Washington State University at Vancouver

What you'll study

Students combine advanced biological techniques with psychological principles to examine neurobiological systems at multiple levels. The program emphasizes immersive laboratory work in professional research settings, close mentorship from faculty across disciplines, preparation of oral and written reports suitable for scientific publication, and development of ethical practices for advanced inquiry.

Entry requirements

Applicants must secure a faculty mentor at WSU Vancouver before applying. After a mentor invitation, applicants notify the natural sciences graduate programs coordinator and then complete the online application (select WSU Pullman on the form and name the Vancouver faculty mentor in the statement of purpose to route materials correctly). Required materials submitted through the graduate school application system include three letters of recommendation, transcripts (official transcripts required if accepted; unofficial copies may be used during review), a statement of purpose identifying the target faculty mentor, and a current CV or résumé. International applicants must submit TOEFL scores sent directly from ETS using institutional code 4705. To speed evaluation, applicants may email or mail PDF copies of application materials to the coordinator.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for positions in higher education, biotechnology companies, and specialized clinical research environments where they apply expertise in experimental neuroscience, data interpretation, and scientific communication to advance biomedical knowledge and innovation.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

The program centers on faculty-mentored research, which commonly provides avenues for funded graduate assistantships or laboratory-supported positions; prospective students should discuss funding opportunities directly with potential mentors and the graduate programs coordinator.