Skip to content

Ph.D. Program Overview 

Students apply to one of four concentrations:

These four areas provide a home base for faculty members and graduate students; however, students move easily across these areas pursuing research interests and projects. There is an explicit cross-area program in health, and cross-area interests in sexuality, developmental psychopathology, and biological bases of behavior. Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for more information about the program.

 

Collaborative Research

A unique feature of our program is the highly collaborative environment that exists among researchers within areas, across areas, and with other departments such as Computer Science, Medicine, etc. A strength of this approach to graduate training is that it allows a fresh perspective to familiar questions and produces findings that are relevant to the field as a whole, not just a select niche.

Apply to the Graduate Program

**For questions regarding the graduate program and the graduate application process, please contact Cindy White at cindy.white@psych.utah.edu or by phone at 801-585-7167.

Required Materials

The GRE test is not a requirement for applications to the Psychology PhD program.

The Psychology Department requires the following materials be submitted as part of the online application:

  • Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose – Two to three pages double-spaced is generally sufficient.
    Your personal statement should summarize your research and career goals, prior educational and work experience, and any other appropriate information. Make sure to indicate which faculty members you hope to work with and include a discussion of the parallels between their research interests and your own, as well as the reasons for your interest in our program. If there is information related to your history, background, and experience that you believe cannot be addressed by any other section of the application, we encourage you to include that information in your personal statement.
  • Curriculum Vita
  • Transcripts - unofficial transcripts from each college or university attended (upload to the online application); official transcripts are required only if offered admittance to the graduate program, and at that point should be sent directly to the Graduate Admissions office.
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation - may be completed online (preferred), or submitted by hard copy directly to the Psychology Department.
  • Writing Sample (optional; strongly encouraged but not required) - Possible writing samples include senior theses; master's degree theses; published, in press, or submitted research papers; conference posters and presentations; etc..  Applicants may include no more than TWO writing samples with their application materials.

 

CUDCP's policy for Admissions Offers and Acceptances

CUDCP's policy for Admissions Offers and Acceptances (PDF)

Online Application

We admit students once a year, for fall semester. Our application deadline is December 1st, 11:59 PM MST.   

PLEASE NOTE: This year, all interviews will be virtual; interview dates will be announced by early January.  There will be a campus visit day in February (TBD) for applicants who receive offers of admission.

Graduate Program Application

Funding

All applicants are automatically considered for financial assistance; no separate financial aid forms are necessary. Announcements of admission and support will be made on or before April 1, and applicants who choose to enroll are expected to begin their studies the following Fall Semester. See our Scholarships/Funding page for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

For a number of frequently asked questions and their answers, check the FAQ

The following faculty will be reviewing graduate applications for the Fall 2025 admission cycle:

Lisa Aspinwall
Jonathan Butner
Pascal Deboeck
LillyBelle Deer
Bruce Ellis
Brenna Gomer
Michael Himle
Cory Inman
Monika Lohani
Kara Moore
Tochukwu Nweze
Lee Raby
Jeanine Stefanucci
Paula Williams

 

 

Last Updated: 11/11/24