Doctor of Philosophy in the Field of Cognitive Neuroscience (STEM)

The PhD in cognitive neuroscience program trains students to become rigorous, creative, collaborative, methodologically strong, and independent scientists. The focus of our program is on acquiring the necessary research skills by working directly with leading scientists in their corresponding areas of expertise. The required coursework is tailored to fit the student's research interests and is geared toward practical application of academic knowledge. Program graduates leave positioned for successful careers in either academia or industry.

The cognitive neuroscience PhD program curriculum offers an intense, focused research experience in areas such as perception, attention, memory, and social decision making, with an emphasis on the neural bases of these capacities. Students use diverse research methods throughout their studies, including patient-based testing, neuroimaging, computational modeling, behavioral techniques, and big data. The program emphasizes faculty–student collaboration through joint research projects.

Students benefit from GW’s Washington, DC, location in close proximity to the National Institutes of Health and other major research institutions. On campus, GW’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences and its associated teaching hospital are also great resources for cognitive neuroscience research, with their intensive Neuroscience Program and world-class Departments of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Neuroradiology.

This is a STEM designated program.

Visit the program website for additional information.

Visit the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences website for application requirements.

Supporting documents not submitted online should be mailed to:

Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Office of Graduate Studies
The George Washington University
801 22nd Street NW, Phillips Hall 107
Washington DC 20052

For additional information about the admissions process visit the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences Frequently Asked Questions page.

Contact for questions:

askccas@gwu.edu
202-994-6210 (phone)
Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate Programs.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required
PSYC 8250	Foundations in Cognitive Neuroscience (Foundations)
PSYC 8250	Foundations in Cognitive Neuroscience (Proseminar)
PSYC 8289	Seminar: Current Topics in Experimental Psychology
Methods/statistics
DNSC 6274	Statistical Modeling and Analysis
DNSC 6275	Advanced Statistical Modeling and Analysis
PSYC 8202	Psychological Research Methods and Procedures
Breadth
6 credits in coursework taken outside of the cognitive neuroscience field.
Electives
21 to 27 credits in elective courses, which may include PSYC 8289, PSYC 8295, and/or other relevant courses. PSYC 8289 and PSYC 8295 may be repeated for a maximum number of credits provided the topic and/or instructor differs.
PSYC 8289	Seminar: Current Topics in Experimental Psychology (can be taken for a maximum total of 18 credits)
PSYC 8295	Independent Research (can be taken for a maximum total of 6 credits)
Dissertation
PSYC 8998	Advanced Reading and Research (taken for 6 to 12 credits)
PSYC 8999	Dissertation Research (taken for a minimum of 6 credits)
Comprehensive examination
Students must successfully complete a comprehensive examination.