The missions of the Psychology graduate programs are to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and intellectual habits required for successful careers in research, teaching, and professional service. Students may specialize in Behavioral Neuroscience, Lifespan Developmental Psychology, or Medical Clinical Psychology*. All students study core substantive areas of psychological science as well as more specific areas in their specialization. All students conduct independent research under the supervision of faculty members. Students also may provide psychological services and teach, under faculty supervision, as appropriate for their specialization and career goals. The Psychology graduate programs have the fundamental mission of providing highly qualified graduate students with excellent preparation for career opportunities in academia, medical schools, research institutions, professional practice, and private industry in order to serve their profession and the community at large.

As the premier behavioral science, the Psychology graduate programs make a major contribution to the College of Arts and Sciences mission of examining human behavior in context. Faculty and graduate students in the graduate programs conduct research, teach, provide professional service, seek and receive extramural grant funding, publish in highly respected journals, participate in national and international professional conferences, and actively participate in the professional activities of national psychological organizations.

The graduate programs are integral to the Department's mission of furthering its status as a premier psychology department.

*The Medical/Clinical Psychology Specialization is approved by the American Psychological Association.