Within our research-focused Ph.D. program, students concentrate their studies in developmental psychology or cognition. Students work closely with a faculty member in research activities, and admission is contingent on a match between student research interests and faculty research activities. Please look at the faculty interests listed on the website so that you can determine if there is an appropriate faculty match for your research interests. http://bbs.utdallas.edu/staff_faculty/faculty/faculty_psy_sci.html.
REQUIREMENTS FOR Ph.D. PROGRAM APPLICATION
Undergraduate Cumulative Grade Point Average: 3.0 or equivalent required.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE): Required
Completion of undergraduate degree in psychology or related major is advisable. Admission is not contingent on completing a masters degree. Applicants without a prior degree in psychology should contact the program head for prerequisite coursework to be completed.
Three letters of recommendation; these should be provided by university faculty or professional supervisors who can address skills essential for successful graduate school performance.
A statement of purpose of the applicant. In your personal statement, it is important that you address how your research interests match those of specific program faculty member in the specific program for which you are applying. It is advisable to contact individual faculty members with whom you would like to work to determine if they are currently accepting students.
DEADLINES
Please note that the application deadline for Fall semester admission to the Psychological Sciences Ph.D. program is February 15 of the same year, NOT July 1 as noted in the graduate application materials. Core coursework sequences require that students begin enrollment in fall semester. However, exceptional circumstances may sometimes necessitate an applicant seeking admission for spring semester. Applications for consideration for spring admission must be completed by September 15.
FINANCIAL AID
Applicants can apply for funding when completing the online application. Teaching Assistantships (TAs) are available on a competitive basis. Students who are awarded TAs are required to work 20 hours/week within the School, and they receive a monthly stipend. TAs are assigned to assist specific faculty with teaching and laboratory activities. In addition to TAs, a Graduate Student Scholarship that covers tuition and fees is also available and typically awarded to students who receive TAs. Out-of-state and international students are eligible for in-state tuition as a result of receiving a teaching assistantship.
FAQ
What are the areas of study for the Psychological Sciences Doctoral Program?
Students can major in developmental psychology or cognitive psychology. A social-personality major is currently under development.
Does UT-Dallas have a Clinical Psychology or Counseling program?
No, we do not offer a Clinical or Counseling Masters or Ph.D. degree. Our degree in experimental psychology will not prepare you for licensure as a clinical or counseling psychologist.
For what careers will this Ph.D. prepare me?
The Psychological Sciences Ph.D. program is an experimental psychology program and provides training for a career in teaching and research. Former graduates have successfully acquired university faculty positions, as well as research positions in hospitals, school systems, and research institutes.
On what basis are applicants reviewed?
The admissions committee evaluates applications on several dimensions, including prior GPA, letters of recommendation, GRE scores, prior research and professional experiences, fit between the research interests of the applicant and faculty , and commitment to scholarship.
Students should note the research expertise of program faculty in their statement of purpose; students are only admitted if there is a match between prospective student and faculty research interests and if those faculty members are accepting new students.
Which faculty members are accepting students?
It is strongly encouraged that applicants contact individual faculty members about current opportunities for research and admission. Some faculty may not be accepting new students during specific time periods.
Do Ph. D. students receive funding?
Funding is competitive and awarded to the most competitive applicants. Applicants are eligible to receive assistantships through the Graduate Studies Committee or through the grants of individual faculty members. Both types of assistantships carry an obligation to provide up to 20 hours of work per week. This does not include work done for course credit or independent study and research. Additionally, tuition is paid for students qualifying for an assistantship. Some applicants are admitted without funding.
Do you admit part-time students?
The program gives priority to admission of fulltime students. Part-time students have occasionally been admitted in the past. However, it is extremely difficult for part-time students to devote the laboratory time necessary for gaining research expertise required for the degree as well as completion of the research requirements. The feasibility of part-time study also varies across research areas and laboratories and is impossible within some areas.
If I have a Masters degree, can I transfer my previous work toward the doctoral degree?
The Graduate Studies office of UTD has extensive procedures developed for transfer of credits and these can be found in the Graduate Catalog located on the UTD Graduate Studies webpage (http://www.utdallas.edu/dept/graddean/). If students have previously completed courses that are very similar to our required courses, the students are asked to enroll in other courses to meet these requirements, and are not required to complete a course they have taken at another institution.
What’s the difference between the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences Ph.D. program in Psychological Sciences, and the Ph.D. program in Cognition and Neuroscience?
The doctoral program in Psychological Sciences provides opportunities for study within the context of an experimental psychology curriculum, although interdisciplinary links to other areas within the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences can be developed. The required core curriculum consists of coursework in areas such as Developmental Psychology, Cognition, and Social/Personality Psychology, and related research methods and statistical techniques. Students also complete advanced courses selected in consultation with the student’s advisor. Students complete a two-year Qualifying Thesis Research project to qualify to begin work on the Dissertation.
The doctoral program in Cognition and Neuroscience provides opportunities for multi-disciplinary studies in the areas of cognitive science, cellular and systems neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and brain imaging. The core curriculum is focused on basics of cognition and neuroscience, and related research methods and statistical techniques, along with advanced courses selected by student in consultation with his or her advisor. Prior to beginning the Dissertation, students complete two one-year Qualifying Projects, one of which is a Research Project and the other of which is either a Literature Review or a Research Grant Proposal.
Is there a Masters Degree on the way to the Ph.D.?
No, students are admitted directly into the Ph.D. program and no Masters degree is granted. A separate Masters degree is offered in Psychological Sciences that provides general psychology training. This program differs from the Ph.D. program in that the doctoral program provides extensive training in research design and methodology. The Masters degree is appropriate for students interested in broad psychology training beyond the undergraduate level or additional training to prepare them for applying to doctoral clinical psychology programs. Persons interested in the Masters program rather than the Ph.D. program should apply to the M.S. program.
