Graduate Programs

Program Overview

The Doctoral Program in Psychology at Rutgers University offers outstanding students the opportunity to pursue original research with our faculty as part of an exciting educational program. Members of the faculty have superlative records of productivity and extramural research support. Research is conducted in laboratories featuring state-of-the-art equipment for experimental studies. The Rutgers Psychology Ph.D. Program prepares students for careers as researchers in both academic and nonacademic settings. Students work closely with faculty members on research projects of mutual interest. Students in the clinical program also receive excellent clinical training to prepare for careers as clinical scientists.

Students become involved in research during their first semester and continue their research while they complete required and elective courses. Candidacy for the doctorate is granted following successful completion of course requirements, a master's thesis, and the qualifying examination. The graduate program is designed as a 5-year program. Only those individuals willing to work full-time toward the doctorate are encouraged to apply.

The Psychology Department includes over 40 full-time faculty members. The four programs in the Department are Behavioral Neuroscience, Clinical, Cognitive, and Social Psychology. In addition, there is an Intradisciplinary Health Psychology concentration.

Award-Winning Faculty

The Rutgers Psychology Program boasts nationally and internationally recognized scholars, many of whom have received prestigious awards and honors.

Rutgers University

Rutgers University is the State University of New Jersey and serves more than 50,000 students. The Rutgers University Library system contains over 2,000,000 bound volumes and over 1,000,000 government documents, pamphlets and other material. The University also has a modern and extensive computer facility. The University is centrally located in New Jersey, within easy access to the educational, cultural, and recreational resources of New York and Philadelphia. In addition, this region offers a wide range of collaborative and career opportunities in the private sector.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted on-line to the Rutgers University Graduate School.

Applicants to the Psychology PhD program must apply to one of the four program areas within the department: Behavioral Neuroscience, Clinical, Cognitive, or Social psychology. Required components of the applications include:

• Undergraduate transcripts
• Graduate transcripts, for applicants with prior graduate work
• GRE scores (verbal, quantitative, and writing. The psychology subject test is not required.)
• TOEFL scores for applicants with a native language other than English
• Personal statement describing research interests. It is essential to include the names of faculty members with whom the applicant would like to work.
• Three letters of recommendation

Applications are due January 1. In some cases, late applications can be considered.

Diversity of applicants

The Rutgers University PhD Psychology program seeks a diverse applicant pool. We welcome applications from under-represented ethnic minorities, women, applicants with disabilities, first-generation college graduates, and non-traditional students. We regularly admit students who were not psychology majors as undergraduates, who are not applying to graduate school straight out of college, and/or are pursuing psychology as a second career. Fellowships are available to under-represented minorities and students with economically disadvantaged backgrounds.