cognitive psychology phd programs online

Best Cognitive Psychology Programs

Ranked in 2022, part of Best Social Sciences and Humanities Schools

Cognitive psychologists study the

Cognitive psychologists study the information storing process, tracking how people think, perceive, remember and learn. They also study decision-making and problem-solving techniques. These are the top schools for cognitive psychology. Read the methodology »

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Cognitive Psychology

Information about the Cognitive Psychology Graduate Major

This Area’s goal is to produce cognitive psychologists who combine general scholarship with sophistication in research design, theory formulation, experimental and computational methods, and scientific communication. The cognitive program at UCLA is designed to ensure exposure to the content and methods deemed essential for all cognitive psychologists, and to provide the opportunity for exposure to additional knowledge and research tools required for specialized professional positions.

The scope of the study of cognition at UCLA is broad, encompassing perception, the control of attention and motor responses, the formation of mental representations, the dynamics of memory retrieval, learning, cognitive development and cognitive breakdown, the mechanisms of reasoning, language, and problem solving. The range of methodological approaches is broad as well. Efforts to formulate computational models of cognitive processes are combined with empirical research and with efforts to specify the neurophysiological underpinnings of cognition. There are applied research opportunities as well in areas such as human-factors engineering, medical technology, education, psychology and the law, and learning/language disabilities.

Modern cognitive psychology is increasingly merging with the broader fields of cognitive science and cognitive neuroscience, which draw together researchers from a variety of disciplines concerned with the study of mind, brain, and intelligence. UCLA has established programs in cognitive science and cognitive neuroscience that sponsor colloquia, seminars, and interdisciplinary research. UCLA is unique in the breadth and depth of its cognitive programs, which draw upon upwards of 40 faculty from such disciplines as cognitive, developmental, and physiological psychology, along with neuroscience, artificial intelligence, linguistics, and philosophy. Each of the major departments involved are among the most highly rated in the country.

The general facilities and resources at UCLA are outstanding. There are few universities with more extensive central libraries, computing facilities, and brain imaging equipment. Overall, the faculty and resources available in the Cognitive Psychology program at UCLA are among the best in the world.

More Cognitive Psychology Information

• For a list of Required Courses please see the  Psychology Handbook

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• PsyD vs PhD

Best Online PhD in Cognitive Psychology Programs

According to the APA, cognitive psychology utilizes human learning and development principles, as well as cognitive processing, to overcome problematic behavior and emotional thinking. It uses these vital principles to help people live more productive lives.

Cognitive psychologists have an excellent grasp of applied behavior analysis, cognitive therapy, behavior therapy, social learning theories, emotional processing theories, and information processing theories.

A Ph.D. in cognitive psychology investigates the vital cognitive processes and applies several theoretical perspectives to understanding these complex processes. Doctoral candidates in cognitive psychology often conduct basic and translational research to devise solutions for real-world issues, such as enhancing children’s reading comprehension.

Students in cognitive psychology develop expertise in quantitative methods and take courses in vital cognitive processes, such as decision making, dynamics, language, embodiment, natural language processing, perception and action, and neuroscience.

With a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology, you may work in intelligence, research, computer science, speech synthesis, big data analysis, informatics, or telecommunications. The degree fully prepares you for any field that is based on cognition and technology.

Are you interested in earning your Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology online? Please review the available online programs below.

Schools on This Page

• Grand Canyon University
• George Mason University
• Bircham International University

#1 Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University offers an online Ph.D. in General Psychology with an Emphasis in Cognition and Instruction . This doctoral program is intended to educate students who want to work with adult students in economically and culturally diverse communities.

Graduates will study how cognitive processes can affect and inform instructional methods. The coursework in this program covers topics that are important for building and analyzing needed learning outcomes, including assessments and social cognition.

Required courses in this four-year, accredited program are:

• Introduction to Research
• Psychoanalysis and Psychodynamic Theory
• Foundations of Research 1 and 2
• Behaviorism
• Social Cognition
• Cognition and Instruction
• Designing a Qualitative Study

Many graduates of this program continue in their current jobs, but others seek new roles as teachers, researchers, professors, and government contractors.

*Visit Grand Canyon University

• Institution type : Private, non-profit
• Delivery method : Online
• Headquarters : Phoenix, Arizona
• Accreditation : Western Association of Colleges and Schools
• Degrees offered : Ph.D. in cognitive psychology
• Expected total tuition : $41,700
• Prerequisites : Master’s degree in psychology

#2 George Mason University

George Mason University offers an online Ph.D. in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience that provides advanced knowledge of the essential areas of psychology and practical experience to apply this information to solve problems in relationships, work, and education.

Core courses cover information essential to doctoral in psychology training, including the biological, social, cognitive, and individual bases of behavior, as well as the long history of psychology in the US and across the world.

The program also focuses on the study of biological substrates of human behavior. Faculty study areas such as neural control of behavioral development; animal models of memory and learning; social brain systems involved in perception, human error, decision making, and movement; and the relation of neural activity to human performance.

Required courses are:

• Biological Bases of Human Behavior
• Social Bases of Behavior
• Special Topics in Psychology
• Advanced Statistics
• Psychometric Methods
• Developmental Assessment
• Emotional Bases of Behavior

Total credits required for graduates range from 72 to 76. If you enter the program with a master’s, you can reduce the number of credits you take by up to 30, if approved by the dean.

• Institution type : Public, non-profit
• Headquarters : Fairfax, Virginia
• Accreditation : Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
• Expected total tuition : $56,000
• Visit school : Click here

#3 Bircham International University

Bircham International University offers a Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology entirely online . This accredited, four-year program reviews the findings, methods, and controversies in cognitive neuroscience and psychology.

The program uses a comparative and developmental perspective to study brain evolution theories and human cognition by using information derived from young children and animals.

The Ph. D. program has 30 required for graduation, but other courses can be added if you are interested in additional specialties. A 70-page thesis paper is required for graduation that will be reviewed by the program’s academic committee. Several 30-page reports may also be required to complete all credits.

The student must defend their thesis in front of at least three members of the Bircham University Academic Network.

• Institution type : Public, for-profit
• Headquarters : Madrid, Spain
• Accreditation : United States Distance Learning Association
• Expected total tuition : $12,240

Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology Summary

Obtaining your Ph.D. in cognitive psychology can be an excellent way to enhance your career if you intend to work in academia, research, or private practice. Students interested in moving to the highest levels of the field with the best salary will find that this highly-respected degree is worth the time and effort.

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Psychology: Cognitive PhD

College of arts and sciences, program description.

The Cognitive Psychology PhD program offers an exceptional, research-intensive training environment for students interested in understanding how the mind works. The program faculty are nationally and internationally known for innovative research on sentence comprehension and discourse, speech and language perception, word recognition and lexical access, animal cognition, auditory perception, categorization, learning, and motor control. The program is for individuals who aim to become independent research scientists in cognitive psychology, primarily (but not limited to) in the context of academic careers.

Mary Wlodarczyk 213 Park Hall Buffalo, NY 14260 Email: [email protected] Phone: 716-645-8617 Fax: 716-645-3801

Instruction Method

• In Person   (100 percent of courses offered in person)

Full/Part Time Options

Credits required, time-to-degree, application fee, admission tests**.

This program is officially registered with the New York State Education Department (SED).

** At least one of the admissions tests are required for admission. Test and score requirements/exceptions vary by program. Contact the department for details.

Home / Psychology Degree / Online Cognitive Psychology Programs / Online Ph.D. and PsyD in Cognitive Psychology Degree Programs

Online Ph.D. and PsyD in Cognitive Psychology Degree Programs

What will i learn in an online cognitive psychology doctorate program, what to look for in an online cognitive psychology doctorate program, admissions requirements for a doctorate in cognitive psychology, list of cognitive psychology doctorate degree programs.

Cognitive psychology involves studying and understanding how people think. Professionally, someone with a doctorate can find him- or herself involved in everything from helping autistic children adapt to real-world situations to helping law enforcement figure out a perpetrator’s next move. Marketers, engineering departments, human factors consultants, and legal consultants are among the many other employers that also need doctors of cognitive psychology on their teams.

With a doctorate degree in cognitive psychology earned online, you are eligible to apply for a license and the ability to start your career in cognitive psychology . You can also obtain supervisory positions that aren’t open to unlicensed practitioners, and this can greatly improve your earning potential. Most people get a doctorate degree in order to access these benefits.

A standard online cognitive psychology doctorate degree program expands on what you’ve learned in the process of getting your master’s. It will also include practicum hours, the amount of which varies depending on the university. You should expect to do a dissertation or thesis, as well.

The names of the courses you take may vary depending on the school you enroll in, but with accredited programs, the concepts covered will be similar regardless of the titles. This is because schools must teach certain materials in order to attain program accreditation. The materials are chosen because the accrediting agency, such as the APA or CACREP , believes that they are essential to the good practice of clinical psychology.

According to Syracuse University , the concepts learned will include:

• Cognitive and neural bases
• Electives for subjects outside of cognitive psychology
• Completion of a research training project
• Successful completion and defense of a dissertation
• Passage of a qualifying exam

If you haven’t already completed enough practicum hours, some programs will include those in the graduation requirements. In that case, the online program will get you connected with an internship or other opportunity for supervised practice within your own community.

Typically, there will be between 80 and 90 credit hours of coursework involved. The practicum requirements vary much more and depend partly on the licensing requirements in the state that has the university.

When considering online Ph.D. and PsyD programs in Cognitive Psychology, there are several crucial factors to consider. Accreditation is of utmost importance to ensure that the program meets rigorous academic standards and is recognized by reputable accrediting bodies. Look for programs accredited by recognized organizations in the field of psychology, such as the American Psychological Association (APA) or other relevant regional accrediting bodies.

The curriculum of the program should be comprehensive and cover a broad range of topics relevant to cognitive psychology. Look for programs that offer courses on cognitive processes, cognitive neuroscience, perception, attention, memory, language, problem-solving, decision-making, research methodologies, and advanced topics in cognitive psychology. A well-rounded curriculum will equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to understand the complex workings of the human mind.

Evaluate the qualifications and expertise of the faculty members in the program. They should possess strong academic backgrounds in cognitive psychology, with experience conducting research or working in applied cognitive psychology settings. Faculty members who have published research or have expertise in specific areas of cognitive psychology can greatly enhance the learning experience and provide valuable guidance for research or practical applications.

Access to resources is crucial for an online program. Ensure that the program provides students with access to online databases, scholarly journals, and other relevant resources in the field of cognitive psychology. Additionally, look for programs that offer interactive online platforms that foster collaboration and discussion among students. This can create a dynamic learning environment and facilitate meaningful interactions with peers and faculty members.

Practical experiences are invaluable in a cognitive psychology program. Look for programs that provide opportunities for practical application, such as research projects, internships, or supervised practicum experiences. These experiences allow students to apply cognitive psychology principles, develop research skills, and gain practical insights into real-world cognitive phenomena.

Consider the support services offered by the program, such as mentorship, career guidance, and networking opportunities within the cognitive psychology community. Look for programs that provide access to experienced professionals who can offer mentorship and guidance throughout your doctoral journey. Networking opportunities can help you connect with professionals in the field and create potential collaborations or career advancement prospects.

Each university has its own admission requirements, but many of them overlap enough for them to be expected. Here are some of the most common:

• An application
• In some cases, a fee
• Certified transcripts of your master’s and undergraduate studies
• GRE or equivalent scores
• A minimum master’s or undergraduate GPA
• A master’s degree in cognitive psychology or a closely-related subject
• Letter(s) of recommendation
• Essays, presentations, or other expositions on your reasons for desiring to enter the program
• An interview with one or more admissions officers

Sometimes, requirements will depend on where you got your master’s degree. For example, schools will often waive the requirement for transcripts if you got your master’s from the same one, because the records are already there in their office. The same is true for your GRE scores and other background documentation that the school would already have on record if you obtained your master’s there.

Find an online or campus-based doctorate program in cognitive psychology today – our state-by-state listings make it easy to find a great program near you.

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North carolina, university of north carolina at charlotte.

• Graduate Certificate in Cognitive Science Campus

George Mason University

• Graduate Certificate in Cognitive Neuroscience Campus

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• Program Areas
• Computational Cognitive Neuroscience
• Developmental
• Integrative Neuroscience
• Social Psychology

About the Program The goal of the doctoral program in Cognitive Psychology is to train graduate students to be well-rounded researchers and scholars. Our unique approach fosters integrative thinking that crosses disciplinary boundaries, and focuses on research questions that have both theoretical and practical significance. Faculty, students, and post docs collaborate on projects spanning a variety of cognitive domains, such as human memory, language and communication, perception, attention and action, and conflict resolution and negotiation. Not only do we focus on fundamentally cognitive questions, but we also situate these questions within a broader context, including the biological bases and the social manifestations of cognitive phenomena. Our integrative approach allows graduate students to benefit from the university as a whole, by interacting with faculty from the Biological Sciences, the Humanities and the Social Sciences.

Faculty Advisers in the Cognition Area : Edward S. Awh, Wilma A. Bainbridge, Akram Bakkour, Marc G. Berman, Jean Decety, David A. Gallo, Susan Goldin-Meadow, Leslie M. Kay, Boaz Keysar, Susan C. Levine, Yuan Chang Leong, Sarah London, Daniel Margoliash, Howard C. Nusbaum, Monica Rosenberg, Alex Shaw, Steven K. Shevell, Edward K. Vogel, Amanda Woodward, Jai Yu

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Ph.D. Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology

Mission statement.

The HFC Doctoral Program’s overall goals are to:

• Train and educate leaders in Psychology at the doctoral level within the scientist-practitioner tradition
• Facilitate the exploration and understanding of the complexity of human behavior while expanding our collective knowledge base through multiple avenues (e.g., publications in scientific journals, conference presentations, teaching)
• Strive to improve the health and quality of life of individuals through excellence in education as well as in research and practice in human-technology interaction.

The overall philosophy that drives these goals is embodied in the policy statement that emerged from the National Conference on Scientist-Practitioner Education and Training for the Professional Practice of Psychology held in Gainesville, Florida on January 16-20, 1990. The training model of the HFC Doctoral Program reflects our efforts to educate students so that they can advance psychological knowledge through research and scholarship, and to evaluate the impact of training regimens and interface designs using empirically derived methods and procedures. The model also strives to help students learn how to think critically and scientifically about problems while invoking the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct. The overall philosophy of the training program is consistent with that of the Mission Statement of the Department , the College of Sciences , the Graduate School, and the  University .

Program Description

A Ph.D. professional’s degree track in Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology, accredited by the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, is offered to those with a baccalaureate or master’s degree in psychology or an allied area. The track seeks to develop the capacity to design, conduct, and apply human factors and cognitive psychology research in a variety of professional settings. It is patterned on the scientist-practitioner model of the American Psychological Association (APA) and adheres to guidelines established by the committee for Education and Training of APA’s Division 21 (Applied Experimental and Engineering Psychology). A variety of research, consulting, and internship arrangements are included in the track. Students receive training in the content and techniques of human factors and cognitive psychology–including statistical and quantitative procedures, experimental design, survey methods, computer techniques, and other research methodologies. Students also select a concentration area, which may be in human-computer interaction, human-machine-environment interface, human performance, human factors in simulation and training, or other areas of interest with the adviser’s authorization. A dissertation representing a significant research contribution to the field is required.

Degree Requirements

The Ph.D. is designed to be obtained in 4-5 years of full-time study from the baccalaureate level and in 3-4 years from the master’s level. (A minimum of one year full-time student status is required.) For students who enter with a baccalaureate degree, the program requires 75 semester hours minimum. Students who enter with a master’s degree may be granted up to 30 hours of transfer credit with approval of the program faculty, and will also be required to complete a minimum of 60 semester hours at UCF.

For the Fall 2025 admissions cycle, submission of GRE scores is required.

Links to More Information

Faculty in human factors and cognitive psychology.

Program Director

[email protected]

Mailing Address

UCF College of Graduate Studies Millican Hall 230 PO Box 160112 Orlando, FL  32816-0112

Institution Codes

GRE: 5233 GMAT: RZT-HT-58 TOEFL: 5233 ETS PPI: 5233