PhD Law and Psychology at Arizona State University

Programme overview

The Doctor of Philosophy program in law and psychology takes a broad interdisciplinary approach to train you to be part of a new generation of scholars. The program combines rigorous training in the law and psychology field with training in advanced research methodology and statistics, criminological theory, and contextual training in other subfields of psychology.

What you will study

84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation Required Core (6 credit hours) PSY 515 Quantitative Analysis I (3) PSY 516 Quantitative Analysis II (3) Required Research and Methodologies Sequence (18 credit hours) PSY 500 Research Methods (3) PSY 792 Research (15) Advanced Statistics Course (3 credit hours) Students select one from the following: BDS 511 Behavioral Data Science I (3) BDS 512 Behavioral Data Science II (3) PSY 517 Quantitative Analysis III (Multivariate) (3) PSY 533 Structural Equation Modeling (3) PSY 537 Longitudinal Growth Modeling (3) PSY 539 Multilevel Models for Psychological Research (3) Substantive Courses (9 credit hours) Students select three from the following: PSY 598 Special Topics: Psychology of Forensic Decision Making (3) PSY 621 Seminar on Psychology of Criminal Evidence and Investigation (3) PSY 623 Seminar on Psychology of Legal Decisions and Processes (3) PSY 625 Seminar on Mental Health and the Law (3) PSY 627 Seminar on Child Well-being Across Legal Systems (3) Theory Courses (6 credit hours) Students select two from the following: PSY 506 Advanced Cognitive Science (3) PSY 550 Advanced Social Psychology (3) PSY 577 Advanced Developmental Psychology (3) PSY 691 Seminar: Theory and Foundations of Intervention Science (3) PSY 691 Seminar: Biopsychosocial Influences and the Law (3) Legal Systems and Principles Course (3 credit hours) Students select one from the following: CRJ 513 Seminar in Courts and Sentencing (3) CRJ 537 Criminal Procedure of Investigations for Social and Forensic Scientists (3) CRJ 538 Criminal Law and Social Control (3) SIF 598 Special Topics: Legal Reasoning and Principles for Behavioral and Forensic Scientists (3) Professional Development (3 credit hours) PSY 691 Seminar: Professional and Ethical Issues in Law and Psychology (1) PSY 691 Seminar: Pedagogy and Practice: Law and Psychology (1) PSY 691 Seminar: Preparing for the Job Market (1) Electives (24 credit hours) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) PSY 799 Dissertation (12) Additional Curriculum Information When approved by the student's supervisory committee and Graduate College, this program allows 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree to be used for this degree.

Career pathways

Graduates are sought-after for their distinct skill sets that combine the complexities of law and justice with human behavior. Careers can be pursued in government, academia or private enterprise. Career examples: academic researcher or instructor as a college or university professor, criminal justice data analyst, government or nonprofit researcher and evaluator, legal policy researcher and evaluator, legal or trial consultant, mental health policy analyst or consultant, postdoctoral research fellow.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in psychology, criminal justice, social science, or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: graduate admission application and application fee official transcripts three letters of recommendation proof of English proficiency Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. GRE General test scores are optional and recommended only if the applicant believe they will strengthen the application. GRE subject tests are not required.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

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