Doctor of Philosophy - Psychological and Brain Sciences

Program Overview

This program prepares students for careers in psychology and brain science, both in academia and non-academic settings. Graduates may pursue research and teaching roles in universities or work in various industries, including business, government, and non-profit organizations, applying their research skills to address behavioral and cognitive issues. The program's emphasis areas include cognitive, developmental, neuroscience, and quantitative/social/community psychology.

Program Outline

Careers:

Psychological and brain scientists are employed in both academic and nonacademic settings. In academic settings, they most often pursue a professorial career that emphasizes research and teaching. In nonacademic settings, they are employed by a wide variety of business, government and nonprofit organizations. For example, business organizations hire psychological and brain scientists as computer/web interface designers, marketing researchers, jury consultants, political strategists, social media consultants, and pharmaceutical researchers. Government and nonprofit organizations hire psychological and brain scientists as program evaluators, educational consultants, and homeland security specialists. The exact positions held in these organizations depend upon the student’s emphasis area (cognitive, developmental, neuroscience, or quantitative/social/community). However, most of these positions stress the ability to apply research skills to specific behavioral and cognitive issues.