About the Department

Welcome to the University of Maryland Department of Psychology. This academic year, 2008-09, begins a period of growth, transition, and change. It is a particularly exciting time, and we invite inquiries from excellent students intending to pursue a Ph.D. in psychology.

Psychology is a remarkably broad field that studies mind and behavior at all levels of analysis ranging from the micro to the macro; from single cells to complex systems; from individuals to groups and cultures; and from invertebrates to humans. Some of these endeavors connect with the biological sciences and others with the social sciences. As analytical, methodological, and theoretical advances in one domain increasingly influence developments in another, psychologists collaborate in ever greater numbers with scientists in neighboring disciplines, resulting in new subfields that blend the biological and social sciences.

Our department reflects well this combined diversity of and collaborations among approaches. In recognition of this fact, we have reorganized our training structure into 5 Ph.D. program areas:

• Clinical
• Cognitive and Neural Systems (CNS)
• Counseling
• Developmental
• Social, Decision, and Organizational Science (SDOS)

Research collaborations across areas are common and we encourage students to consider training across areas as well. Click here for information about applying to the Ph.D. program.

Our website is changing, as well. By early 2009, we will have an entirely new look on the web. In the meantime there will be regular updates to this site. Please check back frequently.

To learn more about our department, please see the Department Overview