Graduate Admissions
Our graduate programs are built for driven thinkers who want to make an impact through research. If you have clear goals, focused interests and a passion for discovery, you’ll find support and opportunities here.
🎓 Expert Mentorship
Study with faculty who are internationally recognized researchers at the top of their fields. Our professors bring scientific expertise and innovative techniques into graduate training, providing personalized mentorship and collaborative learning.
🌍 A City on the Rise
Buffalo offers an affordable and energetic community that’s perfect for graduate study. Build connections with local hospitals, research centers and community organizations in a city that values innovation, curiosity and creativity. Discover the possibilities waiting in the Buffalo Niagara region.
💼 Career Preparation
Our graduates thrive in research, education, health care, industry and public service. Through hands-on research experience, specialized training and professional networking, UB prepares you for a rewarding, purpose-driven career.
The Department of Psychology offers several graduate degrees designed to match your goals and interests.
PhD Programs
Master’s Degrees
Advanced Certificate
All programs combine rigorous academic training with direct involvement in research.
PhD Funding Opportunities
Academic year stipends of $23,690 and a full tuition waiver for all full-time, funded PhD students on 10-month academic teaching assistant, research assistant, or graduate assistant appointments.
- UB’s stipend levels are competitive among public Association of American Universities (AAU) member institutions.
Additional Fellowship Opportunities:
- Arthur A. Schomburg Fellowship Program: Candidates are required to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and must demonstrate how they have overcome a disadvantage or other impediment to success in higher education. Candidates must also demonstrate a commitment to contributing to the diversity of the student body by facilitating and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in their academic programs and campus activities. Even though financial need is not a requirement for program eligibility, applicants may utilize economic disadvantage as a basis for eligibility. This scholarship program is open to any and all prospective candidates regardless of race, color, national origin, or sex, and is consistent with all current governing federal and state nondiscrimination law. All application submissions will be assessed and evaluated in accordance with the required eligibility criteria. Students may apply for the Schomburg Fellowship on the UB graduate application for their program.
- Presidential Fellowships: To be eligible for Presidential Fellowships, candidates must meet the criteria listed on the Presidential Fellowship page. Both domestic and international students are eligible, if they meet these criteria. For any questions regarding funding for academic year 2025–2026, contact the director of graduate studies or department chair.
These funding opportunities are for eligible PhD applicants only. MA students are not eligible.
- For the Presidential Fellowship, applicants must be formally nominated by their academic department, program or unit. Applicants cannot apply themselves.
- For the Schomburg Fellowship, applicants can submit a Schomburg statement as part of their graduate application.
MA Funding Opportunities
Funding for the MA program is limited. Possible funding sources include:
- University at Buffalo Graduate School financial aid
- Funding from a sponsoring faculty member’s research grant
- University-affiliated employment
Step 1: Review the General Application Guidelines
- No GRE: GRE scores are not required for any of our degree programs.
- One degree program only: Applicants may apply to only one degree program per admissions cycle. It is not possible to apply for both the MA program and a PhD program or to two PhD programs.
- Be sure to list faculty: In your application, list the faculty members whose research interests best align with yours, as admission decisions are based on faculty recommendations.
Non-refundable application fee: $75
After you submit your UB graduate application, you’ll be prompted to make your payment online by credit card or ACH through Nelnet.
U.S. citizens or current permanent residents may request a fee waiver through the application portal after completing the graduate application and uploading all required materials.
Step 2: Review Program-Specific Admissions Requirements
Required Documents for International Applicants
International applicants must submit the following:
- English-language proficiency: Accepted test scores and English-language proficiency exemptions can be found here. If you submit TOEFL scores, send an official copy from ETS using the Institution Code: 2925.
- Passport bio-page
- International Applicant Financial Form (IAFF)
- Financial documentation (per the IAFF instructions)
Step 3: Start your Graduate Application
Apply using UB’s online application system.
- Create an account
- Choose your program and term
- Follow the instructions for the College of Arts and Sciences
- Returning users: Log in to check your status or update your application
Application Deadlines
- December 1: All PhD applications
- March 2: General Psychology MA
- August 1: Drugs, Health and Society MA
International Applicants
🌍 International applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early to allow time for student visa processing, which can take 1 to 4 months depending on your country of origin.
Interested in taking graduate-level psychology courses without pursuing a degree?
Contact psych@buffalo.edu for application instructions. Non-matriculated students must have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 and written permission from an instructor. A maximum of 12 credits may be completed under this status.
Because the MA and PhD programs are research based, applicants who have well-defined research interests and goals, along with prior research experience, are often the most competitive. That said, each program area may look for different qualities in applicants. If you have questions about specific expectations or criteria, you’re encouraged to contact the area head for your program of interest.
The department may review applications missing some materials, such as one letter of recommendation. However, applications missing all letters of recommendation or undergraduate transcripts cannot be fully considered.
Once your application has been submitted for review, you can view it and all supporting documents by logging back into your application. For help accessing your application, please visit the Graduate School.
Applications are reviewed shortly after the deadline. Most applicants will receive an email notification with their admission decision. PhD decisions are typically released by March 1.
If you have any questions, please contact:
