Psychology

About the Program

The Ph.D. in Psychology at Georgetown University offers a fully funded five-year, full-time program of study. Students in the program concentrate in either Human Development and Public Policy (HDPP) or Lifespan Cognitive Neuroscience (LCN). The program is fundamentally a research program. Students are expected to meet rigorous research milestones and receive training in conducting independent scholarly research.

Students in the HDPP track also take core courses at the McCourt School of Public Policy, while students in the LCN track take core courses in the Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience at Georgetown University School of Medicine. Students in both concentrations also take core and elective courses in the Psychology Department.

A dual degree in Psychology (Ph.D.) and Master of Public Policy (MPP) is also offered in collaboration with the McCourt School of Public Policy to students in the HDPP concentration.

Connect with Us

Program Contact: Rachel Barr – rfb5@georgetown.edu

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Degrees Offered

• Ph.D.
• Ph.D./Master’s in Public Policy (MPP)

Admissions Requirements

For general graduate admissions requirements, visit the Office of Graduate Admission’s Application Information page. Review the program’s website for additional information on program application requirements.

Application Materials required:

• Application Form
• Non-Refundable Application Fee
• Academic Statement of Purpose
• Optional: Statement on Diversity, Personal Background & Contributions
• Writing Sample
• Letters of Recommendation (3)
• Transcripts – Applicants are required to upload to the application system copies of official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended. Visit the Office of Graduate Admission’s Application Information page for additional details and FAQs.
• Resume/CV
• GRE
• TOEFL/IELTS (if applicable)
  • TOEFL = 80 minimum
  • IELTS = 7.0 minimum

Application Deadlines

• Fall: (Human Development and Public Policy only)
  • December 1
• Summer: (Lifespan Cognitive Neuroscience only)
  • December 1

Degree Requirements

The core graduate curriculum includes coursework in statistics/methodology; advanced theory and evidence; applications of developmental science; and scientific ethics, as well as experience and instruction in teaching, grant writing and other practical skills.

The requirements of the graduate program are designed to:

• Ensure that students receive solid grounding in the interdisciplinary roots and methods of developmental science.
• Involve students in research immediately upon starting their graduate education and, over the course of their education, encourage them to develop an original line of inquiry.
• Instruct students in the critical analysis, teaching and communication skills that are critical to success in an array of post-Ph.D. positions.

Credits Required

• Ph.D. with a concentration in Human Development and Public Policy: 36 credits
• Ph.D. with a concentration in Lifespan Cognitive Neuroscience: 39 credits
• Ph.D./MPP (Master’s in Public Policy): 48 credits

There is no option of part-time study in this graduate degree program.