PhD in Psychology at Utah State University

Utah State University offers the PhD of Psychology 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 psychology and related professional fields. The next available intake begins on August 29, 2026.

About PhD in Psychology

The Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services, which houses the Psychology Department, ranks in the top 2% of all graduate colleges of education. The college was also ranked third in the nation in total research dollars received, according to "America's Best Graduate Schools" U.S. News & World Report.

Psychology Department faculty actively collaborate with students on a variety of research projects, including parenting interventions for Latino families, interventions for individuals with anxiety disorders, cognition in young children, animal modeling of drug abuse, impulsivity, etc. Students are active in presenting at national conferences, authoring journal articles and book chapters, and submitting for grant funding.

Specialization(s):

School Counseling (MEd): This specialization focuses on the training of professional school counselors who will work in K-12 public and private school settings. Training is provided in the design and implementation of school-based comprehensive guidance programs. Coursework includes individual and group counseling for diverse populations; behavior and educational assessment and intervention; research and methodological foundations; career development; and ethical, legal, and professional standards. This is the only program offered at Statewide or distance campuses.
Behavior Analysis (PhD): The Behavior Analysis program at Utah State University provides students the opportunity to earn a PhD in Psychology with a focus on investigating variables that influence human and nonhuman behavior. The doctoral program in Behavior Analysis provides students a solid understanding of conceptual, translational, basic and applied domains of behavior analysis. The program promotes an interdisciplinary and translational approach to behavior analysis. The Ph.D. track prepares students to conduct laboratory and translational research, preparing them to pursue academic and research careers, whereas the PhD + BCBA-D track prepares students to become scientist-practitioners who can work in research institutions and practice in a variety of clinical settings (e.g., hospitals, private practice).
Brain and Cognition (PhD): The brain and cognition specialization provides extensive training for students interested in behavioral, cognitive, molecular, systems, or computational neuroscience. Training opportunities for students include the investigation of basic behavioral, cognitive, and neurological processes; understanding the contribution of basic neurological processes to psychological disorders; neural correlates of behavioral phenomena, and related issues.
Combined Clinical/Counseling Psychology (PhD): Our APA-accredited program provides a combined approach to doctoral-level training across the two practice areas of clinical and counseling psychology. Students receive training across a broad spectrum of problem areas, populations, settings, and approaches for a wide range of future potential careers. Our faculty include leading scholars in areas including cultural adaptation of therapy, identity development, sexual orientation and gender, treatment of children/adolescents, neuropsychology, ethics, acceptance and commitment therapy, parent management training, telehealth, military psychology, sexual health, trauma, dementia, anxiety disorders, and obsessive compulsive and related disorders.
Quantitative Psychology (PhD): The quantitative psychology specialization area within the psychology department deals with the development, application, evaluation, and refinement of quantitative methods for measurement, statistics, and data analysis.
School Psychology (PhD, EdS): The Utah State University Psychology Department offers both educational specialist (EdS) and doctoral (PhD) degrees in School Psychology. The EdS Program prepares school psychologists who function primarily as practitioners in educational settings, whereas the PhD Program prepares professionals who can work in research institutions and practice in a variety of settings (e.g., schools, clinics, hospitals, private practice). Training focuses on developing scientific problem-solving skills as well as broad competencies in assessment, intervention, and consultation. Emphasis is placed on culturally-competent, ethically-informed, and legally-compliant practice in collaborative, interdisciplinary settings.

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

Entry Requirements

For most students, some psychology prerequisites will need to be completed before beginning the graduate program. However, these do not need to be taken before students can be accepted to the program.

Application Requirements:

Complete the online application
Pay the $55 application fee
Score at or above the 40th percentile on the GRE*. For MEd students in the school counseling specialization, the MAT is also accepted.
Have a 3.0 or higher GPA on your last 60 semester or 90 quarter credits
Provide transcripts of all college/university credits
Provide three contacts for letters of recommendation
Submit a statement of professional intent/interest

International students have additional admissions requirements.

* Some individuals may have experienced difficulty taking the GRE due to Covid-19. As such, the following PhD programs are not requiring GRE scores for applications, but do encourage you to submit them if you have them: School Psychology, Combined Clinical/Counseling, Brain and Cognition, and Behavior Analysis. All other PhD program in our department still require GRE scores for applications.

Admission Deadlines

School Counseling specialization (MEd):

May 1

School Psychology specialization (EdS):

December 1

All PhD Program Specializations (Behavior Analysis, Brain & Cognition, Combined Clinical/Counseling, Quantitative Psychology, and School Psychology)

December 1

Financial Assistance

A variety of funding opportunities are available, including fellowships, scholarships, assistantships, tuition awards, and travel support each year. Additionally, students may be eligible for subsidized health insurance through qualifying assistantships.

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 Psychology

School Counseling Specialization

Students who graduate with the school counseling specialization work as counselors in K-12 public and private schools.

Behavior Analysis, Brain & Cognition, Quantitative Psychology Specializations

Students who graduate with the experimental and applied psychological science specialization work at universities in faculty or research positions.

Combined Professional-Scientific Psychology Specialization

With the combined professional-scientific psychology specialization, students can work as psychologists in the following capacities: hospitals, academia, university counseling centers, private practice, community mental health centers

School Psychology Specialization

Students who graduate with the school psychology specialization work as psychologists in K-12 schools.

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 Psychology at Utah State University

Utah State University

United States of America, Logan