College of Arts and Sciences
Experimental Psychology (Ph.D.)
College of Arts and Sciences
Experimental Psychology (Ph.D.)
Lead Psychological Research — Spark Innovation With a Doctorate in Experimental Psychology
Step into the forefront of behavioral science with NMSU’s Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology — a rigorous, research-first doctoral program where your ambition meets discovery. Built on an apprenticeship model, you’ll closely collaborate with faculty mentors to develop and execute original research in areas like cognition, learning, perception, or behavioral neuroscience
Admission Deadlines
January 15 for fall admission.
- Total course hours: 30-40
- Total dissertation credits: 18
Delivery Format
In-person
Career Pathways
Earning your Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from NMSU prepares you for advanced roles where research, teaching, and real-world impact converge. Launch your career as a university professor, experimental psychologist, or academic researcher designing innovative studies. Or bring your expertise to industry and government settings as a cognitive scientist, user-experience researcher, or behavioral analyst in health, tech, or policy sectors. With deep methodological training, you’ll shape what's next in understanding human behavior.
Degree questions, answered
Have questions about the Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Psychology? Fill out our inquiry form.
Why choose a Ph.D., in Experimental Psychology at NMSU?
The Ph.D. in experimental psychology is offered in the major areas of cognitive, engineering and social psychology:
- Engineering Psychology - Engineering Psychology emphasizes human-machine-environment interactions. Research interests of our faculty include human-robot interactions, visual search during luggage screening tasks, perceptual and cognitive processes in reading, and simulation of human auditory perception. Students completing a degree in engineering psychology typically take positions in technology-related industries.
- Cognitive Psychology - Cognitive psychology is the study of thought, and of human information processing. Cognitive psychologists investigate the mental processes that allow human beings (and sometimes animals) to perceive the world around them, call upon memorial representations to guide their decisions, use their body to navigate their environment, and much more. These processes include things like attention, perception, memory, reasoning, language, decision-making, and much else.
- Social Psychology- The Social psychology program conducts basic and applied research concerning how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by other people. Social faculty research interests include human-robot interaction, social cognition, evolutionary psychology, close relationships, attachment theory, attitude formation, emotions, sexuality, gender, and the scholarship of teaching and learning.
No GRE Required
We’re removing barriers to graduate education, which is why we don’t require the GRE.
To earn a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology, you must complete required coursework, a minimum of 18 credits for dissertation research, pass written and oral components of the comprehensive exam. Other degree requirements include completing a work-related training requirement (i.e. complete an internship of at least 10 weeks duration, or teach at least one 3-credit undergraduate course independently) and pass a final oral examination.
Take classes like:
- PSYC 547 -Social Psychology
- PSYC 523 - Methods in Cognitive Psychology
- PSYC 522 - Sensation and Perception
- PSYC 520 - Learning and Memory
GPA: A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for admission.
Prerequisites: A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution is required.
Application: The application includes a writing sample, CV or resume, transcripts, three letters of recommendation and an essay explaining research interest and experience, career goals and indication of faculty work that is of particular interest.
Residency Requirement: The minimum residence requirement for the doctoral degree includes at least two regular full-time enrollment semesters at New Mexico State University.
Ready to take the next step?
Request Information
Scholarships and Financial Aid
At NMSU, we strive to offer competitively priced tuition to keep your tuition costs affordable. If you need financial aid, we’re ready to work with you to determine the best ways to finance your education.
Financial assistance includes loans, grants, and scholarship opportunities. To apply, use NMSU’s convenient Scholar Dollar$ one-stop scholarship application, which serves all students in the NMSU system.
NMSU students are also eligible for loans and grants. The first step in applying for financial aid is to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Learn more about financial aid opportunities at NMSU.
Contact Financial Aid
Phone: 1-888-729-6678
Email: financialaid@nmsu.edu
Accreditation
New Mexico State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Specialized accreditation from other accrediting agencies is also granted for some programs. NMSU’s accreditation ensures that your education meets high-quality standards and that your credits are transferable.