The Department of Psychology offers a graduate program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Psychology. The Psychology program provides education and research training in three areas of specialization: Behavior Analysis, Clinical, and Cognitive Brain Sciences. Students in all three areas of specialization must meet all requirements for admission to the graduate school. Prospective graduate students may access the Graduate School’s website for the current information and for on-line admissions applications.
Applications for acceptance to the Ph.D. programs are made to the graduate school and must include: (a) a graduate admission application, including fees; (b) an official copy of the GRE scores; and (c) official college transcripts. Additionally, application materials should be submitted to the area of specialization in the Department of Psychology. Those packets must include (a) Program application form (available on the department website); (b) statement of purpose and goals; (c) three sealed letters of recommendation; and (d) a curriculum vitae (optional). Candidates for the Ph.D. or M.A. must complete graduate school and specialization area requirements. Students must be admitted to one specialization area. The department website provides current degree requirements. There is also an interdisciplinary Social Psychology Ph.D. that is described in the Interdisciplinary and Special Programs portion of the catalogue. Application information for that program is listed there.
The three areas of specialization are described briefly here:
Behavior Analysis: Accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis, training in Behavior Analysis at the University of Nevada, Reno is conducted via a junior- colleague model and includes supervised experience and instruction leading to the M.A. and/or Ph.D. degrees. The program focuses on the philosophies of behaviorism, the theory and methodology of behavior analysis, basic and applied research in human behavior, basic research in animal behavior, application of behavioral principles to organizational administration and consultation, instructional design and technology, parent and teacher training, and clinical populations, participatory governance and fiscal management. Program requirements are listed on the area web page. Admission materials are due January 1.
Clinical: The Clinical Psychology program is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association and is a charter member of the Academy of Clinical Science. We seek to train doctoral level clinical scientists who have a thorough grounding in research and scholarly activities, can develop and utilize scientific knowledge, are skilled in using their critical thinking and analytic tools in problem formulation and solution generation, and have a thoroughly developed repertoire of professional competencies, including applied skills. Admission materials are due January 1.
Cognitive and Brain Sciences: The Graduate Program in Cognitive and Brain Sciences (formerly known as Experimental Psychology) offers programs of study leading to the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees. Students are given a strong foundation in current theory and methods and have the opportunity to specialize within a number of substantive areas of research that include: Comparative Psychology, Development across the life span, Psychophysiology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Memory, and Sensation and Perception. Admission materials are due February 1.
Prospective graduate students for all programs should view the department website at http://www.unr.edu/cla/psych/graduate.html for more information and to obtain psychology program application forms. Students may also call the department at (775) 784-6828 in order to contact the appropriate program director.
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