Dartmouth University

What you'll study

Because Dartmouth does not offer a terminal taught Master's in Psychology, there is no prescribed taught master's curriculum on campus. Students interested in advanced study in psychological science at Dartmouth usually engage with one of the following routes:

• PhD in Psychological and Brain Sciences: a research‑first programme where students undertake intensive coursework in core areas (cognitive neuroscience, developmental psychology, social/personality, clinical science, quantitative methods), lab rotations, and an independent dissertation. The early years include graduate‑level seminars in research methods, statistics, neuroscience techniques, and specialised topics aligned with faculty labs.
• Post‑baccalaureate and research positions: recent graduates often work as research assistants in faculty labs, gaining hands‑on experience in experimental design, data collection (behavioural, psychophysiological, neuroimaging), programming for behavioural tasks, and statistical analysis using R, Python or MATLAB. These roles can be used to build a competitive application for doctoral programmes.
• Interdisciplinary coursework: Dartmouth undergraduates and graduate students from other departments may take advanced courses in cognitive science, neuroscience, quantitative methods, and related areas through the department and affiliated programmes, which can provide master's‑level training when combined with substantial research experience.

Entry requirements

Since there is no standard taught Master's enrolment, entry requirements depend on the route you choose:

• PhD programme: applicants are expected to hold a strong bachelor's degree in psychology or a related discipline, substantial research experience, solid preparation in statistics and quantitative methods, letters of recommendation (usually academic and research supervisors), a statement of research interests, and often GRE scores where required by programme policy. Applicants whose first language is not English may need to demonstrate English proficiency as specified by the Graduate School.
• Research assistant or post‑baccalaureate roles: typical requirements are a BA/BS in psychology, neuroscience or a related field, practical research experience (coursework lab projects, honours thesis or paid lab work), familiarity with common experimental methods and data analysis tools, and clear references documenting research potential.
• Visiting or non‑degree coursework: Dartmouth may permit advanced students from other institutions to take specific courses with departmental approval; requirements generally include a relevant academic record and permission from course instructors or department administrators.

Career prospects

Graduates who train through Dartmouth's research pathways pursue a range of careers reflecting the department's research strengths:

• Academic research and teaching: many go on to complete doctoral study (if starting as a research assistant) or continue in postdoctoral roles, eventually pursuing faculty positions in psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science and related fields.
• Clinical and applied roles: those who pursue clinical training through subsequent doctoral programmes (e.g. PsyD/PhD clinically oriented programmes) work as clinical psychologists, neuropsychologists, or clinicians in healthcare settings.
• Industry and technology: alumni enter roles in user experience research, human factors, data science, machine learning research, and product research roles in tech and biotech companies, leveraging skills in experimental design and quantitative analysis.
• Policy, education and science communication: some move into education, policy analysis, public engagement, or science administration, particularly when combining psychological expertise with interdisciplinary experience.

Why study at Dartmouth University

Dartmouth's Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences is research intensive and known for close faculty‑student mentorship in laboratory settings. The department emphasises interdisciplinary collaboration across neuroscience, computer science, and health sciences, providing access to well‑equipped labs, neuroimaging facilities through institutional partnerships, and a small graduate cohort that allows for personalised supervision.

For students seeking master's‑level training in psychology, Dartmouth is best considered for research experience, lab positions, or as the launching point to a PhD; prospective students should weigh whether their aims are better served by a dedicated taught master's at another institution or by the hands‑on, research‑focused opportunities Dartmouth provides.