Psychology
The Graduate Program
The Department of Psychology offers training leading to the PhD degree. Students may apply to one of three programs: Brain, Behavior & Cognition; Clinical; or Developmental Science. Although the MA degree is routinely awarded en route to the PhD, each of the graduate programs is structured as a doctoral training program. Candidates interested in a terminal MA should apply to the master’s-only program that emphasizes the contribution of psychologists and workers in related disciplines to the understanding of a variety of behavioral, cognitive, and societal issues.
Admissions committees for each of the programs look for evidence of ability to complete successfully a demanding program of study, reviewing carefully the student’s letters of reference, personal statement, academic history, various test scores, and the match between the student’s interests and the strengths of each of our programs. The committees attempt to make intelligent judgments about development and improvement in performance, maturity of motivation, scholarly commitment, ability to cope with the demands of applied programs, sensitivity, and so on.
A strong background in psychology is usually the best preparation for graduate work in the area, but it is not essential, particularly for the MA program. The admissions committees are as concerned with a high level of undergraduate performance as with a concentration in psychology.
The application deadline for all PhD programs (Brain, Behavior & Cognition; Clinical; and Developmental Science) is December 1. The application deadline for the MA-only program is May 15. (Please note that MA applications will be reviewed beginning March 1.) For information and instructions on applying to our graduate programs, please visit the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences website. Please note that applications to all psychology graduate programs must be submitted online. All supplementary materials must be submitted in one packet by the deadline to the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. All applicants to the MA and PhD programs must submit recent scores (within the last five years) of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test. The GRE Subject Test in Psychology (or in your major if different from psychology) and the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) are optional. Please do not direct any application materials to the Department of Psychology. Incomplete applications and applications submitted after the deadline will not be reviewed.
For additional PhD and MA program information, please visit our website at www.bu.edu/psych. Please do not attempt to contact program directors for information or special requests.
Financial Assistance
The department attempts to provide some form of assistance for PhD candidates during their period of full-time study but cannot guarantee such aid. Types of assistance available to doctoral candidates are described below.
Teaching Fellowships A teaching fellowship provides a stipend as well as a tuition scholarship and general fees for up to eight semester courses per year. Teaching fellows lead discussion and laboratory sections in the introductory courses and in some advanced courses. All teaching fellows participate in a teaching seminar that deals with various approaches, techniques, and problems of instruction and learning.
Graduate Assistantships Tuition and general fees are provided for up to eight semester courses for the academic year, but without a stipend. In return, the student must be available for up to 20 hours of weekly service to the department.
Research Assistantships Faculty research grants provide support for some students. Responsibilities, training experience, and stipends are provided.
Martin Luther King Jr. Fellowships These fellowships provide a tuition scholarship plus a stipend. They are available from the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, upon departmental nomination, to African American students in all departments.
Additional Support is available from sources outside the University.
