Frequently Asked Questions
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is December 1st for admission for the following fall semester. Psychology only admits students for fall semester.
Do you offer an evening or weekend program?
Psychology graduate students attend day time classes full-time. Graduate courses are not offered in the evening or on the weekend.
Can I attend part-time?
This is a full-time program, and we do not admit applicants who want a part-time program.
Do you offer the PsyD degree?
We do not offer the PsyD degree.
Is your program APA accredited?
The doctoral programs in clinical, counseling, and school psychology are accredited by the APA.
Is this a competitive program?
Of the 358 fall 2009 applicants, 39 were admitted and 22 will be entering the program.
Can I apply for the Master's degree?
The Department of Psychology does award the M.A. degree as part of the Ph.D. program. However, we do not admit students for a terminal Master's degree.
Is the Master's degree required to apply for the Ph.D. degree?
The Master's degree is not a requirement. Most applicants have not completed advanced study. Any student with a U.S. bachelor's degree or a comparable foreign degree from a recognized college or university may apply to the Ph.D. program.
Can I transfer graduate credits from other institutions?
Decisions concerning the number and content of courses that will transfer from other institutions are made after the student is enrolled in the program. Students and their adviser determine which credits are appropriate for a degree program in the Department of Psychology. Those courses and the institution at which they were completed are then placed on the student's program that is submitted to a Graduate School committee for approval.
Can I transfer my Master's degree from another program or institution to your program?
Entering the program with a completed Master's degree is not synonymous with entering with advanced standing.
Do you offer a joint J.D./Ph.D. degree?
We do not have a formal program in law and psychology. If you are interested in both programs it is necessary to complete each program's application. The address for the Law School is 285 Law Building, 229-19th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612/625-5005). The Web address is www.law.umn.edu. If admitted to both a PhD program and to the Law School, then a more customized program of study can be developed.
Is the GRE (Graduate Record Exam) required? How do I register to take the GRE?
Yes, the GRE General test is required. Contact your nearest college or university counseling/testing center or visit the Educational Testing Service (ETS) Web site at http://www.gre.org/. Have ETS send an official copy of the score report to the Department of Psychology. In addition, include a photocopy of your GRE scores with your departmental application materials or send a copy to the Psychology Graduate Admissions Office as soon as you receive your score report. The GRE must have been taken within five years of the Psychology application deadline. Please note that if you take the computer-based exam, it can take over two weeks for us to receive your scores. If you take the paper-based exam, it can take up to six weeks for us to receive your scores. We do not accept substitutes, such as the MAT, in lieu of the GRE.
Do I have to take the GRE Subject Test in Psychology?
All programs, with the exception of the Cognitive and Biological Psychology Program, strongly recommend that applicants provide the GRE Subject Test in Psychology score. Applicants to the Industrial/Organizational Psychology Program: The Industrial/Organizational Program considers the GRE Psychology examination as one of the key pieces of information used in admission decisions. While absence of a score is not an absolute bar to admission to the I/O program, a student without a score is at a disadvantage.
What codes do I use to submit my GRE scores?
Use institution code 6874
Use department code 2016
What are the minimum GPA and GRE requirements?
While there are no minimum requirements, it is desirable that applicants have either a GPA of 3.0 and GRE scores of at least 600 on both the verbal and quantitative sections or a GPA of 3.3 and scores of 500 or greater on the GRE verbal and quantitative sections. For the clinical program it is desirable that applicants have at least a 3.5 GPA and scores of at least 600 on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE. For average GPAs and GRE scores of the most recent admitted class, see the Graduate Admission Statistics.
Do all of my letters of recommendation have to be from psychology professors?
Not necessarily, but faculty or other individuals who can best judge your potential for graduate work should complete these forms. If you are a returning student who has not had contact with members of an academic setting for quite some time, it may be beneficial for you to enroll in a couple of classes and get reacquainted with the academic setting prior to submitting your application.
How will I know when my application is complete?
We will notify you by e-mail when your application is complete. The Graduate School will also notify you when your Graduate School application is complete and has been forwarded to our department for review.
Do you require an interview?
We do not require an interview. Applicants offered admission are usually invited to visit the campus in March. This is not a required visit, but a time for you to meet with faculty, current students, and other prospective students in informal meetings and social activities. In 2010, students admitted to the program will be invited to visit the campus on March 5-6.
How long will it take me to complete the Ph.D. in Psychology?
Some students complete the program in four years, although most take five or six years, depending on their occupational goals and degree program. Students must complete the Ph.D. within seven years, not counting official leaves of absence.
What types of funding are available?
Funding options fall into three broad categories: fellowships/grants, assistantships, and loans. Fellowships and grants do not have to be repaid and students are not required to work for the stipend. Research and teaching assistantships are offered as a percent of full time employment (25%, 50%), pay students an hourly wage, and include tuition remission equal to double the appointment (e.g., a 50% appointment = 100% tuition remission). Loans are available through the federal government programs to eligible students. More information regarding financial support is available at http://www.psych.umn.edu/graduate/finsup.htm/.
How can I maximize my chances of being admitted?
In addition to demanding excellent grades and GRE scores, the Admissions Committee will evaluate each applicant's personal statement, research interests, and letters of recommendation. The decision is based on a complete and thorough evaluation of many aspects of the applicant's folder for excellence. Not least among the selection criteria is the fit of an applicant's stated career goals and research interests to those of the program and its faculty. You need not identify specific faculty with whom you would like to work, but you may do so if you wish.
What career(s) do most graduates from this program go into with their degree?
Our Ph.D. programs prepare graduates for a variety of careers in higher education, research institutes, government organizations, business and industry, consulting firms, clinics and hospitals, and as professional psychologists.
What resources are available for students of color?
The Graduate School Diversity Office provides students with strategies for clarifying goals, selecting a graduate program, preparing the best possible graduate school application, and funding graduate work through assistantships and fellowships.
What resources are available for international students?
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) to offers information and assistance to international students.