Brandeis University

What you'll study

The PhD curriculum combines advanced coursework, rigorous methodological and statistical training, hands-on research, and teaching experience. Students typically begin with core seminars in research methods, experimental design and multivariate statistics, and then move into advanced seminars aligned with their chosen research area. Common subject areas include cognitive and brain sciences, developmental psychology, social and personality psychology, perception and cognition, and clinically oriented research where offered.

• Core methods and statistics: advanced statistics, computational methods, measurement, and experimental design.
• Area-specific seminars: topics such as cognitive neuroscience, language and perception, social cognition, developmental processes, and clinical assessment and intervention (if applicable).
• Laboratory research: sustained original research under the supervision of a faculty advisor, including literature synthesis, data collection, analysis, and dissemination.
• Teaching and professional development: supervised teaching practicums, pedagogy seminars, grant-writing workshops, and preparation for academic and non-academic careers.
• Qualifying milestones: written and/or oral qualifying examinations or portfolio assessments, a dissertation proposal, and completion and defence of an original doctoral dissertation.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related discipline. A prior master’s is not universally required but can strengthen an application. Typical admissions criteria include:

• Evidence of strong academic performance at undergraduate (and any graduate) level.
• Demonstrated research experience—this may include laboratory work, honours theses, publications, or substantial independent projects.
• A clear statement of research interests that aligns with the expertise of department faculty.
• Letters of recommendation, typically three, from academic or research supervisors who can attest to research potential.
• A current CV or résumé and academic transcripts.
• For international applicants, proof of English language proficiency as required by the university (for example through recognised tests or institutional exemptions).

Many departments consider GRE scores optional or contextual; consult the programme’s admissions page for the most current testing policy. Candidates with strong quantitative preparation and research skills are particularly competitive.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD programme pursue a range of careers that reflect the training’s emphasis on research, analysis and communication. Common career paths include:

• Tenure-track faculty positions in psychology and related disciplines at universities and colleges.
• Postdoctoral research positions in academic labs, research institutes or hospitals.
• Research scientist or data scientist roles in industry sectors such as technology, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and consulting.
• Positions in government agencies and non-profit organisations involving policy analysis, program evaluation or research leadership.
• For graduates from clinically oriented tracks, careers in clinical practice or clinical research; note that professional licensure requires meeting specific internship, practicum and supervised clinical hours mandated by licensing bodies.

Why study at Brandeis University

Brandeis offers a balance of personalised mentorship and a vibrant research environment. The psychology department is small enough to provide close faculty-student collaboration yet large enough to support diverse research specialisms and interdisciplinary work. Students benefit from access to campus resources such as neuroscience and cognitive science facilities, research centres, and collaborative connections within the greater Boston-area academic and clinical community.

Doctoral candidates at Brandeis typically experience substantial involvement in grant-funded projects, opportunities to teach and mentor undergraduates, and a culture that emphasises rigorous experimental work, statistical competence and ethical research practices. These features make the programme a strong fit for students seeking intensive research training and professional preparation for careers in academia, research institutions and applied settings.