Prospective students must apply directly to the Graduate School.
In the graduate school application, you should indicate your preferred major professor. If you are admitted, every effort will be made to honor your first choice of major professor, however it is not always possible to do so. Most students in the clinical doctoral program choose clinical faculty as advisors; however, some students combine study and research in a non-clinical specialty with the clinical program and may choose a major professor from the non-clinical faculty. Similarly, most students applying to the neuroscience doctoral programs choose advisors within the neuroscience program, but may choose an advisor in the clinical program if appropriate for their research.
Because graduate study in psychology is highly individualized, applicants should read the material carefully and identify potential faculty advisors whose interests are compatible with their own. Do not hesitate to e-mail, write, phone, or possibly visit a potential major professor/advisor.
Information regarding academic rules and regulations, financial assistance, student services, etc., can be located on the Graduate School website.
Students currently enrolled in a Master’s or PhD program within the department who wish to switch to a different program within the department are required to reapply.
a. Graduate School Application
The graduate school application can be completed here.
The following items must be submitted for your application to be considered complete: unofficial transcripts from each undergraduate and graduate school that you attended, reasons statement, three letters of recommendation, and a non-refundable $75 base application fee.
The UWM Graduate School will host an in-person Open House on November 5, 2026. Please visit the Graduate School Open House page for details and registration information.
The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences will also host a virtual information session on October 29, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. (Central Time) for prospective students who are unable to attend the Open House in person.
Attendees of the departmental virtual information session will be eligible to receive an application fee waiver. To qualify, applicants must follow all fee waiver procedures exactly as outlined in the information flyer. Please refer to the information flyer for complete instructions and eligibility requirements.
b. Deadlines
Those applying to a PhD program should complete their application to the graduate school so that it is received by December 1, 2026. Applicants to the terminal MS program should complete their application to the graduate school so that it is received by early January, 2027, to ensure review, however they will continue to be accepted until March 1, 2027 and will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all spots are filled. Applicants who meet these deadlines and are accepted into the program can typically expect to receive information about their acceptance between late February and late April. Notification of non-acceptance is usually made by May 1.
All application materials must be received by December 1, 2026 for both PhD Programs. Review for the MS Program will begin in late January and continue until all spots are filled. Applications received after March 1, 2027 will not be considered.
c. Interviews for Clinical Applicants
Finalists considered for admission to the PhD program in clinical psychology will be interviewed. Interviews are typically held in late January or early February. Only top candidates will be interviewed. There may be later interviews if further openings become available.
d. Interviews for Neuroscience Applicants
Finalists considered for admission to the PhD program in neuroscience will be interviewed. Neuroscience Interview Day is typically held in late January or early February. Only top candidates will be invited.
e. Special Guidelines for International Students
International students are required to follow additional instructions that are listed here.
