Cognitive Psychology Graduate Programs

UC Berkeley

• The University of California, Berkeley offers a Ph.D. in psychology in the area of cognition, brain and behavior. Students in this area can focus their studies in cognitive psychology and take courses in computational modeling, cognitive neuroscience and psychology, and sensory processes. Research projects can be carried out at UC Berkeley's Brain Imaging Center as well as at the Institute for Cognitive and Brain Science. Admission to the program is competitive and is based on a review of undergraduate grades, recommendations, a statement of purpose and GRE scores. UC Berkeley seeks applicants who have developed a research area of interest. Accepted students receive financial support in the form of fellowships, grants, and instructor or researcher appointments.

  University of California, Berkeley

  Department of Psychology

  3210 Tolman Hall

  Berkeley, CA 94720

  510-642-5292

  psychology.berkeley.edu

Carnegie Mellon University

• At Carnegie Mellon University, the study of cognitive psychology is intertwined with the study of cognitive neuroscience; the latter focuses on the connection between brain mechanisms and psychological functions. This integrated research model helps treat patients with mental disorders and brain damage, according to the university's website. Students in the cognitive psychology doctoral program complement their psychology courses with courses in neuropsychology and neuroscience. Applicants to the cognitive psychology program submit at least three recommendation letters, undergraduate transcripts and GRE scores. All accepted students receive full financial support for four years of full-time study in the form of a tuition award and a stipend.

  Department of Psychology

  Carnegie Mellon University

  5000 Forbes Avenue

  Pittsburgh, PA 15213

  412-268-6026

  psy.cmu.edu

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

• The University of Michigan's cognition and cognitive science program explores a number of topics including decision making, motor control and perception. The program is aimed at students who want to develop skills in psychology and math or neuroscience. Doctoral degree candidates can engage in interdisciplinary research with other departments, such as engineering, medicine and computer science. Applicants are admitted to the university's school of graduate studies and psychology department. Prospective students are required to take the general GRE test, the psychology GRE test is not required but is strongly recommended for cognitive psychology applicants. Financial assistance is available in the form of instructor positions and fellowships.

  University of Michigan

  Department of Psychology

  1012 East Hall

  530 Church Street

  Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1043

  734-764-2580

  lsa.umich.edu

UCLA

• Among the research areas of interest in UCLA's graduate cognitive psychology program are learning, language, problem solving, and memory retrieval. Students in the program have access to state-of-the-art computers and brain imaging equipment and can carry out research projects with faculty members in areas including artificial intelligence, linguistics and neuroscience. Cognitive psychology doctoral students are involved in research throughout the program, which usually takes five or six years to complete. Along with major coursework, students select a minor and must pass qualifying examinations prior to beginning dissertation research and an oral examination once the dissertation is completed. Applicants submit undergraduate transcripts, three recommendations and a personal statement along with scores for the GRE general and psychology tests.

  UCLA

  Department of Psychology

  405 Hilgard Avenue

  1285 Franz Hall

  Los Angeles, CA 90095-1563

  310-825-2961

  psych.ucla.edu