Rice University, based in Houston, Texas, is one of the most prestigious private research universities in the United States, known for its academic rigor and welcoming community. The Department of Psychological Sciences at Rice is particularly celebrated for its high-quality graduate programs that attract students from around the world. Rice University’s Department of Psychological Sciences offers rigorous Ph.D. and Master’s programs ideal for students focused on research and applied practice.
There are five Ph.D. programs emphasizing different research areas or RIGs (Research Interest Groups):
- Cognitive & Affective Neuroscience: The Cognitive & Affective Neuroscience RIG seeks an understanding of the relationship between the human brain and higher forms of behavior, including sensation, perception, attention, memory, language, social cognition, emotion, emotion regulation, and health.
- Health Psychology & Behavioral Medicine: The Health Psychology & Behavioral Medicine RIG examines the interplay of psychological, social, biological, and behavioral factors that enhance, preserve, or threaten mental and physical well-being.
- Human-Computer Interaction & Human Factors: The Human-Computer Interaction & Human Factors RIG investigates interactions among humans and other elements of a system. We are especially concerned with the interaction of humans with computer systems.
- Industrial - Organizational Psychology: The Industrial-Organizational (I-O) Psychology RIG studies human behavior in organizational and work situations. Topics include motivation at work, the aging workforce, discrimination in the workplace, job performance, and team training. Rice University's Industrial-Organizational Psychology graduate program is currently ranked #1 in the country by U.S. News & World Report
- Psychometrics & Quantitative Psychology: Psychological science critically depends on data that are reliable, accurate, valid, and fair. Serving this purpose, Ph.D. students in the Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology RIG obtain specialized skills related to substantive development; statistical modeling and analysis; and resulting interpretation of psychological measures, experiments, and interventions.
Ph.D. applicants should have a strong research background and relevant academic experience. The Ph.D. emphasizes hands-on research with expert faculty and research institutes. It also has a strong research orientation, and whether or not students plan to pursue a research career, they are expected to spend a large portion of their graduate years actively engaged in research.
All Ph.D. students receive a tuition waiver and are funded for five years with a $34,000 stipend from the department per academic year.
Admission to the doctoral program is contingent upon at least a rough match between applicant and faculty interests. Prospective Ph.D. applicants should therefore study faculty interests carefully. Final selection decisions consider letters of recommendation, grades, research experience, and interests. There is no minimum entrance requirement in terms of either undergraduate GPA or GRE scores.
Master’s Programs
Rice also offers two specialized professional Master of Arts programs in Psychology:
- Master (M.A.) of Human-Computer Interaction & Human Factors: This 2-year full-time program will expand students’ knowledge of critical concepts and methods in psychology, and how to apply those concepts to real-world problems. Graduates of the program will be well-positioned to lead human factors and human-computer interaction efforts across a broad range of industries, including IT/telecommunications, health care, defense, e-commerce, and energy.
- Master (M.A.) of Industrial-Organizational Psychology: This 2-year full-time program offers students graduate-level training in an applied area of psychology for which there is a very high demand. Students are provided with scientific and practical knowledge about the nature of the psychology of work and the workplace, the future of work, and a deep set of methodological and statistical skills. Graduates of the program will be well positioned to work in a wide variety of corporate, nonprofit, and government settings, on projects ranging from medical safety to the promotion of inclusive cultures (and prevention of harassing ones). Rice University's Industrial-Organizational Psychology graduate program is currently ranked #1 in the country by U.S. News & World Report
These programs are designed for students aiming to apply psychological principles directly within industry or technology sectors. Coursework integrates theory and practice, preparing graduates for industry roles in sectors such as technology, healthcare, and business.
Rice does NOT offer Ph.D. or Master’s programs in:
- clinical psychology
- counseling psychology
- educational psychology
- school psychology
- forensic psychology
- sports psychology
All applicants should submit transcripts, a statement of purpose, and recommendation letters. Students interested in either master’s or doctoral programs should review faculty profiles to identify potential research mentors whose interests align with their own.
Pursuing a graduate degree in psychology at Rice University could be the ideal steppingstone for a successful career in research, academia, or industry. With exceptional faculty, innovative research opportunities, and a supportive community, Rice offers an environment where international students can thrive.
To learn more, visit Rice University’s Department of Psychological Sciences.
About the author:
Fernanda Morales-Calva is a current Ph.D. student in Psychological Sciences. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Universidad Iberoamericana Mexico City. Read more.
Further Reading:
Getting Teaching Experience While in Grad School: Rice’s Center for Excellence
Fazendo Ph.D. em Rice University
Blending Worlds: Transitioning from Texas Medical Center to PhD at Rice University