Become a Psychologist

The Department of Psychology at the University of Kentucky is committed to providing excellent training to facilitate successful careers in psychology. We offer two graduate degrees: a Ph.D in Clinical Psychology and a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology, with the experimental degree occurring in one of five areas of concentration (Animal Learning, Behavior, and Cognition; Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychopharmacology; Cognitive Psychology; Developmental Psychology; and Social Psychology). Although we welcome applications from students who have completed (or are nearing completion of) a Master’s degree, Master’s training is not a prerequisite for applying to our doctoral program. In fact, most students who enroll in our doctoral programs have a bachelor’s degree and they obtain the Master’s Degree in our programs on the way to the Ph.D. However, students with prior graduate work at another institution may waive some of the master’s level course work requirements by obtaining special permission from the program or by taking appropriate by-pass examinations. Applicants are selected for admission based on their overall academic record and on their expressed interest in research areas corresponding to individual faculty or graduate program training areas.

The Department is firmly committed to the principle of ethnic diversity in our faculty and graduate student body. For interested students, descriptions of student life for African American students and Latina/o students are available. For all students, and especially Latina/o students, here is a short ) or call her at 859-257-9640. You can also call 800-315-7792 to reach the Office of Research and Graduate Studies.