Overview of Program
A complex and fast changing world demands new and creative approaches in a wide variety of professional areas including counseling, business, coaching, education, government, health on and social transformation. Understanding the dynamics of creativity can enhance professional growth and personal well-being. There is a vital role for creativity studies in making the most of our self-awareness and furthering our human potential. The Creativity Studies Certificate is designed to understand the history, research, and to apply creativity studies to the student's professional field of study. The Creativity Studies Certificate will give students a broad understanding of creativity research and allow students and non-degree individuals to pursue specific areas of interest.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Certificate, students will be able to…
- Delineate their own conceptions about creativity based on the literature and their own experience.
- Discuss their individual creative process and factors that have stimulated or inhibited their creativity in the past.
- Discuss potential factors (e.g., personal, social, transpersonal) that might encourage or discourage creativity.
- Give examples of biological, psychological, and social factors that play a role in what society calls “creatives,” and how creative one can be.
- Explain differences between creativity in everyday life and eminent creativity.
- Describe whether creativity has a distinctly different quality in different domains of activity (e.g., arts vs. sciences).
- Demonstrate knowledge of ways in which questions of interest on creativity have been researched, including through qualitative and quantitative methods.
- Explain several ways in which students might enhance creativity in their own particular area of interest at both the individual and societal level.
- Teach basic information about creativity to individuals or groups.
- Conduct a theoretical exploration of a particular area of creativity studies, and defend one’s approach and conclusions.
- Know how to create a peer group for sharing, support, or engaging in group creative activities.
- Design, implement, and evaluate an application of what has been learned in a particular area.
- Discover new and unexpected things about the nature of creativity and about oneself.
- Take a creative risk and have some fun!
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Ph.D. Psychology program with specializations in Creativity, Innovation, & Leadership (CIL), Consciousness, Spirituality, and Integrative Health (CSIH), and Existential and Humanistic Psychology (EHP) are well-positioned for diverse and impactful career opportunities. With a Ph.D. in Psychology, students can pursue academic positions as professors or researchers in universities and research institutions, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in their specialized areas. They can also work as consultants, trainers, or leaders in organizations, utilizing their expertise in creativity, innovation, and leadership to foster positive change and growth. In the realm of consciousness, spirituality, and integrative health, graduates can pursue careers as integrative health practitioners, spiritual counselors, or wellness coaches, supporting individuals in their holistic well-being journeys. The EHP specialization opens doors to careers as humanistic researchers, psychology educators, or consultants, providing compassionate and existential guidance to individuals seeking personal and professional growth and fulfillment. Additionally, Ph.D. holders may choose to establish their own private practice, offering specialized services in their respective areas of expertise. With their advanced knowledge, research skills, and specialization-specific training, graduates of the Ph.D. program are equipped to make significant contributions to the field of psychology and positively impact individuals, communities, and organizations.
Our Ph.D. in Psychology program is intended for professionals who wish to pursue nonclinical careers or expand on their existing licenses. This program is not designed to prepare graduates to qualify for clinical licensure or certification.
Admissions Requirements
Degree Requirements: Master’s degree
At a minimum, you must have received, or anticipate receiving prior to the start of the semester you are applying into, a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited college or university before applying for a doctoral degree at Saybrook.
The minimum expected grade point average (GPA) requirement is 3.0 from the last degree-granting institution, though exceptions may be made.
Transfer Credit
Transfer credits based on equivalent graduate courses taken at another regionally accredited institution in the same or similar discipline where the student received a grade of B or better may be transferred and will reduce the number of course credits required to be completed at Saybrook. Allowable transfer credits must be suitable for transfer to the intended degree as determined by the Psychology Department chair. Transfer course credits do not affect the minimum number of credits required for the degree.
Transfer credit to be applied toward required electives:
Ph.D. in Psychology - May include up to 12 transfer credits completed in the Psychology discipline, 6 of these credits may be from cognate fields, non-degree Saybrook Certificate credits, Saybrook CE credits, or other non-degree credits taken at Saybrook University within the last seven years.*
*Exception to the amount of transfer credits may be made when students complete the M.A. Psychology program within Saybrook (with specialization (CSIH, Creativity Studies, and EHP) and without specialization) within the last one year.
University Learning Experience
Virtual Learning Experience (VLE) - Required, Community Learning Experience (CLE) - Optional
All new students begin their studies with a Welcome Week. Welcome Week activities, including a degree program orientation, are held online during the week ahead of the start of the fall and spring semesters. Participation is strongly encouraged.
Starting with the fall 2022-2023 academic year, all psychology students will be required to attend only the five-day fall VLE each academic year. Our VLEs are an important part of your learning experience as they nurture intellectual and relational creativity, enrich the educational environment, and foster faculty and peer interactions. There are courses being launched, workshops, independent learning activities, peer learning opportunities, community events, and other hands-on experiences intended to nurture professional development, skill building, and transformative change.
Credits/Hours
The program requires a total of 66 earned credits, which may vary based on the specialization chosen. These credits encompass a rigorous curriculum that includes core courses, specialized coursework in the chosen area of focus, research methodology and analysis, and the completion of a capstone project or thesis. Through a combination of theoretical exploration, experiential learning, and research opportunities, students gain the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary for success in their future careers or further doctoral studies. The credit units and hours invested in the Ph.D. degree ensure that students receive a comprehensive and well-rounded education, empowering them to make significant contributions to the field of psychology.
Length of Program
The degree completion time for a full-time student enrolled in the Ph.D. in Psychology program following the default course sequence will range from 5 - 6 years. Any breaks in enrollment and/or reduced enrollment may impact completion time.
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