Doctoral Degrees & Programs

Animal & Rangeland Science, Ph.D.

Program director: Robert Washington-Allen | rwashingtonallen@unr.edu
Application deadlines: November 1 (Spring) | February 1 (Fall)
Program info: A&R handbook | A&R Ph.D. website | A&R faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. GRE score of 300+ (waivers available to those with completed advanced degrees from accredited institutions)
2. Admission GPA of 3.0
3. TOEFL ibt 100
4. Must have an advisor prior to admission

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Anthropology, Ph.D.

Program director: Erin Stiles |estiles@unr.edu
Application deadlines: Jan 15
Program info: Anthro handbook | Anthro website | Anthro faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. GRE (Not required for those applying for admission in Spring or Fall 2021)
2. Statement of purpose
3. Scholarly writing sample
4. 3 letters of recommendation
5. Graduate assistantship application (if interested)

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Atmospheric Science, Ph.D.

Program director: Vera Samburova | Vera.Samburova@dri.edu
Application deadlines: February 1 (Fall) | November 1 (Spring)
Program info: Atmos handbook | Atmos website | Atmos faculty

Additional program-specific admission recommendations
1. GRE
2. Statement of purpose
3. Curriculum Vitae
4. Three letters of recommendation

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Basque Studies, Ph.D.

Program Director: Sandy Ott | sott@unr.edu
Application Deadlines: November 1 (Spring) | April 15 (Fall)
Program Info: Basque Studies handbook | Basque Studies website | Basque Studies faculty

Additional program-specific admission recommendations
1. Statement of purpose
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Three letters of recommendation

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Biochemistry, Ph.D.

Program Director: John Cushman | jcushman@unr.edu
Application Deadlines: Dec 15 (Fall) | June 15 (Spring)
Program Info: Biochem handbook | Biochem website | Biochem faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. GRE
2. Statement of Purpose
3. 3 Letters of Recommendation
4. GPA 3.0
Additional recommendations
1. GRE score +300

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Biomedical Engineering, Ph.D.

Program Director: Bahram Parvin | bparvin@unr.edu
Application Deadlines: November 1 (Spring) | February 1 (Fall)
Program Info: BME handbook | BME website | BME faculty

Admission requirements
1. GRE scores 301+ (GRE requirement waived for those applying to Spring or Fall 2021)
2. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
3. Official transcripts and GRE scores are required for department review
4. Three letters of recommendation
5. Statement of purpose

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Business Administration, Ph.D.

Program Director: Jim Sundali | jsundali@unr.edu
Application Deadlines: Feb 1 (Fall)
Program Info: Business Admin website | Business Admin Handbook | Business Admin faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. GRE/GMAT optional for fall 2021 applications
2. Three letters of recommendation
3. Resume or CV
4. Writing sample (recommended)

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Cell & Molecular Biology, Ph.D.

Program Director: Subhash Verma | scverma@medicine.nevada.edu
Application Deadlines: Dec 15 (Fall) | June 15 (Spring)
Program Info: CMB handbook | CMB website | CMB faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. GRE
2. Statement of purpose
3. 3 letters of recommendation

Additional program-specific admission recommendations
1. GRE Biology strongly recommended

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Cellular & Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology, Ph.D.

Program Director: Seungil Ro | sro@med.unr.edu
Application Deadlines: Dec 15 (Fall) | June 15 (Spring)
Program Info: CMPP handbook | CMPP website | CMPP faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. GRE or MCAT
2. Statement of purpose
3. 3 letters of recommendation

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Chemical Engineering, Ph.D.

Program director: Sage Hiibel | shiibel@unr.edu
Application deadlines: For Assistantship consideration March 15 (Fall) | September 1 (Spring)
Program info: CME handbook | CME website | CME faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. GRE

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Chemical Physics, Ph.D.

Program director: Sergey Varganov | svarganov@unr.edu
Application deadlines: March 1 (Fall) | Nov 1 (Spring)
Program info: Chem. Physics handbook | Chem. Physics website | Chem. Physics faculty

Additional program-specific admission recommendations
1. GRE recommended but not required

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Chemistry, Ph.D.

Program director: Robert Sheridan | rss@unr.edu
Application deadlines: Feb 15 and April 15 (Fall) | Nov 1 (Spring)
Program info: Chemistry handbook | Chemistry website | Chemistry faculty

Additional program-specific admission recommendations
1. GRE recommended but not required

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Civil & Environmental Engineering, Ph.D.

Program director: Ramin Motamed | motamed@unr.edu
Application deadlines: Jan 15 (Fall) | Sept 1 (Spring)
Program info: CEE handbook | CEE website | CEE faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. GRE: 302 combined (requirement waived if applying for Spring or Fall 2021 admission)
2. GPA 3.25
3. Curriculum Vitae/Resume
4. Statement of purpose
5. 3 letters of recommendation

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Computer Science & Engineering, Ph.D.

Program director: David Feil-Seifer dave@cse.unr.edu
Application deadlines: Jan 15 (Fall) | Aug 15 (Spring)
Program info: CSE handbook | CSE website | CSE faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. GRE (minimum quantitative score 158)
2. GPA 3.25 (if applicant has no M.S.)/GPA 3.0 (if applicant has M.S.)
3. TOEFL or IELTS (TOEFL>80 or IELTS>6.5 recommended)
4. Statement of Purpose
5. 3 letters of recommendation

Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology, Ph.D.

Program director: Lee Dyer (775) 784-1360
Application deadlines: Dec 15 (Fall) | Nov 1 (Spring)
Program info: EECB handbook | EECB website | EECB faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
2. For international students, a TOEFL score of 600 or greater
3. Coursework in physical sciences, mathematics, and biochemistry; exact coursework to be determined by each EECB advisor, in consultation with our admissions committee.
4. Biology coursework (24 credits, including genetics, evolution, and ecology), or equivalent evidence of ability to succeed in a doctoral program in ecology, evolution and conservation biology

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Economics, Ph.D.

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. GRE or GMAT
2. Statement of purpose
3. 2 letters of recommendation
Program admission recommendations
1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Writing sample
3. Additional letter of recommendation

Education: Counseling and Education Supervision, Ph.D.

Program director: MaryAnn Demchak | (775) 682-7852
Application deadlines: Dec 15 (Fall)
Program info: CES handbook | CES website | CES faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. Undergraduate and graduate GPA of 3.00 or higher
2. Master's degree in counseling ed. from a CACREP-accredited institution
3. GRE
4. Resume or curriculum vitae
5. Statement of intent that includes a Philosophy of Education
6. Three letters of recommendation
7. One sample of scholarly writing
8. Program application, checklist, and signed disposition form

Education: Curriculum and Instruction, Ph.D.

Program director: MaryAnn Demchak | (775) 682-7852
Application deadlines: March 1 & July 15 (Fall) | Oct 1 (Spring)
Program info: C&I handbook | C&I website | C&I faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. Undergraduate and graduate GPA of 3.00 or higher
2. GRE
3. Resume or curriculum vitae
4. Statement of intent that includes a Philosophy of Education
5. Three letters of recommendation
6. One sample of scholarly writing
7. Program application, checklist, and signed disposition form

Education: Educational Leadership, Ph.D.

Program director: MaryAnn Demchak | (775) 682-7852
Application deadlines: March 1 & July 15 (Fall) | Oct 1 (Spring)
Program info: EL handbook | EL website | EL faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. GRE
2. Statement of intent that includes a Philosophy of Education
3. One sample of scholarly writing

Apply now

Education: Equity, Diversity and Language Education, Ph.D.

Program director: MaryAnn Demchak | (775) 682-7852
Application deadlines: Feb 1 & July 15 (Fall) | Nov 15 (Spring)
Program info: EDLE handbook | EDLE website | EDLE faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. Undergraduate and graduate GPA of 3.00 or higher
2. GRE
3. Resume or curriculum vitae
4. Statement of intent that includes a Philosophy of Education
5. Three letters of recommendation
6. One sample of scholarly writing
7. Program application, checklist, and signed disposition form

Apply now

Education: Human Development and Family Science, Ph.D.

Program director: MaryAnn Demchak | (775) 682-7852
Application deadlines: Feb 1 & July 15 (Fall) | Nov 15 (Spring)
Program info: HDFS handbook | HDFS website | HDFS faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. Undergraduate and graduate GPA of 3.00 or higher
2. GRE
3. Resume or curriculum vitae
4. Statement of intent that includes a Philosophy of Education
5. Three letters of recommendation
6. One sample of scholarly writing
7. Program application, checklist, and signed disposition form

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Education: Information Tech in Education, Ph.D.

Program director: MaryAnn Demchak | (775) 682-7852
Application deadlines: Feb 1 & July 15 (Fall) | Nov 15 (Spring)
Program info: ITE handbook | ITE website | ITE faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. Undergraduate and graduate GPA of 3.00 or higher
2. GRE
3. Resume or curriculum vitae with two years of relevant experience
4. Statement of intent that includes a Philosophy of Education
5. Three letters of recommendation
6. One sample of scholarly writing
7. Program application, checklist, and signed disposition form

Education: Literacy Studies, Ph.D.

Program director: MaryAnn Demchak | (775) 682-7852
Application deadlines: March 1 & July 15 (Fall) | Oct 1 (Spring)
Program info: LS handbook | LS website | LS faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. Undergraduate and graduate GPA of 3.00 or higher
2. GRE
3. Resume or CV with three years of teaching experience
4. Statement of intent that includes a Philosophy of Education
5. Three letters of recommendation
6. One sample of scholarly writing
7. Program application, checklist, and signed disposition form

Apply now

Education: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), Ph.D.

Program director: MaryAnn Demchak | (775) 682-7852
Application deadlines: March 1 & July 15 (Fall) | Oct 1 (Spring)
Program info: STEM handbook | STEM website | STEM faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. Undergraduate and graduate GPA of 3.00 or higher
2. GRE
3. Resume or CV with three years of teaching experience
4. Statement of intent that includes a Philosophy of Education
5. Three letters of recommendation
6. One sample of scholarly writing
7. Program application, checklist, and signed disposition form

Education: Special Education and Disability Studies, Ph.D.

Program director: MaryAnn Demchak | (775) 682-7852
Application deadlines: Feb 1 & July 15 (Fall) | Nov 1 (Spring)
Program info: SEDS handbook | SEDS website | SEDS faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. Undergraduate and graduate GPA of 3.00 or higher
2. GRE
3. Resume or CV (three years teaching special education recommended)
4. Essay of intent that includes a qualifications for completing and reason for pursuing the degree
5. Three letters of recommendation
6. One sample of scholarly writing
7. Program application, checklist, and signed disposition form

Electrical Engineering, Ph.D.

Program director: Yantao Shen | ytshen@unr.edu
Application deadlines: Fall - Feb 1 (int'l) May 1 | Spring - Aug 15 (int'l) Nov 15
Program info: EE handbook | EE website | EE faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. GRE (GRE requirement waived for those applying to Spring or Fall 2021)
2. GPA of at least 3.0 (with a masters) or 3.5 (with a bachelors only)
3. Statement of purpose
4. Three letters of recommendation

English, Ph.D.

Program Director: Valerie Fridland | fridland@unr.edu
Application Deadlines: January 15 (Fall)
Program Info: English handbook | English website | English faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. GRE
2. Minimum GPA of 3.5
3. Statement of Purpose
4. Writing sample
5. Three letters of recommendation

Engineering Education, Ph.D.

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. GRE
2. GPA of 2.75 for four years of undergraduate work or 3.0 for last two years of undergrad
3. Statement of purpose
4. Diversity statement
5. Three letters of recommendation from former professors indicating the student’s capability for advanced course work and research

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Environmental Sciences, Ph.D.

Program Director: Stanley Omaye | omaye@unr.edu
Application Deadlines: March 1 (Fall) | Nov 1 (Spring)
Program Info: ES handbook | ES website | ES faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. GRE >297 or Biology Subject test (waivers available to those with completed advanced degrees)
2. Minimum GPA of 3.0
3. TOEFL > 100iBT for international students
4. Three letters of recommendation
5. Letter of intent
6. Documentation from ES faculty who agrees to be a research adviser

Geography, Ph.D.

Program Director: Thomas Albright | (775) 784-6673
Application Deadlines: Feb 1 (Fall)
Program Info: Geography handbook | Geography website | Geography faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. Master's degree in Geography or related field

Optional program-specific admission items
1. GRE or GMAT

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Geology and Earth Related Sciences, Ph.D.

Program Director: Stacia Gordon | (775) 784-6476
Application Deadlines: Jan 1 (Fall) | Spring: Sept 15
Program Info: Geology handbook | Geology website | Geology faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. GRE (requirement waived for those applying for admission for Fall 2021)

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Geophysics, Ph.D.

Program Director: Stacia Gordon | (775) 784-6476
Application Deadlines: Jan 1 (Fall) | Spring: Sept 15
Program Info: Geology handbook | Geophysics website | Geophysics faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. GRE (requirement waived for those applying for admission for Fall 2021)

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History, Ph.D.

Program Director: Edward (Ned) Schoolman | eschoolman@unr.edu
Application Deadlines: Feb. 1 (Fall)
Program Info: History handbook | History Ph.D. website | History faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. GRE
2. Statement of purpose
3. Three letters of recommendation
4. Writing sample

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Hydrogeology, Ph.D.

Program director: Anne Nolin | (775) 682-8148
Application deadlines: Dec 15 (Fall) | July 15 (Spring)
Program info: Hydro handbook | Hydro website | Hydro faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. GPA > 3.0
2. Letter of intent
3. Three letters of recommendation
4. Department application

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Hydrology, Ph.D.

Program director: Anne Nolin | (775) 682-8148
Application deadlines: Dec 15 (Fall) | July 15 (Spring)
Program info: Hydro handbook | Hydro website | Hydro faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. GPA > 3.0
2. Letter of intent
3. Three letters of recommendation
4. Department application

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Integrative Neuroscience, Ph.D.

Program directors: Dennis Mathew | Michael Webster
Application deadlines: Dec 15 (Fall) | Sept 15 (Spring)
Program info: IN handbook | IN website | IN faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Statement of purpose
3. Two letters of recommendation (Three letters are recommended)

Additional program-specific admission recommendations
1. GRE

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Judicial Studies, Ph.D. (online component)

Program contact: Heather Lara | hclara@unr.edu
Application deadlines: July 15 (Fall) | Dec 15 (Spring)
Program info: JS handbook | JS website Ph.D. | JS faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. For sitting judges only
2. Three letters of reference
3. Copies of written opinions and/or articles
4. Minimum master's degree GPA of 3.0
5. Judicial Studies program application
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Material Science and Engineering, Ph.D.

Program director: Qi An | (775) 784-7789
Application deadlines: Assistantships March 15 (Fall) | Oct 31 (Spring)
Program info: Materials Science handbook | Materials Science website | Material Science faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. GRE

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Mathematics, Ph.D.

Program director: Stanislav Jabuka | (775) 784-6816
Application deadlines: Feb 1 & March 1 (Fall) | Oct 1 & Nov 1 (Spring)
Program info: Mathematics Ph.D. Program Handbook | Mathematics website | Mathematics faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. GRE (requirement waived if applying for Spring and Fall 2021 admission)
2. Three lettersof recommendation
3. Statement of purpose
4. Curriculum vitae

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Mechanical Engineering, Ph.D.

Program director: Matteo Aureli | (775) 784-6973
Application deadlines: Jan 15 (Fall) | Sept 1 (Spring)
Program info: ME handbook | ME website | ME faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. GRE

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Medicine, M.D./Ph.D.

Program director: Wilfredo Torres| (775) 784-6063
Application deadlines: Mar 1 (Fall) | Nov 1 (Spring)
Program info: Medicine handbook | Medicine website | Medicine faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. GRE or MCAT

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Mineral Resource Engineering, Ph.D.

Program Director: Charles Kocsis | (775) 784-6989
Application Deadlines: Feb 1 (Fall) | Spring: Sept 15
Program Info: MRE handbook | Mineral Resource Engineering website

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. GRE

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Musical Arts, D.M.A.

Program director: Louis Niebur | lniebur@unr.edu
Application deadlines: Mar 1 (Fall) | Nov 1 (Spring)
Program info: Music website | Music faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. Performance/conducting audition
2. Music theory and musicology entrance exams
3. Completed Master of Music (MM), Master of Arts (MA), or Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

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Nursing, D.N.P. from B.S.N. (online)

Program director: Stephanie DeBoor | (775) 682-7156
Application deadlines: March 1 (Fall)
Program info: Nursing handbook | Nursing website | Nursing faculty
Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. Complete a baccalaureate degree with an upper-division major in nursing from an NLNAC or CCNE accredited nursing school with coursework in the following categories: statistics, growth and development (must cover lifespan), basic research, and health assessment
2. Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
3. Have completed graduate-level course work in statistics
4. Have verification of current, unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse in the US. Students must be eligible to practice as an RN in Nevada.
5. Current resume or CV
6. Three letters of recommendation
7. Statement of intent

Nursing, D.N.P. from M.S.N. (online)

Program director: Stephanie DeBoor | (775) 682-7156
Application deadlines: March 1 (Fall) | Oct 1 (Spring)
Program info: Nursing handbook | Nursing website | Nursing faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. Hold a MS degree with a concentration in nursing from a NLN or CCNE accredited institution
2. Be licensed at a level consistent with the focus of D.N.P. study
3. Hold national certification (or be eligible for certification) in an advanced practice role.
4. Have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 at graduate level
5. Provide documentation of clinical and leadership excellence
6. Have completed graduate-level course work (with a grade of B or better) in a pathophysiology, pharmacology, physical assessment, research & nursing theory (clinical specialization applicants)

Physics, Ph.D.

Program director: Jonathan Weinstein | jdweinstein@unr.edu
Application deadlines: Feb 1 (Fall) | Nov 1 (Spring)
Program info: Physics handbook | Ph.D. Physics website | Physics faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. GRE (GRE in Physics strongly recommended)

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Political Science, Ph.D.

Program director: Xiaoyu Pu | xpu@unr.edu
Application deadlines: Jan 15
Program info: Political Science handbook | Political Science Ph.D. website | Political Science faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. GRE or GMAT

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Psychology: Behavior Analysis, Ph.D.

Program director: Ramona Houmanfar | ramonah@unr.edu
Application deadlines: Dec 1 (Fall)
Program info: Behavior Analysis Ph.D. handbook | Behavior Analysis Ph.D. website | Psychology faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. GRE
2. Three letters of recommendation
3. Personal statement
4. Students meet the pre-requisite course requirements for applicants (see "Entrance Requirements/ Undergraduate Pre-requisites Course Requirements" on Program webpage).
5. If the student is applying from a master's program, the student is expected not only to have a high GPA but also a history of engaging in scholarly activities (conference presentations, research or publications).

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Psychology: Clinical Psychology, Ph.D.

Department chair: Michael Crognale | mcrognale@unr.edu
Application deadlines: Dec 1 (Fall)
Program info: Clinical Psychology handbook | Clinical Psychology website | Psychology faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. GRE (requirement waived if applying for Fall 2021 admission)
2. Three l etters of recommendation
3. Personal statement
4. Students meet the pre-requisite course requirements for applicants (see "Entrance Requirements/ Undergraduate Pre-requisites Course Requirements" on Program webpage).
5. If the student is applying from a master's program, the student is expected not only to have a high GPA but also a history of engaging in scholarly activities (conference presentations, research or publications).

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Psychology: Cognitive & Brain Science, Ph.D.

Program director: Gideon Caplovitz | gcaplovitz@unr.edu
Application deadlines: Dec 15 (Fall)
Program info: Psychology handbook | Cognitive & Brain Science website | Psychology faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. GRE (requirement waived for those applying for Fall 2021)

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Public Health, Ph.D.

Program director: Kristen Clements-Nolle | clements@unr.edu
Application deadlines: Priority deadline (for GAs) Feb 1 | Secondary review June 1 (Fall)
Program info: Public Health Ph.D. website | Public Health faculty
Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. MPH or relevant master’s degree
2. GRE
3. Curriculum Vitae
4. Statement of purpose
5. Writing sample (admission essay)
6. Three letters of recommendation
7. Interview
8. For international applicants, an English language exam is required.
9. SOPHAS Application (SOPHAS completed before Graduate School application. View directions and waiver code.)

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Social Psychology, Ph.D.

Program director: Markus Kemmelmeier | markusk@unr.edu
Application deadlines: Dec 1 (Fall)
Program info: Social Psychology handbook | Social Psychology website | Social Psychology faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. GRE
2. Statement of purpose
3. Sample research paper
4. Three letters of recommendation
5. Background in psychology, sociology or a closely related field (min. requirement: 18 credits in either psych or soc, plus a min. of 6 credits in the other)

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Speech Pathology, Ph.D.

Program director: Tami Urbani Brancamp | tbrancamp@med.unr.edu
Application deadlines: March 30 (Fall)
Program info: Speech Pathology handbook | Speech Pathology Ph.D. website | Speech Pathology faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. GRE

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Statistics & Data Science, Ph.D.

Program director: Mihye Ahn | mahn@unr.edu
Application deadlines: Feb 1 & March 1 (Fall) | Oct 1 & Nov 1 (Spring)
Program info: Statistics & Data Science Ph.D. handbook | Statistics & Data Science website | Statistics & Data Science faculty

Additional program-specific admission requirements
1. GRE - Math GRE recommended (GRE requirement waived if applying for Spring 2021 or Fall 2021)
2. Three letters of recommendation
3. Statement of purpose
4. Curriculum Vitae

Apply Now