Program Description

Application Requirements

Program-Specific Instructions

The GRE is optional for the GMU Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience PHD program.

Pre-requisite coursework: Applicants to the PHD with a concentration in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience must have 15 credits in psychology including physiological psychology, statistics, and a laboratory course in psychology.

New students are admitted for fall semester only. All applicants are strongly advised to submit applications and all supporting documents by the programs' posted deadline dates. Deadlines vary by concentration. Each graduate concentration expects to make initial admission decisions by the dates posted. However, decisions will continue through April 30 as applicants are selected from the waitlist and the programs reach capacity.

Initial decisions typically made by March 1.

See CHSS Website for Additional Information

For the PhD with a concentration in biopsychology(Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience), at least 15 hours of psychology, including physiological psychology, statistics, and a lab course in experimental psychology.

English Proficiency Requirements

All Mason students must have a full command of academic English to be successful in their studies. For this reason, Mason requires applicants to demonstrate English proficiency for admission consideration, regardless of citizenship. Click here to view the requirements.

International Transcript Requirements

All transcripts from colleges or universities outside the United States must be translated into English, if applicable, and submitted for evaluation to the Mason Office of Admissions. Mason will provide evaluation service free of charge for all international transcripts, however, some programs may request an outside evaluation be completed. Because of volume, more time may be needed to process applications requiring a Mason evaluation. You should submit your application 6 weeks prior to the deadline if you plan to utilize Mason’s free evaluation service. For expedited service, students may submit their documents to any NACES member organization at their own expense. If you decide to use an external evaluation service or if your program requires an outside evaluation, GPA and Degree equivalences must be included with your course-by-course evaluation. Mason evaluations are used for internal purposes and are not released to applicants. For information on international transcript requirements, go here.