Earning a Ph.D. is always an extraordinary achievement. But it is especially noteworthy when a husband and wife receive doctoral degrees at the same time in the same specialty field.

This will be the case for Amy and William Shriner of Grosse Ile when they receive doctoral degrees in psychology during Wayne State University's winter commencement ceremonies at Cobo Arena the evening of Dec. 16.

Amy Shriner's degree emphasis is applied social psychology, while William's is industrial and organizational psychology. The couple, who also have master's degrees in psychology from WSU, met while taking classes at the university.

They feel the knowledge they have gained from advanced degree work is helpful on the job and will give them greater career flexibility. She is employed in the training department at MCN Energy Group in Detroit and he works in the human resources office for Oakland County government.