning outcomes, including social cognition and assessments. 

Additionally, you will have opportunities to:

  • Analyze the impact of nature and nurture on cognitive development
  • Use theoretical and empirical approaches to examine mental processes
  • Create psychometrically sound measures
  • Apply cognitive psychology to learning and instruction
  • Explore how cognitive processes are used in practice

You will research and analyze findings on topics in mental and thought processes. These include:

Memory

Reasoning

Intelligence

Motivation

Learning

Use Research Methods and Writing Strategies for Your Dissertation

Because research is integral to work in cognitive psychology, the dissertation process begins in the first course of this PhD in psychology degree program, during which you are introduced to doctoral dispositions. 

You will take courses in advanced research methods and writing strategies, which teach the skills needed to present and defend a dissertation. You can develop a general psychology dissertation topic for the PhD in psychology based on your own research and interests. 

This PhD in General Psychology degree includes two in-person residencies on or near campus. These short-term residencies are designed to offer you hands-on experiences with research design principles, personalized guidance, and the opportunity to orally present and defend your preliminary dissertation research.

 

You may be inspired to further explore the topics reviewed in this program, including:

  • Psychological tests to measure learning outcomes
  • Collaboration to increase instructional effectiveness 
  • Human learning and cognition
  • Psychological theories related to motivation, needs, love and existence
  • Appropriate tests and measures
  • Factors affecting individual behavior
Careers

Career Paths for Doctorate in Psychology Students

This PhD in psychology aims to teach you to research and apply evidence-based instructional practices that can help learners flourish. Some graduates continue in their current positions, while others may seek new opportunities, such as university-level teachers and researchers.

There is a range of possibilities available to the curious researcher. After earning your PhD in general psychology with cognition and instruction specialization, you may decide to focus your professional practice on exploring why some people develop sensory or perception difficulties or on the most effective methods for learning foreign languages. Alternatively, you may decide to become a psychology consultant for the business or legal fields.2

Cognitive psychology specialists may pursue employment across a range of workplace settings.

These may include:2

Universities

Government or private research centers

Hospitals

Consulting groups

Accreditation

Graduate With a Doctorate From an Institutionally Accredited University

As an institutionally accredited university, GCU is proud to continue our longstanding tradition of delivering quality instruction to our student community. The Higher Learning Commission has continually accredited GCU since 1968. The College of Doctoral Studies shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.

FAQ

PhD in Psychology: Cognition and Instruction Degree FAQs

Earning a PhD in psychology is a significant undertaking. Before you enroll, consider these FAQs about the cognitive psychology field.

Close up image of man sitting at outdoor table while earning PhD online

Start Your Journey Today

If you are eager to explore how people learn and how instruction and assessment can lead to academic achievement, a qualitative general psychology degree may be for you.

Apply Now

§ MOU-Alumni 2000 Doctoral-July2025: The Alumni Scholarship for Doctoral Programs is only valid for those applicants who submit a complete application and begin a Doctoral program in July 2025. This scholarship cannot be used in conjunction with any other GCU scholarship or awards and only applies to online and evening programs. Please speak to a university counselor for complete details.

1 Program has residencies that take place on or near GCU's campus.

2 American Psychological Association. (2014). A Career in Cognitive Psychology. American Psychological Association. Retrieved Nov. 8, 2023.

3 Psychology School Guide. (n.d.). What is the Difference Between Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology? Psychology School Guide. Retrieved Nov. 8, 2023.

4 American Psychological Association. (2022, May). Cognitive Psychology Explores our Mental Processes. American Psychological Association. Retrieved Nov. 8, 2023.

We're here to help.

I'm Ready to ApplyI Need More Information