Graduate Admissions
Ready to advance psychological science? Here's how to apply to our PhD programs.
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Graduate Admissions
Ready to advance psychological science? Apply to our funded PhD programs and research-intensive MS — both built on close faculty mentorship.
How to apply
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1Apply to the Graduate School
All applicants submit the following through the Graduate School application portal:
- Completed application and $65 fee
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Three letters of recommendation addressing your academic and/or professional achievements
- Faculty Mentor Ranking
- Indicate up to three mentors (ranked 1st–3rd) whose research matches your interests and goals. Choose from your program's eligible mentors (See step 2)
- Current Curriculum Vitae
- Personal Statement
- A statement of purpose, 2-3 pages, that should describe your research experience and interests, and career goals. Within your Statement, please describe how your professional and research experiences led you to pursue this PhD and how our program and the specific faculty member(s) to whose lab(s) you are applying fit with your interests, experiences, and goals. Free feedback available via ASFP.
- Education and Life Experiences Essays
- Respond to the Graduate School's prompts inside the application. (The GRE is not required.)
- Optional Supplemental Materials
- Program Specific Materials (See step 2)
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2Submit Program-Specific Materials
Clinical Psychological Science (PhD)
- Current Cycle Faculty Mentors
- Four Interest & Experience essays: submitted via the checklist after you apply: Interests (≤500 words), Research (≤600), Clinical (≤500), Career (≤300).
- CV must include (as applicable): Education; Honors/Awards/Scholarships/Grants; Publications; Presentations; Research Experience; Clinical Experience; Teaching Experience; Service; Technical Skills.
- Confirm Kentucky residency for your first term (licensure-eligibility requirement).
- No terminal Master's is offered in Clinical.
- Detailed Application information can be found on the Clinical Psychological Science Program Page
Psychological Science (PhD)
- Eligible Faculty Mentors: Any faculty whose research aligns with yours. View the Faculty Directory
- Detailed Application information can be found on the Psychological Science Program Page
The MS in Psychological Science is not a standalone or external application. It's an internal path for students already in the Soaring Scholars (Accelerated) BS/MS or the combined MS/PhD.
Accelerated BS/MS eligibility: BS Psychology / BS Neuroscience
MS/PhD path: PhD in Psychological Science
Application Deadlines
Questions?
Graduate Program Coordinator Contact Maggie Leahy at maggie.leahy@louisville.edu
PhD in Clinical Psychological Science Sara Bufferd, Director of Graduate Studies sara.bufferd@louisville.edu
PhD in Psychological Science Contact Marci Decaro, Director of Graduate Studies marci.decaro@louisville.edu
Graduate School Admissions gradadm@louisville.edu | 502-852-6495
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Connect with our graduate program team to learn more, discuss your research interests or schedule a campus visit.