COGNITIVE &BRAIN SCIENCES
The cognitive psychology program began in 1966 as a graduate training program in intellectual disability research, with funding from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Over the years, the emphasis on cognitive aspects of intellectual disability grew, and in 1990 the program began to offer a full array of coursework and research in basic cognitive psychology. This included study in the basic areas of cognition (e.g., attention, memory, spatial cognition, decision-making, language), with the unique opportunity to focus on individual differences such as aging, ethnoracial category, and working memory span levels as well as intersections with health and brain diseases like Alzheimer’s disease.
GRADUATE COURSEWORK
During the program, students work closely with a specific faculty member who serves as the student’s research mentor. The program offers coursework covering a broad background in psychology, in-depth study of research methodology and statistics, and advanced coursework in Cognitive Psychology. Students attend a weekly brown-bag research seminar, are provided with a guided introduction to college-level teaching.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Statistics Minor
We offer a statistics minor with courses in multivariate and categorical statistics, multilevel modeling, and stats consulting.
Neuroscience Minor
Our faculty have expertise in a variety of techniques, including MRI, EEG, eye tracking, physiological measurements, and hormones.
Teaching of Psychology Course
Students take a dedicated course on teaching while teaching a section of Intro.
Dual Programs
We offer dual programs in developmental and cognitive psychology or developmental and social psychology.
The graduate programs in the Psychology department at The University of Alabama are among the best in the nation. As a graduate student I have had the opportunity to design a unique and impactful research project with the help and support of very knowledgeable faculty. I was given the guidance and freedom to be creative and expand the boundaries on what behavioral science can achieve. My research has been featured on national news circuits, won regional awards, been presented in a Tedx Talk and has earned me the top Masters research honors in the Psychology department and the College of Arts & Sciences.
COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY FACULTY
Sheila Black
Cognitive Aging | Racial Disparities in Aging | Contributions of African Americans to Psychology
Despina Stavrinos
Driver behavior | Driving simulation | Eye tracking | Attention | Cognitive development
Lark Lim
Neuroeconomics | Affective Neuroscience | Health Neuroscience | Value-Based Decision-Making | Neuroimaging (fMRI and EEG)
AFFILIATED RESEARCH CENTERS
Alabama Institute on Aging 
Alabama Life Research Institute THE COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY PhD PROGRAM
The Cognitive program is highly focused on research. The program uses a mentor model for research training in which students work with a specific faculty member whose research focus matches the students’ interests, although cross-lab collaboration is also encouraged. Students typically complete the program in 5 years.
| YEAR 1 | YEAR 2 | YEAR 3 | YEAR 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework in research methods, statistics, psychology seminars | Complete master’s thesis | Begin dissertation research | Dissertation research |
| First-year project | Continued coursework | Teaching of Psychology course | Teaching as a primary instructor |
| Master’s thesis research |
PAYING FOR GRADUATE SCHOOL
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
