Case Western Reserve University

What you'll study

The PhD curriculum combines advanced coursework, supervised research, and teaching or clinical practicum (for clinical specialisation). Core training typically covers research design and advanced quantitative methods, graduate statistics, and ethical issues in psychological research. Beyond the core, students take seminars and specialised coursework aligned with their area of concentration—examples include cognitive neuroscience, perception and attention, learning and memory, developmental psychopathology, social cognition, emotion, clinical assessment and intervention, and neuropsychological methods.

• Advanced research methods and experimental design
• Multivariate statistics and applied data analysis
• Seminars in your specialty (e.g., cognitive neuroscience, developmental processes, clinical interventions, social-personality theory)
• Laboratory rotations and independent research projects leading to a doctoral dissertation
• Teaching experience through graduate assistantships; clinical practicum and supervision for clinical-track students
• Professional development topics such as grant writing, scientific communication, and reproducible research practices

Program milestones include passing qualifying or comprehensive examinations, forming a dissertation committee, completing a dissertation proposal, and defending an original research dissertation. Clinical students follow additional practicum and internship requirements that align with state licensure pathways.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related discipline; many admitted students also hold a relevant master’s degree. Strong applicants demonstrate substantial research experience (eg laboratory assistantships, publications, conference presentations), solid quantitative skills, and clear fit with faculty research interests.

• Academic transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
• Statement of purpose describing research interests and prospective faculty mentors
• Curriculum vitae or résumé detailing research experience and relevant activities
• Letters of recommendation (typically three) addressing research potential and academic preparation
• A writing sample or sample of scholarly work may be requested by some faculty areas
• Clinical-track applicants should document relevant clinical, volunteer, or practicum experience

Standardised test requirements (such as the GRE) and specific prerequisites can vary by subprogram; prospective candidates should consult the programme website and contact potential supervisors to confirm current expectations. International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency according to the university’s published requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD in Psychology pursue careers across academia, healthcare, industry, and the public sector. Typical roles include university faculty and postdoctoral researchers, research scientists in academic or commercial labs, clinical psychologists in hospitals and community settings (after completing required clinical training and licensure), and research or data-science roles in industry, government, and non-profit organisations.

• Tenure-track and teaching faculty positions
• Postdoctoral research appointments in neuroscience, clinical science or related fields
• Clinical psychologist roles in hospitals, mental health clinics and private practice (clinical track graduates pursue licensure)
• Research scientist or R&D positions in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, or technology companies
• Positions in policy, program evaluation, and applied research within government and non-governmental organisations

Why study at Case Western Reserve University

Case Western Reserve University offers a research-rich environment with close clinical and translational links to major health institutions in Cleveland, enabling access to patient populations, neuroimaging facilities, and interdisciplinary collaborators. The Department of Psychological Sciences has active laboratories across multiple areas of psychology and neuroscience, providing opportunities for hands-on research from early in the programme.

Students benefit from interdisciplinary partnerships across the university—such as with the medical school, engineering, and data-science initiatives—and from mentorship by faculty with diverse methodological expertise. Funding is typically available through research and teaching assistantships, fellowships, and institutional support; applicants should review the programme’s admissions pages for details on typical funding models and how to inquire about opportunities.

The department emphasises rigorous methodological training, reproducible research practices, and professional development to prepare graduates for competitive careers in research, clinical practice, and applied settings.