Find answers to common questions about admission requirements, faculty recruitment, funding, research opportunities and doctoral training in ASU's Department of Psychology.
For complete application requirements and deadlines, visit the doctoral admission requirements page.
Program and training questions
No. A master's degree is not required to apply to any of the Department of Psychology's doctoral programs.
Some applicants choose to complete a master's degree before applying in order to gain additional research experience or refine their research interests, but admission is open to qualified applicants with a bachelor's degree.
Applicants with a three-year bachelor's degree should review the international student questions section and ASU Graduate Admission Services requirements for additional guidance.
Doctoral degrees and training areas in the Department of Psychology include:
- Psychology, PhD, with specialized training in:
- Psychology (Clinical), PhD
- Psychology (Quantitative Research Methods), PhD
Students regularly collaborate across labs, disciplines and research centers throughout their graduate training.
Each doctoral program and training area follows an approved plan of study that outlines required coursework, research milestones and degree requirements.
Across all training areas, students complete:
- A minimum of 84 total semester hours for the doctoral degree, including the master's degree in passing, if elected.
- A doctoral dissertation with a final oral defense.
There is no foreign language requirement.
Specific coursework and training milestones vary by program or training area. Visit the appropriate program page for detailed curriculum requirements.
No. All doctoral programs and training areas in the Department of Psychology are full-time, in-person programs.
Most doctoral students also work approximately 20 hours per week as teaching assistants or research assistants as part of their graduate training and funding package. As a result, the programs are not designed for part-time enrollment.
Yes. Students may earn a master's degree in passing while progressing toward the PhD.
The Department of Psychology does not offer a terminal master's degree in psychology. Students interested in a standalone master's degree may wish to explore the department's master's degree offerings.
Completion times vary by training area.
Typical timelines include:
- Psychology (Clinical), PhD: about five to six years, including a required internship year.
- Psychology, PhD (Developmental psychology; neuroscience, cognition and behavior; and social psychology): about five years.
- Psychology (Quantitative Research Methods), PhD: about five years.
Students admitted to a doctoral degree program in fall 2026 or later must complete their degree within eight years.
Students entering with an approved master’s degree may complete the program in a shorter time frame.
Not automatically.
Of the Department of Psychology’s five doctoral programs, only the PhD in Psychology (Clinical) is designed to prepare students for psychologist licensure. Licensure requirements vary by state and typically include doctoral training, supervised clinical experience, internship requirements and licensing examinations.
Faculty and research questions
Faculty recruitment varies by program and training area and admission cycle. The list of recruiting faculty is updated annually around the beginning of September on the doctoral admission requirements page.
Faculty fit is an important part of the doctoral admissions process.
Before applying, review faculty biographies, research labs and recent publications to identify researchers whose work aligns with your interests and long-term goals.
Learn more about faculty and research opportunities by training area:
No. Contacting faculty before you apply is not required, but it is strongly encouraged.
Connecting with potential faculty mentors can help you learn more about their research, determine whether they are accepting new doctoral students and assess whether their research interests align with your own.
Admission and application questions
To be considered for admission, applicants must submit two separate applications:
- An application to ASU Graduate Admission.
- A Department of Psychology application through SlideRoom.
Both applications must be completed before an applicant can be considered for admission.
Application requirements and deadlines vary by program and training area. Visit the doctoral admission requirements page for complete instructions.
Applicants are not required to hold a bachelor's degree in psychology.
However, competitive applicants typically have coursework comparable to a psychology major, including:
- Introduction to psychology.
- Statistics.
- Research methods.
- Coursework across several areas of psychology, such as developmental, cognitive, social, abnormal and neuroscience.
Research experience is especially important. Completing an honors thesis or working in a faculty research lab can significantly strengthen an application.
Applicants to the Psychology (Clinical), PhD program may need additional undergraduate psychology coursework to meet future professional training requirements.
Competitive applicants typically have:
- Meaningful research experience.
- Clear research interests.
- Strong letters of recommendation.
- A solid academic record.
- Research interests that align with prospective faculty mentors.
Whenever possible, gain research experience through opportunities such as working in a faculty research lab or completing an honors thesis. Before applying, identify faculty whose research aligns with your academic interests.
Application deadlines vary by program and training area.
Applications typically open in early September, with deadlines falling in mid-November or early December. Visit the doctoral admission requirements page for current application deadlines and requirements.
Typical admission timelines are:
| Timeframe | What happens |
| September–December | Applications accepted |
| December–January | Faculty review applications |
| Late January | Interview invitations sent |
| February–March | Interviews conducted |
| By April 15 | Admission offers finalized |
| March–early May | Final admission decisions communicated |
Applicants may request an application status update by contacting the head of the training area to which they applied.
The GRE is optional for all Department of Psychology doctoral programs. Some programs may accept GRE scores as supplemental application materials. Review the doctoral admission requirements page for current information.
Funding and assistantships
Tuition and mandatory fees are established by Arizona State University.
Students funded through qualifying 20-hour teaching or research assistantships generally receive a tuition waiver. Mandatory university fees are not waived.
Residency for tuition purposes is determined by the ASU Registrar. Residency status generally does not affect funded doctoral students unless they enroll during a semester without qualifying tuition support.
For current tuition rates, visit ASU's tuition and fee information page.
The Department of Psychology strives to fund all admitted doctoral students through teaching assistantships, research assistantships or other funding sources. Visit the funding and financial support page to learn more.
Funding packages typically include:
- Graduate stipend.
- Tuition waiver.
- Health insurance coverage.
The department also strives to provide summer funding opportunities whenever possible.
Yes. Admitted students are automatically considered for available funding opportunities.
Separate applications are typically not required.
Students planning to use the GI Bill® or VA education benefits should contact an ASU military admission representative for assistance with eligibility, certification and benefit processing.
International student questions
Degree requirements vary by country. Applicants should review ASU graduate admission requirements for international applicants.
English proficiency requirements are determined by ASU Admission Services.
Applicants should review current English proficiency requirements before applying.
International students who serve as teaching assistants may need to meet additional spoken English proficiency requirements.
Review the current International Teaching Assistant requirements for complete details. If you are admitted to the program, contact the Department of Psychology at [email protected] to determine whether additional steps are required based on your individual situation, even if your initial appointment is as a research assistant.
Contact and advising
The Graduate Studies team is happy to help.
- Schedule a phone or Zoom appointment using the Graduate Studies booking page.
- For quick questions, email [email protected].