To apply, submit Temple’s online graduate application along with an application fee of $60.
Applicants must have completed their bachelor’s degree. A degree in a related field is preferred; however, all applications will be considered.
Candidates will be asked to submit the following along with their application.
Number required: 3
From whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from college/university faculty members and/or employers familiar with the applicant's academic competence.
Applicants to the doctoral program must hold a BA or BS degree and have completed at least four 3-credit courses in psychology, a statistics course and one laboratory course in the sciences. A natural sciences laboratory course is also recommended.
A master’s degree is not required.
A baccalaureate degree in this field is standard, although not mandatory, for admission into the program.
In approximately 500 to 1,000 words, state your interest in Temple’s program and outline your research goals, future career goals, and academic and research achievements. This statement should also identify your first, second and third choice of faculty with whom you are applying to work. If your choice of potential faculty mentor is not included, your application may not receive full review.
GRE general test: Optional. Scores may be submitted if available. Note that if applying for the Clinical Psychology area, GRE scores will not be considered in admissions decisions. Applications for the cognition and neuroscience, developmental psychology, and social psychology areas will receive equal consideration with or without GRE scores.
GRE subject test in psychology: Not required.
Applicants who earned their baccalaureate degree from an institution where the language of instruction was other than English, with the exception of those who subsequently earned a master’s degree at a U.S. institution, must report scores for a standardized test of English that meet the following minimums.
Current academic CV or professional résumé required.
A student enrolled in the Psychology PhD program may, with the approval of the director of graduate studies in psychology, transfer as many as 9 credits of coursework taken elsewhere. To be so approved, the courses must be deemed appropriate to stand as part of the student's training in the PhD program, and the student must have received a grade of “B” or higher in the course(s). Final approval of advanced standing credits is given by the Office of the Dean, College of Liberal Arts, on recommendation from the director of graduate studies in psychology. The maximum number of advanced standing credits awarded is 9.
Temple University requires transcripts from each academic institution from which you earned credit for coursework. Copies of transcripts may be used during the admissions process; however, Temple University requires officials of any admitted student.
Additional documentation may be required for non-U.S. academic institutions, such as marksheet and diploma. For such institutions, please review these guidelines from Temple University’s Graduate School.
Important Message for Applicants
You must complete each section of the application (Home through Review) for the upload links to populate the application. After submitting the application, please refresh the page as it can take up to 15 minutes for the links to appear. You will then be able to upload your CV/resume, personal statement, unofficial transcripts for each school/college attended, and request letters of recommendations. GRE Scores are optional. Scores must be sent directly from ETS to Temple University using code 2906.
You will receive automatic emails until your application is complete and all supplemental checklist items are received and uploaded.
For further information, please refer to the Graduate Bulletin.
There are a limited number of application fee waivers available for applicants who meet the necessary criteria. Interested applicants should review criteria and, if appropriate, submit an Application Fee Waiver form.
Applicants who earned their baccalaureate degree from an institution where the language of instruction was other than English, with the exception of those who subsequently earned a master’s degree at a U.S. institution, must report scores for a standardized test of English that meet these minimums:
See more detailed instructions on applying to Temple as an international student.
Fall: Nov. 15
