General Curriculum for Ph.D. in Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology

The Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology (PQP) program at Fordham University focuses on the quantitative, research-oriented commonalities relevant to most behavioral sciences and their applications in industry, education, and health sciences. Students in the PQP program gain familiarity with a repertoire of statistical, measurement, psychological testing, and other research techniques, as well as relevant computational skills.

Upon graduation, PQP students should be able to take on jobs in basic and applied research in the social and behavioral sciences, as well as in the testing industry and a range of program evaluation functions. Sophistication in measurement and evaluation can provide employment opportunities consonant with the current social emphasis on increasing standards of performance, equality of opportunity and accountability in the delivery of human services such as mental health services, education, and selection and training programs in industry.

PQP students are expected to demonstrate substantial grounding in general psychology as well as their concentration in psychometrics and quantitative psychology. They interact regularly with faculty and students in the other psychology doctoral programs (applied developmental and clinical).

General Curriculum

1st Year
•    Complete several basic quantitative courses (e.g., Introduction to Psychological Statistics, Regression, Experimental Design, Multivariate Statistics).
•    Complete one or two courses in the department of psychology outside of the program (i.e., substantive courses).
•    Get involved in research activities and propose a topic for the master’s thesis (or independent research) under mentorship.

2nd Year
•    Continue to complete psychometric and quantitative course requirements.
•    Begin to take advanced psychometric and quantitative courses to develop special interests.
•    Complete the course requirements in the department of psychology outside of the program (i.e., substantive courses)
•    Register the master’s thesis (or independent research) credits
•    Complete the master’s thesis by August in the 2nd year.

3rd Year
•    Continue to take advanced psychometric and quantitative courses to develop special interests.
•    Complete and pass the Ph.D. Comprehensive Exam.
•    Get more involved in advanced research projects.
•    Attend and present at academic conferences related your special interests.
•    Publish your master’s thesis and other research projects in peer-reviewed journals.

4th – 5th Year
•    Take a few advanced courses of particular interest.
•    Complete the program course requirements.
•    Get involved in several research projects, as research is the primary focus.
•    Develop and complete the doctoral dissertation.
•    Attend and present at academic conferences related your special interests.
•    Publish your research projects in peer-reviewed journals.