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Psychology

About the Program

Brandeis University's Department of Psychology offers Ph.D. degrees in either cognitive neuroscience or social developmental psychology and a M.A. degree in general psychology. Ph.D. students in both areas can optionally include training in our Brain, Body and Behavior curriculum.

The Master of Arts program provides students with an understanding of the scientific foundations of psychology (social, developmental and cognitive), as well as direct research experience (experimental design, data collection, data analysis and research writing). Recent graduates of our master's program have gone on to pursuits such as doctoral programs, research assistants, clinical research coordinators, and project managers.

The goal of the Ph.D. program is to develop excellent researchers and teachers who will become leaders in psychological science. Dissertation supervisors are leaders in the field and pursue research in the following: motor control, visual perception, taste physiology and psychophysics, memory, learning, aging, child development, aggression, emotion, personality and cognition in adulthood and old age, social relations and health, stereotypes, and nonverbal communication.  Please be sure to visit the faculty pages link below to see the research interests of individual faculty members and the research areas represented in the department.

Please note that Brandeis does not offer graduate programs in clinical psychology, counseling psychology, or linguistics.

Degree Options

•  Ph.D. in Psychology (full-time)
•  Ph.D. in Psychology with a Joint Master of Arts in Psychology and Women's and Gender Studies (full-time; students apply to the master's program while enrolled in the Ph.D. program)
•  M.A. in Psychology (full- and part-time)

Courses and Completion Requirements

For the most updated course listing, course descriptions, and degree requirements, please click here.

Faculty

We encourage you to explore one of the department’s greatest assets through our faculty pages. Learn more about the people who will help guide you along your graduate school path here.

Additional Resources

Consortium: Our membership in the Boston consortium allows you to take courses at Tufts University, Boston University, and Boston College, thus enhancing your Brandeis experience and the spirit of collaboration which Brandeis embodies.
Student Services: At Brandeis, you will become part of a community that is strengthened by life both within and outside of the classroom and laboratory walls. Please visit Student Services to see the array of University resources, events, and programming for graduate students, including our Graduate Student Services Center, Off-Campus Housing, Health Insurance, English as a Second Language (ESL) program, Disability Resources, Counseling Center, Career Services, and the Graduate Student Association.

Admission Information

Admission Semester:

Fall only

Application Deadlines:

Ph.D.: Dec. 1.; The Department of Psychology requires all application materials to be submitted by December 1 including letters of recommendation, test scores, and transcripts in order for your application to be given consideration. Please plan to submit your application far enough in advance to ensure that all your supporting materials will be attached to your application prior to the deadline.
M.A.: Rolling; review of applications will begin Jan. 15 and continue until the incoming class is filled.

Admission Requirements:

To apply for the program, you need to submit:

• An application to the graduate school, which can be electronically submitted here;
• An application fee (please click here for instructions);
• Official transcripts from all universities and colleges attended; applicants must provide a final transcript indicating successful completion of an undergraduate degree program before registration;
• Three letters of recommendation, which the admissions committee prefers to be submitted online (please click here for more information);
• A curriculum vitae (CV) or resumé;
• A statement of purpose indicating your reasons for undertaking graduate study. In addition, please describe your qualifications for the academic program and your objectives in undertaking this program. Applicants to the doctoral program should outline their research interests and how they would complement those of the faculty. Applicants to the master's program should discuss their academic and professional career plans and how the Graduate School can help them attain these goals.
• Standardized tests
  Graduate Record Exam (GRE) general test is required. The GRE subject test is recommended, but not required. Our ETS institution code is 3092.

International students:  For additional requirements for international applicants (non-U.S. citizens or non-permanent residents), minimum TOEFL and IELTS scores, and important information regarding visas, please click here.

For a more comprehensive description of application requirements, please click here.

Financial Aid

Generous financial aid is available; for more information please click here.