Psychology

The Princeton University Psychology Program offers a rigorous and comprehensive study of the scientific principles underlying human behavior and mental processes. Designed for students seeking a deep understanding of psychological phenomena, the program integrates coursework, research opportunities, and interdisciplinary approaches to prepare students for diverse careers in research, medicine, education, and related fields. Throughout their undergraduate journey, students explore core areas such as cognitive psychology, neuroscience, development, social psychology, and clinical psychology, gaining both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Emphasizing empirical research, the program encourages students to engage in laboratory work, data analysis, and experimental design, fostering critical thinking and scientific inquiry. The faculty, renowned for their expertise across various domains of psychology, mentor students closely, guiding them through independent research projects and encouraging participation in seminars and conferences. The curriculum also emphasizes the application of psychological principles to real-world problems, including mental health, education, and societal issues, preparing students for graduate study or professional practice. Princeton’s state-of-the-art laboratories and resources provide an ideal environment for experiential learning and innovation. Additionally, the program promotes a collaborative academic atmosphere, supporting students in interdisciplinary projects that connect psychology with neuroscience, economics, computer science, and other fields. By the completion of the program, graduates possess a solid foundation in psychological science, research methodology, and statistical analysis, enabling them to pursue advanced degrees or careers that require analytical and research expertise. Overall, Princeton’s Psychology Program aims to cultivate a deep understanding of human behavior, develop research competency, and inspire a lifelong dedication to inquiry and societal contribution in the field of psychology.

Courses:

Students are required to take the proseminar, PSY 500/501, which covers several basic areas of psychology, in the first year. By the end of the second year, students should have demonstrated basic competence in quantitative methods by having successfully completed PSY 503:  Quantitative Analysis in Psychological Research.  Each student must complete a six-week course in the responsible conduct of scientific research, entitled PSY 591a: Ethical Issues in Scientific Research. This course is normally taken during the second year. First year students should consult their advisors about enrolling in seminars in addition to Psychology 500, 501, and 503. In subsequent semesters, it is expected that students will enroll in seminars in the psychology department and/or other departments at Princeton.

Note for first-year students: All social area students are required to take PSY 551, Design & Interpretation of Social Psychological Research, each semester. All cognitive area students are required to take PSY 543, Research Seminar in Cognitive Psychology, each semester. If a first-year student plans to receive a joint degree with Neuroscience, the Neuroscience seminar (NEU 511/PSY 511, Current Issues in Neuroscience and Behavior) should be taken each year. 

Pre-Generals Requirements(s):

Colloquia and Seminars

Psychology colloquia are held at regular intervals throughout the year and are attended by faculty, research staff and graduate students. A series of research seminars is held throughout the year in which students in various research areas interchange ideas with one another and with the faculty.

Pre-generals Research Project

Students are required to work with a faculty member on a research project related to their area of interest.  Students prepare a written report on their pre-generals research project prior to the general examination.

General Exam:

Students can take the general examination beginning in the fourth term of enrollment.  All students are expected to have successfully completed the general examination by the end of the sixth term of enrollment.  No student will be admitted to a fourth year without completing the general examination. All components of the examination must be passed before a graduate student can advance to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree.

A decision as to whether the student has passed the general examination is made by the full faculty acting on the recommendation of the examining committee. The basic criterion for passing the examination is the faculty's conviction that the student is prepared to begin work on the doctoral dissertation.

Qualifying for the M.A.:

The Master of Arts (M.A.) degree is normally an incidental degree on the way to full Ph.D. candidacy and is earned after successfully passing all parts of the general examination.  It may also be awarded to students who, for various reasons, leave the Ph.D. program, provided that the following requirements are met: passing the proseminar, passing coursework in graduate statistics and ethics, satisfactory completion of pre-generals research project, and passing the general examination.

Teaching:

Every Ph.D. candidate in psychology is required to teach at least three class hours during their graduate career. Three semester hours of teaching, then, is the minimum required for the degree, although most students teach more than three hours over their graduate careers. In any case, students will be appointed as assistants in instruction and paid for any hours that they teach.

Dissertation and FPO:

The Ph.D. is awarded after the candidate’s doctoral dissertation has been accepted and the final public oral examination sustained.

• Application Fee: $90
• Statement of Academic Purpose
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Recommendation Letters
• Transcripts
• Fall Semester Grades
• Prerequisite Tests
• English Language Tests
• GRE : General test
• Applicants are required to select a subplan when applying. 

For Ph.D. candidates, tuition and fees during a student’s regular period of enrollment are provided in full from a student’s graduate student financial support, in the form of tuition support from fellowships, assistantships, or external sources.

The annual stipend amount provided to Ph.D. candidates during their regular enrollment is intended to support a single graduate student based on estimated costs. Master’s students or students with spouses and/or dependents may require additional resources to support their living expenses 

The Princeton University Psychology Department offers an undergraduate concentration that provides students with a comprehensive foundation in the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. The program emphasizes a research-oriented approach, engaging students in experimental methods and empirical inquiry across various subfields, including cognitive, developmental, social, and biological psychology. Students in the program have access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and opportunities to work with renowned faculty members on cutting-edge research projects. The curriculum includes core courses such as Introduction to Psychology, Research Methods, and Data Analysis, along with specialized courses that explore topics like perception, animal behavior, language, emotion, and brain function.

Princeton encourages students to participate in research through independent studies, honors theses, and internships, fostering hands-on experience that prepares graduates for careers in academia, clinical practice, industry, or public service. The department also promotes interdisciplinary collaboration, allowing students to combine psychological principles with fields like neuroscience, computer science, and education. Graduates of the program have gone on to pursue advanced degrees or enter fields such as mental health, human factors, marketing, and policy analysis. The university’s strong commitment to academic excellence, combined with its rich intellectual community, offers undergraduates a stimulating environment for inquiry and personal growth in the field of psychology. The department's focus on critical thinking, empirical evidence, and ethical considerations ensures that students are well-equipped to contribute thoughtfully to understanding human and animal behavior and to addressing societal challenges.