Historically Black Virginia State University to Offer Its First Ph.D. Program

This fall Virginia State University, the historically black educational institution in Ettrick, Virginia, will launch its first Ph.D. program. The university will offer a doctoral program in health psychology.

Two different tracks will be offered. The first will be clinical and will prepare students to become licensed psychologists. The second track will be geared toward developing research scientists and college faculty. The university hopes to enroll eight students in the program this fall and plans to expand to 24 students.

The new Ph.D. program will be under the direction of Oliver W. Hill Jr., chair of the university psychology department. Dr. Hill is a graduate of Howard University and holds a master’s degree and Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Michigan.

Previously, the only doctoral-level degrees awarded by the university were in the field of education.

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