* This version of the document in English is a translation from the original Swedish version. In the event of any discrepancies or inconsistencies between the two versions, the Swedish original shall prevail and take precedence.
 

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2. Subject description

Psychology as a science is about the systematic exploration of human experience and behavior. The starting point is that humans are biological, social and cultural beings who seek meaning and interpret themselves and their situation in the world. Psychological researchers often collaborate with representatives of other sciences such as neuroscience, genetics, pharmacology, psychiatry, linguistics, anthropology, education, economics, etc.

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3. Objectives of the training

The aim of the program is to develop the knowledge and skills required to independently conduct research in psychology and to contribute to the development of knowledge in the field of psychological research through the production of a scientific thesis.

Doctoral education in psychology aims to enable the doctoral student to acquire knowledge of planning, management and implementation of research projects. Doctoral education should also provide opportunities for international contacts, e.g. in the form of participation in research conferences and/or stays at foreign universities, and develop the doctoral student's communicative and pedagogical skills in expressing themselves well in speech and writing both within and outside academic contexts.

The specific objectives of the program, which must be met to obtain a doctoral degree in psychology, are stated below under point 3.1.

Third-cycle education in psychology can be completed with a licentiate or doctoral degree.

A doctoral student in psychology can complete the licentiate degree as a stage in their doctoral education. The licentiate stage is not mandatory for obtaining a doctoral degree.

3.1 Doctoral degree

A doctoral degree is awarded after the doctoral student has completed a program of 240 higher education credits in a subject for doctoral education.

Knowledge and understanding

For the doctoral degree, the doctoral student must

• demonstrate broad knowledge and a systematic understanding of the research field, as well as deep and up-to-date specialist knowledge in a limited part of the research field, and
• demonstrate familiarity with scientific methodology in general and with the methods of the specific research area in particular.

Skills and abilities

For the doctoral degree, the doctoral student must

• demonstrate the ability to scientifically analyze and synthesize and to independently critically review and assess new and complex phenomena, issues and situations,
• demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate questions critically, independently, creatively and with scientific rigor, and to plan and conduct research and other qualified tasks using appropriate methods within given time frames, and to review and evaluate such work,
• demonstrate with a thesis their ability to contribute significantly to the development of knowledge through their own research,
• demonstrate the ability to present and discuss research and research results with authority in both national and international contexts, orally and in writing, in dialog with the scientific community and society in general,
• demonstrate the ability to identify the need for additional knowledge, and
• demonstrate the ability to contribute to the development of society and to support the learning of others, both in research and education and in other qualified professional contexts.

Values and attitudes

For the doctoral degree, the doctoral student must

• demonstrate intellectual independence and scientific integrity, as well as the ability to make ethical assessments of research, and
• demonstrate a deeper understanding of the possibilities and limitations of science, its role in society and people's responsibility for how it is used.

Scientific thesis (doctoral thesis)

For a doctoral degree, the doctoral student must have had a scientific thesis (doctoral thesis) of at least 120 credits approved.

3.2 Licentiate degree

A licentiate degree is awarded either after the doctoral student has completed a course of study of at least 120 credits in a subject for third-cycle education, or after the doctoral student has completed a part of a course of study of at least 120 credits that is to be concluded with a doctoral degree, if the university decides that such a licentiate degree can be awarded at the university.

Knowledge and understanding

For a licentiate degree, the doctoral student must

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the field of research, including up-to-date specialist knowledge in a defined part of it, and in-depth knowledge of scientific methodology in general and the methods of the specific field of research in particular.

Skills and abilities

For a licentiate degree, the doctoral student must

• demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate questions critically, independently and creatively and with scientific accuracy, to plan and carry out limited research work and other qualified tasks using appropriate methods within given time frames, thereby contributing to the development of knowledge, and to evaluate this work,
• demonstrate the ability to clearly present and discuss research and research results in both national and international contexts, orally and in writing, in dialog with the scientific community and society in general, and
• demonstrate the skills required to participate independently in research and development work and to work independently in other qualified activities.

Values and attitudes

For a licentiate degree, the doctoral student must

• demonstrate the ability to make research ethics assessments in their own research,
• demonstrate an understanding of the possibilities and limitations of science, its role in society and people's responsibility for how it is used
• demonstrate the ability to identify their need for further knowledge and to take responsibility for their knowledge development.

Scientific paper

For a licentiate degree, the doctoral student must have had a scientific thesis of at least 60 credits approved.

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4. Eligibility and prerequisites

4.1 Basic eligibility

General entry requirements for doctoral studies are those who have

1. have completed an advanced level degree,
2. completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at advanced level, or
3. have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge by any other means, inside or outside the country.

The university may grant an exemption from the requirement of basic eligibility for an individual applicant if there are special reasons.

4.2 Specific competence

Admission to doctoral studies in psychology requires the following:

1. at least 90 credits at first or second cycle in psychology or other education relevant to the subject of the thesis, of which at least 15 credits must be independent work, or
2. equivalent knowledge acquired by other means inside or outside the country, and
3. a knowledge of English that allows the study of non-fiction literature in English.

If necessary, assessments of eligibility are made by the director of studies for the doctoral program, and decisions are made by the head of department.

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5. Call for applications and admission procedure

Opportunities to apply for doctoral studies in psychology are given in spring (deadline April 1) and fall (deadline November 1) to the extent that available resources allow. Places are announced at least one month before the deadline via the university's website. The announcement clearly states who should be contacted for any questions about the position.

Information on how to apply is available on the department's website (www.psychology.su.se).

Decisions on the admission of applicants to doctoral studies in psychology are made by the Department Board at the Department of Psychology. The department board may not sub-delegate decisions on admission. The department board may only admit applicants to doctoral education who are employed as doctoral students.

Decisions on admission to doctoral education with funding other than doctoral student employment are made by the Faculty Board of Social Sciences.

For further information, see (i) Admission regulations for third-cycle education, and (ii) Decision-making and delegation regulations for the Faculty of Social Sciences.

5.1 Assessment criteria and selection criteria

Selection from among applicants who meet the requirements of Chapter 7, Sections 35 and 36 of the Higher Education Ordinance shall be made with regard to their ability to benefit from the education.

The basis for this assessment is the thesis plan that must accompany the application, previous scientific work, and other merits (e.g. scientific, educational and professional merits). The assessment is carried out by three unbiased experts at the department. Additional assessment via e.g. interview or proficiency test may be added to further distinguish between applicants.

1. In the thesis plan, the applicant shall describe his/her thesis project. The plan will be assessed mainly on the basis of the following criteria:

a) whether the plan demonstrates familiarity with previous and current research in the field,

b) whether the questions are anchored in current research,

c) whether the methods described for collecting and analyzing data are adequate, 

d) whether the plan is considered realistic in terms of feasibility within the doctoral education.

2. independent work (degree project) in psychology or other scientific work. The attached work will be assessed mainly on the basis of the following criteria:

a) problem formulation and rigor

b) methodological and scientific skill

c) theoretical/conceptual anchoring

3. other qualifications (e.g. education, work experience, quality and extent of other scientific production) and grades/ratings. References should be provided. These may be contacted in order to assess, among other things, the applicant's communication and cooperation skills.

When announcing a doctoral position that is to be conducted within an existing reseach project, documentation for assessment can be based on 2. Independent work and 3. other qualifications in combination with an interview and skills test.

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6. Content and structure of the training

Postgraduate education in psychology consists of courses worth 60 credits and a thesis worth 180 credits. 30 credits correspond to one semester of full-time studies.

The program is planned so that the studies require four academic years for doctoral students who devote themselves full-time to their own doctoral education. In this context, it is assumed that the doctoral student devotes himself/herself entirely to his/her studies and makes effective use of teaching and supervision. If a doctoral student so requests, the appointment may be for part-time work, but not less than 50% of full-time, i.e. eight years.

The period of study to obtain a doctoral degree is four years of full-time study and the scope is 240 credits. The program consists of a course component of 60 credits and a thesis component of 180 credits. It is possible to obtain a licentiate degree after completing 120 credits, of which 30 credits must consist of courses and 90 credits of a scientific thesis.

All doctoral students admitted to doctoral studies in psychology must follow this general study plan. Any collaborations in the form of cotutelle, individual doctoral student participation in a research school or externally funded projects can only affect the individual differences in the education documented in the individual study plan.

The doctoral student is also expected to participate in seminars and, unless there are special reasons, to contribute to the department's joint activities. A mandatory half-time seminar is held by the doctoral student when the supervisor considers that about half of the thesis work has been completed.

6.1 Individual study plan

Individual study plans shall be drawn up for all active doctoral students in psychology. The individual study plan contains the commitments of the university and the doctoral student, and a timetable for the doctoral student's education. The plan is established by the head of department after consultation with the doctoral student and his or her supervisor. In connection with admission, funding must be arranged for the entire period of study (equivalent to four years of full-time study). The financing is documented in a financing plan that is drawn up in connection with admission to the doctoral program.

The individual study plan is reviewed at least once a year after consultation with the doctoral student and his or her supervisor and amended by the university as necessary.

For details regarding the preparation, management and follow-up of the individual study plans, see Chapter 6, Sections 29 and 30 of the Higher Education Ordinance, the Rules for third-cycle education and examination, the instructions of the Humanities Area and the rules of the Faculty of Social Sciences.

6.2 Guidance and other resources

• For each doctoral student, at least two supervisors shall be appointed, in accordance with the Department of Psychology's delegation regulations. One of them shall be appointed as principal supervisor.
• The main supervisor must be employed by the department and be at least an associate professor.
• At least one of the supervisors must have completed supervisor training, or be assessed by the area committee as having equivalent competence.
• Doctoral students have access to a workplace and computer.
• Further details on guidance and other resources will be determined in the individual study plan. Guidance and counseling will be included as part of the training.
• A doctoral student who so requests shall be allowed to change supervisor and the request for change shall be addressed to the decision-making body specified in the Department of Psychology's Scheme of Delegation.
• Doctoral students are entitled to supervision during their studies, unless the Vice-Chancellor decides otherwise on the basis of Chapter 6, Section 30 of the HF.
• The Vice-Chancellor may decide that a doctoral student shall no longer be entitled to supervision and other resources for the education if the doctoral student substantially neglects his or her obligations under the individual study plan. For further information, see the Rules for third-cycle education and examination, Procedure for the withdrawal of a doctoral student's right to supervision and other resources, and Instructions for the individual study plan.

6.3 Courses and examination

For the doctoral degree, the course component consists of 60 credits of courses. A compulsory course block totaling at least 15 credits consists of credits from at least three of the following courses, which, unless otherwise stated, are given at the department:

• History and Philosophy of Psychology, 7.5 credits,
• Research Ethics (given by the Department of Philosophy), 3-7.5 credits,
• Reproducible research and data management, 3-7.5 credits,
• Research presentation. 4.5-7.5 credits.

The Director of Studies may, after consultation with the supervisor, approve other courses with equivalent content as part of this compulsory course block.

Of the remaining courses, approximately 15 credits should consist of methodology courses and approximately 15 credits of subject courses in psychology. The remaining approximately 15 credits can consist of elective courses at advanced level, including courses in higher education pedagogy. Elective courses are chosen in consultation with the supervisor. For the licentiate degree, the course requirements are 50% of those for the doctoral degree.

Individual tests are organized in connection with each course. These can be both written and oral. The results are assessed with the grades pass or fail.

6.3.1 Recognition of prior learning

Doctoral students can apply for credit transfer for previous courses at advanced level.

Credit transfer is assessed in each individual case in relation to what is stated in the general study plan and in relation to the degree objectives. Credit transfer for previous studies shall take place in connection with the start of the third-cycle education and involves a deduction of the net study time, where 30 credits correspond to 6 months of net study time.

Decisions on credit transfer are made by the director of studies for the doctoral program.

Courses credited must not have been included in the entry requirements in force at the time of admission.

The individual study plan states which courses the doctoral student, after consultation with the supervisor, intends to take. If the doctoral student wishes to transfer credits from previous education, this must be specifically stated in the individual study plan.

6.3.2 Other compulsory elements

Mid-term seminar, and final review by internal and external reviewers before the defense.

6.4 Doctoral thesis and defense

The central element of the program is the writing of a scientific thesis in which the doctoral student will advance knowledge in the research area.

Doctoral theses shall be defended orally at a public defense and be given one of the grades pass or fail by a grading committee appointed separately for each thesis. The grading takes into account both the content of the thesis and its defense. The opponent and the members of the examining committee are appointed by the faculty board. Provisions regarding the examining committee, etc. can be found in the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, and in instructions issued by the Faculty Board of Social Sciences. Dissertations shall be held in Swedish or English.

A doctoral thesis in psychology typically involves:

• that it is a synthesis thesis with an integrative summary of the constituent parts.
• it is written in English according to guidelines that allow it to be published internationally in whole or in part, but the thesis may be written in Swedish.

Doctoral theses must include both a Swedish and an English summary.

The thesis can also be written as a monograph thesis.

For compilation theses for doctoral degrees, the following requirements also apply to the thesis part:

• The thesis must contain a summary (kappa) and normally three to four scientific articles (papers). Fewer than three papers may be considered if a paper is particularly extensive in terms of empirical or theoretical contribution. All papers must be intended for publication in an established peer-reviewed scientific journal. At least half of the theses must be published or accepted for publication and the rest must be submitted to a journal at the time the thesis is presented.
• Each subproject must be relevant to the overall question of the thesis as formulated in the capstone and each subproject must contribute with theory development, method development, new data or new analysis of existing data.
• The doctoral student's contribution to each thesis must be significant. In the case of co-authored theses, this normally means that the doctoral student is the first author on at least two theses and at least third author on the other theses. All co-authors' contributions must be reported in the chapter.

If there are special reasons, the head of department may, in consultation with the director of studies for the doctoral program, make exceptions to the above criteria.

6.5 Licentiate thesis and licentiate seminar

A licentiate thesis is assessed with one of the grades fail or pass and the examination takes place in connection with a publicly announced licentiate seminar. For the licentiate seminar, see the current guidelines for licentiate seminars.

The licentiate seminar shall be announced well in advance and the licentiate thesis shall be available at the department well in advance of the seminar.

At a licentiate seminar, an opponent and an examiner or a grading committee are appointed. Supervisors may not participate in the grading of the thesis.

The licentiate thesis, which shall correspond to approximately half of the doctoral thesis work, may consist of scientific papers with an integrating summary or of a monograph. A licentiate thesis written as a compilation thesis must contain a kappa and at least two parts in publishable form.

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7. Transitional rules

7.1 Transitional provision in relation to previous study plans

Doctoral students who have been admitted before the general syllabus came into force may, after consultation with the principal supervisor and director of studies, request to transfer to this syllabus. The request should be addressed to the director of studies for the doctoral program. The individual study plan must then be updated.

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8. Other

Otherwise, reference is made to current legislation, guidelines at Stockholm University, Human Sciences, at the Faculty of Social Sciences, and local application regulations at the Department of Psychology.