Graduate Study is concentrated in these five areas:
| Program | Area Advisor | Specializations |
| Clinical | Dr. Dennis McChargue | Examples of Program of Study Emphasis include clinical and experimental psychopathology, family and relationship violence, pediatric psychology, forensic psychology, mental health policy, and treatment process and outcome |
| Developmental | Dr. Lisa Crockett | Offered in collaboration with the faculty in the Department of Educational Psychology at the Teachers College |
| Law-Psychology | Dr. David Hansen | Under the dual sponsorship of the Department of Psychology and the College of Law |
| Neuroscience and Behavior | Dr. Jeffrey Stevens | Highly individualized program of study and research that spans the areas of behavioral neuroscience, behavioral genetics, neuropharmacology, and animal behavior. Faculty research interests include cognition and executive function, drug addiction, animal models of mental and behavioral disorders, high-risk behaviors, and bird song. |
| Social and Cognitive | Dr. Mike Dodd | Research opportunities in social processes and/or human information processing. |
We offer graduate training in Quantitative Methods coordinated by Becca Brock.
Requirements
Our Online Admissions System
All application materials (including letters of recommendation) must be submitted electronically. We are no longer able to accept paper applications.
Admission Fees
Information on Graduate Admissions Fees is available online. We know that costs can add up when applying to graduate programs. Note that there are several possibilities for reduced fees described on that webpage so be sure to check to see if you are eligible.
Admission Requirements
In making admissions decisions, match with a current faculty mentor is an important consideration. Applicants should mention in their personal statements specific faculty members with whom they share research interests. Emphasis is also placed on GPA, letters of recommendation, previous research involvement, and relevant work or volunteer experience. We do not use firm cut-offs for GPA. Applications are evaluated in their entirety; relative strengths in one area are sometimes viewed as compensating for relative weaknesses in another area. We do not require the Psychology subtest of the GRE. However, applicants needing to demonstrate basic knowledge in the field of psychology (e.g., those who did not major in psychology) are encouraged to submit Psychology subtest scores.
- B.A. or B.S. degree with a major in psychology or related field
- Undergraduate course in statistics or research methods (or equivalent)
- Competitive applicants typically have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- Three letters of recommendation from faculty or others who can attest to the student's potential sent electronically through the online application
- Personal statement
- Diversity statement
- Curriculum vita
- A list of research methods, statistics and math classes (with grades).
- The General GRE is not required for graduate applications, but the GRE Subject Test is recommended if not a psychology major
- Law Psychology joint degree applications (JD, MLS) require an additional application. For the JD you must also apply to the Law College, for the MLS you must submit an additional application through Graduate Studies. Instructions for the Law and Psychology program application may be obtained on Law and Psychology webpage.
Further questions may be directed to Jamie Longwell (jamie.longwell@unl.edu).
Application Deadlines
December 1 (includes joint applications to law psychology program)
Department of Psychology Interview Weekend will be January 25, 2025. The individual programs have different policies about whether in-person or telephone interviews are recommended or required. Please contact program directors or watch the web site for specific details. Interviews are by invitation only, following review of the applications. We typically extend invitations to attend Interview Weekend about one month prior to the weekend.