PhD in Applied Psychology and Prevention Science

The Ph.D. curriculum consists of 42 course credits, at least 30 of which must be taken at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. 

For a complete list of academic requirements and courses, please visit the Academic Catalog.

Graduates from our program are highly sought after across a range of fields, including academic positions as faculty at colleges and universities, research and data analysis roles in government and private industries, and careers in policymaking, evaluation and consulting.

To date, all of our APPS graduates have secured full-time employment by the time they graduate. Recent employers include:

• Fors Marsh Group
• The Nielsen Company
• Temple University
• UMass Amherst
• VA Boston Healthcare System

All College of Fine Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences master’s and doctoral applicants must submit:

1. An application
2. An application fee
3. A statement of purpose
4. Letters of recommendation
5. Official transcripts
6. Official test score report - only required for:
   1. (GRE) Criminology and Criminal Justice, Ph.D.
   2. (GRE) Global Studies, Ph.D.
   3. Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) Music Education, Master of Music (M.M.)
7. Resume - only required for:
   1. Music Education, M.M.
   2. Public Administration, Master of Public Administration (M.P.A)

Note: All required materials must be received before the application package can be evaluated. If you need to introduce new references or add other supporting documents, log on to your application, click on “Program Materials” to update your application. Please note the new documents and references will be considered only if your application has not been reviewed for admission.  

Program Application Deadlines for Fall Admissions:

• Global Studies Ph.D. - January 15
• Psychology Ph.D. - January 15
• Criminology Ph.D. - February 1
• Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Studies - February 15

International Students: please see the additional application requirements.

Bachelor's to Master's Students: You will need to apply via the application portal. Visit the Bachelor's to Master's page to learn about the process to transition to your desired master's program.

1. Online Application application

Applications are only being accepted using the online process. Instructions are included in the online application link.

Tips for accessing and completing the online application:

• Capitalize your proper name.
  
• Once the form is submitted, changes can only be made by calling the Office of Graduate Admissions at 978-934-2390.

Apply for Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Spring 2026

The Leadership in Schooling Ed.D. is a cohort-based program that begins each year in May. Applications are accepted during the preceding year between July - November 30.

app-fee 2. Application Fee

The application fee is $50 for each application and is non-refundable. Applications will not be processed until this fee is received or application fee waiver has been approved and delivered to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

3. Statement of Purpose statement

In a separate document, submit a brief statement indicating your immediate and long-range goals, relevant work history, academic honors/awards received, any teaching experience and/or research conducted/published that may be pertinent to your graduate program. Two page recommended maximum.

Note: If you are applying to more than one program, you will need to submit a program-specific statement of purpose with each application package.

4. Letters of Recommendation recommendation

Master's applicants need to submit two (2) letters of recommendation. Doctoral applicants will be asked to submit three (3) letters of recommendation. You will be asked to provide (names and email addresses) referees during the application process and then an automated request will be sent out after the completion of your application. Alternatively, you may use the graduate admissions recommendation form (pdf) to request letters of recommendation.

Criminal Justice, M.A.: Letters of recommendation are optional, not required.

Recommendations should be from instructors who have taught you, ideally in the field to which you are applying. Recommendations may also be from employers or supervisors who are in a position to compare your performance to that of your peers. Please use the recommendation form for these.

5. Official Transcripts transcripts

Provide a complete and official transcript from the institution that awarded or will award you a bachelor’s degree. You may also include transcripts from other institutions at which you have taken relevant coursework. Please note that waiting for additional transcripts may delay review of your application.

Transcripts should be sent in sealed and signed envelopes mailed to the Office of Graduate Admissions. If you received your degree from UMass Lowell, it is not necessary for you to request a transcript, we are able to provide one for you.

University of Massachusetts - Lowell
Graduate Admissions
Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) Center
839 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor
Lowell, MA 01854-3941

International transcripts that do not clearly indicate to the Office of Graduate Admissions that you have received a four-year bachelor’s degree, the equivalent of an American bachelor's degree must be demonstrated before an application will be processed. Please note, the Office of Graduate Admissions reserves the right to have any application credential evaluated. Baccalaureate verification may be obtained for a fee at:

Center for Educational Documentation, Inc.
P.O. Box 170116
Boston, MA 02117
Telephone: 617-338-7171
Fax: 617-338-7101
Center for Educational Documentation website
World Education Services website

test-score 6. Official Test Score Report(s)

Submission of the GRE test score report is required for applicants to the following programs:

• Criminology and Criminal Justice, Ph.D.
• Global Studies, Ph.D.

• Master of Music in Music Education, MM - Applicants to this program must also submit proof of successfully passing the MTEL test in Music within the last five years. 
  

For more information about standardized tests, our Admissions Standards page and Admissions Requirements page provide current information.

7. Resume

The programs listed below require a resume for admissions consideration:

• Music Education, M.M.
• Public Administration, M.P.A