Graduate Programs

We invite you to join us in the graduate study of psychology. We offer programs in six areas:

Our programs integrate basic and applied aspects of psychology. You'll gain an understanding of the theoretical content of your area, as well as the research skills needed to become a competent and creative investigator.

We'll prepare you to succeed in academic settings, as well as in a variety of mental health, educational, physical health and organizational settings. If you focus on clinical, school or industrial/organizational psychology, you'll receive practicum experience to develop your skills in those areas. If you focus on school psychology, you can pursue certification as a school psychologist at the same time.

Approximately 115 students enroll in our programs each year. This includes about 25 students who are either in internships or completing their dissertations while working off campus.

Degrees Offered

Our programs lead to Ph.D. degrees. You'll complete a master's degree with a research thesis as part of your program of study. The exception is school psychology, which offers a master’s +30, as well as the doctoral degree, both of which include professional educator licensure.

Enrollment Requirement

You must be enrolled full time (at least 12 credit hours per semester) throughout your graduate program. We do not offer a part-time option. All classes take place on the DeKalb campus. We do not offer online or night classes.

Financial Support

In general, we'll provide you with financial assistance if you're making satisfactory progress in your program. The support is usually in the form of a research or teaching assistantship, which includes a partial waiver of your tuition costs.

Application Considerations

Your application materials will be reviewed by faculty members in your area of study, not by the department as a whole. You'll be evaluated with respect to your potential to complete a Ph.D. degree (except for applications to the school psychology master’s +30 program).

Application Deadlines

Applications are accepted for fall admission only. All application materials must be received by the appropriate deadline below to ensure priority consideration.

Program Application Deadline
(admission for the following fall semester)
Clinical Psychology Dec. 1
Cognitive and Instructional Psychology Feb. 1
Developmental Psychology Feb. 1
Neuroscience and Behavior Jan. 15
School Psychology Dec. 1
Social-Industrial/ Organizational Psychology Jan. 15

Important Notes Regarding Graduate Applications for Fall 2024

If you are applying to begin one of our six graduate programs in fall 2024, please note the following:

  • The graduate record exam (GRE) is not required.
  • Some programs will hold virtual interviews with their top-ranked candidates. For more information on how your program of interest is planning to proceed, please visit their webpage.
  • We are committed to communicating clearly with you. If you have any questions, we recommend emailing the director of your program of interest. You can find their name and email address on the program page.