massachusetts-institute-of-technology

Two Top-Tier MIT Degrees for Psychology Careers

Massachusetts Institute of Technology appears on our list of 10 Tuition-Free Colleges Where You Can Earn Your Psychology Degree.

At Building 46, the School of Science grants a B.S. in Brain & Cognitive Sciences for Massachusetts Institute of Technology undergrads to activate their synapses with in-depth understanding of how human and animal minds function. Headed by Dr. James DiCarlo, an Alfred Sloan Fellow, the 180-unit, tiered curriculum places emphasis on the scientific methods used to test cerebral activity. Expect intensive courses like Molecular Neurobiology, Genetic Engineering, and Psycholinguistics with a 3:1 learner-faculty ratio for engagement. Majors may also join Active Minds, take the MIT Summer Research Program, intern at Fred Hutchinson Center, and study abroad in South Africa.

Since 1986, the Ph.D. in Brain & Cognitive Sciences at Massachusetts Institute of Technology has trained advanced scientist-practitioners for scholarly work determining how the mind’s biological makeup affects thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Advised by Dr. Michale Fee, a Bell Laboratories Fellow, this five-year, post-bachelor’s option was ranked eighth nationally for psychology by the U.S. News & World Report. Doctoral candidates in cohorts of 10-15 take rigorous 9000-level courses, such as Quantitative Methods, Systems Neuroscience, and Cognitive Computations. Thesis research is integrated at state-of-the-art facilities, including the McGovern Institute and Picower Institute. Students also participate in the BrainLunch Series and complete two teaching practica.

About Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts Institute of Technology originated on April 10, 1861, when 25th Governor John Albion Andrew signed the state charter for a “Conservatory of Art and Science.” Delayed by the Civil War, Boston Tech opened in 1865 at the Mercantile Building. In 1873, Ellen Swallow Richards became MIT’s first woman to graduate. On August 17, 1876, President Runkle founded the MIT School of Mechanic Arts. In 1883, Massachusetts Institute of Technology launched the United States’ first pre-medical courses. The next May, the MIT Corporation voted to begin Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees. In 1896, Albert J. Wells constructed the earliest wind tunnel on-campus. In 1904, a proposed merger between MIT and Harvard failed. In 1920, Kodak founder George Eastman donated $20 million to Massachusetts Institute of Technology. By 1969, Dr. Kurt Gottfried was establishing the Union of Concerned Scientists at MIT.

Endowed for $14.8 billion, Massachusetts Institute of Technology now employs 1,056 faculty teaching 11,574 Engineers from 50 states and 127 nations at the 166-acre Cambridge campus with 500+ clubs like Colleges Against Cancer. In 2019, MIT won the American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts Excellence Award. In 2014, MIT’s Great Dome received the Edwin F. Guth Memorial Award for Interior Design. The Wall Street Journal ranked Massachusetts Institute of Technology fourth globally. Forbes crowned MIT the 25th best value and fourth best research institution. On Niche, MIT boasts America’s fourth best faculty, sixth best student life, and 18th most campus diversity. WalletHub placed Massachusetts Institute of Technology #1 overall with the seventh best educational outcomes. Money magazine also declared MIT the sixth top value with average $81,500 pay.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Accreditation Details

On September 22, 2019, Massachusetts Institute of Technology will host a comprehensive evaluation team from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE) to renew the Level VI accreditation through 2029-30 under its 17th president, Dr. L. Rafael Reif, who earned the Tribeca Disruptive Innovation Award. Located 18 miles north via Interstate 93 in Burlington, this significant six-state New England Region accreditor is authorized by the U.S. Education Department to review MIT’s 30 academic departments. Massachusetts Institute of Technology has been accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) since October 1, 1936. Please note MIT isn’t approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) though.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Application Requirements

Admission to Massachusetts Institute of Technology is classified “most difficult” by Peterson’s since only 1,452 of the 20,247 Fall 2017 applicants were okayed for 7.9 percent acceptance. First-year Engineers pursuing the B.S. in Brain & Cognitive Sciences must have excelled academically in a rigorous college-prep high school curriculum. Nearly two-thirds of freshmen ranked in the top decile of their graduating classes. Admitted students present a mean 4.13 GPA. The middle 50th percentile presented SAT scores of 720-770 on Reading and 760-800 on Math. Mid-range ACT composite scores were 33-35. The Office of Admissions looks for initiative, creativity, curiosity, and strong work ethic above all. Entering the Post-Baccalaureate Research Scholars Program requires an accredited STEM bachelor’s major and 3.3 GPA minimum. Ph.D. in Brain & Cognitive Sciences cohorts additionally need strong GRE scores. On average, post-grads have a 161 Verbal and 167 Quantitative mark.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology has freshman deadlines of November 1st for Early Action and January 1st for Regular Action. Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences transfers must file by March 15th for Fall or November 15th for Spring entry. Doctor of Philosophy candidates are considered until December 1st each year. The Post-Baccalaureate Research Scholars Program closes on February 28th. Accordingly, create a MyMIT account to submit the $75 Application for Admission online. Forward official transcripts to 77 Massachusetts Avenue Room 10-100 in Cambridge, MA 02139. Send testing results using SAT/GRE code 3514 or ACT code 1858. Attach supplemental items like the fee waiver, statement of objectives, research writing sample, 2-3 recommendation letters, updated résumé or CV, and immigration documents. Please pose further questions to (617) 253-7403 or bcs-admissions@mit.edu.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2019-20, Massachusetts Institute of Technology is billing full-time B.S. in Brain & Cognitive Sciences majors $26,725 by semester or $53,450 annually. Undergrads pay a $340 student life fee each year. Living at the Cambridge campus’ dorms like McCormick Hall adds $10,430 for yearly housing. Standard meal plans for Howard Dining Hall are $5,960 extra. MIT budgets $820 for books/supplies and $2,160 for personal expenses. Annual bachelor’s attendance equals about $73,160 on-site or $56,770 at home. The Graduate Education Office priced flat-rate Ph.D. tuition at $51,520 each year. Mandatory post-grad fees total $3,456. Unless waived, the health insurance plan costs $3,000. Doctoral School of Science assistantships provide average 12-month stipends of $37,128 though.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Student Financial Services Office in Room 11-120 connects 68 percent of full-time MIT Engineers to median tuition aid of $41,422 each or $126.21 million combined. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Scholarship provides need-based funding averaging $45,542 each year. The Student Employment Program pays at least $12/hour for about $1,700 per semester. Post-9/11 GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program benefits are applied for military veterans. FAFSA applications coded 002178 unlock the Federal Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Stafford Loan, and Grad Plus Loan. Commonwealth residents with expected family contribution below $5,486 qualify for the MASS Grant. Other state assistance includes the Gilbert Matching Student Grant, Foster Child Grant, Public Service Grant, and One Family Scholarship. The City of Boston Scholarship also gifts up to $10,000 for locals applying before an April 12th deadline.

Find out more about Massachusetts Institute of Technology at the Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences website.