What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is December 6.
What are the areas of specialization within the School of Psychology PhD program?
The School of Psychology at Georgia Tech offers Ph.D. degrees with specializations in:
I. Adult Development and Aging
II. Cognition and Brain Science
III. Engineering Psychology
IV. Industrial/Organizational (Work) Psychology
V. Quantitative Psychology
Do I need to take the GRE?
Submission of GRE scores is optional and your application will receive full consideration if you do not submit GRE scores. If submitted, GRE scores will be considered as part of our holistic review.
What is the minimum GPA requirement?
There is no specific minimum GPA for admission. Successful applicants typically have strong academic records in psychology or related fields.
What type of undergraduate degree is required?
An undergraduate degree is required for admission. This degree may be in psychology or a related field or a field which supports the goals of your graduate research plan.
How many letters of recommendation are required?
You must submit three letters of recommendation. It is preferred that these come from professors or professionals who can speak to your academic and research abilities.
How do I choose a faculty mentor/advisor?
Review the faculty profiles on the department website to identify potential research mentors. You are encouraged to contact faculty members whose research aligns with your interests before applying. Indicate your top faculty preferences in your application.
Is prior research experience required?
Prior research experience is encouraged but not required. This can include lab work, independent research projects, research internships and literature reviews. We acknowledge that students from some universities or backgrounds may not have had opportunities to obtain research experience. Applications from students with limited research experience always receive full consideration in our holistic review.
Do you offer funding for graduate students?
- Yes, we offer a highly competitive funding package to all admitted students. Most Ph.D. students receive full funding, including tuition waivers and a stipend for 5 years. After 5 years in the program, funding is dependent on availability.
- The Graduate Teaching (GTA) and Graduate Research (GRA) Assistantship stipend amount for the 2023-2024 academic year was $37,500 for 12 months. The stipend amount for the 2024-2025 academic year is expected to increase.
- Tuition waivers are offered to all admitted students.
- Applying students are automatically considered for internal Georgia Tech scholarships (typically ~4 are awarded each application cycle and are valued at $5,000 per year for 4 years). Successful awardees have their scholarships added to GTA and GRA stipend amounts.
- The School of Psychology at Georgia Tech holds a GAANN (Graduate Assistantships in Areas of National Need) fellowship from the Department of Education. All domestic applicants will be considered for GAANN funding based in part on FAFSA-determined financial need.
How long does the program typically take?
The Ph.D. program takes an average of 6.5 years to complete.
Do I apply to the master's or Ph.D. programs?
All students apply to the Ph.D. program. For Georgia Tech students who majored in Psychology or Neuroscience, we also have a stand-alone 1-year BS/MS Master’s degree program. Information about that program is located at BS/MS in Psychology | Georgia Tech - School of Psychology (gatech.edu)
Do you accept international students?
Yes, we welcome international applicants. International students must submit TOEFL scores if their undergraduate degree was not completed at an English language university. Please see more information here: English Proficiency | Graduate Education (gatech.edu)
When will I hear back about admission?
You will be notified by email and in writing about your admission to the program. This typically occurs in the middle-to-end of January.
Is there an interview process?
Admitted applicants are invited to our recruitment event which is held over 2 days, typically in the first couple of weeks of February. This event is not an "interview" as all invited students will have already received an offer of admission.
What should I include in my personal statement?
Your personal statement should outline your research interests, relevant experience, career goals, and why you’re interested in our program. Highlight any experiences that demonstrate your interest in and commitment to the field of psychology and how you would contribute to the academic community. Your personal statement should also highlight overlap in research interests with our faculty.
What career opportunities are available to graduates?
Graduates from our program typically pursue careers in academia, research, industry, and government agencies. Our program provides strong training for both research and applied positions.
What support services are available to graduate students?
Our program offers a wide range of support services, including academic advising, career counseling, mental health services, and workshops for professional development. Additionally, we have a vibrant graduate student organization that offers peer support and social activities.
How do I submit my application?
Applications must be submitted online through the university’s official graduate admissions portal here: https://grad.gatech.edu/admissions. Be sure to follow all instructions carefully and submit all required documents by the deadline.
Is a Master's degree required for the Ph.D. program?
Many of our students earn a Master’s degree en route to their Ph.D. Effective August 2023, the Master’s degree en route to the Ph.D. is optional. Students may choose to forego the formal Master’s thesis and defense process in consultation with their advisor. However, they still conduct independent research of high quality, potentially leading to publication in scientific literature. Coursework requirements remain unchanged.
Do you offer a Master's Program?
The School of Psychology does not offer a terminal Master's program. Students are only admitted into the Ph.D. program. A master's degree is earned en route to a doctorate degree.
Can I enroll in the graduate program part-time?
No. You must be a full-time student, enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester.Graduate school is a full time commitment which includes coursework, lab work,research, participation in seminars and lab meetings as well as the hours as a Teaching or Research Assistant.
Are application fee waivers available?
Institute level fee waivers (https://grad.gatech.edu/admissions/application-fee-waivers) may be available for some students. A small number of department-level fee waivers may be available for highly-qualified students with demonstrated financial need. Contact the Graduate Director for more information (scott.moffat@psychology.gatech.edu).
