Doctoral Admission Requirements

Doctoral Admission
Doctoral Program Application Checklist

The Department of Psychology offers graduate studies leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree with a master's in passing as part of the doctoral training program. Six basic areas of study form the core of the doctoral program:

• Behavioral Neuroscience and Comparative Psychology -  Area Head:  Foster Olive, PhD
• Clinical Psychology - Director of Clinical Training & Area Head:  William Corbin, PhD
• Cognitive Science - Area Head:  Gene Brewer, PhD
• Developmental Psychology - Area Head: Leah Doane, PhD
• Quantitative Research Methods - Area Head: Michael Edwards, PhD
  
• Social Psychology - Area Head: Douglas Kenrick, PhD
  

Interactions among faculty and students across these areas are central to a variety of ongoing research and educational programs in the department. Faculty and students are also actively involved with a number of other centers, institutes and research groups on campus that promote transdisciplinary approaches to issues of local and national significance, affording outstanding research and training experiences that extend beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries.

If you are primarily interested in becoming a therapist or counselor please review our list of graduate programs in Arizona for clinical practitioner options in addition to considering a PhD in clinical psychology. We also strongly encourage you to explore the department's Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis as another possibility for becoming a practitioner. Please note, however, the MS ABA is a professional degree program and its curriculum will not progress students toward a PhD in the department's doctoral program areas.

DOCTORAL PROGRAM APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply to the doctoral programs in psychology, download and review the Doctoral Program Admission Instructions and Checklist. Note that the academic plan code for the Quantitative program is LAPSYQUPHD. The academic plan code for the other five areas is LAPSYCHPHD (Behavioral Neuroscience and Comparative Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Science, Developmental Psychology, and Social Psychology).

The Doctoral Program Admission Instructions and Checklist provides details and a step-by-step overview to ensure you have successfully completed your application. For the most commonly requested information about our doctoral program click the FAQs link for frequently asked questions.

IMPORTANT: To be considered for PhD program, you must complete the application through ASU's online portal AND submit your material through Slideroom.

Actively Recruiting Faculty for 2021-22

• Behavioral Neuroscience and Comparative Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Quantitative Psychology
• Social Psychology

Admission requirements

The Department of Psychology application process is completed online through ASU’s Graduate College which includes the application form and your official transcripts. The application fee is required by the Graduate College before your application will be forwarded to the Department of Psychology. Application to the Department of Psychology doctoral program is also completed via SlideRoom, which requires an additional fee. To apply to the doctoral program, follow the instructions on the Doctoral Program Application Checklist.

It is strongly recommended that you print the Doctoral Program Application Checklist to ensure you have completed the application process and have included all of the required supplemental forms:

Fall 2021 Applicant Materials (revised 9/2/2020)

1. ASU Graduate Admission Application
2. Slideroom Department Application
3. GRE score requirements are listed below by area for fall 2021 applicants. If required, send official scores to Graduate Admission Services and upload an unofficial copy into SlideRoom.
1. Behavioral Neuroscience and Comparative Psychology: optional
2. Clinical Psychology: not required; no option to submit in SlideRoom
3. Cognitive Science: optional
4. Developmental Psychology: not required; no option to submit in SlideRoom
5. Quantitative Research Methods: required
6. Social Psychology: required
4. Statement of Purpose Form (must be uploaded to SlideRoom as a pdf)
1. Behavioral Neuroscience and Comparative Psychology’s form
2. Clinical Psychology’s form 
3. Cognitive Science’s form
4. Developmental Psychology’s form
5. Quantitative Research Method’s form
6. Social Psychology’s form
5. Cover letter (optional) - for Developmental Psychology Applicants only
1. Developmental Psychology's form
6. Curriculum vita/resume (uploaded to SlideRoom as a pdf)
7. Transcripts (an unofficial copy is uploaded to SlideRoom and the ASU application, and if accepted you will be required to submit an official copy to the Graduate Admission Services)
8. Three letters of recommendation (enter information in SlideRoom only- not required in ASU Graduate Admission Application)
9. Proof of English Proficiency if applicable (official scores go to Graduate Admission Services and an unofficial copy is uploaded to SlideRoom)

Link to SlideRoom