CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY ADMISSIONS FAQ
WHAT SHOULD BE IN MY STATEMENT OF PURPOSE?
Students who are most competitive are able to articulate clearly why and how they have come to the conclusion that the PhD in Clinical Psychology or PsyD in Clinical Psychology is best for them. It is also important that you can articulate why and how any prior study or work has impacted your decision to apply to the clinical program at this point.
DO INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS HAVE TO MEET ANY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS?
Applicants to the Clinical program for whom English is not their native language or the medium of instruction for all secondary and post-secondary education are required (in addition to the GRE) to take the TOEFL or IELTS, Academic Format, taken within the past two years. Click here for more detailed information on TOEFL requirements.
HOW ARE ADMISSIONS DECISIONS MADE?
The Clinical Psychology Admissions committee is made of students and faculty who evaluate all applications. Once this evaluation is completed, students may be offered an interview with the Clinical Psychology Department Faculty and current students. This interview day serves to give prospective students an orientation to the School of Psychology and Marriage and Family Therapy, as well as gives us an opportunity to evaluate a student in a more dynamic way. Scores from a student’s file, as well as his or her interview are combined to create an overall score, which determines what recommendations are made for admittance.
HOW MANY STUDENTS APPLY TO THE CLINICAL PROGRAM AND HOW MANY ARE ADMITTED?
The clinical cohort will be made up of approximately 30-35 students (15-20 PsyD and 10-15 PhD in Clinical Psychology).
WHAT MAKES A SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT TO THE CLINICAL DEPARTMENT?
A successful applicant writes well and clearly, has an undergraduate transcript that demonstrates ability and intelligence, and can articulate a goal (or goals) for graduate study.
WHAT DO I HAVE TO SUBMIT FOR A COMPETITIVE APPLICATION TO THE CLINICAL DEPARTMENT?
Applicants for the PhD or PsyD in Clinical Psychology program must submit the following:
- Official transcripts of all post-secondary schools attended, showing a bachelor’s degree earned from an accredited institution of higher learning, with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 to be competitive; and the following satisfactory prerequisite course work:
- One statistics course in a behavioral science department taken within five years of applying for the program
- A minimum of five courses in basic psychology. Examples include:
Abnormal/Psychopathology, Cognition/Cognitive, Development/Child/Adolescent, Experimental/Research Methods, Introduction, History and Systems, Learning, Motivation, Perception/Sensation, Personality, Physiological/Psychobiology, Tests and Measures/Psychometrics
- For those applying to the PhD in Clinical Psychology program, an official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score is required (Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing) from a test taken not longer than 5 years prior to the date of application. Scores of 151 on the Verbal section, 152 on the Quantitative section, and 4.0 on the Analytical Writing section are considered competitive. A GRE is not required for the PsyD application.
- Evidence of personal maturity as communicated through four references, the applicant's written statement of background and purpose, and the applicant's religious autobiography.
- Fuller’s application form, with application fee paid.