Policies

Admission to Doctoral Study, Psy.D. Students

(Graduate Policy 3.1)

Admission to doctoral study is granted to a limited number of applicants. An applicant who does not have a graduate degree must have earned a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all coursework applied to the most recent undergraduate degree earned, or have earned a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 semester credit hours of coursework applied to the most recent undergraduate degree earned. An applicant with a graduate degree must have earned a minimum grade point average of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale in all coursework applied to the most recent graduate degree earned. Only in unusual cases, where clear and substantative evidence justifies such action, will students be admitted who do not meet these standards.

The successful applicant must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning. Although it is not necessary for the major area to have been psychology, it is expected that at least 18 semester credit hours of coursework in psychology will have been included. A student without an undergraduate background in statistics, personality theory, abnormal psychology, learning, physiological psychology and social psychology will be required to take these courses at the undergraduate level before registering for the graduate-level courses.

These undergraduate courses will not be applied toward the minimum credit required for graduate degrees.
All application materials must be received by January 1. Applications cannot be acted upon until all required materials have been received. Each applicant must submit:

1. The fully completed application form, together with the application fee
2. The School of Psychology's Supplemental Application form
3. A résumé of professional experience
4. Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts, mailed directly from the degree-granting institution(s)
5. Three letters of recommendation, to be mailed directly by the writers
6. A statement of professional career objectives
7. Graduate Record Examination results (the General Test and the Psychology Subject Test are required).

Attendance at the scheduled interview day is recommended but not required. Acceptance requires a recommendation by the director of clinical training of the School of Psychology, based on an evaluation by the admissions committee. Each admissions committee will include at least three members of the graduate faculty from the School of Psychology.

Accepted students must sign a statement that the student will comply with the professional conduct requirements of the School of Psychology. Students who do not sign the statement will not be allowed to register for classes.