General Psychology PhD in Cognition and Instruction – Quantitative

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Degree Level

Doctoral

Class Setting

Online

Area of Study

Business

Program

PhD in General Psychology: Cognition and Instruction (Quantitative)

Current Education Level

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Citizenship Status

U.S. Citizen

Military Affiliation

No military affiliation

Country

United States

GCU alumni enrolling in a doctoral program for the first time may be eligible for a $2,000 scholarship.^§

Alumni Doctoral Degree Scholarship

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Overview

Earn Your Quantitative Psychology PhD in Cognition and Instruction From GCU

Grand Canyon University’s Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in General Psychology with an Emphasis in Cognition and Instruction program offers a broad array of courses that are designed to increase the understanding of human behavior and mental processes. This program provides you with an opportunity to engage your knowledge and skills in cognition and instruction in applied settings of teaching and/or conducting psychological research in business, government or higher-education institutions.

Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology: Cognition and Instruction (Quantitative Research)

Offered By

College of Doctoral Studies

Class Settings

Evening

Online

Tuition Rate

Online: $750 per credit [More Info]

Evening: $750 per credit [More Info]

Cost of Attendance

Course Information

Credits: 60

Campus: 15 weeks

Online: 8 weeks

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Transfer Credits

Up to 9 doctoral credits

Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements (Doctoral)

Doctoral Degree
3.4+ GPA*

OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and

Masters Degree
3.4 GPA**

Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an institutionally accredited school. Applicants with a GPA less than 3.4 may be accepted with specifications.
** Degree must be from an institutionally accredited school. Applicants with a GPA between 3.0 - 3.39 may be accepted with specifications. Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 will not be accepted.

Why GCU

Choosing To Specialize in a Quantitative Psychology PhD

In a quantitative PhD program, you will examine and analyze events by interpreting numeric data. Through GCU’s quantitative PhD in General Psychology with an Emphasis in Cognition and Instruction program, you are taught to develop expertise in the creation of a sampling plan and in the collection of data through the use of statistical tools. This program differs from GCU’s qualitative PhD in General Psychology with an Emphasis in Cognition and Instruction program, which focuses on gaining insight into how and why people think, believe and behave a certain way.

Program Complements Current Work

“When I chose to earn my Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology at GCU, I was particularly interested in the emphasis of cognition and instruction because as a college professor teaching English composition, I knew it would complement what I was already doing for a more unified teaching approach.”

Dr. Keziah Tinkle-Williams

Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology, Class of 2021

Coursework

GCU’s PhD in General Psychology with an Emphasis in Cognition and Instruction program was created by the College of Doctoral Studies to help professionals expand their understanding of human behavior and mental processes.

Core areas of instruction include three emphasis courses in cognition and instruction, cognitive science and social cognition. In this program, you will be taught to employ quantitative methodology to design, collect and analyze information in alignment with conducting a scholarly dissertation. This degree is not intended for those seeking licensure in clinical practice and does not lead directly to licensure.

In this program, you have the opportunity to:

Explore the major schools of thought in psychology and their philosophical origins.

Learn the nature, origins and history of psychoanalysis and psychotherapy.

Examine the historical and theoretical background of the behavioristic movement and its major works.

Discuss the basic components of quantitative research design.

Work with statistical analysis software to design a quantitative research study.

Careers

Careers for a Quantitative PhD in Cognitive and Instructiona

GCU’s PhD in General Psychology with an Emphasis in Cognition and Instruction can help prepare you for a position in business, government or education.

Careers related to this doctoral degree include:

Industrial-organizational psychologists
Researchers
Counseling psychologists
University-level teachers

Courses

Course List

Credit Summary

Major60 credits

Degree Requirements60 credits

To learn more about time to completion and the dissertation process at GCU, visit our doctoral page.

Core Courses

RES-815

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course introduces doctoral learners to the principle elements of research, scholarly writing, and effective argumentation. Learners are made aware of the dispositions and expectations of doctoral researchers as well as the University’s overarching values and beliefs regarding research and the responsibility of scholars to contribute new knowledge to their respective fields of study. Learners begin the process of identifying a researchable dissertation topic and are acquainted with appropriate scholarly resources that support the development of the dissertation.

RES-820C

3 Total Credits

Course Description

In this course, learners are introduced to the critical reading of scholarly qualitative and quantitative literature at the doctoral level. Learners also explore the concept of synthesizing the scholarly literature to identify problems and problem spaces that emerge to form a researchable topic of study. The application of scholarly argumentation from the extant literature to defend the need for a research study is discussed.

PSY-810

3 Total Credits

PSY-802

3 Total Credits

RES-831

3 Total Credits

Course Description

In this course, learners are introduced to key components of qualitative and quantitative research designs and the means to critically appraise the application of research designs as observed in the scholarly literature. The University's core research designs are presented. Consideration is given to the initial selection and defense of a research design to address a problem that emerged from the extant literature.

RSD-851

3 Total Credits

RES-832

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to the sampling, data collection, and data analysis methods employed in qualitative and quantitative research designs. Learners explore the alignment of sampling, data collection, and data analysis methods to the research topic, research questions, and research design. The course positions learners to select qualitative or quantitative designs for their dissertation studies. Prerequisite: RES-831.

PSY-803

3 Total Credits

PSY-820

3 Total Credits

PSY-804

3 Total Credits

RES-842

3 Total Credits

RES-844

3 Total Credits

PSY-863

3 Total Credits

RSD-884

3 Total Credits

PSY-866

3 Total Credits

PSY-955

3 Total Credits

RES-874

3 Total Credits

Course Description

In this course, learners focus on data collection, data preparation and management, and the analysis of quantitative data to produce written research findings, results, and implications. Learners continue to work with their respective dissertation chairs and apply information from this course to move ahead in the dissertation process. Prerequisites: RES-844 and one of the following: DBA-955 or DIS-955 or DHA-955 or PSY-955 or PCE-955 or TLC-955.

PSY-960

3 Total Credits

RES-884

3 Total Credits

Course Description

In this course, learners focus on the interpretation of quantitative data to produce written research findings, results, and implications. Learners continue to work with their respective dissertation chairs and apply information from this course to move ahead in the dissertation process. Prerequisites: RES-874 and one of the following: DBA-960 or DIS-960 or DHA-960 or PSY-960 or PCE-960 or TLC-960.

PSY-965

3 Total Credits

Continuation Courses

The course identified above represent the minimum academic course requirements only. Most students will also need to take one or more of the following Research Continuation Courses to complete a dissertation. Research Continuation Courses are 3-credit courses charged at the standard doctoral per credit rate.

PSY-966E

3 Total Credits

PSY-967E

3 Total Credits

PSY-968E

3 Total Credits

PSY-969E

3 Total Credits

PSY-970E

3 Total Credits

PSY-971E

3 Total Credits

PSY-972E

3 Total Credits

PSY-973E

3 Total Credits

PSY-974E

3 Total Credits

GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change

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

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^§ 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.

General Psychology PhD in Cognition and Instruction – Quantitative

General Psychology PhD in Cognition and Instruction – Quantitative

Earn Your Quantitative Psychology PhD in Cognition and Instruction From GCU

Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology: Cognition and Instruction (Quantitative Research)

Choosing To Specialize in a Quantitative Psychology PhD

Study Social Cognition and Impact Formal Education Settings

Program Graduation Requirements

Careers for a Quantitative PhD in Cognitive and Instructiona

Course List

Start Your Journey Today

Course List

Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology: Cognition and Instruction (Quantitative Research)