Doctor of Philosophy in Cognition and Neuroscience

The PhD program in cognition and neuroscience offers advanced study and research training for students seeking to become leading scientists and scholars in the field. Research in cognition and neuroscience encompasses all aspects of cognition, including studies of perception, memory, reasoning, decision-making, neuroplasticity and neuro-engineering.
The cognition and neuroscience PhD program offers a distinctive blend of research initiatives and doctoral study in the neural processes underlying sensation, perception, memory, learning, language and executive function throughout the lifespan. Students may focus on perception and memory for complex information patterns such as faces, speech, language, music, and text, or reasoning and decision-making processes in conditions such as brain damage and addiction. Another area of strength is cellular and molecular neuroplasticity in typical learning and memory as well as in chronic pain and other atypical conditions. The program also has strengths in artificial neural networks and neuro-engineering.

The minimum requirement for admission to any doctoral program is an appropriate earned UT Dallas master's degree or its equivalent, with an average of at least B+. Applicants currently enrolled in post baccalaureate study may be admitted on the condition that official documentation confirming the conferral of their master's degree is presented before enrollment at UT Dallas is permitted.

Some departments admit directly to the doctoral program from a bachelor's degree for highly qualified candidates.

English proficiency requirements

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT (Internet-based test) Minimum score: 80

TOEFL PBT (paper-based test) Minimum score: 550

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Minimum score: 6.5

Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) Minimum score: 67

Completion of Level 112 at an ELS Language Center

Duolingo English Test Minimum score: 105

Application Deadlines: Fall term - January 15 (Early), May 1 (Regular); Spring term - May 15 (Early), October 1 (Regular).