Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Program in Mental Health

To cultivate doctoral graduates who achieve research excellence and leverage modern mental health knowledge to drive sustainable societal development.

Global and Thai societies are facing increasingly severe and complex mental health crises, driven by evolving socioeconomic and digital landscapes. Addressing these challenges requires high-level experts capable of integrating advanced technologies—such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, and Data Analytics—into systematic mental health research, prevention, and rehabilitation.

The modernized curriculum responds to public and private sector demands for academic leaders equipped to design innovative research and synthesize global evidence through Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses to inform policy briefs. Aligned with the 20-Year National Strategy, the 13th and 14th National Economic and Social Development Plans, and Ministry of Public Health policies, this revision updates advanced research training under higher education standards. By adding cutting-edge courses like Digital Mental Health, Data Management, and Meta-Analysis, the program empowers doctoral graduates to pioneer new knowledge, maintain academic excellence, and address critical national healthcare needs.

1. To develop doctoral graduates capable of conducting high-impact mental health research eligible for international publication.
2. To train graduates to synthesize interdisciplinary knowledge to pioneer globally recognized concepts or novel insights in mental health.
3. To foster advanced coordination and collaborative leadership within multidisciplinary mental health teams.
4. To enhance high-level communication skills for translating mental health knowledge into effective public prevention, rehabilitation, and wellness strategies.
5. To instill unwavering research integrity, professional ethics, and strict compliance with global human research protection standards.

Upon completion of the program, learners will achieve the following learning outcomes:

1. Credit Requirements, Study Period, and Curriculum Structure

1.1 Total Credits Required for Graduation

Type 1.1: Total credits required for graduation: 48 credits (For master’s degree holders entering the Ph.D. program by research only)

Type 1.2: Total credits required for graduation: 72 credits (For bachelor’s degree holders entering the Ph.D. program by research only)

Type 2.1: Total credits required for graduation: 48 credits (For master’s degree holders entering the Ph.D. program with coursework and research)

Type 2.2: Total credits required for graduation: 72 credits (For bachelor’s degree holders entering the Ph.D. program with coursework and research)

1.2 Study Period According to the Plan of Study

Type 1.1 and Type 2.1: The standard study period is 3 years (not exceeding 6 academic years).

Type 1.2 and Type 2.2: The standard study period is 4 years (not exceeding 8 academic years).

1.3 Curriculum Structure

Students can register for course 3007894: Doctoral Dissertation Seminar every semester until graduation as prescribed by the program. Furthermore, to enhance their knowledge, students may register for other graduate-level courses relevant to their research focus, subject to the approval of their dissertation advisor. These courses may be offered by Chulalongkorn University or other national and international universities. In cases where a student is unable to comply with the curriculum requirements, the Program Executive Committee and the Faculty Board retain the authority to review and make a final determination.

Courses and Credits
(Course descriptions are provided in Appendix D)

2.1 Compulsory Courses 

Type 2.1 and Type 2.2: 4 Credits

2.2 Elective Courses

Type 2.1: 8 Credits Required / Type 2.2: 20 Credits Required

* Denotes a newly established course

2.3 Dissertation

 2.4 Doctoral Dissertation Seminar

2.5 Qualifying Examination

Plan of Study

Type 1.1

Type 1.2

แผน 2.1

แผน 2.2

Student Intake

• Accepts both Thai and International students.

Doctoral Degree Program (Ph.D.) Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree Holders (Entering Type 1.2 or 2.2): Must hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.), Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.), Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm.), Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.N.S.), Health Sciences, or other related fields, OR meet the academic requirements specified by the Program Executive Committee.
• Master’s Degree Holders (Entering Type 1.1 or 2.1): Must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in Mental Health, Psychology, Health Sciences, Nursing Science, Social Sciences, Sociology, Anthropology, or other related fields, in accordance with the study plans specified by the program.
• Language Proficiency: Must meet the foreign language proficiency (English) test scores or conditions required by Chulalongkorn University.
• Other Qualifications: Must fulfill other qualifications specified by the program, as outlined in the annual admission announcements.

Ph.D. Program: Plan 1 (Research-Only Tracks: Type 1.1 & Type 1.2)

• Foreign Language Proficiency: Must pass the foreign language proficiency requirement (English).
• Qualifying Examination: Must pass the Qualifying Examination (QE) to be eligible to submit a dissertation proposal.
• Dissertation and Oral Defense: Must submit a dissertation and pass the final oral dissertation defense evaluated by an university-appointed committee. The defense must be conducted as an open forum accessible to interested individuals.
• Learning Outcomes: Must achieve all Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) according to the doctoral degree qualification standards.
• Dissertation Publication: As a program within the Biological and Physical Sciences group, students must fulfill one of the following options:
  • Option 1: Have at least 2 articles published or accepted for publication in recognized international peer-reviewed journals, in accordance with university regulations.
  • Option 2: Have at least 1 article published or accepted for publication in a recognized international peer-reviewed journal AND at least 1 commercialized, social, or economic innovation/creative work OR at least 1 patent.
    • Note on Innovation/Creative Works: The dissertation work must be evaluated by a committee of at least 3 external experts in the same or related field who possess recognized high-level expertise and experience, subject to the final approval of the University Council.

Ph.D. Program: Plan 2 (Coursework + Research Tracks: Type 2.1 & Type 2.2)

• Coursework Completion: Must complete all required courses and credits specified by the curriculum with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPAX) of not less than 3.00 out of a 4.00 system, or equivalent.
• Qualifying Examination: Must pass the Qualifying Examination (QE) to be eligible to submit a dissertation proposal.
• Dissertation and Oral Defense: Must submit a dissertation and pass the final oral dissertation defense evaluated by an university-appointed committee. The defense must be conducted as an open forum accessible to interested individuals.
• Learning Outcomes: Must achieve all Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) according to the doctoral degree qualification standards.
• Dissertation Publication: Must fulfill the same publication criteria required for Plan 1 (choose either Option 1 or Option 2 as detailed above).