Psychology | College of Liberal Arts
skip to content The University of Texas at Austin

FAQ

PhD Program

Application

  • What is the deadline for application materials?

    November 15, 2024—We do not accept late applications. This is the deadline for all required materials. 

  • What are the requirements to apply to the PhD program?
    • A four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. college (or equivalent foreign training)
    • At least a 3.0 GPA in upper-division (typically junior and senior level classes) and any graduate coursework. (Our typical admitted student has a 3.5 GPA or higher.)
    • Adequate academic preparation in psychology (This typically includes upper-division psychology courses, a course in statistics, and a course in experimental methodology.)
    • Research experience
  • Should I contact faculty prior to applying?

    Our department uses a mentorship model, which means that graduate students are placed in laboratories where they work with supervising professors on research within the domain of expertise of the supervising professor. Thus, an important factor in the Department of Psychology’s admissions process is the match between an applicant's research interests and the research interests of faculty members. Because of this, applicants are encouraged to contact faculty members they are interested in working with before applying.

    Why you should contact faculty: It is a good idea to reach out to potential faculty mentors before submitting your application for a few reasons:

    • You may learn helpful information such as new programs or projects that might interest you that are not listed on the faculty member’s website.
    • You may learn that the faculty’s current research is less interesting to you than you first thought (or, more optimistically, even more interesting than you thought).
    • The faculty member might also suggest other faculty members for you to consider given your research interests. They might also point you to different programs that could be a better fit for your research interests.
    • You may begin to establish a relationship with a potential faculty advisor.

     

    How to contact faculty: Applicants are encouraged to visit faculty lab websites, reach out to current trainees in a prospective faculty mentor’s lab, and connect with faculty via email.

    Writing an email to faculty:

    • Use a subject header like “Inquiry about graduate study”.
    • Introduce yourself, including relevant background and experience.
    • Consider attaching your CV.
    • Express your interest in the lab and Ph.D. program.
    • Be specific about why you are interested in that faculty member’s research. For instance, mention a paper they published or a specific research interest that excites you. Generic emails (or non-personalized form letters) are less likely to get a response.
    • Do not ask faculty questions that are already answered on their faculty profile or laboratory website. This could be interpreted as you are not highly interested in the program or lab.   

     

    What to expect: Faculty may respond with an email with more detailed information or some helpful advice. However, it is also possible that they will not reply (some faculty get many requests), and you should not take this personally.

  • Can I be accepted into one Area of Study and do research with a faculty member in another area?

    Collaborations across Areas are encouraged. Students may have co-advisors from different Areas, however it is expected that you will complete the requirements of the Area into which you are admitted, under the supervision of the faculty member whose lab you were admitted.

  • ABC

    abc

  • Do you require a writing sample?

    Yes, we do require a writing sample. It should be a 10-20 page, academic writing sample (e.g., senior or master’s thesis, term paper, publication).

  • What is the average GPA for admissions?

    You must have at least a 3.0 upper-division GPA. This typically includes junior and senior level classes and any graduate coursework. Our typical admitted student has a 3.5 GPA or higher.

  • Are International students required to take the TOEFL or IELTS exam?

    We require the TOEFL (Please do not submit the IELTS exam). You must have at least a 79 on the internet-based test (iBT). The institution code for UT Austin is 6882. International applicants who are from a qualifying country are exempt from this requirement. Additionally, applicants are exempt from the requirement if they possess a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. institution or a qualifying country. The requirement is not waived for applicants who have earned a master's—but not a bachelor's—degree from a similar institution.

  • Do you offer spring admission?

    No, we only admit students for fall semesters.

  • Who should write letters of recommendation?

    We require three letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation are one of the most important pieces of your application. They should come from faculty that know you and can speak to your abilities. Help your recommender’s write a strong letter by giving them plenty of time and providing them with materials about you (CV, personal statement, etc).

  • How many students are admitted each year?

    Our admissions process is highly competitive. We receive over 600 applications each year, with around half applying to the clinical program. We accept less than 5% of the applicant pool. Faculty select students who are highly qualified on all admission criteria and who have expressed an interest in research that is congruent with their research programs.

  • I don’t have any research experience. Can I still apply to your program?

    Prior research experience is necessary to have a competitive application. Since we work using the mentorship system, a good match between faculty and student is based on the fit of the research of the faculty member and the previous experience that the applicant has had. We recommend that you look into acquiring experience through local universities, internships, lab work, etc.

  • I don’t have a background in Psychology. Can I still apply to your program?

    We do not require that your undergraduate degree be in Psychology. Our graduate students have a variety of majors; however, you should have adequate preparation in psychology (This typically includes upper-division psychology courses, a course in statistics, and a course in experimental methodology) as well as research experience.

  • I am interested in a Counseling program. Should I apply to your Clinical program?

    No. Our Clinical program is a “clinical scientist” model, focused on research. Our goal is to train academics and researchers. Those interested in the “clinical practitioner” model should look into the programs offered through The Department of Educational Psychology. They offer both the MA and PhD in Counseling.

  • Can the application fee be waived?

    U.S. citizens and permanent residents pursuing your first graduate degree, may be eligible for a fee waiver. We have a limited number of fee waivers available for International applicants.  If you need help paying the application fee, submit the International Application Fee Waiver Form by October 26, 2022. You must be applying to work with a faculty member from the approved recruiting list on our admissions page, demonstrate good research fit, and have a documented financial need.

Menu