Prospective Graduate Students
Prospective Ph.D. Students
Are you accepting a PhD student to start in the 2026-2027 academic year?
Thank you for your interests! Yes, Dr. Kang will be reviewing applications for the Clinical Psychology PhD program for the upcoming cycle, with the hope of accepting at least one PhD student. For more information on the Clinical Psychology PhD program, please refer to Montclair State University’s Clinical Psychology Department website.
What current and future studies can graduate students be involved in?
Please see the About section for more information on goals of our research lab. In our lab, PhD students work closely with Dr. Kang in all aspects of research process, as well as developing and executing independent projects to build their own research program.
What are you looking for in a doctoral student?
The Autism and Neurodevelopment Lab offers a dynamic and rigorous research environment with a high level of ongoing projects and scholarly activity. PhD students in the lab are integral to the leadership and intellectual direction of our research. This is a high-expectation, high-reward environment suited for trainees who are not only committed to advancing science but also ready to lead within a collaborative research team. You will be expected to manage independent projects and contribute to publications and grant writing, as well as to play an integral role in every aspect of the lab’s operations—from data collection and analysis to lab management and mentoring junior team members.
Our lab is ideal for highly motivated doctoral students seeking rigorous training in both research and academic leadership. You will have the opportunity to contribute to grant-funded projects, develop your own lines of inquiry, and gain the skills necessary for a successful academic or clinical research career. The opportunities for growth are substantial—but only those prepared to rise to the challenge will thrive. We seek students who are self-driven, ready to take initiative, embrace responsibility, collaborative, and committed to making a meaningful impact and contribution to a collaborative research team through their work.
Each application will be reviewed in its entirety, and it is helpful to demonstrate why you are interested in research of our lab. As a graduate student in our lab, it will be important to have general research interests that overlap with the current goals of our research. At the same time, our lab is a perfect place to develop and build your own research program and Dr. Kang will do her best to support your own areas of interest. Please share with us how your distinct experiences have shaped your own trajectory! We look forward to hearing from you!
Prospective Master’s Students
Do you allow Master’s students to be involved in your research?
All students are encouraged to seek out research opportunities during their time in the MA Program and our lab is committed to providing research opportunities that relate to, and can help further develop, our MA students’ interests in clinical psychology. If you are interested in joining our lab, please contact erinkanglab@montclair.edu after you have been accepted to the program, and share your research interests and goals with us.
Click here for more information on Montclair State University’s MA in Clinical Psychology Program.
Who is a good fit for the Autism and Neurodevelopment Lab?
Masters students who have an interest in autism, neuroscience, or interventions research, among other topics, would be a good fit for the Autism and Neurodevelopment Lab. Research experience is important for gaining admission into doctoral programs, and so students in our MA programs with this aspiration are especially encouraged to apply to join! We provide strong mentorship for students who are interested in pursuing doctoral-level training or clinical careers.
We generally ask our Master’s-level volunteers to commit to working in the lab for ~9 hours each week so that everyone benefits from the experience. As capacity allows, we may consider supporting Master’s students in a research externship capacity for programs with this requirement, but if you are considering doing a research externship with us, you should join the lab during your first year.
You will be involved in data collection, project coordination, and supporting lab operations. As you gain experience, you may also take on supervisory roles with undergraduate research assistants. This is an excellent opportunity for MA students aiming to strengthen their research skills, gain mentorship experience, and prepare for doctoral programs or clinical training. Opportunities may include first- or co-authorship on conference posters and publications, depending on your level of engagement and contribution.
We seek students who are responsible, organized, and eager to grow within a collaborative and fast-paced environment. Those who take initiative and invest in the work will gain deeply from the experience. Most of our MA alumni have gone on to doctoral programs in clinical psychology or related fields, or employed in a clinical or research setting.
How do I apply?
If you are interested in our research and/or interested in working with children and families, please fill out our Interest Form and send a copy of your unofficial transcript, cover letter, and CV to erinkanglab@montclair.edu to get started. We will review all applications and extend interview offers via email.
Note: Those who are interested in doing a research externship with our lab should join the lab during their first year.