Graduate Education

UConn’s Department of Psychological Sciences is a vibrant community where graduate students learn about the mind, brain, and behavior at all levels of analysis, from individual neurons to group relationships.

The Department of Psychological Sciences offers a Ph.D. program with eight areas of concentration, along with three interdisciplinary graduate certificates. Students in these programs use the scientific method to generate knowledge and gain professional skills through research, teaching, public engagement, and clinical experiences.
 

View Admissions Requirements

Programs at a Glance

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Ph.D. Concentrations

Ph.D. Program

Our Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Psychological Sciences offers students advanced study and training. Students can choose a concentration in one of eight specializations that align with the Department’s research strengths. The Ph.D. program is offered on the UConn Storrs campus and is open to full-time students. Students admitted into the Ph.D. program receive a graduate assistantship for research or teaching, which includes a tuition waiver, stipend, and other benefits.
 
Learn more about the psychological sciences Ph.D. program.

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Certificate Program Options

Graduate Certificates

We offer interdisciplinary Graduate Certificates in Diversity Science, Health Psychology, Occupational Health Psychology, and Quantitative Research Methods. These programs allow students to gain specialized training that will complement their existing degrees. They are open to students currently enrolled in a UConn graduate program and to external applicants.
 
Learn more about the Department's graduate certificate programs.

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Fast-Track Master's Program

Accelerated MS in Psychological Sciences

Our Accelerated Master of Science (MS) in Psychological Sciences allows qualified current UConn undergraduates to earn both their bachelor’s and master’s degree in as little as five years. This special program is designed for students who wish to accelerate their progress toward a research-focused career or additional graduate degree programs.
 
Learn more about the accelerated master's program.

Training Programs

Graduate students in the Department of Psychological Sciences can participate in interdisciplinary training programs, designed to provide training, support, and community around specialized topics. Learn more about graduate training programs.

The UConn Advantage

The University of Connecticut is among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Situated in beautiful New England, the Storrs campus offers recreation, museums, galleries, 24-hour study rooms, student organizations, theaters, and nationally-ranked sports teams. It is conveniently located between Boston, New York City, Providence, and Hartford, with regular express shuttles to Hartford and commercial bus service to Boston and New York.

Learn more about campus life.

Resources for Prospective Graduate Students

Faculty

Faculty in the Department of Psychological Sciences are not just experts in their fields; they are engaged educators and mentors to graduate students. Browse our faculty directory.

Funding and Financial Support

Most students admitted into the Ph.D. program receive a graduate assistantship for research or teaching. The assistantship includes a tuition waiver, stipend, and a range of other benefits. Students can also apply for other scholarships, fellowships, and awards based on financial need and academic merit. Learn more about graduate funding and financial support.

Graduate Research

The Department receives more than $12M annually in new federal funding for research and is consistently ranked in the top 15 psychology departments for total research and development spending by the National Science Foundation. Our graduate students are highly involved in faculty research. In the 2018-19 academic year, 70% of faculty publications (three books, 14 book chapters, and 145 journal articles) included students as primary or co-authors. Learn more about our research programs.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Department of Psychological Sciences encourages and respects diversity in all aspects of our work. We value diversity in multiple forms (e.g., race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, physical ability, religious and political belief) across students, faculty members, and staff. We are committed to being a vibrant intellectual community characterized by collegiality, integrity, trust, open-mindedness, intellectual exchange, and diversity. We strive to educate the public on the power of science as a tool for the public good. Find diversity, equity, and inclusion resources for graduate students.

Mentorship Principles and Values

We are committed to mentoring and advising graduate students throughout their careers in the Department. Our Graduate Student Mentorship Value and Commitment Statement articulates our core values related to mentorship and advising. It also outlines an accountability framework to ensure that students have resources throughout their careers that promote their ability to thrive.

International Students

The Department of Psychological Sciences welcomes students from every ethnicity and geographical background. Our Ph.D. programs benefit greatly from the intellectual and cultural contributions of our international graduate students. About 10% of our applicants are international, and we strive to provide them with a supportive, open, and stimulating environment.

Learn more about International Student requirements on the Graduate School’s website.

Learn more about UConn’s International Student and Scholar Services.

Careers and Outcomes

Graduates of our programs go on to exciting careers in academia, industry, and beyond. The Department and the University offer professional development resources that are specially tailored to help graduate students find professional opportunities and land top jobs after they graduate. Learn more about graduate outcomes and career resources.