Can I get into a PhD Program with a Linguistics and Psychology BA or Cog Sci BS?

[poshdoctor]

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Forgive me if this is a stupid question But I am learning about psychology careers. At UCLA there is a Linguistics and Psychology BA and a Cognitive Science BS that I am interested in.

If I pursue either one of these majors would I be able to get into a Psychology PhD program, and if so would it be a good one??

Thanks 🙂

 

[KillerDiller]

You can get into a psych PhD program with any bachelors degree as long as you have taken the pre-reqs (usually intro, psychopathology, stats, research methods, development, and biopsych). The fields you mentioned are relevant enough to demonstrate a committment to psych. Coursework isn't nearly as big a part of the application as research, letters of rec, and match with a potential mentor.

I noticed you said psychology PhD and didn't specify what branch of psychology. If you are interested in cognitive psych, this absolutely makes sense. If you are interested in clinical, you will have to make a case in your statement of purpose why you want to go from focusing on language and cognition to studying therapy and pathology, but it can definitely be done.

 

[buzzworm]

It's definitely doable, if a little harder -- I got my BA in cog sci and am starting my first year in a clinical psych PhD program this week.

After I graduated, I built up the clinical side of my resume by working at a psychiatric research hospital. I do think it probably hurt my chances that I didn't have all the prerequisites required by some programs I applied to, so I would definitely recommend taking additional psych classes outside of your major to get those prereqs out of your way.