Program Overview

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Doctor of Philosophy - Psychological and Brain Sciences

The UNLV Psychological and Brain Sciences Doctoral Program trains students to become psychological and brain scientists capable of conducting independent research that meets international standards of scientific excellence. Upon completing the degree, students will be qualified to seek careers conducting research in academia and in other institutional and applied settings.

About

The program operates on a mentor model in which students work under the supervision of an identified faculty mentor. We welcome students from diverse backgrounds and encourage research in topics related to multiculturalism and diversity. Areas of research in which faculty supervise students are: cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, neuroscience, and quantitative/social/community psychology.

Available Options

• Post-Bachelor's – Quantitative, Social, and Community Track
• Post-Bachelor's – Cognitive Emphasis Track
• Post-Bachelor's – Developmental Emphasis Track
• Post-Master's – Quantitative, Social, and Community Track
• Post-Master's – Cognitive Emphasis Track
• Post-Master's – Developmental Emphasis Track

Accreditation

For information regarding accreditation at UNLV, please refer to Academic Program Accreditations.

Learning Outcomes

• Students should possess a broad knowledge of psychological science.
• Students should have an advanced understanding of research methods and data analysis.
• Students should be able to present their knowledge to relevant parties through clear written and verbal communication.
• Students should have the knowledge and skills necessary to advance the science of psychology through scholarly publication.
• Students should have teaching skills and pedagogical expertise.
• Students should possess the skills and knowledge necessary to enter applied and academic research positions.

Career Possibilities

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.

Requirements

Plan Description

The Graduate Faculty of the Department of Psychology is comprised of a group of dedicated individuals who have received their training at outstanding graduate programs. We continue to recruit accomplished scholars who will enhance the quality and diversity of the graduate experience available to our students.

Plan Admission Requirements

• Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.
• All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.

Graduate College Admission Requirements

1. Completed application in the Application Portal and non-refundable application fee.
2. Bachelor's Degree – You must hold a four-year baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution or an approved equivalent.
3. Grade Point Average – You must have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 (4.00=A) for the bachelor's degree or a minimum 3.00 (4.00=A) for the last two years (60 semester credits).
4. All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript from each postsecondary institution attended, showing all degrees and coursework, the dates awarded, and grades received. Official transcripts required upon admission.

Department Admission Requirements

Review of completed applications will continue until all positions are filled. Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials as early as possible:

• A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.20 (A = 4.00) or a master's degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.50.
• Applicants with a bachelor's degree must have completed at least 18 credits in undergraduate psychology courses including Statistics and Research Methods or their equivalents.
• GRE scores are optional. Satisfactory scores on the Verbal and Quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) may improve an applicant's evaluation but are not mandatory, and will not count negatively towards applicants who do not submit.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• A statement of purpose written by the applicant.

Subplan Requirements

Subplan 1: Post-Bachelor's - Quantitative, Social, and Community

Total Credits Required: 72

• Required Courses – Credits: 12
  • PSY 707 - Research Methods
  • PSY 708 - Statistics for Psychologists I
  • PSY 709 - Statistics for Psychologists II
  • PSY 756 - Ethics, Professional Issues, and Diversity in Psychological & Brain Sciences
• Proseminar Course – Credits: 6
  • PSY 758 - Proseminar in Psychological & Brain Sciences
• Breadth Courses – Credits: 3
  • Complete one course from one of the following options:
    • Option 1: PSY 704 - Social Psychology
    • Option 2: PSY 701 - Biological Bases of Behavior, PSY 719 - Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, PSY 720 - Systems and Cognitive Neuroscience
    • Option 3: PSY 703 - Cognitive Psychology, PSY 718 - Cognitive Science
    • Option 4: PSY 705 - Developmental Psychology, PSY 721 - Developmental Science
• Elective Courses – Credits: 6
  • Complete 6 credits of 700-level Psychology courses, or 600/700-level advisor-approved courses offered by other departments.
• Thesis – Credits: 6
  • PSY 769 - Thesis
• Qualifying Activity - Credits: 3
  • Complete one of the following: write one large paper or three smaller papers, or take an oral or written comprehensive exam. Register in PSY 773 when defending the qualifying paper(s) or comprehensive exam.
• Elective Courses – Credits: 21
  • Complete 21 credits of 700-level Psychology courses, or 600/700-level advisor-approved courses offered by other departments.
• Dissertation – Credits: 12
  • PSY 770 - Dissertation

Subplan 2: Post-Bachelor's - Cognitive

Total Credits Required: 72

• Required Courses – Credits: 9
  • PSY 708 - Statistics for Psychologists I
  • PSY 709 - Statistics for Psychologists II
  • PSY 756 - Ethics, Professional Issues, and Diversity in Psychological & Brain Sciences
• Proseminar Course – Credits: 6
  • PSY 758 - Proseminar in Psychological & Brain Sciences
• Cognitive Emphasis Courses – Credits: 6
  • Complete two of the following courses:
    • PSY 717 - Cognitive Methods
    • PSY 718 - Cognitive Science
    • PSY 720 - Systems and Cognitive Neuroscience
• Elective Courses – Credits: 6
  • Complete 6 credits of 700-level Psychology courses, or other 700-level advisor-approved courses offered by other departments.
• Thesis – Credits: 6
  • PSY 769 - Thesis
• Cognitive Emphasis Courses – Credits: 3
  • Complete the course that has not been applied to the master's degree:
    • PSY 717 - Cognitive Methods
    • PSY 718 - Cognitive Science
    • PSY 720 - Systems and Cognitive Neuroscience
• Cognitive Seminar Courses – Credits: 3
  • Complete one of the following seminar courses:
    • PSY 747 - Topics in Perception
    • PSY 748 - Topics in Memory
    • PSY 749 - Topics in Cognitive Processes
• Qualifying Activity - Credits: 3
  • Complete one of the following: write one large paper or three smaller papers, or take an oral or written comprehensive exam. Register in PSY 773 when defending the qualifying paper(s) or comprehensive exam.
• Elective Courses – Credits: 18
  • Complete 18 credits of 700-level Psychology courses, or other 700-level advisor-approved courses offered by other departments.
• Dissertation – Credits: 12
  • PSY 770 - Dissertation

Subplan 3: Post-Bachelor's - Developmental

Total Credits Required: 72

• Required Courses – Credits: 12
  • PSY 708 - Statistics for Psychologists I
  • PSY 709 - Statistics for Psychologists II
  • PSY 713 - Developmental Research
  • PSY 756 - Ethics, Professional Issues, and Diversity in Psychological & Brain Sciences
• Proseminar Course – Credits: 6
  • PSY 758 - Proseminar in Psychological & Brain Sciences
• Developmental Science Course – Credits: 3
  • PSY 721 - Developmental Science
• Elective Courses – Credits: 6
  • Complete 6 credits of 700-level Psychology courses, or other 700-level advisor-approved courses offered by other departments.
• Thesis – Credits: 6
  • PSY 769 - Thesis
• Developmental Seminar Course – Credits: 3
  • PSY 740 - Topics in Developmental Psychology
• Breadth Courses – Credits: 6
  • Complete 6 credits of courses from two different options that have not been applied to the master's degree:
    • Option 1: PSY 704 - Social Psychology
    • Option 2: PSY 701 - Biological Bases of Behavior, PSY 719 - Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, PSY 720 - Systems and Cognitive Neuroscience
    • Option 3: PSY 703 - Cognitive Psychology, PSY 718 - Cognitive Science
• Qualifying Activity - Credits: 3
  • Complete one of the following: write one large paper or three smaller papers, or take an oral or written comprehensive exam. Register in PSY 773 when defending the qualifying paper(s) or comprehensive exam.
• Elective Courses – Credits: 15
  • Complete 15 credits of 700-level Psychology courses, or other 700-level advisor-approved courses offered by other departments.
• Dissertation – Credits: 12
  • PSY 770 - Dissertation

Subplan 4: Post-Master's - Quantitative, Social, and Community

Total Credits Required: 42

• Required Courses – Credits: 6
  • PSY 707 - Research Methods
  • PSY 756 - Ethics, Professional Issues, and Diversity in Psychological & Brain Sciences
• Proseminar Course – Credits: 6
  • PSY 758 - Proseminar in Psychological & Brain Sciences
• Qualifying Activity - Credits: 3
  • Complete one of the following: write one large paper or three smaller papers, or take an oral or written comprehensive exam. Register in PSY 773 when defending the qualifying paper(s) or comprehensive exam.
• Elective Courses – Credits: 15
  • Complete 15 credits of 700-level Psychology courses, or 600/700-level advisor-approved courses offered by other departments.
• Dissertation – Credits: 12
  • PSY 770 - Dissertation

Subplan 5: Post-Master's - Cognitive

Total Credits Required: 42

• Required Courses – Credits: 9
  • PSY 708 - Statistics for Psychologists I
  • PSY 709 - Statistics for Psychologists II
  • PSY 756 - Ethics, Professional Issues, and Diversity in Psychological & Brain Sciences
• Proseminar Course – Credits: 6
  • PSY 758 - Proseminar in Psychological & Brain Sciences
• Cognitive Emphasis Courses – Credits: 9
  • PSY 717 - Cognitive Methods
  • PSY 718 - Cognitive Science
  • PSY 720 - Systems and Cognitive Neuroscience
• Cognitive Seminar Courses – Credits: 3
  • Complete 3 credits from the following list of courses:
    • PSY 747 - Topics in Perception
    • PSY 748 - Topics in Memory
    • PSY 749 - Topics in Cognitive Processes
• Qualifying Activity – Credits: 3
  • Complete one of the following: write one large paper or three smaller papers, or take an oral or written comprehensive exam. Register in PSY 773 when defending the qualifying paper(s) or comprehensive exam.
• Dissertation – Credits: 12
  • PSY 770 - Dissertation

Subplan 6: Post-Master's - Developmental

Total Credits Required: 42

• Required Courses – Credits: 12
  • PSY 708 - Statistics for Psychologists I
  • PSY 709 - Statistics for Psychologists II
  • PSY 713 - Developmental Research
  • PSY 756 - Ethics, Professional Issues, and Diversity in Psychological & Brain Sciences
• Proseminar Course – Credits: 6
  • PSY 758 - Proseminar in Psychological & Brain Sciences
• Developmental Science Course – Credits: 3
  • PSY 721 - Developmental Science
• Developmental Seminar Course – Credits: 3
  • PSY 740 - Topics in Developmental Psychology
• Breadth Course – Credits: 3
  • Complete one course from one of the following options:
    • Option 1: PSY 704 - Social Psychology
    • Option 2: PSY 701 - Biological Bases of Behavior, PSY 719 - Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, PSY 720 - Systems and Cognitive Neuroscience
    • Option 3: PSY 703 - Cognitive Psychology, PSY 718 - Cognitive Science
• Qualifying Activity - Credits: 3
  • Complete one of the following: write one large paper or three smaller papers, or take an oral or written comprehensive exam. Register in PSY 773 when defending the qualifying paper(s) or comprehensive exam.
• Dissertation – Credits: 12
  • PSY 770 - Dissertation

Degree Requirements

1. En route to doctoral candidacy the student must complete the requirements for a master's degree in Psychological and Brain Sciences, and complete 6 credits of thesis over a minimum of 2 semesters.
2. In addition to a master's degree in Psychological and Brain Sciences equivalent to the one previously described (33 credits), a minimum of 39 credits in graduate coursework is required for the doctoral degree.
3. Students will be required to complete a Qualifying Activity before proposing a Dissertation. The purpose of the qualifying activity is for the student to acquire not only the expertise in a given area but also the ability to explain, discuss, and debate questions within that and related areas.
4. Students must obtain a grade of B- or better in each course taken for that course to count toward the degree.
5. Students must conform to all policies of the UNLV Graduate College, as stated in the UNLV Graduate Catalog, those stated in the UNLV Psychological & Brain Sciences Doctoral Program Student Handbook, and the American Psychological Association Code of Ethics.
6. Students must take a minimum of four semesters of dissertation, which can include summers. The dissertation must be orally proposed and defended.

Graduation Requirements

1. The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College as well as apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing their degree requirements for both the Master's and Doctoral portions of the program.
2. The student must submit and successfully defend their thesis by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public.
3. After the thesis defense, the student must electronically submit a properly formatted pdf copy of their thesis to the Graduate College for format check. Once the thesis format has been approved by the Graduate College, the student will submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest.
4. The student must submit and successfully defend their dissertation by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public.
5. After the dissertation defense, the student must electronically submit a properly formatted pdf copy of their dissertation to the Graduate College for format check. Once the dissertation format has been approved by the Graduate College, the student will submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest.