Joint PhD/JD Program
The Psychology PhD may be completed jointly with a Doctor of Law (JD) from the University of Minnesota Law School. Prospective students must apply to and be accepted by both the Psychology PhD program and the University of Minnesota Law School (either during the same admission cycle or in a different year).
Admitted students develop a plan of study with the program’s director, Eugene Borgida, PhD ([email protected]). Students also work closely with the Assistant Dean of the Law School, the area director in the student’s area of specialization in Psychology, and their advisor(s).
Admissions Guidelines & How to Apply
Applying for the Psychology PhD
- How to Apply - Psychology PhD
- Psychology PhD Admissions Guidelines
- Application Checklist - Psychology PhD
- Note: GRE score requirements vary by area of specialization.
- Admit average GRE General Test scores (percentile; 2019-2025)
- Quantitative: 76
- Verbal: 88
- GRE Psychology Subject Test scores: optional, but recommended
- Admit average GRE General Test scores (percentile; 2019-2025)
- Psychology admissions statistics
- Note: Rates of admission vary by area of specialization.
- Note: GRE score requirements vary by area of specialization.
Applying for the JD
- UMN Law School’s How to Apply page
- LSAT score range for the Class of 2027: 162-170
- Minnesota Law by the Numbers
Questions?
- Psychology PhD application questions
- Email: [email protected]
- Attend a Virtual Admissions Information Session (open to all prospective applicants)
- JD application questions
- Program structure and other information
- Contact Program Director, Eugene Borgida, PhD, professor of Social Psychology, Department of Psychology
Program Information
The Department of Psychology commits five years of full financial support for all students who are admitted to the PhD program. Visit Psychology’s Funding Opportunities page for detailed information and the current pay rate for graduate assistantships.
The Psychology PhD is APA Accredited for the Clinical Science and Psychopathology Research Program (CSPR) and Counseling Psychology areas of specialization. CSPR is also accredited through the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS). Other areas of specialization are not APA accredited.
Participants typically complete the requirements for both degrees in six years (timelines and requirements vary by area of specialization). Students in some areas of specialization are required to complete a master’s thesis, and all students must complete an empirical dissertation. Students have the opportunity to gain practica experience, and students in some areas of specialization are required to complete internships.
Career Trajectories
Alumni from the Department of Psychology and the Law School hold positions in a variety of sectors. Top placement sectors for each degree:
- Psychology PhD: Academic, industry, non-profit, government
- Law School (JD): Law firms, judicial, public interest, government, industry, education/academic
Select Graduates
- Erik Girvan (Social Psychology, 2012) - Associate Professor, University of Oregon School of Law
- Andrea Miller (Social Psychology, 2015) - Senior Court Research Associate, National Center for State Courts; Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Lauren Clatch (Social Psychology, 2021) - Assistant Professor of Law, University of Richmond School of Law
- Wen Bu (Social Psychology, 2021) - Assistant Professor of Psychology, Roanoke College