vanderbilt psychology phd application fee

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Making the decision to apply for a graduate degree program is complex. We want to make the application process as simple as possible by providing all the resources you need, when you need them.

Applications are open August 15 – January 15.

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Vanderbilt Professional School Graduate Degrees

For degrees that are offered by the Graduate School – Ph.D., M.A., M.S., M.F.A. in Creative Writing, and M.L.A.S. – you must apply directly to the Graduate School. Applicants with bachelor’s or comparable non-U.S. degrees may use the same application.

For discipline-specific programs offered at a school or college that grant their degrees independently (i.e. M.Ed. from the Peabody College of Education and Human Development), begin by searching for the program on the main university program finder and navigating to the admissions page of the professional school where your intended degree is housed.   

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2023-24 Cost of Attendance

Full-time enrollment is defined as 9 credit hours per semester in the Fall and Spring semesters. The cost of attendance below is factored for full-time enrollment for the 2023-24 academic year (9 credit hours in Fall 2023 and 9 credit hours in Spring 2024). Students who take more than 9 credit hours a semester will have additional tuition charges. Students who take courses in the Summer will have additional direct and indirect costs.

To determine your charges, multiply the per credit hour rate by the number of hours you will enroll in for each year, then add the applicable fees. Your direct charges will be listed on your billings statement.  

Per Credit Hour Tuition Rate: $2,245 (example: $2,245 x 18 hours = $40,410)

Master's Students

Note that tuition may increase from one year to the next.  The increase rate varies from year-to-year. Students are encouraged to account for a yearly increase. The Board of Trust makes this decision in late Spring for the upcoming Fall term start. *One time transcript fee applies to newly admitted students. *** Average loan fees incurred by similarly classified borrowers during the previous academic year.

Ed.D. Students

Ed.D. students enroll in 6 credit hours each Fall, Spring, and Summer semester. The cost of attendance below is factored for the full calendar year (Fall 2023, Spring 2024, and Summer 2024).

Indirect Costs Due to the structure of the Ed.D. program, indirect costs are highly variable based on the student's personal situation. Students need to be prepared for costs that include books, transportation, accommodation, meals and personal expenses. Please consult with the Ed.D. program if you have any questions.

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Questions about Billing, Payment options, Vandy Payment Plan or 3rd Party Billing please view the Student Accounts web page . You can find the Graduate/Professional Tuitions and Fees for 2023-2024 here .

Peabody Office of Financial Aid Timeline

• FAFSA Application is available to file on October 1 online at studentaid.gov. Make sure to list Vanderbilt's school code of 003535 on the application, so Vanderbilt will receive your information.
• Newly admitted students submit the FAFSA online at studentaid.gov by January 25th.
• Newly admitted student award notifications are sent.
• You do not need to accept all aid that is awarded to you, and you can turn down loans you do not need.
• Returning students should renew FAFSA by priority deadline of March 25th for the following academic year online at studentaid.gov.
• New students, If you would like to accept the Direct Unsubsidized Loan Please Complete the required online loan entrance counseling and master promissory note here .
• Student Accounts issues summer billing statement to for those registered for summer courses.
• Returning students financial award notifications are sent for new school year.
• We will begin disbursing federal aid to each student account after summer classes begin.
• Billing statements are issued. You may view them in the YES student portal.
• August 31st is the billing due date for the fall semester.
• We will begin disbursing federal aid to each student account after fall classes begin.
• Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) waiver due - vanderbilt.myahpcare.com/waiver Students must complete the waiver at the beginning of each academic year.
• Student Accounts issues spring billing statements. Spring sem ester billing due date is December 31st.

Military Programs

Vanderbilt Peabody College is one of five graduate schools at Vanderbilt chosen to participate in the Bass Military Scholars Program. The program is funded by a $25 million gift from the Lee and Ramona Bass Foundation, which will provide financial assistance and programming for military veterans.

Eligibility:

• Apply to a Peabody College master's program
• Admission to one of the M.Ed. or M.P.P. programs offered on campus
• Apply to the Bass Scholarship by the February 15 deadline (application open on an individual basis when admission criteria met)
• Veteran status with honorable discharge OR active military status transitioning to veteran status prior to orientation
• Commit to active engagement as a Bass Scholar during enrollment at Vanderbilt

The Bass Military Scholars Program is designed to complement, not replace, other financial aid programs available to members of the military and veterans.  This includes the Yellow Ribbon Program, the G.I. Bill and other assistance programs designed for active-military and veterans.

Post-9/11 GI Bill® Benefits and the Yellow Ribbon Program

We recommend that students who are eligible for  Post-9/11 GI Bill® Benefit s review the criteria for the  Yellow Ribbon Program  to determine whether or not they are eligible for this benefit. Questions regarding veterans' educational benefits should be directed to our VA school certifying officials at  [email protected] .

Student Loan Repayment Obligation

A student loan is a serious and important financial obligation, and you must repay your loan.

• You are required to repay your loan(s) regardless of whether you complete your education, are able to find employment, or are satisfied with your education.
• Repayment is required according to the terms of your promissory note.
• You must provide your loan servicer with corrections to your name, address, references, Social Security number, and driver's license information.
• You can prepay all or part of your federal loan(s) at any time without penalty .

Repayment Options

 The Department of Education offers a number of repayment plan options. You can find those repayment options here . Please contact your loan servicer if you would like to discuss or change your repayment plan. 

Federal Loan History

You may access your federal student loan history though the U.S. Department of Education's studentaid.gov website. NOTE: If you believe your federal student loan history is incorrect, you should contact your loan servicer.

FSA Repayment Estimator. The Loan Stimulator  helps you calculate student loan payments. Please note these are estimated amounts.  

Where can I find my federal loan history? You may view your loan history at studentaid.gov . You will need your FSA ID to log in. 

When do I start making loan payments?

Many student loans have a grace period, which is a period of time after you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment before you must begin repayment. However, federal PLUS loans have no grace period and enter repayment once your loan is fully disbursed (paid out).

Length of grace period:

• Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans - 6 months
• Private Loan - Check with your private loan lender, some private loans may not have a grace period.

FSA Ombudsman

If you have been unable to resolve a dispute regarding your federal student loan you may consider contacting the Federal Student Aid Ombudsman .

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Graduate School Application Fee & Waiver

Phd in nursing science program.

The Graduate School application fee is $95.00. After you submit your application online, you will see instructions to pay the fee with a credit or debit card via a secure payment portal. If you submit applications to more than one program (maximum of two per year), only a single fee will be charged. In addition to fee waivers being granted based on the criteria below, a small number of additional waivers will be granted at the discretion of the program and school based on recruitment priorities. If you are not covered by any of the categories listed below but feel your circumstances may warrant a fee waiver, please contact us at [email protected] . We will be happy to discuss your situation and direct you to the appropriate person. 

A candidate’s eligibility for admission will not be impacted by an application for or receipt of a fee waiver.

Application Fee Waiver

Eligibility

Waivers of the application fee will be considered upon request for US citizens and US permanent residents 1 if they meet at least one of the criteria below:

• Demonstrated financial need in the past year (Pell Grant eligibility).
• Participated in a designated Vanderbilt-sponsored program/activity in the past three years (see below*).
• Participated in a designated fellowship, research, or training program in the past three years (see below**).
• Current or former member of the United States Armed Forces.

1 US permanent residents must provide proof of this status upon request, such as a copy of a Green Card – Permanent Resident Card upon request.

Extenuating circumstances

Students with extenuating circumstances can apply for waiver; explanation with documentation must be provided upon request with application.

*Vanderbilt Sponsored Programs

Students that are members of the following VU sponsored programs are eligible for a fee waiver.

• Fisk-Vanderbilt Master’s-to-PhD Bridge Program
• Vanderbilt NSF REU in Chemical Biology
• Vanderbilt NSF REU in Nanoscale Science and Engineering
• Vanderbilt NSF REU in Physics
• Vanderbilt Summer Science Academy
• Vanderbilt National Name Exchange (NNE) Diversity Fair
• Vanderbilt-hosted recruitment event
• VU-EDGE Pre-VU PhD Recruitment Event

**Fellowship, Research, and Training Programs

Students that are members of the following VU-associated Fellowship, Research, and Training Programs are eligible for a fee waiver. Documentation demonstrating that student is/was member of the VU-associated program must accompany the waiver request:

• California Polytechnic State University, Pomona Undergraduate Research Program
• Dozoretz National Institute for Mathematics and Applied Sciences (DNIMAS)
• Gates Millennium Scholars Program (GMSP)
• Initiative to Maximize Student Development (IMSD)
• Leadership Alliance Summer Research Early Identification Program (SR-EIP)
• Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP)
• NIH/NIGMS Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC)
• Mellon Mays Minority Undergraduate Fellowship Program (MMUF)
• National Name Exchange (NNE)
• Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement Program (RISE)
• Ronald McNair Scholars Program
• The National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science (GEM fellows and associate fellows)
• University of Baltimore Maryland County Meyerhoff Scholars Program
• University of Central Florida Academic Advancement Programs

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Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Frequently asked questions, about application requirements, procedures and deadlines…, how do i apply.

You may apply for the program and find more information about the admission timeline at this  link  . The application cycle will begin on August 1 for admission into the class beginning the next fall semester.  Admission to the IGP is granted for the fall semester only. No students will be admitted to start in the spring.

When is the application deadline?

The application deadline is December 1. You may apply for the program and find more information about the admission timeline by clicking  here . Applications are reviewed over several weeks after the application deadline. 

Do you accept students for Spring entrance into the program?

No. The IGP only accepts students for Fall Admission.

Is the GRE exam required?

No. Neither the general GRE exam, which includes the Verbal, Quantitative and Analytic sections, nor the subject tests are required for admission. If you have taken the GRE and would like to include it in your application, you may do so and the admissions committee will consider it in their holistic review. The GRE Institution Code is 1871. The GRE Department Code for this program is 0202 (No department code is necessary, but you may use 0202 if you are required to enter one).

Are there minimum score requirements for your program?

No. There are no minimum GPA requirements. When reviewing applications, we consider the entire application package, including previous research experience.

What is the application fee?

Our application fee is $95. We have a robust waiver process as a part of this in order to ensure that we continue to recruit those students coming from groups that could be disadvantaged by the fee.

In accordance with the interests of the US congress and its commitment to training well qualified and highly diverse students for careers in the biomedical sciences,  fee waivers can be obtained for any student who has performed biological or biomedically-oriented research which has been supported by the NIH, the NSF, or any other agency or private foundation within the US . Please see our  application page  for more information on fee waivers.

Where do I send additional application materials?

All materials are submitted electronically. We do NOT need copies of your official transcripts at the time of your application. You can upload an unofficial transcript at the time of application.  Should you choose to enroll at Vanderbilt, an official transcript for each school listed on your application will be required before matriculation. This is also true for GRE scores, should you elect to include them, and language test scores.

How do I check my application status?

Your application status will not change online. You will be notified if you have been invited to interview for our program. Otherwise, we will contact you regarding your application status when all interview invitations have been extended.

Are admissions on a rolling basis? Should I submit my application early?

Applications are reviewed over several weeks starting after December 1. There is no advantage to submitting your application early, but you do want to make sure you application is submitted and complete by December 1. Only complete applications will be reviewed.

Applicants will be invited to interview in January through the end of February.

Do I need to find a faculty member to work with before applying?

No, you do not need a faculty sponsor to apply to our program. All students rotate through 4 labs before joining what will be their research thesis lab.

I have added my letter of recommendation writers to my application however I did not waive my right to review the letters. How can I change that?

Unfortunately, this cannot be changed for your submitted names, even administratively. The only way to change this is to delete your recommender(s) and add them back in. You can do this before or after you submit your application.

I am not a US citizen but have performed research funded by a US entity. Do I qualify for the research funding-based fee waiver?

Yes! This waiver does not depend on citizenship status.

I qualify for the research fee waiver. How do I receive it?

Wonderful! Yes, we imagine that a majority of our applicants will qualify for the waiver. All you have to do is to check “yes” on the question regarding funded research on the “Experiences” page and you will not be asked to pay a fee. There is no code and no documentation needed!

Do I need to submit official transcripts?

No, We accept unofficial transcripts in evaluating your application. If you are offered admission and you accept the offer, you will then submit official transcripts.

NO! Neither the general GRE exam, which includes the Verbal, Quantitative and Analytic sections, nor the subject tests are required for admission. If you have taken the GRE and would like to include it in your application, you may do so and the admissions committee will consider it in their holistic review. The GRE Institution Code is 1871. The GRE Department Code for this program is 0202 (No department code is necessary, but you may use 0202 if you are required to enter one).

No. There are no minimum GPA or TOEFL/IELTS requirements. When reviewing applications, we consider the entire application package, including previous research experience.

Can I qualify for a TOEFL or IELTS waiver?

TOEFL, IELTS, or DuoLingo scores are required for international applicants; however, this requirement can be waived if you have received a degree where the primary language of the country is English-speaking. The scores are self-reported for the application. If you are offered admission and you accept, you will then need to provide official scores.

You would also qualify for a waiver if you attended a University where English was the language of instruction. It may take up to 72 hours for the waiver to be processed after completing your application. Feel free to e-mail [email protected]  with any questions.

Is there a place to upload a CV or resume?

Yes! A CV or resume is not required for the application. However, if you would like to upload one, you will see a place to upload it under “Experiences”. We would be happy to review this with your application, but it is not required or expected. Please still complete the “Experiences” page of the application, even if you upload a CV or resume.

I checked “socioeconomically disadvantaged” in my application. What documentation is required?

We accept any document that shows you have received a Pell grant, and any communication from the financial aid office at your institution that indicates your status is accepted. Do not share financial statements or tax statements. You do NOT have to write a statement.

How long should my statement of purpose be?

We ask that your statement be 1-2 pages in length. There is no specific word count, or font size. Remember to be mindful that reviewers will be reading your application on a screen, so do not make the font too small.

Can I submit my application without my letters all in yet?

Yes, you can submit your application before your letters arrive and they will be matched with your application. We will only review a completed application (3 letters submitted). We do require your application to be complete by the deadline, so please continue to monitor this progress.

Who should I email with more questions?

Feel free to email [email protected]

About interviews and admissions offers…

When will applicants be notified about interview offers.

Interview offers are sent on a rolling basis. Our admissions committee meets every Monday morning from around the beginning of December until the first week in April, except over Christmas/New Years. Because we meet so often, we review applications in smaller batches instead of all at once. Thus, if you do not hear from us early in the application cycle, this does not mean you should worry about the status of your application as we review applications until early spring. If an applicant has not received an invitation by March 15th, they are not being considered for an interview with the IGP program.

How do you contact applicants you are inviting to interview?

Typically we will send an email and ask for you to call us back at your convenience.  However, if you do not quickly respond to this email, we will send a follow up message.

Will interviews be virtual or in person?

We will be conducting our interviews in person for Fall 2024. If invited to interview, you will be given instructions on how to make your travel plans and how to be reimbursed for your costs. Once here, the hotel and meals on the interview day are paid for by Vanderbilt.

Does it matter which date I interview?

No. The determination of the date for the interview is mostly related to when your application was reviewed, your availability, and which dates we are currently scheduling. This is not related to the application strength. You should not read anything into the specifics of when you receive an offer to interview.

Do you tell interviewees what to expect from the interview, and who they will meet?

Absolutely! You will meet with several faculty during your interview, as well as have an opportunity to hear from and ask questions of current graduate students, and tour some of our core facilities. You will be sent a list of the faculty you will meet and the schedule prior to your interview day. We also try to give you some free time to explore Nashville so that you can see what it might be like to live here.

How soon will I hear the outcome after an interview?

The IGP admissions committee meets every Monday. The admissions committee could provide a decision within two weeks following your interview.

If I am accepted, how soon should I reply with my decision?

You have until April 15th to make a final decision.  However, once you have made a final decision (either way) we would be grateful if you share those plans with us.   It helps us as we consider other candidates in our rolling admissions process.  If you have anything else you would like to know during your decision making process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us!

About the program and degree…

Does the igp offer a master’s degree.

No, the IGP is a Ph.D.-track program that feeds into the eleven basic science departments and programs in the School of Medicine as well as the Dept of Biological Sciences in the College of Arts & Science.

Do you have information on the research interests of your faculty?

Yes, you can find our faculty in individual Department and Programs , or searchable list of some faculty by interest area in this is current Training Faculty list.

Does the Vanderbilt IGP program provide any Career Development services?

Yes!  We prepare students for any career trajectory they are interested in. Please check out the website of our  Office of Career Development !

What is Vanderbilt University policy on service animals in research labs?

Animals not associated with research being performed are not permitted in laboratories that have a biosafety level designation. Limited exceptions for a service dog may be granted to those who work in laboratories designated as Biosafety Level 1 (BSL-1), which have the least risk. To justify an exception, the university must conduct a needs and risk assessment to determine feasibility and safety for the animal, the research, and the people in the lab. For questions regarding service animals, employees should contact the office of Equal Opportunity and Access (EOA) at 615-343-9336, and students should contact Student Access at 615-343-9727.

About the numbers…

How many spots are open in umbrella programs at vanderbilt this year.

We always shoot for a range, and this year the range is 70-75 for the combined IGP and QCB programs.

How many applicants do you have each year?

The number has been increasing for some time, but currently we have over 1,100 submitted applications between the IGP and QCB programs.

How many international applicants do you accept?

The number international students varies year to year, but currently 12% of our IGP and QCB students are international.

What are the outcomes for IGP graduates?

I’m glad you asked! Check out this  website !

About funding…

Do students in the igp receive any funding.

Yes, the IGP program offers full financial support and covers all tuition, fees, and student health insurance. In addition, students receive a stipend.  Compensation for 2024-25 will be $38,000 plus a relocation bonus of $2,000 to be used for upfront costs associated with relocating to Nashville. Starting in Fall 2023, incoming IGP and QCB students will receive a laptop from the Office of Biomedical, Research, Education, and Training (BRET).

How does the stipend compare to stipends at similar institutions?

Compensation for 2024-25 is $38,000 plus a relocation bonus of $2,000 to be used for costs associated with relocating to Nashville. A cost comparison for other cities is shown below.

Is there guaranteed or subsidized housing for graduate students?

No, we do not have guaranteed or subsidized housing. There are many housing options in Nashville, and many of our students live nearby within walking or biking distance, or use the bus. Others live further out and commute in. There is more information on the Living in Nashville page. Ask about housing when you meet with our current students!

About international applicants…

Please see  this page  for more information.

Do you have other questions?

Who do i contact with additional questions.

If you have additional questions about the IGP, you may contact:

Assistant Director of Recruiting – Stephanie Richards, Ph.D. [email protected]

IGP Director – Barbara Fingleton, Ph.D. [email protected]

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How to Apply

To request general information about the graduate program, please contact: [email protected] .

The application cycle opens on August 1. January 1 is the application deadline for entry in the fall.  Our application fee is $95, and the application process is entirely online and begins here:

Vanderbilt University Graduate School Applications and Information

The basic requirements for admission include:

• An undergraduate degree from an accredited, four-year institution (or a course of study that is the equivalent of such a degree)
• A minimum of a B average in undergraduate work and a minimum of a B average in the field of expected graduate study
• GRE verbal and quantitative scores (the subject test is not required). Information about the GRE can be obtained from: Graduate Record Examinations, Educational Testing Service, Box 6000, Princeton, NJ, 08541-6000, USA or at http://www.gre.org
• Applicants whose first language is not English and who have not received a degree at an English-speaking university must include a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score with the application. The Graduate School requires a minimum TOEFL score of 570 (paper-based; 230 computer-based; or 88 Internet-based). Information about TOEFL can be obtained from TOEFL, Box 6151, Princeton, NJ, 08541-6151,  USA or at http://www.toefl.org For IELTS, the minimum acceptable score will vary by program. In many cases, a score of at least 7.0 is desirable. Please contact [email protected] to confirm. You may access information regarding the IELTS exam, including registration and sample tests, at http://www.ielts.org .

Transcripts sent via the postal service should be addressed as follows:

CDM-Sociology

2301 Vanderbilt Place Nashville, TN 37240-7833

In addition to the required application materials (statement of purpose, transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.), a sole-authored writing sample, published or unpublished, is highly recommended. Your writing sample should be an example of your best work. It should show your ability for further study in sociology, as well as your potential as a future sociological researcher. Writing samples that synthesize academic literature and connect theoretical arguments with empirical research are particularly appropriate, such as a B.A. or M.A. thesis, or a term paper from a class in sociology or a related field. You can upload your writing sample with your online application

If you send paper materials, please send them to: Graduate Applications – College of Arts and Science, ATTN: Sociology, Vanderbilt University, 411 Kirkland Hall, Nashville, TN, 37240, USA. Do not send transcripts to this address.

Vanderbilt University is committed to principles of equal opportunity and affirmative action, and encourages individuals from diverse, under-represented populations to apply to its graduate programs. The university does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, socio-economic background, or disability.

Application Fee

The Graduate School application fee is $95.00.  After you submit your application online, you will see instructions to pay the fee with a credit or debit card via a secure payment portal.  If you submit applications to more than one program (maximum of two per year), only a single fee will be charged. You also may be eligible for an application fee waiver – please see below.

Application Fee Waiver

Eligibility

You must have your application started before requesting a fee waiver. Waivers of the application fee will be considered automatically as part of the application process for US citizens and US permanent residents 1  if they meet at least one of the criteria below (please note that an explanation with documentation must be uploaded in the application form for graduate study). Final submission of the application for graduate study is required in order to confirm whether you are eligible for a waiver – there is no separate waiver request form.  Note : initial approvals of automatic waivers are subject to a 10-day review period before the waiver is considered final. If your fee waiver is approved, the application will be processed and no further action is needed.  If denied, you will be notified from the application system and the application fee must be paid unless you have received an application fee waiver code from your program (please contact [email protected] to request code). All fee waiver requests must be received prior to the application deadline.

• A letter or memo from the financial aid office of your current or previous school confirming that you received federal need-based financial aid or a FAFSA Student Aid Report.
• An unemployment benefits statement dated within the previous six months.
• A GRE fee reduction certificate from the Education Testing Service (ETS)
• Participated in a designated Vanderbilt-sponsored program/activity in the past  three  years ( see below* )
• Participated in a designated fellowship, research, or training program in the past  three  years ( see below** )
• Current or former member of the United States Armed Forces. Please upload documentation showing current or former status.

In addition to fee waivers being granted based on these criteria, a small number of additional waivers will be granted at the discretion of the program and school based on recruitment priorities and extenuating circumstances. You may request an application fee waiver directly from the program only after you have submitted your application and confirmed that a fee is due.  Please contact either [email protected] or [email protected] for more information. Waiver requests must include documentation to support the reason for the request.   If the waiver is approved, you will see indication of this in the application system AFTER your application has been submitted.

A candidate’s eligibility for admission will not be impacted by an application for or receipt of a fee waiver.

1 US permanent residents must be able to document this status upon request, such as a copy of a Green Card – Permanent Resident Card.

*Vanderbilt Sponsored Programs

Students that are members of the following VU sponsored programs are eligible for a fee waiver. If you are registered in our system as a participant in one of these programs, this will be reflected in your application record.  If you are uncertain about your participation in a particular event/program, please contact the coordinator of the event/program.

• Vanderbilt NSF REU in Nanoscale Science and Engineering
• Vanderbilt NSF REU in Physics
• Vanderbilt NSF REU in Chemical Biology
• Fisk-Vanderbilt Master’s-to-PhD Bridge Program
• Vanderbilt Summer Science Academy
• Vanderbilt National Name Exchange (NNE) Diversity Fair
• Vanderbilt-Hosted Recruitment Event (sanctioned by the Graduate School and hosted wither by an academic program office or school-level office)
• VU-EDGE Pre-VU Ph.D. Recruitment Event

**Fellowship, Research, and Training Programs

Students that are members of the following Fellowship, Research, and Training Programs are eligible for a fee waiver.  Documentation demonstrating that you are/were a member of the program must accompany the waiver request.  You should upload the documentation in the space provided in the application for graduate study.  Contact your program director/coordinator to request a letter verifying your participation in the program and dates of your participation.

National Level:

• AmeriCorps, Teach for America, or the Peace Corps
• California Polytechnic State University, Pomona Undergraduate Research Program
• Dozoretz National Institute for Mathematics and Applied Sciences (DNIMAS)
• Gates Millennium Scholars Program (GMSP)
• Initiative to Maximize Student Development (IMSD)
• Leadership Alliance Summer Research Early Identification Program (SR-EIP)
• Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP)
• Mellon Mays Minority Undergraduate Fellowship Program (MMUF)
• NIH Postbaccalaureate Research Training Program (PREP)
• NIH Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement Program (RISE)
• NIH/NIGMS Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC)
• NIH-Building Infrastructure Leading to Diversity (BUILD) Initiative
• Ronald McNair Scholars Program
• American Indian Science and Engineering Society (national conference attendees only)
• National Consortium for Graduate Degrees in Minorities in Engineering and Sciences (GEM) – upload proof of GEM Fellowship application
• Institute for Recruitment of Teachers (IRT)

Regional Level:

• University of Baltimore Maryland County Meyerhoff Scholars Program
• University of Central Florida Academic Advancement Programs

Chair Holly J. McCammon, PhD

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Phone (615) 322-7626 Fax (615) 322-7505 Email

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Psychological Sciences

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Financial Aid

If you are admitted to the Ph.D. program in Psychological Sciences at Vanderbilt, you will be awarded a graduate assistantship consisting of a stipend, tuition scholarship, and health insurance. Our stipends are very competitive with other universities.

Stipend and tuition support is guaranteed for at least five years for students who remain in in good standing in the program.

Stipend monies derive from a variety of sources. Graduate student support derives from externally-funded research, teaching assistantships, fellowships, research assistantships, and supplemental awards from the University, the Graduate School, and the College. The majority of students receive summer employment or grants as well. Over-and-above these awards, monies are usually available for professional development, research equipment, and travel to conferences.

When comparing our financial package to other schools, be sure to note that Nashville’s cost of living is lower than many other major metropolitan areas.

Department of Psychology

Our graduate program alumni go on to have successful careers in a wide variety of areas. Read about the accomplishments of some of our students who have received our Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Distinguished Alumni

Steve manuck.

Mriganka Sur

2012 Award Winner

Mriganka Sur finished his Ph.D. with Jon Kaas of the psychology department in 1978, did postdoctoral research at S.U.N.Y. Stony Brook, and became an assistant professor of neuroanatomy at Yale in 1983. He became associate professor in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT in 1992, where he continued as full professor (1993) and department chair (1997-2014). He is now Director of the Simons Foundation Initiative on Autism and the Brain, at MIT. He has received many awards including election to the National Academy of Sciences (India), the Royal Society (UK) and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (USA). He has well over 200 research publications on brain development, organization, plasticity, and disorders.

Leah Krubitzer

Leah Krubitzer finished her Ph.D. with Jon Kaas in the department of psychology in 1989. After postdoctoral training at the Vision, Touch, and Hearing Research Centre, University of Queensland, Australia where she studied the brains of marsupials, monotremes, and bats, she became an assistant professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis, where she is currently professor, level VII. She has been recognized with several awards, including the prestigious MacArthur Award, as well as the Herrick Award, and the Cajal Club Cortical Scholar Award. She has published extensively on how brain organization varies across mammalian taxa, brain development, and brain evolution. She has been a popular speaker at scientific meetings and universities.

Bob Levenson

Randolph Blake

Chai-youn Kim

Chai-youn Kim, completed her Ph.D. in cognitive neuroscience following undergraduate degree work at Seoul National University in psychology and aesthetics. She is now associate professor of psychology at Korea University, where she studies and teaches visual perception with emphasis on perceptual grouping, dynamics of bistable perception and synesthesia. In 2009, she was designated by Psychological Science as one of the field’s “rising young stars”, and at Korea University she has won the university’s prestigious SUKTAP Excellence in Teaching Award multiple times.