Program Overview

Psychology

Brown University's graduate program in Psychology is designed to prepare students for careers as scientists and teachers who will make contributions to society in academic and applied settings.

Program Overview

The Department of Cognitive and Psychological Sciences is dedicated to the multidisciplinary study of mind, brain, behavior, and language. It offers two Ph.D. programs: Cognitive Science and Psychology. Ph.D. students are accepted by the department and formally choose one of the two programs during the first year. The department does not accept students interested in obtaining terminal master’s degrees. The department has no Ph.D. or master's programs in clinical, counseling, school, or applied psychology.

Program Structure

The Psychology Ph.D. program is designed to prepare students for careers as scientists and teachers who will make contributions to society in academic or applied settings. Psychology students will gain broad competence in the scientific issues, theories, and experimental methods of psychology and will develop expertise in one or more research specializations. Programs of study are highly individualized; decisions about research and coursework are made in close collaboration with a research advisor and graduate committee chosen by each student. Students may change areas, programs, and/or advisors as their interests develop. Students are also encouraged to collaborate with faculty members who are not their primary advisors.

Financial Support

Students accepted into the Psychology Ph.D. program are guaranteed five years of financial support contingent on satisfactory progress toward the degree. In addition to the Graduate School's doctoral support, the department also typically provides a summer stipend for a fourth summer if the student continues to work on research over that period. Support normally comes in the form of teaching or research assistantships, and students are encouraged to apply for their own fellowships (e.g., NSF) before or after being admitted to the program.

Application Information

Application Requirements

• GRE Subject: Not required
• GRE General: Not required
• Writing Sample: Required
• Personal Statement: In their statement of purpose, applicants should describe their background and interests as they relate to the preferred Ph.D. program (e.g., Psychology) and to the research conducted by specific faculty who might serve as research advisors.

Dates/Deadlines

• Application Deadline: December 1, 2025

Completion Requirements

First–year research project; three core courses, two quantitative courses, three specialization courses; four semesters of teaching assistantships; preliminary exam paper; dissertation proposal; dissertation and oral presentation.

Leadership

• Department Chair: David Badre
• Director of Graduate Studies: Oriel FeldmanHall
• Graduate Advisor: Fulvio Domini
• Graduate Advisor: Roman Feiman
• Graduate Advisor: Michael Frank

Resources

• Program Faculty
• Program Handbook
• Graduate School Handbook