The Department of Psychology is one of ten programs and departments in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSOS). Students are accepted into the following specialty areas:

• Clinical (CLIN)
• Cognitive and Neural Systems (CNS)
• Counseling (COUN)
• Developmental (DEV)
• Social, Decision and Organizational Science (SDOS)

Academic Program Requirements

The Department expects each doctoral candidate to be conversant in the field of psychology as well as expert in his or her specialty area. All students entering with a Baccalaureate degree are required to take three quantitative courses and three core courses in areas outside their specialty area. These courses may be chosen from a group of courses designed to provide graduate level introductions in a variety of specialty areas. The remaining time is devoted to research and coursework required by the student’s specialty area as well as coursework chosen by the student in consultation with his or her advisor on the basis of the student’s interests.

To be admitted to the doctoral program, students must demonstrate “research competence.” Admission to the doctoral program also requires satisfactory completion of certain coursework, and favorable recommendations, from both the research committee and the specialty area, with the final approval made by the Graduate Committee. Research competence may be evidenced by the completion of an acceptable Master’s thesis.

Sometime in the third or fourth year of the program, students take Comprehensive Examinations. The nature of this exam varies by specialty area. Admission to doctoral candidacy requires successful completion of the comprehensive examination, completion of certain course requirements, and the recommendation of the specialty area. After being admitted to candidacy, students begin formally to work on dissertations. The Ph.D. degree requires 12 hours of dissertation credits. Students in the Clinical and Counseling areas also complete an APA required pre-doctoral internship prior to receiving the Ph.D.

For those students who enter with advanced degrees (e.g., M.A., M.S.) the basic requirements are the same. In the event that the student has already had a course comparable to one of our core courses, the student may petition to have that course credited as a core course, or the student may elect to take an advanced course in that area for purposes of satisfying the core requirement. In either case, the student must consult with his/her advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies.

Graduate Student Evaluation Procedure

Each student's performance is monitored by his or her advisor on an ongoing basis. The faculty of each specialty area regularly evaluates the grades, research involvement and competency, and, where appropriate, the applied skill developed by each student within the area. Once each year, the student’s specialty area provides the student with a written summary evaluation of his/her progress.

Diversity

Diversity refers to differences in race, ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, abilities, class, nationality, and other factors. The Department of Psychology at the University of Maryland is committed to creating a respectful and affirming climate in which all students, staff, and faculty are inspired to achieve their full potential. 

We believe that actively fostering an affirming environment strengthens our department as a whole. A department that values and celebrates diversity among its students, staff and faculty is best able to develop the strengths and talents of all members of the department community.

We take a multi-pronged approach to creating an affirming climate within the Department of Psychology by:

• Attracting, supporting and retaining faculty, students, and staff that represent the diversity of our community and field
• Cultivating a culture of acceptance and inclusion in which diversity is integral, authentic, intrinsically valued, and visible
• Welcoming honest and open discussion regarding diversity issues
• Incorporating diversity as a central component of our academic curriculum
• Enhancing awareness of diversity issues through ongoing research and applied work
• Developing and strengthening relationships with diverse community and international partners

Financial Support

The Department generally has been able to provide support for incoming students. As noted earlier, because of the demanding nature of the doctoral program, the Department does not permit students to hold jobs off campus unless they are directly related to the student's education and have been approved by the student's specialty area. Therefore, the need to arrange funding through the Department is essential. Fellowships, teaching and research assistantships are the most common kinds of financial support.

Teaching and Research Assistantships. Teaching and research assistantships provide for remission of tuition of up to 10 credits per semester. Teaching assistants have a 20 hour per week commitment. They generally assist a faculty member with undergraduate courses. Summer stipends are available for some students as well. Research assistantships carry the same stipend as teaching assistantships and require the same number of hours of work per week. The recipient of a research assistantship works under the supervision of a faculty member. Most research assistantships come from grant or contract funds awarded to faculty members in support of their research. Teaching and research assistants are also eligible for the same health insurance options as all other University employees. Insurance premiums are subsidized.

Assistantships from Other Academic Units. There are assistantships offered by other Academic Units (e.g., Departments, Colleges, Centers, etc.) in the university to which psychology graduate students may submit applications for consideration, e.g.,. the University Counseling Center, Office of Student and Employee Services, Resident Life, Judicial Affairs, Career Development Center, BSOS Advising Office, Women's Studies Program, and Human Relations Office. A description of the responsibilities and minimum qualifications and applications may be obtained from the various units.

Fellowships. Fellowships are available for students with outstanding credentials. Graduate Fellowships provide a stipend for the academic year and 12 credits of tuition remission. Health insurance, the cost of which is subsidized by the University, is available. Applicants are nominated on the basis of their credentials by the Department.

The University's location in the metropolitan Washington area affords many opportunities for relevant summer employment for students, whose specialty areas permit them to work off-campus during the summer.

Research and Professional Development Facilities on Campus

The building in which the Department is housed was designed by the faculty to incorporate research and educational facilities for all specialty areas. The building contains special centers for research, with acoustical centers, observational units, video equipment, computer facilities, surgical facilities, and radio frequency shielding. Departmental laboratories are well equipped for research in animal behavior, audition, biopsychology, cognition, coordinated motor control, counseling, industrial/organizational psychology, learning, life-span development, psycholinguistics, psychophysiology, psychotherapy, social psychology, and vision. Listed below are descriptions of some of the on-campus facilities available to both faculty and students in the Department:

Animal Research Laboratories - The animal facilities include housing for colonies of several species, together with testing rooms, histology rooms, surgery, shielded recording facilities, library, and electronic and woodworking shops.

Auditory Research Laboratory - The laboratory contains soundproof rooms, sound generation equipment, and control and programming equipment.

Computer Facilities - The University and the Department have extensive computer facilities. The University computer center, i.e., Academic Information and Technology Services, has mainframe computers, workstations, extensive desktop and color graphics facilities and supports the campus networking systems. The Department and BSOS have their own servers for faculty and graduate students and the BSOS Office of Academic Computing Services (OACS) supports a Novell-based Local Area Network that includes the Department of Psychology. There are ample workstations and PC's for use by all faculty and graduate students. The Department maintains a website at: .

Cognitive Research Laboratories – There are laboratories devoted to cognitive research and a laboratory is equipped for classroom instruction. The Cognitive Research laboratories are equipped with Apple and IBM based personal computers with network capability and one of the laboratories is also equipped with sound synthesis, recording and playback capability.

Developmental Research Laboratories - Three laboratories are devoted to developmental research across the lifespan. Each laboratory contains personal computers with network capabilities, and the infant and childhood laboratories also contain modern video and sound equipment for supplementing observational research.

Libraries - The libraries on the College Park campus contain nearly 2,000,000 volumes and subscribe to more than 15,000 periodicals and newspapers. Additional collections of research materials are available on microfilm, microfiche, phono records, tapes and films. The Theodore R. McKeldin Library, the largest on campus, is especially strong in the behavioral and biological sciences. In addition, there are a number of other specialty libraries on campus.

Maryland Revolving Field Monitor (MRFM) is a unique instrument that makes accurate measurements of eye/hand/arm coordination under natural conditions. The MRFM consists of 3 subsystems: The Revolving Field Monitor/sensor-coil subsystem(RFM) measures head and eye rotations., the Sparker Tracking subsystem (STS) measures 3-D head translations, and the "Worktable" subsystem combines the RFM and STS systems for measuring eye-hand coordination (see the description of the SNAPP specialty area for more details).

Neurochemistry Laboratory - The laboratory houses equipment for a wide variety of research in behavioral neurochemistry, such as subcellular tissue fractionation, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography.

Psychology Clinic - serves as the training site for doctoral students in clinical psychology through their first three years in the program. The Clinic provides services to both University students and the suburban Maryland and greater Washington, D.C. community. Students have the opportunity to train in individual, group and family therapies as well as specialized training in assessment. The latter includes diagnostic interviewing, behavioral assessment and neurophysiological assessment. Supervision primarily is provided by clinical program faculty. The clinic is equipped with audio visual equipment including a “bug in the ear” device, which is used for both research and clinical supervision. In addition, computers are available for diagnostic testing, neuropsychological assessment purposes, and report writing.

Psychophysiological Laboratory - The laboratory contains programming and psychophysiological equipment for research in biofeedback and psychophysiology, including studies of EEG alpha, eye movements, and various other physiological indices. Soundproof chambers are available for use in sleep research, and tachistoscopes are available for use in research in perception and information processing.

University Counseling Center - The University Counseling Center is a multipurpose mental health facility located on campus for the University community. It provides individual and group counseling, educational skills programs, testing, research consultation, and training. The Center is the primary campus facility for practicum instruction of students in counseling, clinical, and consultation skills. Students gain experience with a college student population who have personal, social, and vocational concerns.

Research, Educational and Development Facilities of the Community

The Department of Psychology has all of the advantages of a large state university, and also has advantages offered by the many resources available in the metropolitan Washington-Baltimore area. The University is approximately 15 miles from the center of Washington, D.C. and is in close proximity to a number of libraries, and state and federal agencies. Students are able to benefit from the excellent additional library resources of the community, such as the Library of Congress, National Library of Medicine, and the National Archives (which is located on the UMCP campus).

The metropolitan area also has many psychologists who can provide students with excellent opportunities for collaboration and/or consultation. The specialty areas have established collaborative relationships with several federal and community agencies and hospitals as well as with businesses and consulting firms, where it is possible for students to arrange for research, practicum and internship placement. These opportunities are available for Clinical and Counseling students at the National Institutes of Health, Veteran's Administration clinics and hospitals in Washington, D.C., Baltimore Perry Point (MD), Coatesville (PA), Martinsburg (WV), Kecoughton (VA), and a number of others within a hundred mile radius of the University. Experiences include a wide range of research activities, as well as psychodiagnostic work, psychotherapy, and work within drug and alcohol abuse clinics. Various other hospitals, clinics and research facilities in the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore metropolitan area are also available. Industrial/Organizational students also have opportunities for practitioner experiences in organizations such as The U.S. Office of Personnel Management, GEICO, Bell Atlantic, and various consulting firms.

In addition, because of the University’s location students have excellent access to national resources. The National Institute of Mental Health, the American Psychological Association, American Psychological Society, State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and many specialized agencies with national headquarters in the area increase the educational resource and job placement opportunities for students.

APPLY FOR ADMISSION

Which faculty are recruiting for the Fall 2026 admission cycle?

Below is a list of faculty members hoping to recruit graduate students for the Fall 2026 cycle. This list aims to help prospective applicants identify potential advisors whose research aligns with their interests. We highly recommend exploring the individual faculty profiles to gain a better understanding of their current projects, research methods, and expertise. Doing so can help you determine which faculty members align with your academic goals and whom you may want to contact or mention in your application. You can also find a complete list of faculty members organized by program area here.

Edward Bernat
Jack Blanchard
Nathan Cheek
Arianna Gard (recruiting primarily through Developmental Psychology and/or NACS)
Derek Iwamoto
Desiree Jones
Jonathan Mohr
Luiz Pessoa
Jennifer Wessel

How many specialty areas do you offer and what are they?

The Psychology Department is organized into five Ph.D. programs/Specialty Areas. Each program offers a range of subspecialties and has its own degree requirements. Read more about each of the specialty areas below:

• Clinical (CLIN)
• Cognitive and Neural Systems (CNS)
• Counseling (COUN)
• Developmental (DEV)
• Social, Decision and Organizational Science (SDOS)

Would you send me information about the Ph.D. program in psychology?
You can view or download our printable brochure. We no longer send out physical copies of the brochure, as most information about our program is available online. Please review the website thoroughly. If you still have questions, feel free to contact our office at PsycPhD@umd.edu. 

To whom do I refer my questions regarding your program's accredited status?
Questions related to the Clinical and Counseling Programs’ American Psychological Association (APA) accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:

     Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
     American Psychological Association
     750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002
     Phone: (202) 336-5979 / Email: apaaccred@apa.org
     Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

Questions related to the Clinical Program's Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS) status should be directed to:

     Joseph E. Steinmetz, Ph.D., Executive Director;
     Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS)
     1101 E 10th Street, Bloomington, IN 47401;
     Phone: (479) 301-8008 / Email: jsteinmetz@pcsas.org
     Web: https://www.pcsas.org/

Do you offer online courses?
No. All of our graduate courses meet in-person.  

Do you have classes at night or on weekends? Can I attend your program part-time?
Our program is full-time. Classes are held during the day, Monday through Friday. 

My undergraduate degree is not in psychology. Could I still be accepted into the program?
Yes, we accept students who did not major in psychology. However, students are expected to have a thorough background in psychology. Some specialty areas also prefer a thorough background in mathematics, biological and/or physical sciences (see Specialty Areas) for more information. Students are expected to have appropriate background experiences that prepare them to begin graduate work when they enter the program.

Is GRE Subject Test required?
The GRE Psychology Subject Test is NOT required and will not be used to determine admission. However, applicants to the Clinical Psychology specialty area may submit subject test scores to have more options when completing APA breadth requirements. Our suggestion would be to not take it unless you were planning to take GRE Subject Test anyway.

Are your programs accredited?
Our Clinical and Counseling programs are APA accredited. Our Clinical Program is also PCSAS accredited. 

Do you have a PsyD program?
No. 

Do you have a program in school psychology?
The School Psychology program is housed in the College of Education. Questions about the School Psychology program can be addressed to schlpsyc@umd.edu.

How long does it take to complete the program?
Most students complete our program within five to six years.

Do you offer a Master’s degree in psychology?
No. We do not offer a terminal MS program. However, admitted students have the option to earn a master's degree on the way to their Ph.D. If you are interested in a master's program you can visit the Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Clinical Psychological Science Program and contact them at PSYCmasters@umd.edu or the MPS in Industrial Organizational Science at iomps@umd.edu.  

General Admissions and Application Questions
Responsibility for admitting applicants to graduate programs rests with the Dean of the Graduate School. Academic departments and program offices review admissions applications and credentials and make admissions recommendations to the Graduate Dean. In cases where credentials were earned abroad, the Office of International Student and Scholar Services must also be consulted.  

What are your program requirements?

General Requirements:

1. Statement of Purpose
2. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) - for more information: http://www.ets.org/gre
   NOTE: For the Fall 2026 admission cycle, GRE is not accepted and scores will NOT be considered if submitted. Clinical applicants can submit the GRE Subject Test to meet APA breadth requirements, but the test is not considered for admission. 
3. Transcript(s)
4. Letters of Recommendation (3)
5. Resume/CV (Please do not indicate GPA or GRE scores on your CV)
6. TOEFL/IELTS/PTE (international graduate students or those with international academic credentials)

Program-Specific Requirements:

• Supplementary Application (Clinical Psychology only)
• Supplementary Application (Counseling Psychology only)
• Supplementary Application (Social, Decision, and Organizational Sciences only)

Of the students you accept, how many get financial assistance?
Every student accepted into our program is given assistance in the form of a fellowship or graduate assistantship for the first five years. This includes a stipend, tuition remission of up to 10 credits per semester, and the option to purchase health insurance at a UMD employee rate. 

When can I submit my application?
Our online admissions system accepts applications from mid-July until the application due date, typically in early December. If you are working on your application before the system opens, we suggest that you start gathering all required items. After mid-July, you can apply through the Graduate School at https://academiccatalog.umd.edu/undergraduate/colleges-schools/behavioral-social-sciences/psychology.

What is the application deadline?
Our application deadline for Fall 2026 admission is December 2, 2025. We only admit students for the fall semester. All application materials must be submitted by the deadline to receive full consideration. Please be advised that applicants applying to the Counseling (COUN) program have a "best consideration" date of November 18, 2025. This means that the program will start reviewing applications submitted by November 18.

How can I have my application fee waived?
The application fee is non-refundable and the department does not waive application fees. However, the Graduate School may waive the application fee for applicants who may have attended organizations and/or preparatory programs. For more information and to view the listing of such preparatory programs, please visit this link: https://gradschool.umd.edu/feewaiverinformation.

What is the institution code for the University of Maryland?
The University of Maryland, College Park institution code is 5814.

What is the Program Code for Psychology?
The Program code is PSYC.

What is the CIP code?
Effective Fall 2023, the CIP Code for our M.S. and Ph.D. in Psychology has changed from 42.0101 (Psychology, General) to 42.2799 (Research and Experimental Psychology, Other).

What is the minimum GPA?
The Graduate School requires a minimum standard an average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all undergraduate courses taken at a regionally accredited college or university. Adequate performance in prerequisite courses is required. Applicants with international credentials must submit in the original language those academic records that are not written in English. Such credentials must be accompanied by a literal English translation. Both must be submitted at least six months prior to the first day of classes of the semester for which the applicant seeks admission.

What is the word limit and what do I include in the personal statement?
The Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose (1,000-2,000 words) should address the following questions:

1. What are your reasons for undertaking graduate study at the University of Maryland? Indicate, if appropriate, any specific areas of research interest. You may wish to discuss past work in your intended field and allied fields, your plans for a professional career, or how you developed your interest in or knowledge of your chosen subject.
2. What life experiences you have had that you feel have prepared you to pursue a graduate degree at a large, diverse institution such as the University of Maryland? Among the items you might care to include would be your financial, community, and family background, whether you are the first person in your family to pursue higher education or any other factors that you feel would contribute to the diversity of our academic community. You may also wish to give the graduate admissions committee some examples of your determination to pursue your goals, your initiative and ability to develop ideas, and /or your capacity for working through problems independently.

I am completing the Supplementary Application and there isn't enough room for all my coursework. Can I include more information on a separate sheet(s)?
Yes. Please upload your responses (coursework, experience, etc.) to the Uploads Requirement section on the online application. 

How do I apply for fellowships or graduate assistantships?
You do not have to apply separately for a fellowship or assistantship. If accepted into our program, your application will automatically be reviewed for funding.

Where should I have my letters of recommendation sent?
Please do not send Letters of Recommendation to the Department of Psychology. The online application allows recommenders to easily upload Letters of Recommendation onto your online application. 

When will interviews be extended?
Selected applicants will be contacted via email by the end of January through mid-March. 

When are acceptance letters mailed out?
All acceptance letters will be mailed out beginning in mid-February through March.

How can I check to see if my application is complete?
When you apply using the online application system, you will receive an e-mail confirming that your application has been received. The e-mail will also contain a password and directions on how to log back into the system to check and update your application status.

I applied to your program in the past.  Do you still have the information I sent in for that application?
Yes. However, in order to be considered for admission, you will need to complete a new application, pay the application fee, as well as submit all required materials to the Graduate School/Admissions with the following requirements listed here: https://gradschool.umd.edu/behavioralsocial-sciences/psyc. 

Do I have to send official transcripts and degree certificates for graduate admission?
Yes. The online application requires applicants to upload a scanned copy of their official transcripts/diplomas in English.

Applicants who do not have an official copy of their transcripts may have their official (paper) transcripts sent to the 

University of Maryland
Enrollment Service Operations
Application for Graduate Admission
Room 0130 Mitchell Building
College Park, Maryland 20742

For the expedited submission of official transcripts, students should bring official/sealed envelopes in person to the Graduate front desk which is located in:

University of Maryland
The Graduate School
2123 Lee Building
College Park, Maryland 20742

International Applicants

I am an international student. Do I have to take TOEFL?
Yes, unless you received your undergraduate degree in a country where English is the predominant language.  Per the International Office, students who will be awarded a degree from the U.S., United Kingdom, Anglophone Africa, Anglophone Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the Commonwealth Caribbean prior to enrolling in the University of Maryland are not required to submit TOEFL or IELTS.

International applicants or those with international academic credentials should go directly to https://gradschool.umd.edu/admissions/international-admissions for more information regarding requirements on the minimum TOEFL, IELTS, visa, Certification of Finances, etc.

What requirements must be met in order for a foreign student to be a TA?
Students applying for TA positions need to be academically qualified to be admitted to the Graduate Program; enrolled as a full-time student; have taken the TOEFL exam and met the general Graduate School requirements; and taken and passed the TA Evaluation administered by Maryland English Institute. More information can be found on the International Office website: https://gradschool.umd.edu/admissions/international-admissions.

Aside from mandatory fees, what other fees am I responsible for?
Effective Fall 2017, the University of Maryland (UMD) will charge a fee of $125 per semester for all newly enrolled, full-time students who are neither U.S. citizens nor permanent residents. (Part-time students will be assessed $62.50 per semester.)  UMD will use the revenue from this fee to enhance support for our international students to include improved academic support, expanded assistance for students transitioning to the U.S., and international student-focused cultural events to foster an engaged, supportive community.
 

Other classes taken outside of Psychology may have differential tuition rates that differ from the standard UMD tuition rates, which are not fully covered by the given assistantship's tuition remission.  It is therefore very important to look into this prior to registering for those courses so you're not stuck paying out-of-pocket.  Other departments have fee waivers.  If applicable, they usually require a letter of confirmation from the department, which you may request a letter from the PSYC Graduate Office. 

Admissions Overview

To maintain our low student-faculty ratio that permits high-quality supervision of both research and professional education, only a small number of students with outstanding credentials are selected for admission each year. The Department only accepts graduate students who have demonstrated the capacity for completing the doctoral degree and whose goals are consistent with the educational opportunities offered by our specialty areas.

The specific criteria for admission to the Department of Psychology vary somewhat across specialty areas but generally include a high undergraduate grade point average, strong letters of recommendation, and research experience and/or previous relevant work experience. In most specialty areas, students are expected to have a thorough background in psychology, however, some specialty areas prefer a thorough background in mathematics, biological, and/or physical sciences (see specialty area descriptions). Students are expected to have appropriate background experiences that prepare them to begin graduate work when they enter our graduate program.

To begin an application, click here. 

Inquiries regarding the doctoral program and its admissions process and requirements should be sent directly to PsycPhD@umd.edu.

Fall 2026 Admissions Details

To be considered for admission, a complete application should be received by December 2, 2025. Please note that applicants to the Counseling (COUN) program have a "best consideration" date of November 18, 2025. The COUN program will start reviewing applications immediately after the "best consideration" date. 

A list of faculty members and research labs planning to recruit new graduate students for Fall 2026 will be posted on this page by early September, or potentially earlier if information becomes available sooner. This list is intended to help prospective applicants identify potential advisors whose research aligns with their interests.

In the meantime, we strongly encourage you to browse the individual faculty profiles to gain a deeper understanding of their current research projects, methodologies, and areas of expertise. Reviewing these profiles can help you start thinking about where your interests might align and which faculty members you may wish to contact or mention in your application. Please note that some faculty may already indicate within their profiles whether they anticipate recruiting students for Fall 2026. A list of all faculty organized by program area is available here.

Application Process and Requirements

The University of Maryland’s Graduate School accepts applications through gradapply.umd.edu. Before completing the application, applicants are asked to check the Admissions Requirements for specific instructions.

Completing the online application is the first part of the application process. Both the Graduate School and the graduate programs require additional supplemental information from all applicants.

As required by the Graduate School and the Department of Psychology, the following materials must be submitted:

1. A completed online application. To apply for admission, click here: gradapply.umd.edu.
2. A non-refundable application fee of $75.00 (see https://gradschool.umd.edu/feewaiverinformation for information on application fee waivers).
3. One complete set of transcripts reflecting all undergraduate and graduate work completed or in progress. Each transcript must bear the signature of the registrar and the seal of the granting institution and should include the years of attendance, courses that have been taken, grades received, class standing, and the degree, certificate, or diploma received. For immediate access to review, you can upload a copy of your transcript(s) into the application system.
4. A minimum of three letters of recommendation.
5. Statement of Goals, Experiences, and Research Interests (i.e., Personal Statement).
6. If you are an international student or one with international credentials, additional test scores may be required, such as TOEFL. Please review the Information for International Graduate Students.
7. Program-Specific Requirements. These forms must be completed and submitted in addition to the Graduate School online application. 

• Supplementary Application (Clinical Psychology only)
• Supplementary Application (Counseling Psychology only)
• Supplementary Application (Social, Decision, and Organizational Sciences only)
• The GRE Psychology Subject Test (Clinical Psychology ONLY, optional)
• Writing Sample (optional) 

The GRE (general) and GRE Subject-Psychology Test will not be considered for admission for the Fall 2026 Application cycle. However, applicants to the Clinical Psychology specialty area may submit subject test scores to have more options when completing APA breadth requirements. 

Contact for Technical Issues

Applicants are encouraged to contact the online application’s helpdesk for any technical issues. For questions related to the admissions process, prospective students may contact the Graduate School.

Information for International Applicants

The University of Maryland is dedicated to maintaining a vibrant international graduate student community. The Office of International Students and Scholars Services (ISSS) is a valuable resource for information and assistance for prospective and current international students. International applicants are encouraged to explore the services they offer and contact them with related questions.

The University of Maryland Graduate School offers admission to international students based on academic information; it is not a guarantee of attendance. Admitted international students will receive instructions for obtaining the appropriate visa to study at the University of Maryland, which will require submission of additional documents. Please see the Graduate Admissions Process for International applicants for more information.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

1. The Department of Psychology's program code is PSYC.
2. Be sure that all the materials you are submitting are labeled with your first & last name and the specialty area to which you are applying.
3. Area of specialization must be filled in. Applicants interested in applying to more than one specialty area must submit separate applications for each specialization. 
4. We admit students in the fall term ONLY.
5. Frequently Asked Questions from the Graduate School can be found here: Graduate School FAQ
6. If you do not have an official copy of your transcript to upload to your online application, you can have your official transcripts mailed to:

University of Maryland
Enrollment Service Operations
Application for Graduate Admission
Room 0130 Mitchell Building
College Park, Maryland 20742

For the expedited submission of official transcripts, students should bring official/sealed envelopes in person to the Graduate School's (Admissions) front desk located at the:

University of Maryland
The Graduate School
2123 Lee Building
College Park, Maryland 20742
 

Additional Application Resources

Our program recommends the following resources to aid students in their application process:

• Application Statement Feedback Program: a program where you can get anonymous feedback from reviewers with shared interests 

• Project Short: connects you with current med/grad students for pro bono mentoring for both professional health and graduate school admissions

• Next Gen Psych Scholars: virtual graduate student-led mentorship program for underrepresented (e.g., BIPOC, low-income, first-gen, LGBTQIA+) undergraduates and post-baccalaureates applicants to psychology Ph.D. programs

• Northwestern’s Sneak Peak Program: a program for historically underrepresented groups to preview and discuss Northwestern’s Ph.D. program

• Harvard’s Prospective Ph.D. & RA Event in Psychology (PPREP): a program to assist historically minoritized groups in STEM with their applications to graduate school, lab manager, and/or research assistant positions

• Mitch’s Uncensored Advice for Applying to Graduate School in Clinical Psychology 

• The Council of University Directors of Clinical Psychology (CUDCP)’s guide to Clinical Psychology applications 

• A Field Guide to Applying to Graduate School: Uncovering the Hidden Curriculum by Jessica McCrory Calarco

For questions about the Doctoral program in Psychology (PhD), please contact PsycPhD@umd.edu.  

For questions about the Master's program in Clinical Psychological Science (MPPS), please contact PsycMasters@umd.edu. 

For questions about the Master's program in Industrial-Organizational Psychology (MPIO), please contact IOMPS@umd.edu.

The Department has a strong core of dedicated, nationally and internationally known faculty who have wide-ranging interests. There are 36 full-time faculty members in the Department.

The Department of Psychology is one of ten programs and departments in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSOS). Students are accepted into the following specialty areas:

• Clinical (CLIN)
• Cognitive and Neural Systems (CNS)
• Counseling (COUN)
• Developmental (DEV)
• Social, Decision and Organizational Science (SDOS)

Each area offers a range of subspecialties and educational opportunities that combine expertise across several areas. The Department's doctoral programs in both Clinical and Counseling are accredited by the American Psychological Association.

The Department and all its specialty areas share the goal of educating graduate students to conduct research and scholarship. The Clinical, Counseling and Industrial/Organizational areas train students within a scientist-practitioner model for professional careers in human services delivery. The Department focuses on training students who will create, evaluate, and apply scientific knowledge.

The Department believes that students and faculty learn best in an atmosphere characterized by a diversity of interests and perspectives, mutual respect, and hard work. There are many opportunities for collaboration among students and faculty. At regularly held meetings, students and faculty are encouraged to present their ideas and hear the views of others.

The Department developed a Graduate Student Mentorship Policy to articulate our collective commitments to graduate student mentorship/advising that centers core values of the department and creates an accountability structure to ensure that students are given mentorship and resources throughout their graduate program, promoting their ability to thrive.  

Each specialty area offers a doctoral-level program leading to the Ph.D. We do not admit students who are seeking a terminal Masters degree. However, students in any of our doctoral programs can earn an M.S. degree en route to the Ph.D. The exception is for students interested in pursuing a Master's degree in Clinical Psychological Science or Industrial Organizational Science. These students can apply for the MPS Program in Clinical Psychological Science and the MPS in Industrial Organizational Science. 

The Department of Psychology offers only a full-time, day program. Students are required to attend classes and conduct research. Generally, students are not permitted to hold off-campus employment unless such employment is critical to the student's education. Such employment must be approved by the student’s specialty area.

Graduate study in the Psychology Department is organized into five Ph.D. programs/Specialty Areas. Each program offers a range of subspecialities and each has its own degree requirements. For more detailed information about our five specialty areas, please click on the links below:

• Clinical (CLIN)
• Cognitive and Neural Systems (CNS)
• Counseling (COUN)
• Developmental (DEV)
• Social, Decision and Organizational Science (SDOS)

List of Graduate Faculty

The purpose of this Graduate Student Mentorship Policy is to articulate our collective commitments to graduate student mentorship/advising that centers core values of the department and creates an accountability structure to ensure that students are given mentorship and resources throughout their graduate program, promoting their ability to thrive.