The PhD admission process for Fall 2009 is now closed. Applications are no longer being accepted. The next application season is for Fall 2010 and the deadlines are December 1, 2009 for international students and December 15, 2009 for domestic students. We do not offer spring admission. Thank you and have a good semester.
Department Requirements
In addition to the general University Graduate School requirements, the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences also requires the following:
Admission Requirements
General psychology, laboratory work, and one course in statistics. In exceptional cases, these requirements may be reduced by the Graduate Admissions Committee, particularly if the student has a good background in biological science, physics or mathematics. Deficiencies may be removed while pursuing graduate degrees.
Grades
An average of at least a B+ (3.3) must be maintained in all course work. No grades below B- (2.7) may be counted toward degree requirements. Students receiving more than one grade below B- (2.7) are not in good standing and are subject to dismissal.
Research
To remain in good standing, students must be involved in productive research. Evaluation of students is based on two research projects and on research potential, as well as on course work. All students are expected to develop research skills appropriate to their programs through a combination of course work, individual study and experience.
Application to Graduate School
Prosepective graduate students have two options for applying to the graduate program in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences.
Option 1: ONLINE Preferred
Indiana University Graduate School Application
Option 2: If you do not have access to the Internet or have trouble downloading the necessary forms, you may request an application packet to be sent to you in the mail. Please contact us at (812) 856-2409 or by e-mail: 
You can also write to:
Indiana University
Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
Graduate Admissions
1101 E. 10th St.
Bloomington, IN 47405-7007
Additional Application Requirements
Regardless of the option you choose, the following articles are also required to be considered for admission:
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions.
- Three letters of recommendation from former instructors or supervisors.
- Official test scores on the Graduate Record Examination. (The general test is required. The subject test is not required, but strongly recommended.)
- Official scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). This is strongly recommended for international students whose native language is not English.
- Statement of purpose
- Departmental Application. This is automatically included in the online application, referred to as "Departmental Questions." If you are not submitting an online application, you may download a copy of the departmental application here or write to us at the address above to request a hard copy.
All completed application materials should be mailed to one of the following addresses, allowing plenty of time to arrive by the deadline. Items received after the deadline will not be considered.
Applying to more than one department? Additional steps...
If you are applying to the Cognitive Science Program or the Program in Neuroscience in addition to the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, these programs are within the College of Arts and Sciences, therefore you only need to pay the application fee once. Please follow these directions:
- Submit your Psychological and Brain Sciences application online and pay the application fee.
- Create your Cognitive Science or Neuroscience application and save it. (Do not submit the application or pay the fee)
- E-mail us to alert us that you have completed these first two steps. We will notify the University Graduate School and request that they waive the second application fee.
- Allow 2-3 business days for this request to process. Return to your Cognitive Science or Neuroscience application and submit.
- The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, the Cognitive Science PRogram and the Program in Neuroscience will share your supporting materials when necessary. International students must submit two original sets of supporting documentation to the Office of International Admissions.
For US Citizens and Permanent Residents:
Indiana University
Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
Graduate Admissions
1101 E 10th St.
Bloomington, IN 47405-7007
For International Students:
Indiana University
International Graduate Admissions
300 N. Jordan Ave.
Bloomington, IN 47405
If you have additional specific questions not answered within these pages, please contact the Graduate Admissions Assistant by the following methods:
Indiana University
Psychology Graduate Admissions
1101 E 10th St., Room 231A
Bloomington, IN 47405-7007
Phone: (812) 855-2012
E-mail:
