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Please check out our  PRO-TiP  (PhD Resources and Online Tips Page)!  PRO-TiP provides easy and open access to resources that help demystify the process of applying to graduate programs in Psychology.

What kind of program does Harvard offer?

The Harvard Psychology Department offers a research-oriented Ph.D. program in four areas: Experimental Psychopathology & Clinical Science, Developmental, Social, and Cognition, Brain, and Behavior (CBB). The Department does not offer a terminal master’s degree in psychology, though students admitted to the Ph.D. program can earn a master’s along the way. Some graduates of the program seek positions as research psychologists in an academic setting. Other graduates get positions in government, consulting firms, tech startups or larger tech companies, hospitals or social service agencies, and other network or private clinical settings.  The Department offers two tracks, Clinical Science and a Common Curriculum. The common curriculum is composed of three sub-fields: Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Cognition, Brain, and Behavior (CBB). The Common Curriculum, described in the program section of the graduate program website ,   is taken by all students except those in Clinical Science. Though these area boundaries exist, collaboration is an important aspect of our academic community. As such, faculty and students collaborate within and across these area boundaries.

How do I get information about Harvard doctoral program admissions?

The Harvard Griffin GSAS Admissions website includes information about how to apply, required application materials, test score requirements, deadlines, and FAQs.  The application process is online .  This link connects you to the Psychology Program of Study page on the GSAS Admissions website. You can refer to our PRO-TiP page to find faculty answers to frequently asked questions.

Prospective applicants will want to read carefully about departmental faculty research interests   to decide whether this department is a good match. "Fit" of interests is an important criterion when the Department makes admissions decisions.

This list of theses and dissertations completed by current and previous students in the doctoral program may be useful in figuring out if this department would provide a good fit for your research goals.   

Do I need an undergraduate degree in Psychology to be eligible for the PhD program?

A psychology major is not required, but it is recommended that applicants take some basic psychology courses and obtain research experience. Admitted applicants have excellent grades, test scores, letters of recommendation, research experience and are a good match in terms of research interests with one or more members of the faculty, who serve as advisors.

Do I need to submit GRE scores, and how do I submit them?

*For Fall 2025 admission, the submission of GRE scores is required for applicants to the Clinical Science area and optional but recommended for applicants to the Social, Developmental, and CBB areas.*  GRE scores are valid for five years from the test date. If you have personal score reports available from tests taken within the last five years, you can upload them to your online application for consideration by the admissions committee. However, you will still need to ensure that  Educational Testing Service  (ETS) sends an official score report. Be sure to register for the tests well before administration dates and request that your scores be sent to Harvard University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences using code 3451 (department code is not required).

Does the Psychology Department offer a master's degree?

No, we do not offer a terminal master’s degree in psychology, though students admitted to the PhD program can earn a master’s along the way.   

How long does the program take?

Some students find four years is sufficient to complete the program, although most take five and a few take six years. Financial aid is generally offered for up to six years. 

Who may act as a PhD advisor?

Only tenure-track faculty members in the Department of Psychology may serve as primary advisors to PhD students in Psychology. Affiliated faculty cannot serve as primary mentors for PhD students. Students are welcome to form collaborations with affiliated faculty, but these individuals do not participate in our PhD program admissions.

Can I get training in clinical psychology at Harvard?

The Department offers a research-oriented program in Clinical Science. Our program was designed and is perhaps best suited for individuals who aspire toward careers in clinical scientific research and teaching. As compared with some more clinically oriented programs, we place relatively more emphasis on research training and experience in our program admissions and our training program for admitted graduate students. That said, the clinical training opportunities afforded by the program provide excellent training in clinical intervention and assessment as well. The Clinical Program is accredited by the American Psychological Association and by the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS).

Is there a part-time or distance learning option?

This is a full-time, in-person program. In unusual circumstances, the Department may grant permission for an enrolled student to temporarily register for a part-time schedule. It is required that students be in residence for at least two years in the program, and almost all students are in residence for the entire program. It is possible to receive permission to be a "traveling scholar" and do research or writing away from Cambridge, but this is most typical for students at an advanced stage of the program who have finished data collection. There is no online or distance-learning program.

Can I apply if I already have a master's degree?

Yes. Students that have completed prior graduate work can petition, after a semester of satisfactory work in the Department, to receive credit for up to eight relevant half-courses, the equivalent of a year's worth of work. However, many students in the program don't bother to apply for this credit since it is rare for a student to be exempted from any courses required by the department. In addition, the bulk of time in the doctoral program is spent on research projects, and the department very rarely exempts students from these. Even students coming in with a master's degree take between 4-6 years to complete the program, though an incoming student with more education may naturally be more focused at an earlier point in their program. By the time a student has finished all requirements for the doctorate, including research requirements, they will have many more than the required minimum number of credits.

Is there financial aid available?

Funding is in the form of grants in the early years and teaching or research fellowships in later years. Typically all admitted students are offered a funding package consisting of up to six years of full tuition, three years of living stipend, and two years of guaranteed teaching fellowships (which would provide a similar level of living support). Additional teaching is usually available in the fifth year. Both international and U.S. applicants are eligible for this financial package. Because funds are limited, applicants are urged to apply for any outside fellowships they may be eligible for.  NSF graduate fellowships  and those from the  Department of Defense  are examples of national fellowship competitions open to U.S. citizens. There are also the  Ford Foundation Fellowships , available specifically for URM scholars.    Receiving an outside fellowship may allow you to have a higher stipend, to decrease your teaching commitment or to have an additional year to complete your degree. Receiving an outside fellowship is also a professional honor that will help you in applying for jobs after graduate school.  

How can I maximize my chances of being admitted?

We use a holistic approach in evaluating applicants and admitting graduate students to the program. Among the factors considered are grades from undergraduate coursework, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, application essays, prior research experience, and focused research interests, with an emphasis on those that are compatible with those of faculty members. The department is also actively committing to building an inclusive field. Part of that commitment is prioritizing diversity and support for diverse individuals within our own department.

While we do not require an undergraduate concentration in psychology, some social science coursework is recommended. Because the program is heavily quantitatively oriented, college-level math and statistics are also advised. Research experience is extremely helpful: successful applicants have often worked for professors, done research projects as part of college courses, written an undergraduate thesis, or volunteered in a psychology research lab.

Candidates’ research interests and compatibility with the program are determined in large part by the candidate's application essay, the Statement of Purpose. Here is some advice from a professor for writing a good application essay:

Over the past 12 years, I have been reading graduate school admissions’ essays. These include essays from students applying to work with me as well as those from my own students who are preparing to apply to other graduate programs. When my own students apply to graduate school, I give them very specific advice about the nature of the essay, what I think most candidate schools and advisors are looking for. I have always had a particular view about what makes for a good read , of course from a personal perspective. I have been struck by the fact that many of the incoming essays lack the kind of content that I am looking for, having the appearance of an undergraduate application essay. This seems unfortunate because I often use the essay more than almost anything else to get a sense of the applicant’s intellectual potential and passion. Many students that apply have stellar GPAs and GREs, but only a few present carefully reasoned essays that really motivate the reasons for going to graduate school. In essence, essays that capture my attention are ones that develop ideas, propose experiments, point to holes in the literature, and do these things with passion and excitement. These very general comments, which will certainly not capture every advisor’s perspective, or even the majority, can be distilled to a few essential ingredients, presented below as questions:

• Why continue on with your education? Why do you need to learn more? What skills, theories, and knowledge do you lack?
• What are the kinds of discoveries and theories that sparked your interest in the chosen discipline?
• In graduate school, what kinds of questions do you hope to address? Why do you think that these questions are important? Given the set of questions that you will focus on, what kinds of methods do you hope to apply? What skills do you bring forward as you enter graduate school and which skills do you hope to acquire?
• What holes do you see in the current discipline [big picture stuff]? In what ways do you think that they can be addressed during your graduate career?
• What kind of graduate environment are you looking for? Are you particularly keen on working with one faculty advisor, and if so, why this particular person? If you are leaning more toward a cluster of advisors, as well as the department more generally, why? Hint: faculty are engaged by students who have read some of their work, have thought critically about it, and wish to develop some of the issues addressed. Further, it helps with admissions to have one or more faculty championing your case.

Essays that have the above ingredients are truly informative. They tell each faculty member why the candidate wants to go to graduate school, what problems they hope to tackle, what skills they bring, and which skills they hope to acquire. Following this format is, of course, not a ticket of admission, but it will certainly make your application more interesting and informative.

More information from faculty in this program can be found on our PRO-TiP page .

Can I take courses without being admitted to the degree program?

The only way to take Harvard FAS courses, unless you are enrolled in another Harvard graduate program or MIT, is to be admitted as a  Special Student , which allows you to take between one and four courses a semester. Foreign national students  have  to take a full-time load in order to get a student visa. Students are issued a transcript, but no degree or certificate, for their work in the Special Student program.

Admitted Special Student applicants should be aware that the Department does not have the resources to provide the same support, academic and otherwise, to Special Students as it does to PhD students. Special Students are not assigned advisors, office space, research space, research funds, financial aid, library keys, or computer lab accounts. They are restricted from taking the Department's proseminar (PSY 2010), and other courses at the discretion of the instructor. 

Many Special Students hope eventually to enroll in a psychology graduate program; some plan to apply to Harvard's Ph.D. program. However, applicants should consider the Special Student year an opportunity to take courses, rather than a way to get an early start on the PhD program. While Special Students are certainly eligible to apply, potential applicants should be aware that admission as a Special Student does not guarantee admission to the PhD program. Special Students who are later admitted to the doctoral program receive credit for appropriate graduate-level courses taken during the Special Student term(s).

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5 Types of Psychology Degrees

How to figure out which option is right for you

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Emily Swaim is a board-certified science editor who has worked with top digital publishing brands like Voices for Biodiversity, Study.com, GoodTherapy, and Vox.

So, you love learning how the brain works, helping others, and spending countless hours diagnosing yourself and your friends using the latest TikTok mental health videos (we've all been there). If psychology is your passion, you might wonder: What type of psychology degree do I need to work in this field?

No matter what you plan do to with your education (help others, do research, solve problems, etc.), there's a degree option out there that will help you reach your goals. Psychology degree options include those at the undergraduate and graduate levels . The five main types are an associate degree, a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, a PhD, and a PsyD.

At a Glance

Should you get a bachelor's, master's, or doctorate? How do you decide whether to get a PhD or PsyD? A psychology degree can help prepare you for a great career in mental health, education, counseling, research, or applied fields, but you first need to decide which path is right for you. If you are considering  earning a psychology degree , it's important to understand what level of education you need to enter your chosen career path. An associate or bachelor's degree might be a good option if you want to dip your toes into the field, but most careers require grad study (either a master's or doctorate). Before you commit to an educational path, start by learning more about the different types of psychology degrees and what you can do with each option.

Associate Degree in Psychology

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An associate degree in psychology is an undergraduate-level degree that usually takes two years to complete.

Not every school offers an associate program in psychology. Community colleges are a great place to look if you are interested in an associate psychology degree option.

Jobs available at the associate level are somewhat limited as most entry-level psychology professions require a bachelor's degree at the very minimum. Because of this, an associate degree is commonly used as a stepping stone toward earning a bachelor's.

Earning your associate psychology degree is a great way to gain a solid background in the field before moving on to more advanced studies.

So, what can you do with an associate degree in psychology? One possible job option with an associate degree in psychology is to work as a psychiatric technician in a state mental hospital. In some states, you may also qualify for certain social work jobs, such as a casework aide or an addictions counselor assistant.

Bachelor's Degree in Psychology

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A bachelor's degree in psychology is an undergraduate-level degree that often takes four years to complete. At many universities, students can choose between a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree .

What's the difference between a BA and BS?

Generally speaking, BA degrees tend to require more liberal arts general education courses, while BS degrees require more science general education courses.

While a bachelor's degree in psychology can be a great way to break into a psychology career, people who earn this degree often end up working in unrelated fields. In fact, according to one survey, only about 27% of people with a bachelor's in psychology end up working in a field closely related to their degree.

What can you do with this type of psychology degree? A few common job titles for people with this type of degree include:

• Case manager
• Psychiatric technician
• Career counselor
• Rehabilitation specialist

Bachelor's degree holders often find work in other areas , including sales, management, and teaching.

There is often a much wider range of job opportunities for those with a graduate psychology degree. However, a bachelor's degree serves as a solid basis for graduate study in psychology and does offer a selection of entry-level career options.

Master's Degree in Psychology

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A master's degree in psychology is a graduate-level degree that usually takes between two and three years beyond the bachelor's degree to complete. Like the bachelor's degree, students can usually choose between a Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MS) in psychology.

Graduates with a master's degree can find jobs in a variety of areas, including mental health services, government agencies, and business fields. While there are some opportunities for teaching at colleges and universities, these positions tend to be limited and highly competitive.

A few job titles that a master's degree holder might find include:

• Marriage and family therapist
• Rehabilitative counselor
• School counselor
• Human resources manager
• School psychologist
• Industrial-organizational psychologist
• Substance abuse counselor
• Mental health counselor

Jobs with a master's level psychology degree are far more plentiful than those at the bachelor's level, which is why this is one of the most popular degree options. While some master's programs offer what is known as a terminal degree, or an end-level degree designed to prepare students for the workforce, other master's programs focus on preparing students for doctoral-level study.

PhD in Psychology

A PhD in psychology , or Doctor of Philosophy in psychology, is a doctoral-level degree. The PhD degree tends to take a more research-oriented approach but does include both theoretical and applied training.

How long does it take to get a PhD?

It depends on your educational plan and schedule, but most PhD psychology programs require four to six years of graduate study.

There are a wide variety of specialty areas to choose from with this psychology degree. Your choice will largely depend on what you choose to do after you graduate.

If you're interested in working in psychotherapy or opening your own private practice, you might want to earn a PhD in either clinical or counseling psychology. If you're interested in teaching, research, or an applied area, you might earn a PhD in a specialty such as social, developmental, industrial-organizational, or experimental psychology .

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The PsyD, or Doctor of Psychology, was created as an alternative to the traditional PhD. PsyD programs tend to be more focused on the professional practice of psychology.

If you earn a PsyD in clinical or counseling psychology and pass the required licensing exams, you are qualified to diagnose and treat mental disorders, conduct psychological tests, and provide psychotherapy.

In most cases, the PsyD degree takes approximately four to seven years to complete. During this time, students receive extensive training in topics such as diagnosing mental illness , performing psychological assessments , and conducting clinical interventions.

Just as with the PhD degree, PsyD students must complete a supervised practicum and internship in a clinical setting. The practicum usually involves working part-time under the supervision of a licensed psychologist, while the internship is a full-time position that lasts at least one year.

Once students have completed their required coursework, practicum, and internship, they can take the state and national licensing exams.

There's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach to a psychology education and career. There are many options to choose from, so it's important to think about your plans, talk to an academic advisor, and decide which degree will help you achieve your goals. Let's be honest: college is *expensive,* so it's wise to figure out what you want to do before you commit to investing your educational dollars in a psychology degree.

Bureau of Labor Statistics. Field of degree: Psychology .

American Psychological Association.  By the numbers: How do undergraduate psychology majors fare?

Schweinsberg A, Mundy ME, Dyer KR, Garivaldis F. Psychology education and work readiness integration: A call for research in Australia .  Front Psychol . 2021;12:623353. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.623353

Gee DG, DeYoung KA, McLaughlin KA, et al. Training the next generation of clinical psychological scientists: A data-driven call to action .  Annu Rev Clin Psychol . 2022;18:43-70. doi:10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-081219-092500

Bureau of Labor Statistics. How to become a psychologist .

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."