PhD in Educational Neuroscience

The PhD in Educational Neuroscience (PEN) Program at Gallaudet University is inviting prospective students to apply to our Ph.D. program to start in Fall 2022. This doctoral program is a research-focused program where students develop a specific research focus, conducting supervised research within their mentor's lab as well as developing their own lines of research through independent research projects. Students accepted into the program receive four years of funding as follows: tuition scholarship for up to the domestic rate + $25,200 annual stipend + health insurance option. 

We actively encourage applications from diverse applicants, including deaf and hard of hearing students, students with disabilities, and students from underrepresented racial/ethnic backgrounds.

Educational Neuroscience is a growing field that focuses on children's learning and cognitive development. Meaningful discoveries will be communicated with society. Students in our pioneering, bilingual American Sign Language-English program gain state-of-the-art cognitive neuroscience training in how humans learn, with a focus on the neuroplasticity of visual learning.

Students in the PEN program become experts in at least one cutting edge cognitive neuroscience method (e.g., fNIRS, EEG, fMRI), study neuroethics, and gain strong critical analysis and reasoning skills in science. Students will develop their own research project under close mentorship from faculty while becoming experts in both neuroimaging and behavioral experimental science. 

As an interdisciplinary program housed in VL2, PEN enjoys a close relationship with its national resource hubs:

• Action & Brain Lab (ABL)
• Brain and Language Center for Neuroimaging (BL2)
• Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Lab (CAN)
• Early Education and Literacy Lab (EL2)
• Motion Light Lab (ML2)
• Numeracy and Educational Neuroscience Lab (NENS)
• Translation in the Science of Learning Lab (TL2)

PEN students benefit from Gallaudet University’s local university consortium, which provides students access to courses taught in the Washington, D.C. area, and a national network of cognitive neuroscience labs throughout the world.

PEN students can expect to receive fellowship support through a combination of University and grant funding, direct mentoring support from individual advisors, and opportunities to apply for additional resources through a fund managed by the VL2 Student Network.

Ready to take the plunge? Start your online application TODAY!

For information on how to apply and admission criteria, visit our application requirements page. ​​Contact us at EdNeuroscience@gallaudet.edu.