Welcome!

At UC San Diego's Department of Psychology, you'll work alongside internationally recognized faculty, engage in meaningful research from your first year, and receive the support you need to grow as a scientist. Our funded Experimental Psychology PhD program combines rigorous academic training with a collaborative environment that prepares graduates for successful careers in academia, industry, and more. Whether your interests lie in cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology, or cognitive and behavioral neuroscience, you'll find opportunities to pursue impactful research and teaching at one of the nation's leading research universities.

Why UC San Diego?

Financial Information

All admitted PhD students, including international students, are offered financial support during their time in the program. This includes a competitive stipend, full tuition and fee coverage, and health insurance. Funding is provided through a combination of research and teaching assistantships, giving students valuable professional experience while ensuring financial stability throughout their graduate training.

Students are also eligible for:

• Departmental travel awards
• Departmental funds for research expenses
• University fellowships
• External fellowship support

Our goal is to provide the resources you need to pursue research and professional development throughout your PhD.

Research Without Boundaries

The Department of Psychology at UC San Diego provides advanced training in research in core subfields of Experimental Psychology. Our distinguished faculty are at the forefront of developing new theories, methods, and discoveries that shape the future of psychological science. Supported by state-of-the-art research facilities and a collaborative campus research community, students begin contributing to impactful research from their first year of study.

Our PhD program offers four broad areas of specialization:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Social Psychology

We encourage applicants to carefully explore our faculty's research and identify mentors whose research interests align with their own, as research experience and fit with the program are important considerations in our holistic admissions process.

Graduate students in our Psychology PhD program may also expand their degree and earn an interdisciplinary specialization. Applications to one of these degree specializations are submitted after being accepted into our program.

A Collaborative Community

At UC San Diego Psychology, students benefit from mentorship not only from their advisors, but also from the broader department and campus communities.

Students regularly participate in:

• Weekly area Brown Bag meetings to discuss research
• Department colloquia
• Professional development workshops
• Cross-lab collaborations
• Social events and community-building activities

Our faculty and students work alongside researchers in:

• Cognitive Science
• Neuroscience
• Linguistics
• Philosophy
• Human Development

This interdisciplinary culture encourages innovative research and gives students access to a wide range of methods, perspectives, and collaborators.

Although we don't train Clinical Psychology graduate students, researchers with an interest in interacting with clinicians can find colleagues and friends in the UC San Diego Medical School and the SDSU/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology.

A Place You'll Love to Live

With year-round sunshine, beaches, hiking trails, and a vibrant scientific community, graduate students enjoy an environment that supports both academic success and personal well-being. San Diego's growing biotechnology and research industries also create valuable opportunities for internships, collaborations, and career exploration.

Career Outcomes

Our graduates pursue careers across a wide range of settings, including:

• Research universities
• Liberal arts colleges
• Hospitals and medical centers
• Biotechnology and technology companies
• Government agencies
• Nonprofit organizations

The department provides mentorship and professional development opportunities to help students prepare for diverse career paths.

Our Admissions Philosophy

We seek curious, motivated students with the potential to become outstanding researchers. Our admissions process is holistic. We consider:

• Quality and duration of research experience
• Alignment with faculty interests
• Academic preparation
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal statement

There is no single path to becoming a successful graduate student. If you have an undergraduate degree and a strong track record of research experience, we want to hear from you (e.g., no previous master's training is required). We encourage applicants from a wide range of academic backgrounds and experiences.

To apply to our program, please visit our admissions page for details. The application deadline for Fall 2027 admission is December 2nd, 2026.

Ready to Apply?

We're excited to learn more about you and your research interests.

Whether you're just beginning to explore graduate school or are ready to submit an application, we encourage you to discover what makes UC San Diego Psychology an exceptional place to pursue your PhD.

• Explore Faculty Research
• Review Application Requirements
• Learn About Funding
• Review Frequently Asked Questions