Psychology (PhD) – ACBS
Drexel University's PhD in Applied Cognitive and Brain Sciences (ACBS) is a non-clinical, research-intensive program in experimental psychology and cognitive neuroscience that emphasizes psychological questions of real-world significance, grounded in fundamental issues and methods of basic science. The ACBS program provides personal interaction with mentors and emphasizes rigorous quantitative and methodological training to empower students to pursue research without technical limitations. The required courses emphasize quantitative and analytical skills and methods that are directly applicable to students' research efforts. Required coursework is typically completed during the first two years of the program, including time for elective courses and research credits. In addition to required courses, other relevant courses are offered by the Psychological and Brain Sciences Department (e.g., Judgment and Decision Making, Psycholinguistics, Learning and Memory).
Degree | Availability | Location |
---|---|---|
PhD |
Full-Time |
Philadelphia |
Application Requirements
On-Campus Program
Please view our academic calendar for term start dates.
Fall (Sept) | Winter (Jan) | Spring (March) | Summer (June) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
U. S. Applicants | Dec. 1 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
International Applicants | Dec. 1 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Graduate Admission Application
Applicants may only apply to one program. All documents submitted by you or on your behalf in support of this application for admission to Drexel University become the property of the University, and will under no circumstances be released to you or any other party. Please note, an application fee of $65 U.S. is required.
Transcripts
Official transcripts must be sent directly to Drexel from all of the colleges and universities that you have attended. Please note that transcripts are required regardless of number of credits taken or if the credits were transferred to another school. An admission decision may be delayed if you do not send transcripts from all colleges and universities that you have attended.
Transcripts must show course-by-course grades and degree conferrals. If your school does not notate degree conferrals on the official transcripts, you must provide copies of any graduate or degree certificates.
If your school issues only one transcript for life, you are required to have a course-by-course evaluation completed by an approved transcript evaluation agency.
Precise, word-for-word English translations of all non-English language documents are required along with official documents in the original language. All translations must be completed by the issuing institution or an ATA-certified translator. Visit the American Translators Association website to search for an ATA-certified translator.
International students: If you have already graduated from your previous institution at the time of your application, please email your graduation certificate(s) attached as PDF or Microsoft Word documents to enroll@drexel.edu. Note: Any international applicant, regardless of program, may be required to provide a transcript evaluation should the Admissions Committee determine it is needed for the application to be reviewed. If your transcripts are selected for a course-by-course evaluation by an external agency, you will be responsible for supplying all necessary documentation and paying all necessary fees to have your transcripts evaluated.
If you have questions regarding what documents you must submit to fulfill the transcript requirements, contact the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Standardized Test Scores
GRE test scores are not required.
The GRE Psychology subject test is optional.
Test of English as a Foreign Language
International applicants are required to demonstrate English language proficiency by submitting scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL minimum scores: 100/600/250), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS minimum Overall Band Score: 7.0), or the Pearson Test of English (PTE minimum score: 68) unless they meet the criteria for a waiver.
Essay
Write a 750- to 1,500-word essay that addresses the following two objectives. Please be sure to cover all questions listed inside each objective:
- Discuss the specific research area and questions you would like to pursue in graduate school. Why are these questions important and why are they of interest to you? How does this line of research fit with specific faculty members' or research groups' work at Drexel? What skills and experiences of yours will facilitate your graduate work?
- Tell us the type of position you would like after your PhD/postdoctoral fellowship and how our program will help prepare you for such a position.
Note: When completing your essays, please be careful not to simply reiterate experiences covered in your CV/résumé, but rather explain what you have learned from these experiences and what skills you have developed that will help you make strong contributions to the specific faculty members' or research groups' work, as well as the overall program at Drexel University.
Submit your essay with your application or through the Discover Drexel portal after you submit your application.
Résumé
Upload your résumé as part of your admission application or through the Discover Drexel Portal after you submit your application.
Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation are required. To electronically request recommendations, you must list your recommenders and their contact information on your application. We advise that you follow up with your recommenders to ensure they received your recommendation request — they may need to check their junk mail folder. Additionally, it is your responsibility to confirm that your recommenders will submit letters by your application deadline and follow up with recommenders who have not completed their recommendations.
Request recommendations with your application or through the Discover Drexel portal after you submit your application.
Alternatively, you may submit your recommendation letters by mail. Letters must include the address, phone number, and signature of the recommender. The recommendation envelope must be submitted unopened to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Interview
Virtual, in-person, or telephone interview required for qualified applicants.
Mailing Addresses
By Postal Mail
Drexel University
Application Processing
PO Box 34789
Philadelphia, PA 19101-4789
By Express Courier
(DHL, FedEx, UPS, etc.)
Drexel University
Application Processing
3141 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-2876