Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences | Columbian College of Arts & Sciences

leaders in psychological,
behavioral & brain sciences
Advancing research, education and health promotion

Who We Are

Home to one of the George Washington University's most popular majors, the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Our faculty members encourage a collaborative teacher-student learning environment full of opportunities for mentorship, research and advancement beyond the classroom.

Students in the department benefit from our Washington, D.C., location, and its proximity to major research institutions and health centers like the National Institutes of Health, Pew Research Center and Children’s Hospital National Medical Center.

Join the Graduate Programs Virtual Open House: October 20–30

Registration is now open for GW's 2025 Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (CCAS) Graduate Programs Open House! The virtual event features program-specific information sessions and opportunities to interact with current graduate students, faculty and our admissions team.

The Psychological and Brain Sciences Department will host a virtual information session for prospective MS in Applied Psychology students on Monday, October 27 at 11 a.m. EDT. Attendees will receive an application fee waiver.

Registration and Details

What We Study

Group of students sitting at desks listening to a psychology professor

Undergraduate

Undergraduate research and coursework center on mastering the psychological theories and methodologies that explain how humans behave. Tracks include BA, BS degrees in both psychology and cognitive neuroscience, minor and combined degree options.

two female students on the left engaging in a discussion with two male students and a professor on the right.

Graduate

Students in the MS in Applied Psychology program develop professional proficiency in a wide range of psychological theories and methocs, while doctoral students choose from three research areas: applied social psychology, clinical psychology and cognitive neuroscience.

Mission and Vision

Applied Psychology Info Session: December 9

Join us online for an information session discussing the field of psychological and brain sciences and the GW Master of Science in Applied Psychology program.

Psychological & Brain Sciences by the Numbers

$2 Million+ awarded annually in research funding

50 research articles published annually, on average, by faculty

Alumni Testimonials

“I use the research skills that I learned daily at work to carry out my research and mentor students on their own projects.” —Farzana Saleem PhD ’18 Ford Foundation

More Testimonials