Program Overview

Program Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology with a Concentration in Affect, Social and Cognitive (ASC) is a comprehensive program designed to prepare students for research and teaching careers in affective science, social or cognitive psychology. Students will work closely with faculty and fellow students in labs utilizing various tools and techniques, including psychophysiological measurement, social cognition paradigms, behavioral measures, and neuroscience tools such as fMRI.

Program Structure

As a student in the ASC program, you will choose an emphasis: Affect, Social, or Cognitive Psychology. Depending on your emphasis area, there are slight variations in how requirements are completed.

Admission Requirements

Degree and GPA Requirements

• Bachelor's degree: All graduate applicants must hold an earned baccalaureate from a regionally accredited college or university or the recognized equivalent from an international institution.
• Grade point average: The minimum undergraduate GPA for admission consideration for graduate study at the University of Denver is a cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree.
• An earned master's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution supersedes the minimum standards for the baccalaureate.
• For applicants with graduate coursework but who have not earned a master's degree or higher, the GPA from the graduate work may be used to meet the requirement.
• The minimum GPA is a cumulative 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all graduate coursework undertaken.
• Program GPA requirement: The minimum undergraduate GPA for admission consideration for this program is a cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

Standardized Test Scores

• GRE scores are optional for admission to this program.
• Applications submitted without scores will receive full consideration.
• Every application undergoes a comprehensive evaluation, including a careful review of all application materials.
• If you choose to submit test scores, official scores must be received directly from the appropriate testing agency upon admission to the University of Denver.

English Language Proficiency Test Score Requirements

• The minimum TOEFL/IELTS/CAE test score requirements for this degree program are:
  • Minimum TOEFL Score (Internet-based test): 80 (including a minimum of 26 on the speaking section)
  • Minimum IELTS Score: 6.5 (including a minimum of 8 on the speaking section)
  • Minimum CAE Score: 176 (including a minimum of 200 on the speaking section)
• English Conditional Admission: No, this program does not offer English Conditional Admission.