In order to qualify for admission, a candidate must have earned a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent) from an accredited institution. Those who hold a master's degree in psychology can apply up to 24 credits towards the doctoral degree. An undergraduate major in psychology is not required for admission, although a minimum of 18 credits (or equivalent) of undergraduate course work in psychology is required, including a course in statistics and a laboratory course in experimental research. Course work in related disciplines might be used to satisfy these requirements or might be acceptable transfer credits from a prior master's degree program. In either case, exceptions require approval of the cognitive and brain sciences program faculty.
For international students, a test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of at least 500 is required for admission to the Graduate School. Students who have achieved a TOEFL score of 600 or higher are exempt from Intensive English Language Center evaluation. A TOEFL score of 550 or higher is the minimum necessary for a student to be approved for a teaching assistantship. TOEFL scores are not required for international students who have received a baccalaureate or advanced degree from an accredited university or college in the United States.