phd psychology and neuroscience

Ph.D. in Psychology and Neuroscience

General info.

• Faculty working with students: 40
• Students: 80
• Students receiving Financial Aid: 100%
• Part time study available: No
• Application terms: Fall
• Application deadline: December 2

Nancy Zucker Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Duke University Box 90086 Durham, NC 27708-0086

Email:  [email protected]

Website:  http://psychandneuro.duke.edu

Program Description

Graduate training leading to a Ph.D. in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience is offered through a unique program that merges social sciences and natural sciences in the study of brain, behavior, and cognition in humans and animals. Program tracts are offered in Clinical Psychology, Cognition & the Brain, Developmental (DEV), Social Psychology, and Systems and Integrative Neuroscience (SINS).

• Psychology and Neuroscience: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Psychology and Neuroscience : PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Psychology and Neuroscience : PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Psychology and Neuroscience: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

Application Information

Application Terms Available:  Fall

Application Deadline:  December 2

Graduate School Application Requirements See the Application Instructions page for important details about each Graduate School requirement.

• Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts required with application submission; official transcripts required upon admission
• Letters of Recommendation: 3 Required
• Statement of Purpose: Required
• Résumé: Required
• GRE General (Optional)
• For clinical applicants ONLY:  If you were not a psychology undergraduate major, it is recommended that you take the GRE subject test. For psychology majors, it is not necessary to take the subject test.  No other area within Psychology and Neuroscience requires the subject test.
• English Language Exam: TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test required* for applicants whose first language is not English *test waiver may apply for some applicants
• GPA: Undergraduate GPA calculated on 4.0 scale required

Department-Specific Application Requirements (submitted through online application)

Writing Sample None required

Additional Components Applicants to the joint Ph.D. program in Public Policy and Allied Disciplines must submit an additional essay for admission to the program. Regardless of your selection of primary department, please respond to the following prompt:

In 500 words or less, please explain your interest in the joint Ph.D. program offered between Public Policy and an Allied Discipline. Highlight how your research interests and past experiences lie at the intersection between Public Policy and the Allied Discipline and how participation in the joint program will facilitate your professional goals after receiving your degree.

We strongly encourage you to review additional department-specific application guidance from the program to which you are applying: Departmental Application Guidance

List of Graduate School Programs and Degrees

We offer a Ph.D. program in Psychology that is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and judgement needed to become active contributors at the highest-level to research, teach, and provide public and professional service in the community.

Training is offered in six sub-fields: Behavioral and Integrative Neuroscience , Clinical Psychology , Cognitive Psychology , Developmental Psychology , Quantitative Psychology , and Social Psychology .

Learn more about the application process and admission requirements .

Current students may be interested in our graduate courses or information for incoming graduate students .

Brain and Cognitive Sciences PhD Program

Graduate students in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences are among the sharpest, most innovative brain scientists to be found anywhere. In a given year the department admits 5 to 10 percent of applicants, and our PhD program is consistently ranked among the best in the world. Students work hard to get here, and they are highly valued in the BCS community.

Innovative:  Our students often take on riskier projects and pilot studies that probe the edges of our technical and scientific knowledge. They can move among projects more easily, and their successes lay the foundation for not only their careers but the future directions of their mentors’ labs.

Collaborative:  Our students bring bold, fresh thinking to the department, and exploring these potentially transformative ideas often means reaching across boundaries of lab, center, and department to build new collaborations. Graduate students help BCS mesh with the rest of MIT.

Supportive: Graduate students are the most frequent mentors of undergraduate students in UROPs , actively guiding and developing those who will become the next generation of top-tier graduate students. BCS graduate students also are helping make sure the department is a welcoming, inclusive, and equitable community.

Overview of the Program

Graduate students in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences work with an advisor and advisory committee to pursue an innovative and rigorous program of original research. Students should aim to complete their PhD in five to six years.  

• Students take three to four of their required six courses
• Students complete required Responsible Conduct in Science training.
• Students complete a minimum of three lab rotations by March 31.
• Students select a thesis advisor by April 30.    
• Students complete the remaining two to three of their academic course requirements by the end of the Spring Term.
• Students complete teaching assistant training and their first teaching (TA) requirement.
• Students form their qualifying exam advisory committee, have their first committee meeting, and turn in the completed committee meeting form to BCS HQ by the end of the Spring Term.   
• Students complete the second teaching (TA) requirement.
• Students complete the written and oral qualifying exam in October or November.  
• Students form a thesis committee, submit a written thesis proposal to their committee, orally present their proposal to the thesis committee, and receive committee approval, before the end of the Spring Term.
• Students must meet with their thesis committee once per year.
• Students take the final steps to completing the PhD oral examination (also known as the thesis defense) and submission of the approved written dissertation.

For detailed information on courses, rotations, and other program requirements, see Program Details .

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Graduate Program in Psychological and Brain Sciences

The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences offers graduate training leading to a doctoral degree in Psychological and Brain Science or Cognitive Neuroscience . Research within the department is focused on several areas, including systems and behavioral neuroscience, cognitive and computational neuroscience, and social and affective neuroscience. Students conduct research in a state-of-the-art facility that includes extensive laboratory space and a research-dedicated MRI machine. Students benefit from the strength of our faculty's research programs as well as their close ties with several other departments and programs, including the Dartmouth Medical School. The size of the department helps to foster a personable community with plenty of opportunities for communication and collaboration between different lab groups, facilitating innovative and interdisciplinary work. Annual stipends are provided to all PhD students in good standing and students are not charged tuition or fees.  Graduates of the program have been very successful in obtaining academic positions, and the most recent National Research Council survey (2010) found our program ranked 2nd in the country in placing students in academic programs.

We recognize that BIPOC and other underserved groups continue to face particular barriers in accessing graduate training in psychology and neuroscience. We believe that our disciplines benefit from, and have a responsibility to enable, the inclusion of the full spectrum of backgrounds and perspectives, including, but not limited to, representation of gender, race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, academic background and experience, and socioeconomic status. To facilitate this, the program does not require the GRE, and has a number of mentoring and community initiatives in place to promote individual well-being and mutual support. For more information, please see the mentoring , diversity and inclusion , and admissions FAQs page , as well as the Innovators in Cognitive Neuroscience seminar series , which bridges scientific and social justice objectives.

Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives for PhD in Psychological and Brain Science

Learning Objectives for PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience

Learning Objectives for MS in Psychological and Brain Science

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Cognition and Neuroscience PhD

This degree offers a Cognitive or Systems and Cellular Neuroscience Track

In order to find out about ongoing research opportunities, search our faculty, and learn about admissions, please choose either the (1) Cognitive Neuroscience or (2) Systems and Cellular Neuroscience track by selecting one of the two buttons below.

Choose Your Preferred Track

What’s the difference between “cognitive” and “systems and cellular” neuroscience tracks.

Cognitive neuroscience research in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences (BBS) includes research in human psychology, including memory, perception, music and addiction. It is centered in our Department of Psychology and utilizes human neuroimaging tools such as MRI, EEG and PET. New students are directly admitted to a single research laboratory.

Systems and cellular neuroscience research in BBS focuses on neurobiological approaches in neuroscience, including molecular, cellular and systems approaches in animal models and humans. Research foci include learning and memory, stress, addiction and pain. It is centered in our Department of Neuroscience . New students typically rotate through multiple research laboratories to choose a dissertation laboratory.

All Program Faculty

Cognition and neuroscience phd faq.

Financial support of full-time doctoral students in cognition and neuroscience is awarded through teaching or research assistantship stipends, as well as tuition scholarships. Admitted students are automatically eligible for these sources of financial support. Please see the UT Dallas Graduate Admissions site for information on other sources of financial support for PhD students.

The University of Texas at Dallas in 2019 was ranked third among U.S. universities founded in the past 50 years and is in the top 20 such universities worldwide. The total enrollment is approximately 30,000, with more than 8,000 graduate students. The main UT Dallas campus is in Richardson, Texas — about 15 miles north of downtown Dallas. However, several research centers of the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences are located in Dallas, near the campus of the UT Southwestern Medical Center. Both Richardson and Dallas are vibrant with opportunities for art, drama, music, athletics, and other activities. Visit the UT Dallas visitors website for more information about the University.

Richardson and Dallas are richly diverse cities located in one of America’s largest and fastest growing metropolitan areas. The Dallas area boasts 50,000 acres of public park land, the nation’s largest urban arts district with an excellent symphony orchestra, opera, and art museums, five major sports franchises, multiple entertainment districts, and a thriving culinary scene. The DART rail system runs from the suburbs of Plano and Richardson to the arts district, downtown Dallas, and DFW airport. Yes, it is hot in the summer, but the average annual daily temperature is 65 degrees (spring, fall, and winter are great!). The area offers a reasonable cost of living and an abundance of sunshine.

Most doctoral classes are held on the main UT Dallas campus in Richardson. Depending on the lab location of your faculty advisor, your duties as a research assistant may take place on the main campus in Richardson or at one of the centers in Dallas. Some student housing is available on the main campus in Richardson, but on-campus housing caters primarily to undergraduates. You can use online search engines to find options that fit your price range and target location.

The admissions committee evaluates applications on several dimensions, including research experience, GPA and GRE scores (optional for both tracks), letters of recommendation and personal statements. In addition, the fit between the research interests of the applicant and faculty is very important. One to three preferred faculty mentors should be named in the application.

The admissions committee invites a short list of qualified candidates to visit UT Dallas for an interview. Admissions decisions generally are made in February, and admissions offers must be accepted or declined by April 15 .

Yes. We encourage you to identify faculty who share your research interests and contact them about current opportunities for admission. A primary consideration in PhD admission in the Cognitive Neuroscience track is a faculty member’s agreement to serve as a student’s mentor. For the Systems and Cellular Neuroscience track , there are options to do rotations with multiple faculty to determine the best fit for you.

Decisions on admission are made in mid- to late-February.

There typically are 70-80 students enrolled in the cognition and neuroscience PhD program. We accept, on average, 10-20 new students per fall semester.

Over the last five years, the cognition and neuroscience program has graduated 43 PhD students. Of the 43 graduates, 30 have continued their careers at institutions of higher education, while 11 of our graduates have found employment in the private sector.

The PhD program in cognition and neuroscience overlaps with other programs in BBS. For example, many students do research and take courses in neuroscience, psychology and audiology. BBS provides an atmosphere where students are encouraged to learn from and work with experts in other programs. The cognition and neuroscience program can be distinguished from the other BBS programs by the focus on understanding the neural basis of behavior, cognition, perception, and sensory and motor processing.

This depends on your goals. The master’s degree is appropriate for students interested in cognition and neuroscience training beyond the undergraduate level, or additional training to prepare them for doctoral programs or medical school. The PhD program is appropriate for students interested in careers in research and teaching and involves extensive training in research design and methodology.

These two programs have a number of things in common. There is overlap in some coursework of these programs and many of the faculty members involved in the Cognitive Neuroscience track are involved with both programs. The cognition and neuroscience program focuses more narrowly on cognitive neuroscience or systems and cellular neuroscience, including basic neurobiology (e.g., animal behavior and neurophysiology). The psychology program allows for broader training in psychology; students can select a concentration in developmental psychology, cognitive psychology or social/personality psychology. One way to decide what program may be best for you is to think about what type of department with which you see yourself affiliated in the future, and which degree best serves your career goals. The main departments serving the PhD programs are the Department of Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, and Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing.

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School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences GR41 | 800 W Campbell Road | Richardson, TX 75080-3021

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Ph.d. requirements.

Our program emphasizes research and scholarship. Our goal is for most students to finish within five years and get a job; students in the clinical program will need a 6 th year to complete an APA-approved clinical internship.

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Neuroscience, PhD

School of medicine.

The Department of Neuroscience offers an interdisciplinary program designed to train doctoral students for independent research and teaching in neuroscience. It is the goal of the program to ensure that candidates for the Ph.D. and M.D./Ph.D. degrees obtain a background covering molecular, cellular, systems, and cognitive approaches to neuroscience, as well as receive training that brings them to the forefront of research in their particular area of interest. A series of core courses in neuroscience, along with advanced electives, seminar series, laboratory rotations, and original independent dissertation research, form the Neuroscience Graduate Training Program.

Students enter the program from different backgrounds and the laboratories in which they elect to work cover different disciplines; therefore, the program is tailored to fit the needs of individual students. The academic year at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is divided into four quarters plus a summer semester. Courses are designed so that students have ample time to become involved in laboratory rotations. These laboratory rotations expose the student to a variety of current research techniques in neuroscience and provide an opportunity for the student to select a laboratory in which to conduct dissertation research. Scheduling of the three rotations is adjusted to make the most convenient schedule for each student. The rotations are usually completed by the end of the first full year in the program. Most students begin their thesis research at the beginning of their second year.

For more information, please visit The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience webpage: http://neuroscience.jhu.edu.

Financial Aid

The program provides tuition remission plus a stipend at or above the National Institutes of Health Predoctoral level for all students. All entering and first-year students are encouraged to apply for individual fellowships such as those sponsored by the National Science Foundation and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Vivien Thomas PhD Scholars at JHU The  Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative (VTSI)  is a new endowed fellowship program at Johns Hopkins for PhD students in STEM fields. It provides full tuition, stipend, and benefits while also providing targeted mentoring, networking, community, and professional development opportunities. Students who have attended a historically black college and university ( HBCU ) or other minority serving institution (MSI) for undergraduate study are eligible to apply. More information about the VTSI program is available at this link:  https://provost.jhu.edu/about/vivien-thomas-scholars-initiative/ . To be considered for the VTSI, all application and supplementary materials must be received by  December 1st .

Admission Requirements

We use a holistic approach to evaluating applicants and look forward to reading your application. We are most enthusiastic about applicants who have taken full advantage of the opportunities available at their undergraduate institution and through other summer or postbac experiences. Our class size is typically ~18 students per year.

Applicants are expected to have received a B.S. or B.A. prior to enrolling in the graduate program. Laboratory research experience prior to enrollment is also desirable. If you have research experience, please describe your research in your Statement of Interest and Career Objectives and indicate the number of months engaged in full-time and part-time research on your CV. Students who do well in our program typically have a strong academic foundation in areas of biological or physical sciences. Some of the courses that prepare students well include general biology, neuroscience, mathematics through calculus, general physics, general chemistry, organic chemistry, statistics, engineering, or computer science.

NOTE: The Neuroscience Program DOES NOT require GRE scores. 

Program Requirements

A year-long core course provides an integrated overview of molecular and cellular neuroscience, neuroanatomy and systems, and cognitive neuroscience. This course is aimed at providing Neuroscience graduate students with a foundation for posing meaningful questions in their area of interest.  During the first two years, students are required to take 6 graduate level core courses that provide rigorous training in principles of neuroscience research. In addition, students in the first year attend research symposia and complete lab rotations to introduce them to research. Students in the program are also required to participate in core program activities such as seminars, journal clubs, a quantitative analysis boot camp, career development courses and various program events. In addition, each student selects advanced electives offered by members of the Neuroscience Training Program or other departments at the Medical School.

Seminar Program

The Neuroscience Training Program conducts several seminar series to ensure that students are exposed to recent work by researchers from across the country and the world as well as by Hopkins faculty and fellows. Graduate trainees participate actively in these series throughout their training, including inviting and hosting three speakers each year. A weekly lecture is given by an outstanding researcher in some field of neuroscience. Seminars are selected so that an overall balance of subject matter is covered yearly. Students are given an opportunity to meet with each speaker for questions and discussion. Weekly lunchtime talks are presented on current literature by graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Since an ability to communicate scientific work clearly is essential, graduate students receive close guidance in preparing and evaluating their journal club presentations. Once a month, the faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and students from one laboratory present and discuss the ongoing research in that laboratory. This provides an informal setting to discuss research being conducted in the laboratories of the Neuroscience Training Program and gives advanced graduate students and postdoctoral fellows a forum for presenting their work.

Requirements for the PhD Degree

A minimum residency of two academic years is required. During the course of graduate study, the student must successfully complete the required course requirements. An oral examination, conducted as prescribed by the Doctor of Philosophy Board, must be completed by the end of the second year. The student must then conduct original research and describe this research in a written thesis dissertation, which must be approved by the students Thesis Committee and the Doctor of Philosophy Board.

Training Facilities

The Training Program is centered in the Department of Neuroscience. The Training Program utilizes laboratory facilities located in the Department of Neuroscience plus several other basic and clinical departments closely associated with the Neuroscience Department. All of these laboratories are within a short distance of each other. Modern state of the art facilities for research in molecular biology, neurophysiology, pharmacology, biochemistry, cell biology, and morphology are available. The Mind/Brain Institute, located on the Homewood Campus of the University, is a group of laboratories devoted to the investigation of the neural mechanisms of higher mental function and particularly to the mechanisms of perception. All of the disciplines required to address these questions are represented in the Institute. These include neurophysiology, psychology, theoretical neurobiology, neuroanatomy, and cognitive science. All of the faculty in the Mind/Brain Institute are members of the Neuroscience Graduate Program.

Combined M.D./Ph.D. Program

A subset of the current predoctoral trainees in the Neuroscience Program are candidates for both Ph.D. and M.D. degrees. Applications for admission to the combined program are considered by the M.D./Ph.D. Committee of the School of Medicine. Application forms for the School of Medicine contain a section requesting information relevant to graduate study. Applicants interested in the combined M.D./Ph.D. program should complete this section also, and indicate specifically their interest in the “Neuroscience Training Program”. If application to the combined M.D./Ph.D. program proves unsuccessful and the applicant wishes to be considered for graduate studies, they must notify the Admissions Office of the Neuroscience Training Program by separate letter.

Behavioral neuroscience and comparative psychology

Psychology phd specialization.

Uncover the "why" in human and animal behavior in ASU's doctoral program in psychology with a focus on behavioral neuroscience and comparative psychology.

How to apply

PhD program details

Specialization description

Degree awarded: psychology, phd.

Behavioral neuroscience and comparative psychology (BNCP) is one of six degree specializations offered through ASU's PhD program in psychology. Students are trained in interdisciplinary research on cognitive, affective and social processes, as well as underlying neurobiological mechanisms. They work closely with faculty mentors and engage in preclinical models investigating topics like:

• Addiction and drug abuse
• Aging across the lifespan in health and cognition
• Behavior of dogs and their wild relatives
• Health, cognitive and neurobiological consequences of chronic stress
• Negative emotional states
• Hormonal influences on behavior
• Menopause variants' impact on neurobiology and cognition
• Neural circuits and mechanisms that predict complex behaviors
• Sex differences in behavior

The Department of Psychology fosters a collaborative learning environment. Students specializing in BNCP complete core curriculum unique to this area of study while interacting with faculty and students across all areas of psychology.

Important dates

• September 1: Fall 2025 application opens.
• December 1: Fall 2025 application deadline.

Students must submit ASU’s graduate application and the Department of Psychology’s Slideroom application to be considered for admission.

More about applying

Faculty and research labs

Experience world-class academics taught by renowned professors who are leaders in the field of behavioral neuroscience and comparative psychology.

Dr. Heather Bimonte-Nelson

Neuroscience of memory and aging lab .

The Neuroscience of Memory and Aging Lab characterizes hormone- and age- related cognitive, behavioral, and brain changes. Research addresses the impacts of transitional and surgical menopause variations, endogenous and exogenous sex hormone exposures across the lifetime, and how these factors intersect to impact lifetime trajectories in females.

Explore the lab

View faculty profile

Dr. Cheryl Conrad

Behavioral neuroscience research in stress lab.

How does stress influence brain plasticity and resilience? The Behavioral Neuroscience Research in Stress Lab use a chronic stress model to reveal physiological and behavioral symptoms akin to depression. Their breakthroughs are instrumental in promoting overall well-being and survival.

Dr. Jonathan Gewirtz

Laboratory in affective neuroscience and epigenetics.

The Laboratory in Affective Neuroscience and Epigenetics uses rodent behavioral models, molecular and pharmacological tools, and multi-omic epigenomic sequencing to study mechanisms underlying vulnerability to drug addiction and other forms of mental illness, and their persistence over time.

Dr. Foster Olive

Addiction neuroscience lab.

Exploring the enduring impact of drug abuse on the brain, the Addiction Neuroscience Lab employs preclinical methods to identify, mitigate, or reverse related alterations. They investigate the roles of neurochemical and neuroinflammatory processes in understanding dependence, addiction, and associated changes.

Dr. Federico Sanabria

Basic behavioral processes lab.

Investigates the fundamental building blocks of behavior and cognition common to many species, including learning, interval timing, choice, and regulation. They develop quantitative models of these processes through novel behavioral paradigms implemented in animal models.

Dr. Jessica Verpeut

The social neurobiology lab: study of circuits in adolescent life.

Exploring neural activity, molecular mechanisms, and complex cognitive and social behavior in preclinical animal models, the SOCIAL Neurobiology Lab aims to identify novel therapeutic targets. Their research focuses on sensitive development periods, gene-environment interactions, and neuromodulators in cerebellar pathways.

Dr. Clive Wynne

Canine science collaboratory.

The Canine Science Collaboratory helps people and dogs live their best lives together. Current research focuses on identifying best practices in dog training, understanding human interpretation of dogs' emotional expressions, and investigating the impact of temporary fostering in animal shelters.

Courses and electives

Core and skill courses (24 credits).

Core courses.  Students choose three 500-level courses in behavioral neuroscience and comparative psychology, along with various topical seminars available during their program. These courses align with the interests of current faculty and students.

Skill courses. Two required courses that integrate quantitative methodologies into students' work.

Electives (6 credits)

Elective breadth courses. At least one course selected from another area of study that will provide students with a broader perspective. These courses are discussed and deemed appropriate with a faculty mentor, and can include topics like:

• Cognitive psychology
• Sensation and perception
• Biochemistry
• Clinical neuroscience
• Mathematical psychology
• Cell biology
• ... and more! 

Research (42 credits)

Research activities.  Milestone courses, involving independent study and regular meetings with a faculty member to discuss assignments and conduct research.

Dissertation (12 credits)

Dissertation.  Supervised research including literature review, research, data collection and analysis, and writing.

Graduate students in behavioral neuroscience and comparative psychology must complete 84 credit hours. Coursework is customized based on each student’s background, goals and mentor and committee input. This research-focused program includes weekly seminars and offers the option to earn a master’s degree en route to a PhD. Students actively participate in professional research activities such as conference presentations, publishing papers and grant preparation.

Student Handbook

The behavioral neuroscience and comparative psychology specialization is committed to training the future trailblazers of scientific discovery and academic leadership.

Faculty members serve not only as educators but also as mentors, guiding students towards impactful research and fulfilling careers, including tenured positions at universities and leadership roles within related industries and non-profit organizations.

Get in touch

• For questions about the specialization, email the BNCP area head, Dr. Federico Sanabria, directly at [email protected] .

Other specialized areas of study

Clinical psychology, cognitive science, developmental psychology, social psychology, quantitative research methods.

Why Stanford Neuroscience?

Students have the opportunity to work with any of the  faculty members  who are affiliated with the Neuroscience program. Our faculty come from departments campuswide including Neurobiology, Neurology & Neurological Sciences, Neurosurgery, Biology, Genetics, Comparative Medicine, Electrical Engineering, Otolaryngology, Psychiatry, Psychology, Applied Physics, Molecular & Cellular Physiology, Ophthalmology, and Anesthesia. All are distinguished scientists who have made fundamental discoveries in all areas of neuroscience from molecules to cognition, and have international reputations for excellence in both research and teaching.

After completing core courses in the first year, students are encouraged to take courses in any department that may benefit their research (e.g.,  biosciences, math, and engineering). Students can choose how they would like to distribute their credit requirements, offering great flexibility in their coursework. Stanford School of Medicine continually strives to improve the graduate education system. 

The program has a strong community, fostered in part by the Stanford Immersive Neuroscience course for first year students, an annual retreat held in Monterey, and many other student-run events that encourage mingling such as SIN Tea Time, Neuro Student Network panel discussions and fireside chats, happy hours, and DEIB coffee hours. Starting in the fourth year, students present their work to the community during monthly Superfriends gatherings. Our students also lead a homegrown neuroblog -  NeuWrite West  - to improve their own skills in communicating science to a general audience.

Students participate in a variety of activities both on and off campus. The gorgeous weather year-round allows students to hike, bike, and rock climb in the area, with weekend ski trips to Lake Tahoe common in the winter. Our students have performed with the Stanford Chamber Chorale, Stanford Medicine Chorus, Stanford Shakespeare company, swing and salsa clubs, and local music groups. The graduate community organizes social events including movie nights, restaurant outings, and parties.  

Admissions Information

How to Apply and Important Dates

How to Apply

• Applications for Autumn 2025 will be available on the  Biosciences Admissions website  in September 2024.
• For general information about application procedures, documents, test scores, and more, visit the  Biosciences Admissions page .
• Fee waivers are available. Visit the  Biosciences Admissions page  - Application Fee and Fee Waivers section - for more information.
• Prior to starting an application, review all information on this site, on the  Biosciences Admissions website , and the  Graduate Admissions   website.

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 11:59:59 pm (PST). Late applications will not be accepted.
• Invitations to Interviews: Sent in January 2025
• Interview Session: Wednesday, March 5 through Sunday, March 9, 2025 (In Person)
• Mid-March 2025: Offers of Admission Begin
• April 15, 2025: Deadline to Accept Offer of Admission

Eligibility

The Stanford Neurosciences Program is committed to training a diverse group of neuroscientists who come from a wide range of ethnic, cultural, educational, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Qualified applicants who are neither U.S. citizens nor permanent residents are eligible for admission. 

The Neurosciences program   recognizes that the Supreme Court issued a ruling in June 2023 about the consideration of certain types of demographic information as part of an admission review. All applications submitted during upcoming application cycles will be reviewed in conformance with that decision.

The Neurosciences program   welcomes graduate applications from individuals with a broad range of life experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds who would contribute to our community of scholars. The review process is holistic and individualized, considering each applicant’s academic record and accomplishments, letters of recommendation, prior research experience, and admissions essays to understand how an applicant’s life experiences have shaped their past and potential contributions to their field and how they might enrich the learning community at Stanford.

Students are admitted into the program each year from a variety of disciplines. There is no one “right” way into the Neurosciences Program and no one “composite” student. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of the Neurosciences, students are enrolled with backgrounds ranging from computational to biological; the program selects talented and highly motivated students with evidence of creativity and scientific rigor, regardless of exact disciplinary background. 

Students are selected from diverse backgrounds based on a variety of factors, including academic achievements, letters of recommendation attesting to research and academic skills, and statement of purpose. The admissions committee works very hard to holistically evaluate each applicant. 

There is no minimum GPA requirement and GRE scores are not considered. 

We do not publicly share information about the average scores of applicants or matriculated students.

The program does not have specific course requirements or recommendations to be considered for admission. However, students from traditional biology backgrounds are expected to show strong achievement in molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry and neuroscience. Students from more quantitative backgrounds should demonstrate considerable competence in mathematics (calculus, differential equations, linear algebra), physics, probability theory, and statistics. Students from psychology backgrounds should be well versed in cognitive science, experimental psychology, neuroscience and statistics. Advice on how to choose between neuroscience and psychology programs is offered  here  by one of our faculty members.

Research experience is very important, but the exact disciplinary area is not critical. 

Publications are not required for admission.

You will only need an advanced degree (M.A., M.S.) to apply if you do not meet the Minimum Education Requirements which can be found on the  Graduate Admissions  website.

Application Submission

We generally receive several hundred applications each admissions cycle. All applications are reviewed after the final deadline. However, it is important not to wait until the last minute to submit your application and certainly it is important to give your letter writers plenty of advance notice of the deadline.

• GRE scores are not considered in the Neurosciences program admissions process.

Letters of Recommendation 

• Three letters of recommendation are required, but you may have up to four letters submitted on your behalf.  As part of the online application, you will be required to register the names and contact information, including e-mail addresses, of your recommenders. Recommenders will then receive an e-mail with directions on how to proceed. 
• All recommendations must be submitted using the online application system as recommenders are required to respond to specific evaluation questions on the recommendation form. Letters of recommendation cannot be mailed, emailed, faxed, or submitted through a letter service (with the exception of Interfolio). For letters submitted via Interfolio, please remember that letters written specifically for your Stanford graduate program tend to be stronger than letters written for general use purposes.
• Please be sure that you ask for a recommendation from at least one individual who can address your potential for original and creative research. In most cases, that individual would be the person guiding your most recent research activities. It is very important that you contact your recommenders before submitting their information in the online application. You must choose whether or not to waive your right to see a recommendation. It may be that a recommender will not submit a recommendation if you have not waived the right to see it. This should be discussed in advance. Your choice will be transmitted to the recommender in the instructional email they will receive.
• For more information please see the Biosciences Admissions page .  

Transcripts

Applicants may upload unofficial transcripts to the online application form. Official transcripts are only required of admitted applicants who accept the offer of admission. More details on this can be found on the following  Graduate Admissions web page . Please do not send, or have any official transcripts sent, to our office.

Interviews and Acceptance

• Invitations to attend our Interview Session are extended in early- to mid-January.
• Interviews will be conducted in person. There is only one Interview Session.
• If you have extenuating circumstances that may affect your ability to attend Interview Session, please notify program staff right away. We will work with you to make your visit possible and as comfortable as we can. 
• Our office does not have the resources to inform applicants as to why they were not invited to interview. Similarly, we are not able to assess your qualifications as an applicant.  

Acceptances

• 8-15 students are generally accepted each year.
• Generally, applicants being offered admission into the program receive an offer soon after interview session. However, with a rolling admissions process, offers of admission may be extended at any time until April 15.
• Individuals may reapply if not admitted in a given year. 

International Applicants

Applicants who are neither U.S. citizens nor permanent residents are eligible to apply. Stanford offers a limited number of fellowships to outstanding admitted students, and international applicants may be nominated for these fellowships.

Please see the Graduate Admissions  "Required Exams"  web page for information regarding TOEFL requirements and COVID-19 TOEFL Test accommodations. 

Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program

Join dozens of  Stanford Medicine students  who gain valuable leadership skills in a multidisciplinary, multicultural community as  Knight-Hennessy Scholars  (KHS). KHS admits up to 100 applicants each year from across Stanford’s seven graduate schools, and delivers engaging experiences that prepare them to be visionary, courageous, and collaborative leaders ready to address complex global challenges. As a scholar, you join a distinguished cohort, participate in up to three years of KHS's leadership program, and receive full funding for up to three years of your PhD studies at Stanford. Candidates of any country may apply. KHS applicants must have earned their first undergraduate degree within the last seven years, and must apply to both a Stanford graduate program and to KHS. Stanford PhD students may also apply to KHS during their first year of PhD enrollment. If you aspire to be a leader in your field, we invite you to apply. The KHS application deadline is October 9, 2024. Learn more about  KHS admission .

Past Information Sessions and Q&A

Click here to view the recording of our webinar on October 2, 2023.

Q&A / FAQs

Are summer rotations possible? Yes, through the ADVANCE Summer Institute .

Do we state who we want to work with on the application?  There is a place on the applicaiton to list your faculty of interest. 

Is it possible to join a faculty member’s lab who is not part of the training faculty listed on the website? Students who join the Neurosciences program can work with any Biosciences faculty, as long as they agree to our program expectations and requirements . 

How do you tell if you're ready for a PhD program rather than a postbac or Master's program? If you have some experience and are pretty certain that you want to get a PhD in Neuroscience, you don't have much to lose by applying. If you don't have enough experience to know whether you want to be a neuroscientist or do a PhD, it can be really useful to do a postbac or spend additional time doing research. 

How did you know that a PhD was the best step for you? If you want a faculty position, a PhD is not only required for that but also provides training that is useful. Think about how a PhD will help you get where you want to go in your career.

How many students does the program accept who are coming from industry/extensive work experience?  Students in this program come from many backgrounds. A common pathway is working as a post-bacc or lab tech for 2-3 years after gradaution, but there are certainly people who come directly from undergrad, as well as people who have worked in industry for several (5+) years. No single pathway is “correct”!

Is there a clinical component to this program?  No. If you are interested in clinical work, consider an MD or joint MD-PhD (MSTP) program.

How often do labs have students from multiple bioscience disciplines? Is there collaboration across the disciplines aside from classes you can take?  It's very common to have graduate students from different departments/programs in the same lab. 

What is some funding options and resources for DACA (undocumented) students?  We definitely would like to support you! You can email the  Office of Graduate Education  and  Undocumented at Stanford  for more information. 

Is finding funding for a 5th year of research difficult or does the program help with writing for grants or other ways of helping to secure funding?  There are a variety of resources to help students write fellowhip applications/grants (e.g., Grantwriting Academy, SBSA peer mentorship for NSF, NIH NRSA writing course, peer-led workshops), and our students are successful at being funded. PIs are responsible for funding their students in their 5th+ year if the student does not have an individual fellowship. 

According to the graduate housing website, single graduate housing is available to those who are 25 years of age or older. Does this mean that students under the age of 25 would not qualify for any on campus housing?  The age limit is only for undergraduates who wish to live in grad housing. ALL grad students, regardless of age, are eligible for on campus grad housing. As a first-year grad student student, you have top priority and will have a guaranteed spot for on campus housing if you fill out the housing application by the deadline (usually May).

How helpful is it to live near campus in terms of student relationships, research, and access to faculty?  During your first year, living near campus is important because you will be attending classes on campus, be rotating in labs, and there will be a ton of social events going on. As your class requirements diminish and if you are doing more computational research it may be possible to live away from campus. 

Does the Stanford Neuroscience Program have any kind of community outreach program? Specifically, I'm wondering if there is any effort to engage with local middle/high school students and assist them with preparation for college and demystifying research and a career in academia.  Yes, there are several opportunities (not limited to the Neurosciences program, but within the wider Stanford Biosciences community). One that is very neuroscience-specific is Brain Day for local middle-school students, and other programs to share their science/research with local seniors.