PhD Neuroscience at Arizona State University

Programme overview

Neuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system. Studies in neuroscience can be multifaceted and combine physiology, anatomy, molecular biology, genetics and mathematical modeling, with the aim of understanding the fundamental and emergent properties of the many different cells in the brain and how they interact and coregulate each other.

What you will study

84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation Required Core (8 credit hours) BIO 610 Introduction to Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) in Life Sciences (1) NEU 556 Human Systems Neuroscience (4) NEU 576 Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (3) Electives or Research (58 credit hours) Other Requirements (6 credit hours) NEU 558 Neuroscience Journal Club (1) NEU 591 Seminar (3) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) NEU 799 Dissertation (12) Additional Curriculum Information Students take NEU 558 three times for one credit hour.

Career pathways

Graduates with a PhD in neuroscience have strong preparation for academic careers at every level, from community colleges to research universities. Career examples: biomedical or health care scientist in academic, biotech or industry labs, K-12 science teacher (elementary or high school), university or college faculty member (professor, lecturer, instructor, etc.).

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. Regular admission may be granted to applicants who have achieved the minimum cumulative GPA or higher in the last two years of work leading to a bachelor's degree and who are competitive in the applicant pool, as evidenced by letters of recommendation. Particular attention is paid to research experience and overall preparation in problem-solving, as evidenced by previous coursework and research experiences. There are no specific undergraduate course requirements other than those implied by the degree requirements described above. Most students are expected to have completed coursework in biology, chemistry and math.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

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