best cognitive neuroscience phd programs

Ph.D. Admitting Program in Cognitive Neuroscience

General info.

• Faculty working with students: 60
• Students: 25
• Part time study available: No
• Application Terms: Fall

Application Deadline: November 30

The Ph.D. is offered through one of the participating departments (Neurobiology, Psychology and Neuroscience, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Evolutionary Anthropology, and Philosophy). Students affiliate with a Ph.D. degree-granting program by December of their second year and receive a formal certificate of graduate study in cognitive neuroscience. 

Gregory Samanez-Larkin Director of Graduate Studies Center for Cognitive Neuroscience Duke University Box 90999 Durham, NC 27708

Phone: (919) 684-3422

Email: [email protected]

Website:  https://dibs.duke.edu/education/graduate/cognitive-neuroscience-admitting-program/

Program Description

The Duke Institute for Brain Sciences offers an interdisciplinary admitting program for graduate study in cognitive neuroscience via the Cognitive Neuroscience Admitting Program, which consists of intensive multi-disciplinary coursework and research lab rotations in the first 3 semesters, followed by a transition into a PhD degree-granting program starting spring of year 2. Students in the program gain a thorough understanding of the intellectual issues that drive this rapidly growing field, as well as expertise in the major methods for research on higher brain function.  These functions include, but are not limited to, perception, attention, memory, language, emotion, motor control, executive functions, consciousness, and the evolution of mental processes.

Cognitive neuroscience is an interdisciplinary area of research and scholarship.  Thus, the program at Duke explicitly involves collaboration between multiple departments of the Schools of Arts and Science, Engineering, and Medicine.  Students have access to the facilities of all participating entities including MRI scanners located in the Brain Imaging Analysis Center, EEG labs in the Center, and extensive facilities for psychophysical studies in humans and animals.

Students engage in an extensive year of course work and laboratory research in cognitive neuroscience that includes three rotations in distinct laboratories.  Professional development seminars are offered on topics such as grant writing, tips for the publication process, and teaching.  

Students affiliate with a Ph.D. degree-granting program by December of their second year and receive a formal certificate of graduate study in cognitive neuroscience. 

Certificate in Cognitive Neuroscience

Students who matriculate directly into a PhD-granting departmental program have the opportunity to acquire training in cognitive neuroscience at Duke by means of a certificate program in the field. This program is designed for students whose interests are more focused on studies present within a particular department, but who want to also include training in cognitive neuroscience in their graduate program.

In addition to the curricular requirements of their home department, students in the certificate program complete a core course in cognitive neuroscience and participate in relevant seminars and journal clubs, including giving a research talk. To enroll in the Cognitive Neuroscience Certificate Program, students must first be admitted to one of the participating departments (see each department’s listing for additional information) and then contact the director of graduate studies.

• Cognitive Neuroscience: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics

Application Information

Application Terms Available:  Fall

Graduate School Application Requirements See the Application Instructions page for important details about each Graduate School requirement.

• Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts required with application submission; official transcripts required upon admission
• Letters of Recommendation: 3 Required
• Statement of Purpose: Required
• Résumé: Required
• GRE Scores: GRE General (Optional)
• English Language Exam: TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test required* for applicants whose first language is not English *test waiver may apply for some applicants
• GPA: Undergraduate GPA calculated on 4.0 scale required

Department-Specific Application Requirements (submitted through online application)

Writing Sample None required

We strongly encourage you to review additional department-specific application guidance from the program to which you are applying: Departmental Application Guidance

List of Graduate School Programs and Degrees

Neuroscience Ph.D. Program

Our Neuroscience Ph.D. Program is one of the best in the nation, and prepares students to become independent researchers, educators and trainers making significant contributions across all aspects of the field.

Program Overview

Our program combines rigorous coursework and sound training in the fundamentals of neuroscience, including the integrated study of nervous system function and disease, with opportunities for state-of-the-art research. 

Please reach out to Bruce Carter if you have any questions about the Neuroscience Ph.D. Program or the application process.

Bruce Carter

Director of Graduate Studies in Neuroscience

Associate Director for Education and Training, Vanderbilt Brain Institute Professor of Biochemistry

• 615-936-3041
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We foster the development from trainee to independent research scientist and educator.

Individualized Attention

With 81 graduate students and 64 training faculty, our excellent student-teacher ratio results in extensive opportunities for interaction and exchange of ideas in a relaxed and collegial atmosphere. Our distinguished training faculty stem from diverse fields such as Psychology, Biochemistry, Molecular Physiology, and Pharmacology and capture the multidisciplinary nature of modern neurobiological inquiry.

Career Outlook

Graduates of our department are superbly prepared for a variety of career options in both academia and industry. Each student's program is designed to provide a broad-based education in neuroscience, yet accommodate individual needs and interests to allow students to become creative, independent scientists.

Students holding degrees in the biological or physical sciences, psychology, or biomedical engineering are especially encouraged to apply to the Neuroscience Ph.D. Program, but applicants from other fields will be considered.

Areas of Concentration

The Neuroscience Ph.D program offers two areas of concentration. Students have the option to emphasize either Cellular & Molecular or Cognitive & Systems neuroscience, preparing each trainee for a future in which neuroscientists must be able to navigate from molecules to cells to neural systems and behavior.

Cognitive & Systems

This path provides doctoral training with emphasis on cognitive neuroscience, sensory-motor systems, neuroimaging, neural development, synaptic plasticity, neurobiological basis of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, and targeted gene disruption in transgenic animals to ascertain the function of neural genes and establish disease models.

Cellular & Molecular

This path provides doctoral training with emphasis on neurogenetics and genetic dissection of neural development, molecular aspects of synapse formation and plasticity, structure and regulation of ion channels and transporters, targeting and signal transduction, psychotropic drug action, the molecular basis of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, and targeted gene disruption in transgenic animals to ascertain the function of neural genes and establish disease models.

Cellular & Molecular Application Tip

Students with broad biomedical interests are encouraged to apply through the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences instead of directly through the Neuroscience Ph.D. Program. This pathways provides a strong foundation in biomedical science prior to matriculation into neuroscience.

Students begin their first year with a general course in graduate level cellular and molecular biology and then begin specialized courses in Neuroscience in the spring semester of their first year.

Grants and Awards

University Tuition Scholarships are service-free awards that pay all or part of tuition costs. The following graduate awards are normally supplemented by a full University Tuition Scholarship, which usually includes student health insurance coverage:

• University Fellowships
• Graduate Teaching Assistantships
• Graduate Research Assistantships
• Traineeships
• Teacher Training Awards

The current stipend level for 2023-2024 is $36,500. In addition, applicants may be nominated at the time of application for Harold S. Vanderbilt graduate scholarships and other awards, which provide an additional stipend of up to $10,000 per year to students of exceptional accomplishment and high promise.

Training in Fundamental Neuroscience T32 Grant

The Neuroscience Graduate Program receives invaluable support from the "Training in Fundamental Neuroscience" NIH T32. Over 70 mentors across 22 departments within 4 schools and colleges are available to train students, with 65+ Neuroscience trainees earning PhDs in the past 5 years. Over 60 trainees have been supported by the T32 since its inception, with over a third subsequently securing their own fellowship funding. Program graduates have gone on to leadership positions in academia, industry, and additional research-related fields, providing a rich alumni network across multiple career tracks. The program includes works-in-progress seminars by all Neuroscience trainees, invited external seminar speakers including several suggested or hosted by trainees, and an annual retreat.

Graduate students interested in joining the training program should contact Dr. Bruce Carter, Associate Director for Education & Training and Director of Graduate Studies for the VBI.

Faculty interested in becoming T32 preceptors should contact Dr. Rebecca A. Ihrie or Dr. Lisa Monteggia, VBI Director.

Rebecca A. Ihrie

Associate Professor, Cell & Developmental Biology and Neurological Surgery

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Graduate students in the Neuroscience Graduate program receiving Vanderbilt University financial support or services must devote full-time effort to graduate study. Students cannot accept jobs for pay within or outside the University unless prior approval is given by their advisor, their Director of Graduate Studies, and the Dean for the Office of Biomedical Research Education and Training. Exceptions to this rule include part-time internships and activities that contribute to career development and that do not exceed the time commitment outlined by the National Institutes of Health, service as course associates at Vanderbilt, and occasional and temporary part-time pursuits (e.g. house sitting). Engagement in outside employment without obtaining approval may result in loss of financial aid, including stipend.

Brain and Cognitive Sciences PhD Program

Graduate students in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences are among the sharpest, most innovative brain scientists to be found anywhere. In a given year the department admits 5 to 10 percent of applicants, and our PhD program is consistently ranked among the best in the world. Students work hard to get here, and they are highly valued in the BCS community.

Innovative:  Our students often take on riskier projects and pilot studies that probe the edges of our technical and scientific knowledge. They can move among projects more easily, and their successes lay the foundation for not only their careers but the future directions of their mentors’ labs.

Collaborative:  Our students bring bold, fresh thinking to the department, and exploring these potentially transformative ideas often means reaching across boundaries of lab, center, and department to build new collaborations. Graduate students help BCS mesh with the rest of MIT.

Supportive: Graduate students are the most frequent mentors of undergraduate students in UROPs , actively guiding and developing those who will become the next generation of top-tier graduate students. BCS graduate students also are helping make sure the department is a welcoming, inclusive, and equitable community.

Overview of the Program

Graduate students in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences work with an advisor and advisory committee to pursue an innovative and rigorous program of original research. Students should aim to complete their PhD in five to six years.  

• Students take three to four of their required six courses
• Students complete required Responsible Conduct in Science training.
• Students complete a minimum of three lab rotations by March 31.
• Students select a thesis advisor by April 30.    
• Students complete the remaining two to three of their academic course requirements by the end of the Spring Term.
• Students complete teaching assistant training and their first teaching (TA) requirement.
• Students form their qualifying exam advisory committee, have their first committee meeting, and turn in the completed committee meeting form to BCS HQ by the end of the Spring Term.   
• Students complete the second teaching (TA) requirement.
• Students complete the written and oral qualifying exam in October or November.  
• Students form a thesis committee, submit a written thesis proposal to their committee, orally present their proposal to the thesis committee, and receive committee approval, before the end of the Spring Term.
• Students must meet with their thesis committee once per year.
• Students take the final steps to completing the PhD oral examination (also known as the thesis defense) and submission of the approved written dissertation.

For detailed information on courses, rotations, and other program requirements, see Program Details .

Cognitive Neuroscience

Information about the Cognitive Neuroscience Graduate Major

The Cognitive Neuroscience Ph.D. Program is intended for students who wish to study cognitive processes based on their underlying neural systems. It provides a strong background in both systems-level neuroscience and cognitive psychology and allows students to develop integrative research interests that cross domains. Students admitted in either the Behavioral Neuroscience or Cognitive Areas may complete this program. They will remain in their area of admission for administrative purposes. For a list of Required Courses please see the  Psychology Handbook .

Department of Psychology

Dietrich college of humanities and social sciences.

Cognitive Neuroscience Graduate Program

The goal of the cognitive neuroscience ph.d. program is to train cognitive neuroscientists who deeply understand and integrate cross-disciplinary research findings, perspectives, and tools for the study of mind, brain, and behavior..

A unique feature and strength of our program is the opportunity for students to engage in a set of scientific and social events that foster exposure to behavioral , brain, and computational science research that spans Carnegie Mellon University and, through the Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition , the University of Pittsburgh.

Related Links

• Program Requirements
• Cognitive Neuroscience Research
• Neuroscience Institute

These faculty routinely train Cognitive Neuroscience Ph.D. students:

John Anderson

Richard King Mellon University Professor of Psychology and Computer Science

We use neural imaging (fMRI, EEG, MEG) to study the sequential structure of complex tasks like mathematical problem solving and video games. Machine learning techniques combine imaging data and computational models to track mental processes in the performance of a task.

Marlene Behrmann

Thomas S. Baker University Professor of Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience

Behrmann's research program is on understanding the psychological and neural bases of visual cognition, with particular emphasis on the recognition of faces, words and common objects. The research involves a multimodal approach using psychophysics, functional MRI and EEG and different populations including normal and brain-damaged adults and children.

Jessica Cantlon

Ronald J. and Mary Ann Zdrojkowski Associate Professor of Developmental Neuroscience/Psychology

We study the developmental, evolutionary, and cultural origins of logic and mathematics using fMRI and behavioral methods with children and adults, comparative studies with non-human primates, and cross-cultural research in the Amazon. Our studies test the kinds of computations that are shared among primates, their developmental trajectory, and what makes the human brain unique.

Laurie Heller

Professor of Psychology (Teaching)

My research examines the human ability to use sound to understand what events are happening in the environment. My perceptual experiments address whether there are acoustic cues that reveal attributes of sound events, and how our knowledge of these cue-attribute relationships influences our discrimination of sounds, labeling of sounds, and multimodal perception.

Marcel Just

D.O. Hebb University Professor of Psychology

My research uses fMRI (and occasionally EEG) to determine how concepts, sentences and other knowledge structures are neurally represented, ultimately decoding thoughts from their fMRI signature. I am also investigating the applications of this approach to psychiatric alterations of concepts  (particularly in suicidal ideation) and in the representation and learning of scientific concepts.

Roberta Klatzky

Charles J. Queenan, Jr. University Professor of Psychology and Human-Computer Interaction

I study how humans form perceptual representations in multiple sensory modalities and use them to guide action. My work has a strong connection to application, such as aiding blind people in navigation or augmenting surgery with touch and visual displays.

Associate Professor of Psychology

I work on the organization of object concepts in the brain, and how the brain recovers from injury. 

David Plaut

Professor of Psychology and the Neuroscience Institute

My research involves using computational (neural-network) modeling, complemented by behavioral, neuropsychological, and neuroimaging studies, to investigate the neural basis of cognitive processing in the domains of high-level vision, reading and language, and semantics, over the course of development, in skilled adults, and in patients with brain damage.

Lynne Reder

Professor of Psychology

I strive to better understand human memory by combining behavioral, neuroimaging, psychopharmacology and computational modeling methods to help constrain my theorizing. Currently, I am exploring how experience with stimuli affects working memory consumption and its implications for learning and partial matching.

Barbara Shinn-Cunningham

Director, Carnegie Mellon Neuroscience Institute, George A. and Helen Durham Cowan Professor of Auditory Neuroscience, Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition and Professor of Psychology (Courtesy)

I work on auditory neuroscience, especially auditory attention and communicating in complex environments, using EEG, MEG, fMRI, behavioral, and computational methods.

Michael J. Tarr

Kavčić-Moura Professor of Cognitive and Brain Science, Head of the Department of Psychology, Professor of Psychology and the Neuroscience Institute, and Professor of Machine Learning (Courtesy)

Using tools drawn from machine learning, computer vision, computer graphics, cognitive science and neuroimaging we are exploring how high-level structures within biological vision systems arise given minimal conditions, as well as how such models can help us to better understand the processes that underlie vision.

Timothy Verstynen

Associate Professor of Psychology and the Neuroscience Institute

My lab studies how the architecture of cortical and subcortical circuits gives rise to the algorithms of decision-making and learning. We apply this understanding in the context of health neuroscience and artificial intelligence.

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The Department of Cognitive Science PhD program’s primary goal is to train a new generation of cognitive scientists who can meld multiple existing disciplines into a new, genuinely integrated science of the mind/brain.

A secondary goal is to train graduates who are competitive for positions in traditional disciplinary departments at research universities. Because many of the most exciting research developments recognized within the related traditional disciplines arise through interdisciplinary research, the training in cognitive science offered by our department can promote a graduate’s attractiveness as a candidate for positions in a variety of departments.

For example, a student who is studying language processing in normal and brain-damaged subjects, and is trained in the methods of both cognitive neuropsychology and neuroimaging, with a solid foundation in theoretical linguistics and additional coursework in psychology or neuroscience, is potentially employable in a number of departments. A student with in-depth training in theoretical phonology, a solid background in computational and psychological approaches to phonological research, and ancillary training in other branches of linguistics is well positioned to conduct state-of-the-art research and teaching valuable for both a linguistics department and a cognitive science program.

The training we offer in cognitive science is highly interdisciplinary, strongly theoretically oriented, and integrated to an extent only possible within a department of cognitive science.

Our Training

The interdisciplinary training provided to all PhD students includes:

• Cognitive psychology and neuropsychology
• Computational approaches to cognition
• Generative linguistics
• Philosophy of mind
• Cognitive neuroscience
• Teaching experience in a range of areas within cognitive science
• Coursework introducing the full range of formal methods used throughout cognitive science
• Computational analysis
• Computer modeling
• Empirical psychology
• Empirical neuroscience
• Linguistic analysis
• Brain imaging
• Philosophical analysis
• In-depth interdisciplinary training in an area of expertise, with ancillary preparation for a faculty position in a traditional discipline.

Research Experience

In addition, PhD students are provided extensive experience integrating the theory and methods of diverse cognitive sub-disciplines through specially designed integrative courses and regular seminars involving the entire department.

Our program can offer such a breadth and depth of training because, unlike departments in the allied disciplines, in a department of cognitive science, 100% of graduate training can be focused on cognition. Integrated training across the spectrum of cognitive methods allows students to emerge from graduate school as professional cognitive scientists.

Please see the navigation menu for additional information on the PhD program in cognitive science, such as PhD requirements .

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Eleanor Chodroff, PhD 2017

The training I received in the Cognitive Science program at JHU has given me an invaluable foundation for my development as a linguist and cognitive scientist. In particular, the program has […]

Welcome to Stanford Neurosciences

The Stanford Neurosciences Interdepartmental Program (IDP) offers interdisciplinary training leading to a Ph.D. in Neuroscience. The primary goal of the program is to train students to become leaders in neuroscience research, education and outreach. Graduates of the program will be innovators, investigators, and teachers whose programs and pursuits are founded on research. The signature feature of the Stanford Neurosciences IDP is the combination of outstanding faculty researchers and exceedingly bright, energetic students in a community that shares a firm and longstanding commitment to understanding the nervous system at all its levels of function.

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Admissions Information Session

Join us virtually to learn more about the Stanford Neurosciences PhD program and the admissions process.

Monday, October 2, 2023

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Registration:  https://stanford.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pD6dbNZZTpyFF8mlFAxNYQ

Thank You, 2022-23 Student Reps and Committee Members!

2022-23 was a busy and engaging year in the program. Thank you to the Student Reps and Committee Members who led the way in bringing the community together!

Krishna Shenoy, engineer who reimagined how the brain makes the body move, dies at 54

Shenoy was a pioneer of neuroprosthetics, a field that paired chips implanted in the brain with algorithms able to decipher the chatter between neurons, allowing people with paralysis to control computers and mechanical limbs with their thoughts. Read more

Virtual Information Session - Monday, October 3, 2022

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Karl Deisseroth wins 2020 Heineken Prize for Medicine 

Daniel Cardozo Pinto wins Gilliam Prize 

President Marc Tessier-Lavigne donates Gruber Neuroscience Prize money to support Neuro grads who are under-represented 

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Cognitive Science Ph.D. Program

This program provides broad training in neurological processes and phenomena; the experimental methods, results, and theories from the study of psychology, language, and social and cultural issues; and the studies of computational mechanisms. The first year is devoted to familiarizing the student with the findings and current problems in cognitive science through Foundations and Issues courses.

In the second year, basic courses and laboratory rotations are completed, with the major emphasis on the completion of a year-long research project. Future years are spent completing the advancement to candidacy requirements and doing the thesis research. Throughout the program, there are frequent faculty-student interactions, including special lectures by the faculty or invited speakers and the weekly informal research discussions and cognitive science seminar.

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Berkeley Neuroscience

Images left to right:  Christine Liu (PhD 2021) in the lab,   Christiane Voufo (PhD 2022) as the graduate student speaker at the Spring 2023 commencement ceremony, current Neuroscience PhD students in Tahoe during the 2023 UC Berkeley Neuroscience Research Conference, and Karina Bistrong (current Neuroscience PhD student) with poster presentation. Images provided by Christine Liu, GradImages, Frédéric Theunissen, and the Feller lab, respectively.

Prospective Students

Current students, program activities, gsi hiring information, student services & advising.

The Neuroscience Department will offer PhD training through the Neuroscience PhD Program , which will be run jointly by the department and the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute (HWNI) .  This program has existed since 2000, run by HWNI, and has graduated > 150 students with a PhD in Neuroscience.  When the department launches, the existing HWNI Neuroscience PhD Program will be adopted and jointly administered by the department and HWNI. This will be a seamless transition for current students, who will not experience any changes to program curriculum or requirements. Over the next few years, we plan to make updates to the course of study, so that the program provides the best possible training, and matches the scope of both the Neuroscience Department and HWNI.  Students who enter the program will be able to choose thesis study with Neuroscience Department faculty members or with training faculty within the broader set of HWNI faculty.  Please see the full list of eligible faculty here .

PhD Program

The Neuroscience PhD Program at UC Berkeley offers intensive training in neuroscience research through a combination of coursework, research training, mentoring, and professional development. More than 60  program faculty (link is external)  from the Neuroscience Department and other allied departments provide broad expertise from molecular and cellular neuroscience to systems and computational neuroscience, to human cognitive neuroscience.

A unique feature of the neuroscience training at Berkeley is the highly multidisciplinary research environment. For instance, neuroscientists work side-by-side in the lab with engineers and roboticists to study motor control, with bioengineers to grow stem cells for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, and with chemists to develop new reagents for optical monitoring and control of neural activity. Neuroscience PhD Program students are trained at these intersections between fields and help drive scientific and technological advances.

The Neuroscience PhD Program trains a select group of students (about 10-12 entering students per year) in an intellectually stimulating and supportive environment. Since its official launch in 2000, the program has trained more than 150 students. Our applicants have outstanding undergraduate records in both research and scholarship from diverse academic disciplines, including biology, chemistry, psychology, physics, engineering, and computer science. We carefully select students with the expectation that, given strong graduate training, they will develop into tomorrow’s leaders in the field of neuroscience. We welcome you to apply to our program.

Please see the Neuroscience Department page:  Diversity, Equity & Inclusion .

Annual Message from Our PhD Program Director

"I am delighted to be the new director of our graduate program. I have inherited a program that I am proud to tell everyone is the best run graduate program on campus..."  Read More

Neuroscience PhD Program

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• Cognitive Neuroscience Triple PhD

Graduate student already enrolled in a CU Boulder PhD program specified below can earn a Triple PhD with Cognitive Science, Neuroscience, and their home department degree. Earning such a degree can significantly enhance a student’s academic knowledge, career choices, and marketability. 

ATLAS Institute ;  Architecture and Planning ; Computer Science ; Information Science ;  Integrative Physiology ;  Linguistics ;  Philosophy ;  Psychology and Neuroscience ; School of Education ;  Speech, Language, Hearing Sciences . Students enrolled in graduate programs from other departments may request approval to participate.

Applying for Admission

Program requirements .

Cognitive Neuroscience Triple PhD completion requires courses in Core cognitive neuroscience, elective cognitive neuroscience in two categories: Depth and Related Disciplinary Specialization, comprehensive exams if applicable, and an interdisciplinary thesis.

The Triple PhD includes a focused set of courses from the neuroscience program in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience to meet the specific needs of a cognitive neuroscientist.

Required Course Credit Hours

• 11 to 14 credits of Core Cognitive Neuroscience courses
• 6 to 9 credits of Depth courses
• 11+ credits of Related Discipline Specialization courses
• 30 credits of dissertation research

*More courses may be required for students pursuing topics outside of the cognitive neuroscience track (core discipline outside of neuroscience) or taking additional core/depth courses.

Course plans and progress are recorded on the  Triple PhD Plan of Study / Progress Report /Completion Form

Required Core Courses - 11 to 14 credits

• Students should complete this course by the end of the second year of their program. By completing this course, students become eligible to apply for travel grants.
• Topics in Cognitive Science (1 credit), taken twice (2 semesters)
• This course should be taken as you prepare your dissertation topic proposal or equivalent.
• Survey and Integration of Neuroscience I (NRSC 5100 - 2 credits for advanced students, 5 credits for students without advanced preparation)
• Survey and Integration of Neuroscience II (NRSC 5110 - 3 credits)
• Students work with their advisors to determine the knowledge and skills needed to reach research goals.
• It is the students' responsibility to investigate the accuracy of what, which, and when courses are being offered.
• Be aware that one-of-a-kind Seminars not listed, may be needed to complete the Program.
• Some of the courses from the ICS Course Catalog may be appropriate as an elective. Check with [email protected] to confirm taking a course from this catalog before registering.  

Required Depth Elective Courses - 6 to 9 credits

• Pick from Course List
• Students work with their graduate advisor to select courses

Required  Cognitive Neuroscience Related Disciplinary Specialization Elective Courses - 11+ credits

• Pick from  Course List
•  This list may be incomplete for your specialization - seek input from your advisor 

*Independent Study: if a student needs to replace one required course to satisfy program requirements due to unavoidable scheduling issues,complete and submit the Independent Study Approval Form to [email protected] .

Following Graduate School requirements, most students take and pass a comprehensive exam to advance to doctoral candidacy status.

• Successful completion (grade of B- or better) of the Survey and Integration of Neuroscience I and II courses fulfills the Neuroscience component of the comprehensive exam.
• The format of this specialty comprehensive exam will be determined by the student's advisor and will be appropriate for the advisor's department/program of affiliation, but must also be interdisciplinary in nature to fulfill the Cognitive Science component of the comprehensive exam.

All Cognitive Neuroscience Triple PhD students complete a doctoral thesis/dissertation with a primary Cognitive Neuroscience focus.

• The original contributions of the dissertation research will represent state-of-the-art multidisciplinary research of quality suitable for publication in a reputable scientific journal.
• The student's thesis advisor must be a participating Cognitive Neuroscience faculty member.
• The committee is formed by the student's advisor
• The committee is then approved by Academic Director of ICS
• Students are encouraged to have their doctoral research co-supervised by two faculty members representing different disciplines.
• At least one supervisor will be an ICS faculty fellow.
• The doctoral committee will include at least two ICS faculty fellows from outside the home department.
• In accordance with the rules of the graduate school, students must take at least 30 hours of dissertation research.

Program Completion

For more information on becoming a University of Colorado graduate student prior to applying for the ICS graduate programs, contact the following departments/units directly:       Architecture and Planning       Computer Science       Information Science       Integrative Physiology       Linguistics       Philosophy       Psychology and Neuroscience       School of Education       Speech, Language, Hearing Sciences Students enrolled in graduate programs from other departments may request approval to participate.

For more information on the cognitive science courses contact: Institute of Cognitive Science [email protected]

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Cognitive Science Graduate Programs in America

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MIT School of Science

Cambridge, MA •

Massachusetts Institute of Technology •

Graduate School

Massachusetts Institute of Technology ,

Graduate School ,

CAMBRIDGE, MA ,

Stanford University Department of Humanities and Sciences

Stanford, CA •

Stanford University •

Stanford University ,

STANFORD, CA ,

Brown University Graduate School

Providence, RI •

Brown University •

Brown University ,

PROVIDENCE, RI ,

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Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences

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Northwestern University ,

EVANSTON, IL ,

Tufts University School of Engineering

Medford, MA •

Tufts University •

• • Rating 4.33 out of 5   3 reviews

Master's Student: The application process was smooth and post-acceptance I was welcomed into the Tufts community. So far, Tufts has been very communicative, especially about the return to school during the Covid-19 pandemic. ... Read 3 reviews

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Tufts University ,

MEDFORD, MA ,

3 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The application process was smooth and post-acceptance I was welcomed into the Tufts community. So far, Tufts has been very communicative, especially about the return to school during the Covid-19... .

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Krieger School of Arts & Sciences

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• • Rating 4.53 out of 5   19 reviews

Master's Student: I have yet to enroll for Fall 2023 after receiving my acceptance letter due to a delay in my need-based financial aid from JHU. However the Homewood Campus in Baltimore is beautiful and my Student Advisor, Alexis has been extremely helpful in initiating my enrollment process and answering all of my questions in a timely matter. My intended Advanced Academic Program is the accelerated (2 semester), dual-modality, 40-credit M.S. in Biotechnology, Biodefense concentration. All of the anticipated course subjects are diverse and there's even a customizable core lab course on campus (at least until Summer 2024). I can't wait and I wish you all the best in your search for academic programs or professional certifications. ... Read 19 reviews

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School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

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Master's Student: The School has some management problems. However, the faculty are well trained and knowledgeable. The performance faculty are very well suited to serve the twin cities area and Minnesota as a whole. ... Read 2 reviews

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University of Colorado - Boulder School of Arts and Sciences

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• • Rating 3.78 out of 5   9 reviews

Alum: I’ll start with the worst, being away from my family. The weather was a change from the sunny California to the cold winters in Colorado. The best thing was being the first generation of my family to graduate not only in one but to majors psychology and sociology. My family coming from a low income based and struggling with four other siblings was hard but pushed me harder for an education to pursue my dreams. My mother struggled with mental illness and addiction that almost cost me my dreams. Seeing her struggle with addiction and coming out of the darkness to become a strong sober influencer in my life help shape me in the my education goals. ... Read 9 reviews

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College of Arts and Sciences - Stony Brook University, SUNY

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Doctoral Student: In the Physics Department, the classes are wide-ranging and generally well taught. They are challenging and require the amount of effort expected of a very good graduate education. However, the department is also somewhat behind the times in the assessment that is required for a PhD. You will spend two years jumping through hoops before beginning any real work for very little money. Many students wish to do research in String Theory, but there is little funding available and many students are admitted. Funding in most other areas of the department are adequate enough that most students are in the research area they wish to pursue. ... Read 3 reviews

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Featured Review: Doctoral Student says In the Physics Department, the classes are wide-ranging and generally well taught. They are challenging and require the amount of effort expected of a very good graduate education. However, the... Many students wish to do research in String Theory, but there is little funding available and many students are admitted. Funding in most other areas of the department are adequate enough that most... .

Arizona State University - Polytechnic Campus College of Integrative Sciences and Arts

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Current Master's student: The online experience at Merced college has been outstanding. Their Social Sciences programs have a wide range of classes available. The Psychology professors and sociology professors are amongst the best. I am truly content with my experiences. ... Read 2 reviews

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Cognitive Neuroscience (Cluster)

The Cluster for Cognitive Neuroscience focuses on research concerning all aspects of human cognition from a neuroscience perspective. The cluster supports the Cognitive Neuroscience community at Northwestern in ways that facilitate the goals of faculty, postdocs, and graduate students.

Participants have come from many different departments and programs, including Psychology, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Psychiatry, Neurology, Physiology, Music, Linguistics, Medical Social Sciences, NUIN, and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (formerly Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago). For complete and up-to-date information, please see the Cognitive Neuroscience Program Website .

Programs and events

The Cognitive Neuroscience Program sponsors many events to support our community. In particular, we host weekly meetings of the Cognitive Brain Mapping Group (CBMG), which meets by videoconference between the Chicago and Evanston campuses.

We have an annual graduate-level course, Mind and Brain , initiated in direct response to the cluster initiative (Cognitive Science 401). In addition, we also sponsor the Cognitive Neuroscience Data Blitz , which brings most of the community together annually, alternating locations between the two campuses. We also sponsor talks from visiting speakers each year.

A series of special meetings with trainees provide opportunities to gain from the expertise of a series of faculty guests. These meetings are designed to include a wide-ranging discussion of professional issues, and attendance is limited. The trainees may ask various questions to obtain inside information about science, career issues, professional strategizing, and work/life coordination.

Who should apply?

Doctoral candidates from any field are eligible to attend our events and thus to learn more about cognitive neuroscience research at Northwestern. To receive email announcements about CBMG meetings and other events, subscribe to the CogNS listserv by visiting the NU List Management System .

We fund a select group of trainees through NIH/NINDS T32 funding for the Training Program in the Neuroscience of Human Cognition and through TGS funding for affiliate trainees. This funding covers annual stipends and tuition, with some money for conference travel and other research expenses. Applications are solicited each spring for these funding slots, which are competitively evaluated, and are generally awarded to advanced students who have already zeroed in on their dissertation research.

Who to contact

• Ken Paller Professor of Psychology 2029 Sheridan Road Evanston, IL 60208 Email: [email protected] Phone: 847-467-3370

Neuroscience, PhD

School of medicine.

The Department of Neuroscience offers an interdisciplinary program designed to train doctoral students for independent research and teaching in neuroscience. It is the goal of the program to ensure that candidates for the Ph.D. and M.D./Ph.D. degrees obtain a background covering molecular, cellular, systems, and cognitive approaches to neuroscience, as well as receive training that brings them to the forefront of research in their particular area of interest. A series of core courses in neuroscience, along with advanced electives, seminar series, laboratory rotations, and original independent dissertation research, form the Neuroscience Graduate Training Program.

Students enter the program from different backgrounds and the laboratories in which they elect to work cover different disciplines; therefore, the program is tailored to fit the needs of individual students. The academic year at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is divided into four quarters plus a summer semester. Courses are designed so that students have ample time to become involved in laboratory rotations. These laboratory rotations expose the student to a variety of current research techniques in neuroscience and provide an opportunity for the student to select a laboratory in which to conduct dissertation research. Scheduling of the three rotations is adjusted to make the most convenient schedule for each student. The rotations are usually completed by the end of the first full year in the program. Most students begin their thesis research at the beginning of their second year.

For more information, please visit The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience webpage: http://neuroscience.jhu.edu.

Financial Aid

The program provides tuition remission plus a stipend at or above the National Institutes of Health Predoctoral level for all students. All entering and first-year students are encouraged to apply for individual fellowships such as those sponsored by the National Science Foundation and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Vivien Thomas PhD Scholars at JHU The  Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative (VTSI)  is a new endowed fellowship program at Johns Hopkins for PhD students in STEM fields. It provides full tuition, stipend, and benefits while also providing targeted mentoring, networking, community, and professional development opportunities. Students who have attended a historically black college and university ( HBCU ) or other minority serving institution (MSI) for undergraduate study are eligible to apply. More information about the VTSI program is available at this link:  https://provost.jhu.edu/about/vivien-thomas-scholars-initiative/ . To be considered for the VTSI, all application and supplementary materials must be received by  December 1st .

Admission Requirements

We use a holistic approach to evaluating applicants and look forward to reading your application. We are most enthusiastic about applicants who have taken full advantage of the opportunities available at their undergraduate institution and through other summer or postbac experiences. Our class size is typically ~18 students per year.

Applicants are expected to have received a B.S. or B.A. prior to enrolling in the graduate program. Laboratory research experience prior to enrollment is also desirable. If you have research experience, please describe your research in your Statement of Interest and Career Objectives and indicate the number of months engaged in full-time and part-time research on your CV. Students who do well in our program typically have a strong academic foundation in areas of biological or physical sciences. Some of the courses that prepare students well include general biology, neuroscience, mathematics through calculus, general physics, general chemistry, organic chemistry, statistics, engineering, or computer science.

NOTE: The Neuroscience Program DOES NOT require GRE scores. 

Program Requirements

A year-long core course provides an integrated overview of molecular and cellular neuroscience, neuroanatomy and systems, and cognitive neuroscience. This course is aimed at providing Neuroscience graduate students with a foundation for posing meaningful questions in their area of interest.  During the first two years, students are required to take 6 graduate level core courses that provide rigorous training in principles of neuroscience research. In addition, students in the first year attend research symposia and complete lab rotations to introduce them to research. Students in the program are also required to participate in core program activities such as seminars, journal clubs, a quantitative analysis boot camp, career development courses and various program events. In addition, each student selects advanced electives offered by members of the Neuroscience Training Program or other departments at the Medical School.

Seminar Program

The Neuroscience Training Program conducts several seminar series to ensure that students are exposed to recent work by researchers from across the country and the world as well as by Hopkins faculty and fellows. Graduate trainees participate actively in these series throughout their training, including inviting and hosting three speakers each year. A weekly lecture is given by an outstanding researcher in some field of neuroscience. Seminars are selected so that an overall balance of subject matter is covered yearly. Students are given an opportunity to meet with each speaker for questions and discussion. Weekly lunchtime talks are presented on current literature by graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Since an ability to communicate scientific work clearly is essential, graduate students receive close guidance in preparing and evaluating their journal club presentations. Once a month, the faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and students from one laboratory present and discuss the ongoing research in that laboratory. This provides an informal setting to discuss research being conducted in the laboratories of the Neuroscience Training Program and gives advanced graduate students and postdoctoral fellows a forum for presenting their work.

Requirements for the PhD Degree

A minimum residency of two academic years is required. During the course of graduate study, the student must successfully complete the required course requirements. An oral examination, conducted as prescribed by the Doctor of Philosophy Board, must be completed by the end of the second year. The student must then conduct original research and describe this research in a written thesis dissertation, which must be approved by the students Thesis Committee and the Doctor of Philosophy Board.

Training Facilities

The Training Program is centered in the Department of Neuroscience. The Training Program utilizes laboratory facilities located in the Department of Neuroscience plus several other basic and clinical departments closely associated with the Neuroscience Department. All of these laboratories are within a short distance of each other. Modern state of the art facilities for research in molecular biology, neurophysiology, pharmacology, biochemistry, cell biology, and morphology are available. The Mind/Brain Institute, located on the Homewood Campus of the University, is a group of laboratories devoted to the investigation of the neural mechanisms of higher mental function and particularly to the mechanisms of perception. All of the disciplines required to address these questions are represented in the Institute. These include neurophysiology, psychology, theoretical neurobiology, neuroanatomy, and cognitive science. All of the faculty in the Mind/Brain Institute are members of the Neuroscience Graduate Program.

Combined M.D./Ph.D. Program

A subset of the current predoctoral trainees in the Neuroscience Program are candidates for both Ph.D. and M.D. degrees. Applications for admission to the combined program are considered by the M.D./Ph.D. Committee of the School of Medicine. Application forms for the School of Medicine contain a section requesting information relevant to graduate study. Applicants interested in the combined M.D./Ph.D. program should complete this section also, and indicate specifically their interest in the “Neuroscience Training Program”. If application to the combined M.D./Ph.D. program proves unsuccessful and the applicant wishes to be considered for graduate studies, they must notify the Admissions Office of the Neuroscience Training Program by separate letter.

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Cognition and Neuroscience PhD

This degree offers a Cognitive or Systems and Cellular Neuroscience Track

In order to find out about ongoing research opportunities, search our faculty, and learn about admissions, please choose either the (1) Cognitive Neuroscience or (2) Systems and Cellular Neuroscience track by selecting one of the two buttons below.

Choose Your Preferred Track

What’s the difference between “cognitive” and “systems and cellular” neuroscience tracks.

Cognitive neuroscience research in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences (BBS) includes research in human psychology, including memory, perception, music and addiction. It is centered in our Department of Psychology and utilizes human neuroimaging tools such as MRI, EEG and PET. New students are directly admitted to a single research laboratory.

Systems and cellular neuroscience research in BBS focuses on neurobiological approaches in neuroscience, including molecular, cellular and systems approaches in animal models and humans. Research foci include learning and memory, stress, addiction and pain. It is centered in our Department of Neuroscience . New students typically rotate through multiple research laboratories to choose a dissertation laboratory.

All Program Faculty

Cognition and neuroscience phd faq.

Financial support of full-time doctoral students in cognition and neuroscience is awarded through teaching or research assistantship stipends, as well as tuition scholarships. Admitted students are automatically eligible for these sources of financial support. Please see the UT Dallas Graduate Admissions site for information on other sources of financial support for PhD students.

The University of Texas at Dallas in 2019 was ranked third among U.S. universities founded in the past 50 years and is in the top 20 such universities worldwide. The total enrollment is approximately 30,000, with more than 8,000 graduate students. The main UT Dallas campus is in Richardson, Texas — about 15 miles north of downtown Dallas. However, several research centers of the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences are located in Dallas, near the campus of the UT Southwestern Medical Center. Both Richardson and Dallas are vibrant with opportunities for art, drama, music, athletics, and other activities. Visit the UT Dallas visitors website for more information about the University.

Richardson and Dallas are richly diverse cities located in one of America’s largest and fastest growing metropolitan areas. The Dallas area boasts 50,000 acres of public park land, the nation’s largest urban arts district with an excellent symphony orchestra, opera, and art museums, five major sports franchises, multiple entertainment districts, and a thriving culinary scene. The DART rail system runs from the suburbs of Plano and Richardson to the arts district, downtown Dallas, and DFW airport. Yes, it is hot in the summer, but the average annual daily temperature is 65 degrees (spring, fall, and winter are great!). The area offers a reasonable cost of living and an abundance of sunshine.

Most doctoral classes are held on the main UT Dallas campus in Richardson. Depending on the lab location of your faculty advisor, your duties as a research assistant may take place on the main campus in Richardson or at one of the centers in Dallas. Some student housing is available on the main campus in Richardson, but on-campus housing caters primarily to undergraduates. You can use online search engines to find options that fit your price range and target location.

The admissions committee evaluates applications on several dimensions, including research experience, GPA and GRE scores (optional for both tracks), letters of recommendation and personal statements. In addition, the fit between the research interests of the applicant and faculty is very important. One to three preferred faculty mentors should be named in the application.

The admissions committee invites a short list of qualified candidates to visit UT Dallas for an interview. Admissions decisions generally are made in February, and admissions offers must be accepted or declined by April 15 .

Yes. We encourage you to identify faculty who share your research interests and contact them about current opportunities for admission. A primary consideration in PhD admission in the Cognitive Neuroscience track is a faculty member’s agreement to serve as a student’s mentor. For the Systems and Cellular Neuroscience track , there are options to do rotations with multiple faculty to determine the best fit for you.

Decisions on admission are made in mid- to late-February.

There typically are 70-80 students enrolled in the cognition and neuroscience PhD program. We accept, on average, 10-20 new students per fall semester.

Over the last five years, the cognition and neuroscience program has graduated 43 PhD students. Of the 43 graduates, 30 have continued their careers at institutions of higher education, while 11 of our graduates have found employment in the private sector.

The PhD program in cognition and neuroscience overlaps with other programs in BBS. For example, many students do research and take courses in neuroscience, psychology and audiology. BBS provides an atmosphere where students are encouraged to learn from and work with experts in other programs. The cognition and neuroscience program can be distinguished from the other BBS programs by the focus on understanding the neural basis of behavior, cognition, perception, and sensory and motor processing.

This depends on your goals. The master’s degree is appropriate for students interested in cognition and neuroscience training beyond the undergraduate level, or additional training to prepare them for doctoral programs or medical school. The PhD program is appropriate for students interested in careers in research and teaching and involves extensive training in research design and methodology.

These two programs have a number of things in common. There is overlap in some coursework of these programs and many of the faculty members involved in the Cognitive Neuroscience track are involved with both programs. The cognition and neuroscience program focuses more narrowly on cognitive neuroscience or systems and cellular neuroscience, including basic neurobiology (e.g., animal behavior and neurophysiology). The psychology program allows for broader training in psychology; students can select a concentration in developmental psychology, cognitive psychology or social/personality psychology. One way to decide what program may be best for you is to think about what type of department with which you see yourself affiliated in the future, and which degree best serves your career goals. The main departments serving the PhD programs are the Department of Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, and Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing.

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Best Neuroscience Programs & Schools in the US

By Soha Aslam

Principal Nuclear Engineer

3 minute read

Neuroscience is the scientific exploration of the nervous system, encompassing the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, and it has become a popular major for university students to embark on. Choosing a Neuroscience major involves studying a bit of biology, chemistry, computer science, and even physics. It is a dynamic subject encompassing a wide array of fields, to help us learn more about the brain and the body. Neuroscience has great opportunities for students in undergraduate and graduate programs.  Without further ado, let’s dive into the best neuroscience programs in the United States that offer academic degrees or research opportunities in this field. 

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Top Universities in Neuroscience  

Harvard university.

Location : Cambridge, Massachusetts Tuition : $51,925 Why it’s a top school in this field : Harvard University's Department of Neurobiology is a pioneering force in neuroscience research. The program's interdisciplinary approach spans molecular, cellular, systems, and behavioral neuroscience. Notable faculty members like John A. Assad and Margaret Livingstone contribute to cutting-edge research.

University of California, Berkeley

Location : Berkeley, California Tuition : $14,451 for in-state, $44,205 for out-of-state Why it’s a top school in this field : UC Berkeley's Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute offers a comprehensive program with a focus on brain function and dysfunction. Proximity to the Bay Area's research facilities enhances students' exposure to advancements. Faculty members such as Marla Feller and Linda Wilbrecht are leaders in their fields. Polygence research program mentors:

Marisa : My name is Marisa and I am a Neuroscience PhD Student at UC Berkeley. I did my undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Arizona. My research involves investigating the relationship between blood-brain barrier breakdown, Alzheimer's disease pathology, and memory in aging. I use different methods of neuroimaging for my research, including MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and PET (positron emission tomography). Outside of research, I enjoy exercising, traveling, cooking, and hanging out with family and friends. Growing up in Arizona we had many beautiful mountains to hike so I love being outdoors and enjoying the sunshine! 

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts Tuition : $59,750 Why it’s a top school in this field : MIT's Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences is a powerhouse in neuroscience education. The program emphasizes hands-on laboratory experience and offers opportunities to engage in cutting-edge projects. Faculty members like Nancy Kanwisher and Emilio Bizzi lead research in human brain organization and motor control.

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Princeton University

Location : Princeton, New Jersey Tuition : $62,500 Why it’s a top school in this field : Princeton University stands out in neuroscience education and research due to its interdisciplinary approach, cutting-edge facilities, and renowned faculty. The program integrates biology, psychology, physics, and computer science, offering students a comprehensive understanding of the brain. Emphasizing hands-on research opportunities, ethical practices, and collaborations with other departments, Princeton provides a dynamic and forward-looking platform for scholars to excel in neuroscience at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Polygence research program mentors:

Sae Y : I am a neuroscience PhD student with research experience in clinical psychology, cellular and molecular neuroscience, and systems neuroscience. With my previous projects I thought about the following questions: 1) What is the role of oxytocin in anxiety and depression disorders and how does it affect different sexes. 2) How does dopamine affect astrocytes (a cell type found in the brain that is thought to regulate neuronal activity) in the prefrontal cortex? 3) What is the genetic basis that allows the brain to maintain homeostasis? 4) What neuropsychological markers are correlated with neurodegenerative disease? My current interests lie in studying the role of non-neuronal cells in social behaviors such as anxiety disorders. My interests outside of research include finding good eats, exploring new places, paper cutting art, and gaming! 

Karina T : I am a graduate student at Princeton University, studying towards a PhD in cognitive psychology. I research the intersection of memory and language through behavioral and fMRI studies. I'm especially interested in second language learning and how memory mechanisms studied in cognitive neuroscience can help us better understand the difficulties of learning languages. My interest in language comes from growing up in a multilingual home (Japanese, Portuguese, and English). I hope that my research can one day translate into real classroom practices so we can all learn many languages! I love pointing out psycholinguistic phenomena in everyday life, and would love to teach a class on psycholinguistics through fictional languages in movies and tv shows when I become a professor!

Johns Hopkins University

Location: Baltimore, Maryland Tuition : $58,196

Why it’s a top school in this field : Johns Hopkins University’s Department of Neuroscience is renowned for its research-intensive programs. The school's affiliation with the Johns Hopkins Hospital provides students with clinical exposure, and faculty members contribute to groundbreaking research in neuroscience. Polygence research program mentors:

Jiana C : I am an MD/PhD student living in San Diego, California. I have finished pre-clinical medical school training and am currently pursuing my PhD in Neuroscience, and am passionate about mentoring in the fields of both Neuroscience and Medicine. I love surfing and pilates!

Columbia University

Location: New York City, New York Tuition : $61,671

Why it’s a top school in this field : Columbia's Neurobiology and Behavior Department offers a rigorous neuroscience program. The school's location in New York City provides students with access to a rich scientific and cultural environment, enhancing their educational experience.

Top Public Universities

University of california - los angeles (ucla).

Location : Los Angeles, California Tuition : $13,253 for in-state, $42,233 for out-of-state Why it’s a top school in this field : UCLA's Brain Research Institute and Department of Psychology offer a strong neuroscience program. The school's collaborative research environment and access to the vibrant neuroscience community in Los Angeles contribute to its prominence. Polygence research program mentors:

Tyler T : While at UCLA, I was very involved as a mentor to several students in the Neuroscience Undergraduate Society, focusing on professional development and career advice. Since graduating, I have continued to mentor students via the NUS alumni network. Now I’m pursuing a PhD in neuroscience at UC Berkeley.

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Location : Ann Arbor, Michigan Tuition : $15,948 for in-state, $52,266 for out-of-state Why it’s a top school in this field : The University of Michigan's Neuroscience Graduate Program is renowned for its focus on translational neuroscience. Faculty members actively contribute to research areas like neurodegenerative diseases, providing students with valuable insights.

University of Maryland - College Park

Location : College Park, Maryland Tuition : $10,778 for in-state, $36,891 for out-of-state Why it’s a top school in this field : The University of Maryland's Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Program offers a strong foundation in neuroscience. Faculty members engage in diverse research areas, providing students with opportunities to explore various aspects of the field.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill)

Location : Chapel Hill, North Carolina Tuition : In-state: $8,987, Out-of-state: $36,159

Why it’s a top school in this field : UNC-Chapel Hill is a prominent research institution with a robust Neuroscience program. The curriculum integrates various disciplines, including biology, psychology, and chemistry. The university's commitment to cutting-edge research and a collaborative learning environment provides students with a comprehensive understanding of neuroscience.

David L : My name is David, and I am a third-year Pharmacology PhD Candidate at UNC Chapel Hill. My primary research focuses on pain and opioid neuropharmacology, where I aim to better understand opioid receptor dynamics and alternative targets for pain treatment. I am extremely passionate about neuroscience, molecular biology, drug discovery, and bioentrepreneurship. In my free time, I like to watch sports, play guitar, and spend time outdoors. Additionally, I am interested in biotechnology startups, where I spend time applying my scientific knowledge to assist founders, form teams, and spin out companies.

Lesser Known Universities with Neuroscience Programs

Trinity college .

Location : Hartford, Connecticut Tuition : $59,050 Why it’s a top school in this field : Trinity College offers a dedicated Neuroscience program that combines a strong foundation in biology and psychology. The small class sizes foster a collaborative learning environment, and students have opportunities for research projects and internships.

Stonehill College  

Location : Easton, Massachusetts Tuition : $47,070 Why it’s a top school in this field : Stonehill College's Neuroscience program integrates coursework from biology, psychology, and chemistry. The program emphasizes hands-on research experiences, and students benefit from collaborations with nearby research institutions.

Fairfield University 

Location : Fairfield, Connecticut Tuition : $50,340 Why it’s a top school in this field : Fairfield University's Behavioral Neuroscience program explores the interdisciplinary nature of the field. The curriculum includes courses in neurobiology, psychology, and chemistry. Students have access to modern research facilities and engage in faculty-led research projects.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) 

Location : Worcester, Massachusetts Tuition : $54,352 Why it’s a top school in this field : WPI's interdisciplinary approach to Neuroscience includes a strong emphasis on research. Students collaborate with faculty on projects ranging from neuroengineering to cognitive neuroscience, and the university's project-based learning model adds a practical dimension to the program.

Providence College  

Location : Providence, Rhode Island Tuition : $54,546 Why it’s a top school in this field : Providence College's Neuroscience program integrates biology, psychology, and chemistry coursework. The program emphasizes research, and students have opportunities to participate in internships and collaborative projects with faculty.

Choosing the right neurosciences school involves considering factors such as faculty expertise, research opportunities, and program focus. Whether opting for prestigious institutions or exploring lesser-known gems, each school offers a unique approach to understanding the complexities of the brain.

What You Learn in a Neuroscience Program

A neuroscience program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the nervous system, exploring its structure, function, and the mechanisms underlying behavior and cognition. The specific curriculum may vary between institutions, but generally, a neuroscience program covers the following key areas:

Basic Neuroscience Principles

Neuroanatomy

Neurophysiology

Behavioral neuroscience 

Cognitive neuroscience

Developmental neuroscience

Clinical neuroscience

Research methods and techniques

Statistics, Mathematics

Computational Modeling and Simulation techniques

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How to find the right neuroscience program for you.

Choosing the right neurosciences school is a pivotal decision that significantly impacts your academic and professional journey. To embark on this quest, start by defining your goals within the vast field of neuroscience. Determine whether you wish to specialize in cognitive neuroscience, behavioral neuroscience, neuropsychology, or another area. Once your goals are clear, research reputable programs, considering factors such as faculty expertise, available specializations, and research opportunities. Ensure that the school is accredited, signifying adherence to recognized academic standards.

Here are some tips to consider as a student searching for the best colleges to attend as a neuroscience major:

Consider the school's location and size based on your preferences - would you prefer to study in an urban or a more rural setting? 

Evaluate the resources of each institution. What are the facilities, resources, and technologies like on the campus? The best colleges for neuroscience will have ample opportunities for neuroscience students.

Investigate faculty credentials, industry connections, and the availability of student support services. Assess the school's commitment to diversity and inclusion, as a diverse learning environment enhances your educational experience.

Visiting campuses, reading reviews, and exploring alumni success stories can provide valuable insights into the strengths of each program. Connect with college admissions offices to gather as much information as you can.

Lastly, consider financial factors such as tuition costs and net price, available scholarships, financial aid, and the overall cost of living in the school's location. 

By carefully considering these factors, you can identify the best neuroscience program that aligns with your aspirations and learning preferences.