Thank you for your interest in the Department of Psychology's Ph.D. program. The Department invites applications from students who are primarily interested in research. Undergraduate research experience is helpful to have; this includes formal statistics/methods courses and special class projects, independent study projects, and part-time or volunteer work in research. All of our graduate program areas, including Clinical Science, have a strong research emphasis. We believe that competence in research and scholarship are prerequisites for leadership in teaching and public service in psychology.

• Information Sessions and Application Drop-Ins (Click to expand for more information)
  We are offering several information sessions as well as drop-in advising during the summer and fall to help you understand our program and the application process. All times listed below are on Pacific Time. 

   

  • July 18 5-5:30pm UC Berkeley Psychology PhD Program online information session
  • This information session will give a high level overview of our program. As you think about applying to graduate school, this session is designed to help you answer the question, "Is UC Berkeley's Psychology PhD program right for me and should I apply this year?"
  • You can view the recording and slide deck here.
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  • August 31 5-5:30pm UC Berkeley Psychology PhD Admissions online information session
  • This information session will give a high level overview of the application and admissions process for our program. As you plan to apply to graduate school, this session is designed to help you answer the question, "Am I ready to apply to the UC Berkeley Psychology PhD program this year?"
  • You can view the recording and slide deck here. 
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  • September 27 12-12:30pm UC Berkeley Psychology PhD Application online information session
  • This information session will give more details on how to apply to our program in the upcoming cycle. This session is designed to help you answer the question, "How can I be sure my application is received on time and read?"
  • You can view the recording and slide deck here.
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  • UC Berkeley Psychology PhD Admissions online drop-ins (updated hours and additional sessions)
    • Thursday, November 9; 7-9am: https://berkeley.zoom.us/j/96257995205
    • Tuesday, November 14; 5-7pm: https://berkeley.zoom.us/j/91942891539
    • Monday, November 20; 7-9pm https://berkeley.zoom.us/j/94956360877
    • Wednesday, November 29; 12-2pm: https://berkeley.zoom.us/j/98163977695

  We also encourage you to connect with the UC Berkeley Office of Graduate Diversity programs.  Registration is now open for a free online series, Pipeline to the PhD Bootcamp, taking place online over five sessions which began on May 10. 

   

• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (Click to expand for more information)
  Diversity is a defining feature of the University of California and we embrace it as a source of strength. The Department of Psychology views its diversity to be integral to our achievement of excellence. Our differences — of age, race, gender, religion, ethnicity, ability status, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, skills, ideas, experience, and more — enhance our ability to achieve the university’s core missions of public service, teaching, and research.

   

   

   

  Prospective students seeking information specifically related to diversity are encouraged to visit our departmental Diversity page and to consult these resources below:

   

  • Social Sciences Graduate Diversity Office
  • Graduate Diversity Program
  • Graduate Assembly of Students in Psychology

   

  Join us at the Graduate Diversity Admissions Fair.  The psychology department is holding a special information session on November 2, 10-11am as part of the fair.  Register on the Graduate Diversity website and use this link to join the information session: https://berkeley.zoom.us/j/93600749804

   
• Graduate Program Helpful Resources (Click to expand for more information)

  Graduate Program Admissions Instructions

  • Application Instructions
  • Graduate Division Online Application
  • Special Instructions for Clinical Science Program Applicants

  External Fellowships

  • National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships: Applicants for the Department of Psychology's doctoral program are encouraged to apply. https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/Login.do.
  • Also refer to Graduate Division Fellowships and Awards to review other significant funding opportunities.

  Additional Resources

  • Kisses of Death in the Graduate School Application Process
  • Mitch's Uncensored Advice for Applying to Graduate School in Clinical Psychology

Questions? Please contact us at psychgradadmissions@berkeley.edu