Psychology, Cognitive and Brain Sciences (PhD)

Program Overview

Binghamton University’s doctoral program in cognitive psychology emphasizes the development of critical thinking, research competence and theory construction and evaluation. Our students are trained in areas of cognitive neuroscience that include language processing, learning and memory, perception, attention and emotion, and cognitive development. A specific teaching curriculum is also included, and research training is heavily emphasized. Students should be dedicated to the pursuit of new knowledge in developmental research and modern pedagogy.

Potential candidates will be invited for an interview on campus with travel expenses compensated by the department. Interviews via Skype are available for students currently overseas. Students may be admitted with a tuition scholarship and stipends for serving as research or teaching assistants. In many cases teaching assistantships include health insurance and a tuition scholarship. Students that remain in good standing are eligible for up to five years of funding.

Degrees Offered

  • PhD in Cognitive and Brain Sciences

Internships, Research Opportunities and More

After gaining experience as teaching assistants, all doctoral students are required to teach a course under the supervision of a faculty member. Two University research units are available for information and resources: the Center for Cognitive and Psycholinguistic Sciences (CaPS) and the Center for Development and Behavioral Neuroscience (CDBN). CaPS in particular supports research and training in various areas of cognitive science, and doctoral members are eligible to apply for travel awards to attend conferences and present research findings. Many students also seek out paid internships in industry with organizations such as Bellcore, IBM, Microsoft, Motorola and NASA. See the program roadmap to find out more about what the program entails.

After You Graduate

The Psychology Department has an excellent track record in placing graduates. Alumni have obtained academic or industrial employment in the human factors field, or pursued postdoctoral training at nationally distinguished research institutions. Such organizations include the College of William and Mary, University of California at Los Angeles, Dell Computer, Texas A&M Medical School, Lockheed Martin, James Madison University, IBM and the Yale School of Medicine.

Admission Requirements

Funding/Scholarships

There are many funding and scholarship opportunities at Binghamton. We encourage prospective students to review available program-specific scholarships and awards, and visit the program's website for additional information. PhD students who are registered and/or certified full-time will receive a scholarship that covers the cost of broad-based fees (this does not include international student fees).

For more information, visit the Psychology, Cognitive and Brain Sciences website.