About PhD Program,
Welcome to the Michigan State University Neuroscience Program website! Here you can find information about our Ph.D. program, our undergraduate major, our faculty and students and the outreach activities our program sponsors to bring the excitement of neuroscience to the local community. Our Ph.D. program has grown substantially over the years and we have more than 60 faculty from 15 departments and units. In addition, our campus and program extends across the state of Michigan with Neuroscience Program faculty housed in the Grand Rapids Research Center in Grand Rapids in West Michigan and with anticipated expansion to the Detroit Medical Center and Macomb University Center in southeast Michigan. This diversity provides a wide range of research opportunities for our students that covers molecules to man. Please visit our faculty web pages to find out more about the exciting neuroscience research happening here at Michigan State University. You can also find all the information you need to prepare an application to our Ph.D. program. If you don’t find what you need please contact us directly (neurosci@msu.edu).
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
All doctoral students are required to complete basic and annual refresher RCRSCA education. The basic education program for both master’s and doctoral students involves (i) on-line CITI modules and (ii) in-person workshops offered by The Graduate School, the program, or other units on campus.
All graduate and graduate-professional students must complete a minimum of 6 hours of discussion-based education prior to receiving their degrees. The basic education requirements must be completed by the end of the spring semester of Year Two before the Standardized component of the Comprehensive Exam is administered in May. These hours can be completed in a variety of ways including as part of a course, taking workshops such as those provided by TGS, or more personalized training provided by the student’s research advisor.
The standardized component of the comprehensive exam for the Ph.D. will be taken during the month of May in Year Two. The exam will consist of a three-part, take-home written exam. The questions will be designed to test the student’s understanding of core neuroscience concepts, his/her ability to integrate information across levels of complexity and to utilize the scientific literature, to generate plausible hypotheses, and to design experiments to test these hypotheses. Three committees will each prepare one question requiring students to integrate information across the main content areas and levels of analyses: 1) molecular and developmental neuroscience, 2) cellular neuroscience, 3) systems neuroscience, and 4) behavioral neuroscience. The question topics will be in these three areas: (i) a current controversy in the field of neuroscience, (ii) a translational application of neuroscience research, and (iii) development of a NRSA-type research proposal on an assigned topic.
Students conduct an original dissertation project based on the approved research proposal. Students present a public seminar based on their Ph.D. dissertation, which precedes the defense with the student’s dissertation guidance committee.
A student must complete the specialized component of the comprehensive exam no later than 12 months after passing the standardized component.
A student must complete the specialized component of the comprehensive exam no later than 12 months after passing the standardized component.
PhD Funding Coverage,
All Neuroscience Program graduate students in good standing are fully supported during their tenure at MSU from one or a combination of sources. The stipend for students entering 2021-2022 is approximately $29,364. In addition, all graduate assistants and fellows receive a full tuition waiver each semester (up to nine credits in Fall and Spring semesters; up to five in summer semester), waiver of matriculation fees, and paid health insurance.
Additional NSP Financial Support
- NSP Road Fellowship– Eligible to first year rotation students to help defray travel cost between MSU and Grand Rapids
- Teaching Assistantship – Aimed primarily at third and fourth year students, the Neuroscience Program has teaching assistantships available to students interested in conducting a semester’s worth of teaching. The TA will spend 20 hours per week on teaching activities, and will receive the same stiped as a research assistant. TAs will be members of the Graduate Employees Unionat MSU (GEU Contract). Interested students should contact the Program Director.
Application Requirement,
The Neuroscience PhD Program only accepts students in fall semester. Please do not apply for spring or summer admission.
Please include each of the following materials in your application:
- Personal Statement:Describe your interest in pursuing graduate education in Neuroscience. Outline your research experience and interests, along with your long-term career goals. Include relevant information such as work and educational background, personal attributes and qualities, and other experiences that will help support you as an excellent candidate. If appropriate, please include any obstacles you have encounter in your pursuit of an education.
- Curriculum Vitae:An updated CV that includes all current experience and education.
- Three Letters of Recommendation:Each recommender will have knowledge of your scientific training and should address this in the letter. Under the “References” section, the application will allow you to submit three (or more) names and email addresses – information will then be sent to each recommender on how to submit a letter for you.
- Official Transcripts:For each college/institute attended, please request from the registrar an official copy of each. Colleges and Universities generally require both fees and time to process requests for transcripts. In addition, where the original documents are not issued in English, also provide an official English translation of each document. To be considered “official,” the transcripts must have a university seal or notarization mark and state “degree conferred” or “degree awarded”. Unofficial transcripts or transcripts uploaded by the applicant will NOT be accepted.
Transcripts must be sent directly from the college/institute to the following address:
Michigan State University
Office of Admissions
Hannah Administration Building,
426 Auditorium Road, Room 250
East Lansing, MI 48824You can send electronic transcripts to: admis@msu.edu.
- TheGRE is NOT required to apply.
- English Proficiency:International students are required to submit English Proficiency exam scores which meet the Graduate Schools minimums for admission.
- Submit your Application:Electronically sign your application and submit.
Application Deadline,
Dec 05, 2024
Application Fee,
Payment of the application fee is required at this time ($65 Domestic, $75 International).
