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The UCLA Psychology Department provides Ph.D. graduate training (without separate M.A. or Psy.D. programs) across specialized areas including Behavioral Neuroscience, Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Science, Developmental Psychology, Health Psychology, Learning and Behavior, Quantitative Methods, and Social Psychology. The program's primary goal is to cultivate researchers committed to advancing psychology's scientific foundation. It prepares graduates for careers as researchers, academic instructors, and professional research psychologists, with rigorous scientific training at its core. Students are encouraged to engage with affiliated university units like the Brain Research Institute, interdisciplinary Neuroscience programs, the Institute for Social Science Research, and the Neuropsychiatric Institute, which offer valuable research opportunities. The Fernald Child Study Center reinforces the department's focus on childhood learning and behavioral challenges. Additional resources include the Psychology Clinic and collaborative partnerships with local hospitals (such as the Veterans Administration), clinics, and research institutes, enabling continuous training. UCLA's extensive library network, including the University Research and Biomedical Libraries, further supports the department's academic pursuits.
The department regards a broad undergraduate background in the behavioral, biological, physical, and social sciences as the best preparation for graduate study in psychology. It is desirable, but not required, to have majored in psychology as an undergraduate. Some college coursework in statistics or advanced mathematics is required.
IELTS Academic overall band score should be at least 7.0 is the minimum required.
TOEFL score on the paper and pencil test must be at least 560 or at least 87 on the internet-based test.