Fielding’s Media Psychology PhD program combines independent study and online learning in real time (synchronous) and any time (asynchronous), supplemented by face-to-face meetings at local, regional, and national events.
Our vibrant learning community supports our students with small group faculty-student interactions that are collegial, collaborative, and respectful. These blended, distributed learning elements combine to help you achieve your educational and professional goals.
The Media Psychology program's highly regarded interdisciplinary faculty provides students with the guidance they need to bring their personal and professional experience to the curriculum. Students pursue their own interests and work with faculty in designing creative ways to demonstrate their knowledge and competence in their coursework.
Access to Online Resources
You have access to online seminars and forums, and our robust online library resources through the Fielding Education Link and Information eXchange (FELIX). Online participation is a necessary component, and FELIX training is provided during the New Student Orientation-Online, with further help available at National and Research Sessions or using online tutorials.
Our electronic tools and resources support diverse activities such as:
- Online library filled with databases, books, and journals in your field, and a supportive library services staff.
- Electronic seminars where faculty teach knowledge area courses and you contribute academic papers and discussion
- Collaborative research that enables faculty to supervise students with common research interests who live in different parts of the country
- Group discussion forums that enable students from each cluster to communicate with one another on academic, administrative and personal topics of interest
- Moodle online system used for coursework and other formal and informal learning activities
Face-to-Face Events
There are many opportunities for face-to-face program activities. While these events are not a requirement for the degree, a significant number of students do participate and find them supportive for their development as a scholar.
National Sessions are week-long conferences that offer academic seminars, expert guest speakers, and research training labs. They cumulate with a graduation ceremony for those completing the program. National Sessions occur twice a year in winter and summer.
Research Sessions provide seminars that focus on the development of doctoral-level skills that integrate scholarly research with professional practice. Research sessions take place in fall and spring.
Cluster group meetings of students and faculty gather twice annually for 2-day sessions held on the east coast and west coast of the United States. Cluster activities include formal academic seminars, presentations, and research training, as well as informal networking and socializing. In addition, media psychology students with permission attend the clinical psychology cluster groups which meet on a monthly basis throughout the country.