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 no longer 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 - 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. Two to three pages double-spaced is sufficient.
- 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; masters degree theses; published, in press, or submitted research papers; conference posters and presentations; etc.
**IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS**
We believe strongly in giving applicants every opportunity to demonstrate their suitability for our program. Hence, if there is information related to your history, background, and experience that you believe cannot be addressed by the above requirements, we encourage to include that information in the application under the section titled “Additional comments you consider pertinent/important.”
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: Graduate applications are reviewed in late December/early January. This year, all interviews will be virtual with February 15, 2023 as the main department recruitment day. Final decisions are made and communicated to all applicants by mid-March.
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 student applications for the 2022-2023 application cycle:
Dr. Lisa Aspinwall
Dr. Brian Baucom
Dr. Cynthia Berg
Dr. Jacqueline Chen
Dr. Pascal Deboeck
Dr. Cory Inman
Dr. Tim Smith
Dr. Paula Williams
The following faculty will not be reviewing graduate student applications for the 2022-2023 application cycle:
Dr. Anu Asnaani
Dr. Katie Baucom
Dr. Jonathan Butner
Dr. Elisabeth Conradt
Dr. Sarah Creem-Regehr
Dr. Sheila Crowell
Dr. Lisa Diamond
Dr. Trafton Drew
Dr. Frank Drews
Dr. Bruce J. Ellis
Dr. Matt Euler
Dr. Michael Himle
Dr. Patricia Kerig
Dr. Monisha Pasupathi
Dr. Brennan Payne
Dr. Lee Raby
Dr. David Sanbonmatsu
Dr. Carol Sansone
Dr. Jeanine Stefanucci
Dr. Yana Suchy
Dr. Sommer R. Thorgusen
Dr. Bert Uchino
Dr. Cecilia Wainryb
Dr. Paul White