Applied Cognitive and Brain Sciences PhD

Degree Awarded: Doctor of Philosophy (PHD)
Minimum Required Credits: 60.0
Co-op Option: None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 42.2799
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 19-3031; 19-3032; 19-3039

About the Program

Drexel University offers a doctoral (Ph.D.) degree in Applied Cognitive and Brain Sciences (ACBS) with the primary goal of training scholars to excel in careers across diverse sectors, including academic faculty positions, industry, government, startups, non-government organizations, and many more. The curriculum offers scholarly training in various content areas, but focuses primarily conducting human neuroscience research.

Research within the ACBS program is focused on psychological questions of real-world significance, grounded in basic science. It emphasizes rigorous quantitative and methodological training within one or more research laboratories, where students receive substantial personal interaction with faculty mentors.

Students receive close mentorship from faculty and are trained to conduct independent, technically-sophisticated research that involves one or more human neuroscience techniques. The curriculum is designed to build strong analytical and methodological skills, with required coursework typically completed in the first two years. Students also have the flexibility to explore electives and research credits aligned with their interests.

Drexel’s ACBS program is home to renowned faculty experts who advance the forefront of applied cognitive and brain sciences scholarship. Our faculty publish widely in top-tier, peer-reviewed journals and are regularly featured experts in national and international media. Areas of research focus include: episodic and semantic memory, mind wandering and spontaneous thought, network neuroscience, cognitive and affective regulation, the neuroscience of creativity, precision brain stimulation (TMS, tES), computational neuroimaging and neuroimaging statistics, and statistical modeling of multidimensional datasets. Graduate students in the ACBS PhD program are conducting original research, regularly publishing and sharing their work at academic conferences, and frequently receive competitive research, travel, and training awards and fellowships.

Applicants to the ACBS PhD program are expected to have an undergraduate degree in a relevant area, such as psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, computer science, etc., and significant experience conducting empirical research. Although a major in psychology is not required for admission to the ACBS PhD program, it is highly desirable that applicants have demonstrated interest in the cognitive and brain sciences via coursework or research experiences in cognitive psychology, cognitive science, biomedical engineering, or cognitive neuroscience. Successful applicants frequently also have a solid background in college-level mathematics, biology, and physics, and foundational computational skills.

Both traditional and non-traditional post-graduation paths are embraced and encouraged in the ACBS PhD program. Graduates of the program successfully pursue traditional academic faculty appointments, as well as positions in industry, government, startups, non-government organizations, and many more.

Additional Information

For more information, please contact the College of Arts and Sciences 

Admission Requirements

Drexel University is seeking applicants with a strong academic record, strength of undergraduate institution, and GPA (3.5 or greater is preferred). In addition, applicants should have outstanding letters of recommendation (from doctoral-level academic, research-oriented psychologists, if possible), high-quality research experience, and include a statement of purpose that convinces Drexel that a potential student is an excellent match for one or more of our research groups.

Degree Requirements

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Students are required to take this course for a total of 9 credits.

Program Learning Outcomes