Programs
Neuroscience PhD
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Welcome to the Neuroscience Graduate Degree Program at Penn State Hershey College of Medicine! Penn State has two separate neuroscience graduate programs at University Park (undergraduate main campus) and the College of Medicine (100 miles away from each other). Our program at College of Medicine confers Ph.D., M.S., and M.D./Ph.D. degrees in Neuroscience.
Program Overview
The program's primary goal is to educate independent scientists who are analytical thinkers with the ability to conduct scientific research in neuroscience and to continue to self-educate beyond their primary (thesis) field of study. Most of faculty is affiliated with Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics and broader Penn State Neuroscience Institute.
Our program faculty has unique research strength in neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration, addiction biology, affective disorders, brain-body interaction, ion channel/protein biology, and sleep disorders. Faculty use cutting-edge approaches including systems neuroscience, single cell/spatial genomics, imaging, brain mapping, neural activity recording, biophysics and physiological approaches.
Learn More About the Program
The interdepartmental structure of the Neuroscience PhD program provides students with the flexibility to take multidisciplinary approaches to research problems in neuroscience, and collaborations among laboratories are strongly encouraged. Research programs are well-supported by grants from private and public funds, particularly from the National Institutes of Health.
Penn State College of Medicine provides a collegial environment that promotes research and learning.
Our immediate goal is to prepare students to assume responsible positions as researchers or teachers in the neurosciences. Our ultimate goal is to provide a foundation that will prepare them for leadership positions in academia, industry or a wide range of related disciplines. Graduates of the program have transitioned to careers in academic science, industry, healthcare and administration.
Students admitted to the Neuroscience PhD program receive a financial assistance package that includes a stipend and tuition. For the 2025-26 academic year, the stipend is $35,919.
A limited number of first-year supplemental awards and fellowships are also available on a competitive basis.
The program pays the stipend and tuition for the first four semesters (Fall/Spring/Summer/Fall). Subsequently, the adviser for the dissertation research is responsible for the stipend and tuition. To ensure that students will be able to complete their dissertation research in this laboratory, the departmental chair guarantees this support.
Non-Tuition Costs
Medical insurance is required for all students, with the University paying 80 percent of the cost of medical, dental and vision coverage.
Recruitment Events
Student Support
Dedicated offices support your health and well-being, while services such as a health sciences library assist in your learning journey. We are committed to enhancing students' experience and development.