Neuroscience

    PhD in Neuroscience at Utah State University

    PhD in Neuroscience at Utah State University

    Utah State University offers the PhD of Neuroscience as a full-time degree delivered on campus at its main campus in Logan , United States of America. Taught in English and completed over 6 years, the program equips students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for neuroscience and related professional fields. The next available intake begins on August 29, 2026.

    About PhD in Neuroscience

    The primary goal of the doctoral program in neuroscinece is to provide students with a strong educational and research foundation in cellular, cognitive and behavioral neuroscience. Students will apply critical concepts in neuroscience to understanding normal and disordered processes of sensation, movement, cognition, language and communication across the lifespan. This goal will be accomplished through a core set of neuroscience courses, advanced electives and laboratory experiences. 

    Students in the neuroscience doctoral program are expected to align themselves with a focus area.  Currently, these include Translational Neuroscience, Educational Neuroscience, and Lifespan Neuroscience.


    Specialization(s):

    • Educational Neuroscience: This focus area is designed to apply the principles of behavioral, cognitive, and biological neuroscience to core problems in education related to cognition, socialization, learning, and/or teaching.
    • Lifespan Neuroscience: This emphasis studies the changes in central and peripheral nervous system structures from infancy to late adulthood with corresponding effects on behavior in cognition, language and emotion.
    • Translational Neuroscience: This emphasis focuses on understanding the signal transduction pathways underlying neurophysiological function in normal and disease states at the molecular, cellular, tissue, and system levels.

    Requirements and Admission Criteria for PhD in Neuroscience at Utah State University

    Entry Requirements

    All applications are submitted with the USU Graduate School.

    As part of the application prospective students must submit the following:

    • A statement of purpose describing interest in graduate school and relevant experiences and qualifications
    • A curriculum vita / resume
    • Three letters of recommendation
    • GRE scores
    • Official transcripts from all previous schools attended

    Admissions criteria include the following:

    • GPA for the last 60 credits taken of 3.0 or higher
    • GRE scores for the verbal and quantitative areas at the 40th percentile or above
    • Fit with a current faculty member involved in the neuroscience program

    Admission Deadlines

    Application deadline for Fall admission: January 15th.

    Application deadline for Spring admission: July 15th.


    Financial Assistance

    The full-time PhD graduate students in this program will receive graduate research or graduate teaching assistantships to help finance their education.  All students with assistantships also receive the doctoral tuition award which covers the tuition for classes taken for the doctoral program.


    English Requirements

    • IELTSMin 6
    • TOEFLMin 71

    English Program Requirements

    Students who do not demonstrate the required English proficiency scores, but are academically qualified, may be considered for admission to the Intensive English Language Institute (IELI) on the Logan campus. If admitted, students complete required English language courses before beginning their academic coursework.

    Career Opportunities after Completing PhD in Neuroscience

    The Neuroscience PhD program prepares students for careers in research settings.  Graduates may find jobs in academic settings as well as in private industry and other research settings.

    Fee Information

    How to Apply

    1. Visit Our Website

    a. Go to gradschool.usu.edu/apply/ to start the application process.

    b. Read all admissions requirements on our website.

    c. Click on the “Apply Now” button to create an account to apply.

    2. Fill Out Application

    a. Fill out the following information:

    i. Personal

    ii. Demographic

    iii. Misdemeanor/Felony information, if necessary

    iv. Citizenship

    v. Academic History

    vi. Intended Program of Study Information

    vii. NOTE: You cannot submit supplemental items until you have filled out all personal and demographic information, submitted the application, and paid the application fee.

    b. Make sure to select the correct entry term (e.g., Spring 2022, Fall 2022, etc.)

    c. Submit the application and pay the fee.

    i. If you have a waiver code, use it in the discount code box to waive the fee.

    3. Supplemental Items

    a. Log back into the USU Recruit Application Portal.

    b. Enter your application to submit items.

    c. Required supplemental items may include, but are not limited to, the following (Please check with your intended program for specific details):

    i. Transcripts

    1. USU applicants do not need to send transcripts. We pull them from our system for you.

    2. All other applicants, please send your official transcripts to the following address:

    a. School of Graduate Studies

    Utah State University

    0900 Old Main Hill

    Logan, UT 84322-0900

    b. Please note that in order to be considered official, the transcript must (1) be sent directly from the institution to Utah State University, or (2) be forwarded by the applicant with the transcript remaining in the original, unopened envelope from the institution.

    ii. Letters of Recommendation

    1. Fill out the recommendation request forms. Recommendations must come from referee, not from applicant, to be considered valid.

    iii. Statement of Purpose

    iv. Test Scores

    1. GRE Scores

    a. Send to school code 4857

    2. MAT Scores

    a. Send to school code 2273

    3. NOTE: Expired test scores will not be accepted.

    d. International applicants must also include:

    i. Proof of English language proficiency through one of the options below.

    1.TOEFL Scores – 71 or higher

    a. Send to school code 4857

    2. IELTS Academic Scores – 6.0 or higher

    a. Upload student copy to application, clearly showing TRF number.

    b. Our test score processor will upload official scores.

    3. Completion of at least 24 credits of post-secondary/university course work taught in the U.S. in English, excluding English as a second language courses. Courses must have been taken at an accredited college or university to be considered for direct admission.

    4. NOTE: Expired test scores will not be accepted.

    ii. A certified English translation of any transcript originally penned in another language.

    1. Due to COVID-19 constraints, Utah State University is temporarily accepting unofficial transcripts from international applicants. Upon admittance, students will be required to submit an official transcript before registering for classes.

    iii. Proof of Financial Support

    1. Affidavit of Financial Support

    2. Bank Statement Copy

    iv. Passport Copy

    v. International applicants can direct any questions not related to the information above to the Office of Global Engagement.

    PhD in Neuroscience at Utah State University
    Utah State University
    Utah State University
    United States of America

    United States of America, Logan

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