Apply for Admissions
Thank you for your interest in the Experimental Psychology Ph.D. program. Our program offers rigorous research training, leading to a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and preparing students for careers in academia, industry, and government. Students earn a Master’s degree as part of their doctoral training, but this is not a standalone or terminal Master’s program. The program typically takes five years to complete, though students with prior graduate experience may finish sooner.
Students work closely with a primary faculty mentor, who provides research guidance and professional development. Some students collaborate with multiple faculty members. Before applying, check the location of potential mentors (Pullman, Vancouver, Tri-Cities, or Spokane) and contact them to confirm they are accepting students.
Students have the opportunity to teach lower and upper division undergraduate psychology courses, both in-person and online, with comprehensive training in course design, lecture delivery, and assessment. The program emphasizes best practices in pedagogy and provides personalized feedback on teaching performance.
The program admits 3-5 students per year, with approximately 15 doctoral students enrolled at any time. Combined with the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program, the department has about 50 graduate students.
Learn more and start your application today!
For questions, contact
Stacy Gessler
Program Coordinator psych.grad.adm@wsu.edu
Admissions Requirements
Applicants must meet the following minimum criteria:
- 3.0+ cumulative undergraduate GPA
- 18+ psychology credits (or in a related psychology research field)
- Three letters of recommendation (at least two from university or medical faculty)
Applications are evaluated based on
- Very Important: GPA (undergraduate & graduate, if applicable), research experience (e.g., conference presentations, publications), personal statement, and research fit with faculty.
- Important: Strength of letters of recommendation, background in statistics/experimental methods.
Deadline: December 1 for Fall admission. Interviews are typically scheduled for February, with admissions decisions by late February or early March. Admitted students usually receive financial support through assistantships.
Application Process
Applications open September 1 – December 1. To apply, complete the WSU Graduate School application and ensure:
- Letters of recommendation are submitted by December 1. *Please note that your references are required to submit letters of recommendation by the December 1 deadline, so please email the link to your letter writers so they can meet the application deadline.
- Contact faculty mentors to confirm their availability.
*Faculty carefully consider how well an applicant’s research interests align with those of potential mentors. In their personal statements, applicants should specify the faculty member(s) they wish to work with and explain their reasoning. Since students matriculate at the campus where their primary mentor is based, applicants should review the Psychology Department webpage to identify potential mentors and their campus locations. Additionally, applicants are strongly encouraged to contact prospective faculty members to discuss shared research interests and confirm whether they are accepting new students for the upcoming year. Each application is reviewed holistically, and applicants with unique skills or qualifications that enhance their candidacy are encouraged to highlight them.
The program is highly selective, as admitted students are expected to complete the Ph.D. Faculty do not admit a large cohort with the intention of reducing the class size in later years. Instead, the program is designed to provide dedicated mentorship, comprehensive training, and financial support to help each student successfully develop into a skilled experimental psychologist and earn their Ph.D. in a timely manner.
Application Tips
Your personal statement (max 2 pages, single-spaced) should include:
- Your research experience
- Career goals
- An explanation for why you are interested in joining WSU’s Experimental Psychology program
- Faculty members you’d like to work with and why