2021 Top Doctoral Programs in Psychology

The University of Texas at Austin offers a psychology doctorate program with areas of study in behavioral neuroscience; clinical psychology; cognitive neuroscience; cognitive science; developmental psychology; individual differences and evolutionary psychology; social and personality; and perception, brain, and behavior.

Students must complete their degree within seven years. Students complete psychology coursework, research, and seminars. Core courses include principles of sensory and behavioral neuroscience, human language processing, and fundamentals of developmental psychology. Students also complete two quantitative courses and an ethics course.

Prospective students can only apply to one area of study within the psychology Ph.D. program. Applicants must submit a statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, unofficial transcripts, GRE scores, and a CV. The University of Texas at Austin is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

The University of California - Los Angeles offers a psychology doctorate program with concentrations in areas like behavioral neuroscience, health psychology, social psychology, and clinical psychology. Graduates can work as university instructors, researchers, and psychologists.

Depending on their concentration, students take core courses on topics like social psychology, research methods, and statistics. Learners also complete a dissertation. Some concentrations require an internship. Students work on research projects with faculty members throughout their time at UCLA.

The university offers research opportunities through the Institute for Social Science Research, Fernald Child Study Center, the Brain Research Institute, and the Neuropsychiatric Institute. The program also works with local clinics, hospitals, and institutes to provide research opportunities and training. The University of California - Los Angeles is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

The College of Public Health and Health Professions at the University of Florida in Gainesville offers a psychology doctorate program that provides general clinical psychology training. Ph.D. candidates can design their own major or choose from four areas of study: clinical child/pediatric psychology; clinical health psychology; neuropsychology, neurorehabilitation, and clinical neuroscience; and cognitive and emotional neuroscience.

The clinical psychology Ph.D. includes courses like clinical assessment across the lifespan, neuropsychology of aging, and best methods for the analysis of psychological change. Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree and at least two undergraduate or graduate psychology courses with a grade of "C+" or better. Applicants must submit official transcripts, GRE scores, a resume, a statement of purpose, and three letters of recommendation.

The University of Florida is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). UF's Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology is accredited by the American Psychological Association.

The University of Illinois at Chicago offers a Ph.D. in psychology program that includes five majors: behavioral neuroscience, clinical, cognitive, community and prevention research, and social and personality. Students must also complete a programmatic, student-centered, or special topic minor. The psychology department funds all psychology Ph.D. students for at least their first year of study.

All students complete a first-year research apprenticeship and a one-year statistics course. The program requires a master's thesis by the end of the second year of study. Ph.D. candidates create a dissertation proposal by their fourth year and defend the dissertation by the end of their fifth year. The department hosts a weekly colloquium that encourages students and faculty to share their research and discuss current issues in the field.

The University of Illinois at Chicago is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The psychology program is accredited by the American Psychological Association.

The University of Iowa in Iowa City offers a Ph.D. in psychology that admits students each fall. The program prepares graduates for careers in teaching; research; and other scholarly endeavors in academic, governmental, industrial, and medical settings.

Students can focus on one of three areas: clinical science, behavioral and cognitive neuroscience, or cognition. Students work with a faculty mentor and research advisory committee to create an individualized plan of study that reflects their interests and career goals. All Ph.D. candidates receive advanced training in contemporary psychological techniques and methods and psychological research and theory.

Applicants must submit unofficial academic transcripts, official GRE scores, three letters of recommendation, a CV, and a personal statement. The University of Iowa is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Students pursuing a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor can choose from six areas of study: biopsychology, clinical science, cognition and cognitive neuroscience, developmental psychology, personality and social contexts, or social psychology. The psychology department also participates in three joint programs of study: social work and psychology, women's studies and psychology, and education and psychology.

The Ph.D. program does not offer a master's degree and requires students to attend full time. The department offers financial support to Ph.D. candidates for five years, including a tuition waiver, health insurance, and a stipend.

Admission requirements for the competitive program include a bachelor's degree, a strong academic record, GRE scores, college transcripts, and three letters of recommendation. The University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The University of Missouri - Kansas City offers a psychology doctorate program that allows students to focus on clinical psychology or applied cognitive and brain sciences. Both degree options emphasize research and feature a mentorship model that pairs students with a faculty member who shares their research interests. The clinical psychology Ph.D. is accredited by the American Psychological Association and requires a clinical practicum and internship.

The psychology department strives to provide 3-4 years of funding to Ph.D. students, which includes a living stipend and tuition waiver in exchange for a teaching or research assistantship. The university also offers fellowship opportunities for psychology graduate students.

Applicants must submit a statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, documentation of work experience, official transcripts, and official GRE scores. The admission process also includes a voluntary interview. University of Missouri-Kansas City is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers one of the best doctoral programs in psychology. The Ph.D. in psychology prepares students for advanced careers in research and teaching. The program offers training in six subfields: behavioral and integrative neuroscience, clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, quantitative psychology, and social psychology.

Courses cover topics like addiction science, advanced family theory and research, and cognitive aging. Students also complete a child and adolescent practicum. Ph.D. candidates must pass written and oral exams and complete a dissertation and oral defense. They must also conduct research during each year of enrollment.

Admission requirements for the highly competitive program include a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA. UNC makes admission decisions based on the applicant's academic record, letters of recommendation, relevant experience, test scores, and statement of purpose. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

The University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia offers a research-focused Ph.D. in psychology. The department's faculty include past presidents of the American Psychological Association, members of the National Academy of Sciences, and fellows of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. The full-time program features first-year coursework, focused research experiences, seminars, teaching requirements, and faculty mentorship.

Students must complete 20 credits of coursework focused on the brain, the mind, the individual, and the group. Ph.D. candidates can choose a clinical or non-clinical track. The non-clinical program takes 4-5 years to complete, while clinical students spend five years in the program, followed by a one-year clinical internship.

The clinical training program prepares students for academic and research careers in personality, psychopathology, and clinical psychology. Students receive training in assessment, diagnosis, and psychotherapy. The University of Pennsylvania is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

The University of South Florida in Tampa offers one of the best doctoral programs in psychology. The Ph.D. in school psychology typically takes five years to complete. Students earn a master's degree in their first two years and begin Ph.D. coursework in their third year.

The program offers specializations in areas like organizational consultation, pediatric school psychology, school-based mental health services, and intervention. Learners can also design their own specialization.

Students must meet program requirements in research competencies, psychological foundations, consultation/intervention/problem-solving, and professional practice. The curriculum includes courses like biological bases of behavior, advanced behavioral interventions, and research design. The Ph.D. also requires a dissertation and an internship.

The University of South Florida is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The Ph.D. in school psychology is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association and the National Association of School Psychologists.

The University of Utah's Ph.D. in psychology emphasizes collaborative research, with psychology faculty and students frequently working with other departments, such as medicine and computer science. The program automatically considers all Ph.D. students for funding opportunities when they apply.

Psychology students choose from four concentrations: clinical psychology, social psychology, cognition and neural science, and developmental psychology. Although students choose one concentration, they can easily move between concentrations to pursue research interests. The program also offers cross-area interests in developmental psychopathology, sexuality, and biological bases of behavior.

Admission requirements include a personal statement, CV, unofficial transcripts from all prior postsecondary institutions, three letters of recommendation, and GRE scores. Clinical psychology applicants who lack a psychology bachelor's or master's degree must also take the GRE advanced subject test. The University of Utah is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

The University of Virginia's psychology doctorate program includes specializations in clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, community psychology, developmental psychology, quantitative psychology, social psychology, and systems and behavioral neuroscience. Each specialization features its own application and graduation requirements.

UVA offers all students an annual stipend, full tuition waiver, and health insurance coverage for five years. The psychology department also encourages Ph.D. candidates to pursue additional financial aid opportunities, such as grants and fellowships.

The admission committee evaluates candidates using a holistic review process, strongly considering prior research experience and program fit. Applicants must submit a personal statement, three letters of recommendation, GRE scores, and unofficial transcripts. The University of Virginia is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

The University of Washington's mentor-based psychology doctorate program prepares students for research and teaching careers. Learners study under the guidance of one or more mentor faculty members with similar scholarly interests. The program typically takes 5-7 years to complete.

UW's Ph.D. in psychology offers the following subdisciplines: animal behavior, behavioral neuroscience, clinical psychology, child clinical psychology, cognition and perception, developmental psychology, social and personality, and quantitative psychology. The program also offers a diversity science specialization, quantitative minor, and data science option.

Applicants do not need a prior degree in psychology, but some prior psychology coursework is desirable. The University of Washington is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

The University of Wisconsin - Madison offers a psychology doctorate program with six concentrations: biological psychology, clinical psychology, cognitive and cognitive neuroscience, developmental psychology, perception, and social and personality. Students can also create their own concentration. All doctoral students must complete a minor.

The psychology Ph.D. program offers research and learning opportunities with other departments; training programs; and institutes, including the Institute on Aging, Health Emotions Center, and Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Center.

The competitive program admits less than 10% of applicants each year. Admission requirements include a minimum 3.0 GPA, a minimum GRE score of 310, a personal statement, and three letters of recommendation. The program highly values applicants with undergraduate research experience. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

A private Ivy League university founded in 1701, Yale University offers a Ph.D. in psychology that focuses on training for academic and applied research careers and emphasizes the historical and theoretical contexts of psychology.

The competitive psychology doctorate program enrolls 15 new students each year. Yale limits specific requirements for the degree, allowing each student to receive training that aligns with their career goals and interests. Degree requirements include three basic-level courses, a first-year research paper, a pre-dissertation research project, an essay in the student's concentration, and a dissertation.

The program offers weekly seminars in clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, neuroscience, and social/personality psychology. Yale University is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).