Psychology
The Department of Psychology conducts cutting-edge research aimed at understanding the causes and consequences of mental processes and behavior. Our work addresses social, cognitive, and neural levels of analysis. We are innovative and interdisciplinary in our approach and emphasize understanding phenomena that have a direct impact on society.

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Degree Offerings
- Faculty
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Application Requirements
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Contact the Department
Questions about your application?
Contact us:
Office of Graduate Admissions
Bendetson Hall
Medford, MA 02155
(617) 627-3395
gradadmissions@tufts.edu
PhD in Psychology
The graduate program in psychology offers a PhD program in experimental psychology and an interdisciplinary PhD in Cognitive Sciences, both designed to prepare scholars for entering scientifically-oriented research and/or teaching jobs. All students are admitted to the PhD program, which is comprised of a pre-master's and a post-master's part. The program is not designed to grant a terminal master’s degree. Instead, it is expected that students will proceed to PhD study.
Related programs:
- Joint program in Psychology and Cognitive Science PhD
- School Psychology MA/EdS
- Child Study and Human Development MA (Concentration: Clinical Developmental Psychology)
Visit the Department of Psychology
The graduate program's course-work and milestone requirements have been constructed to consider the student's professional development and to foster a successful research career. Effective written communication is an essential research skill. As such, one of the main objectives of the graduate program focuses on effective written communication of scientific research. To achieve this objective, students receive extensive feedback on writing from personalized faculty committees
- Written communication—students will gain facility in written scientific communication.
- Oral communication—students will gain facility in oral scientific communication.
- Synthesizing psychological research literature—students will gain facility in understanding scientific research from theoretical and methodological perspectives.
- Independent scientific research—students will move toward conducting independent and peer-collaborative scientific research.
- Statistical competence—students will learn fundamentals of promoting and responding to the broader research community about their work
- Teaching competence—students will learn fundamentals involved with teaching courses in psychology.
Faculty
Application Deadline
Fall: December 15
Application Requirements:
> Application Fee
> Resume/CV
> Personal Statement
> In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the availability of standardized testing, GRE scores are currently waived for students applying to this program.
> Official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test if applicable
> Transcripts
> Three Letters of Recommendation
> Optional Writing Sample
- Please include a writing sample that provides additional indication of your writing and research experience. This could include a scientific publication, experimental write-up, honors thesis, or other scientific writing
For questions about this program, including scholarships and assistantships, please contact the graduate program director, Professor Ayanna Thomas.
Department of Psychology
Tufts University
490 Boston Ave.
Medford, MA 02155
Office: 617.627.3523
Fax: 617.627.3181