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College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Psychology

Admissions

The Department of Psychology typically receives over 350 applications annually for our Ph.D. programs. The incoming class each year ranges from 15 to 25 students. Our admissions process is centered within our areas of specialization (behavior analysis, behavioral and cognitive neurosciences, counseling, developmental, social). Given the large number of applications we receive, student files will normally be reviewed only by the area of specialization that represents the primary interest of the student. Area faculty independently review applications and make recommendations for admission and funding to a department-wide committee that makes the final decision on funding offers.

Admissions decisions are based on a number of factors, including:

  • Undergraduate preparation:
    • at least one course in statistics
    • at least one course in each of the following areas of Psychology:
      • Biological bases (physio, sensory, comparative)
      • Developmental Changes (child/adolescent, lifespan)
      • Learning and Cognition (behavioral analysis, cognitive processes)
      • Sociocultural/Individual differences (social, personality, abnormal)
  • Recent entering graduate classes had an average grade point average (GPA) for the last two years of 3.8. Applicants with an overall GPA below 3.0 will be considered only under special circumstances.
  • Research experience
  • Relevant volunteer/work experience
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Perhaps most importantly, match between student and faculty research interests.Prospective students are strongly encouraged to contact area directors and individual faculty members regarding their research interests and to ascertain if that faculty member will be admitting new students to her/his research group. Our Psychology program operates on a mentor-mentee model. Please note your preferred faculty mentor (based on research interests) in your personal statement. It is fine to list multiple faculty members, especially if you have been in contact with them. GRE scores are not required for applications to the Department of Psychology at the University of Florida (however, please note that international applicants may still be required to report a GRE score to immigration authorities when applying for a student visa).

The Department of Psychology is committed to creating and sustaining a diverse, inclusive, and nondiscriminatory environment. To this end, we are mindful of sociocultural systems of privilege and oppression based on age, disability, ethnicity and race, gender, gender identity, geography, relationship and parental status, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, spiritual practice, and other dimensions of diversity. We firmly believe that excellence is best promoted by recruiting and retaining diverse groups of students, faculty, and staff and by insuring that the department’s culture is supportive and respectful of all members.

The Department of Psychology DOES NOT OFFER a terminal masters degree; students may receive a Masters Degree as part of their doctoral training program.

If you are seeking admission to the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology please visit their home page for more information.

Application Deadline

The deadline for receipt of all applications to the Ph.D. Program is DECEMBER 1st, of each year, for the following Fall Semester. To ensure that your application is given full consideration, please be sure to indicate Fall as the semester for which you are applying and be sure all application materials are received by the Graduate School by December 1st. Applications received after December 1st will be considered late and may not be reviewed.

Don’t wait until the last minute to apply! Apply early to ensure your application is given full consideration! **

The department cannot offer status updates on applications. Please use the Graduate School’s application status system to confirm that all application materials have been received. If you are missing application materials, be advised that processing at Graduate Admissions can take several weeks at peak traffic times (November-December).

How to Apply

The Psychology Department uses the UF Graduate School’s online application system. In order to apply, you will need to submit the following:

  1. The online Graduate Admissions application (indicate your prospective mentor in your statement of purpose).
  2. Official transcripts from every college/university you have attended (sent directly to UF Graduate Admissions), as well as unofficial transcripts uploaded into the online application.
  3. Resume/CV (attached to the online application).
  4. Three letters of recommendation (submitted through the online application).
  5. TOEFL or other language test scores (international students only, sent directly from ETS to UF Graduate Admissions).

Please follow the instructions in our online application guide. You should also view our FAQ for answers to common admissions questions.

Be sure to follow all instructions on the Graduate Admissions website; do not send any materials directly to the department. Test scores, recommendation letters, resumes/CVs, etc. that have been submitted to the department rather than Graduate Admissions will not be processed, and your application will remain incomplete. Please be sure that your application is correct and complete prior to submitting your application. Changes CANNOT be made to your application after submitting.

If you have read through the site and still cannot find the answer to a question that you have regarding the application or admission process, please contact the Graduate Program Assistant.

Are you Prepared for Graduate School?