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Home > Undergraduate Program : Graduate School in Psychology

General considerations
Types of degrees
Choosing a program
What do schools look for?
Graduate school in Psychology
Application procedures

General Considerations

Each year, thousands of promising individuals apply to graduate or professional school, but only a small percentage are admitted. Getting In: A Step-by-Step Plan for Gaining Admission to Graduate School in Psychology, published by the American Psychological Association, offers useful information on the graduate school application process for Psychology. Getting In is available for your use in 105 Elliott.

• Weighing pros & cons: When considering graduate or professional school, weigh the pros and cons as they relate to your career aspirations.

• Positives: Broader career options such as 1) teaching and research options at the college level, or 2) working with and supervising others in a variety of public and private helping organizations, 3) higher than average incomes, 4) opportunity for closer contact with faculty (as a graduate student) and 5) opportunity for specialization within a single area of interest.

• Negatives: 1) Two to five or more years of study beyond the B.A.; 2)long hours on course work, exams, and possibly extended independent research; 3) constant reading of literature to keep abreast of rapid changes in the field

• Important! During a graduate career, the commitment required in time, money, and energy, both physical and mental, is great. Before you make the decision to apply to graduate school, it is important to consider carefully both the desirability of the lifestyle of a graduate student and the necessity of graduate education in meeting one's life goals.

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Types of Degrees

The academic and professional degrees described below are the most common options available, although other degrees may be offered at specific schools.

• Certificate Programs
  These programs are not actually graduate programs, but do involve some academic training beyond the bachelor's level. Often a certificate program can be completed while enrolled as an undergraduate. The program usually involves a core sequence of courses related to a specific program area or skill. Such programs often have a supervised field experience as a program requirement. At the University of Minnesota, certificate programs are offered through the College of Continuing Education. Because of the specialized nature of such programs, the fields in which they are offered vary widely from school to school.

• Master's Degree
  The Master's degree is typically the first level graduate degree program. A bachelor's degree is required, including appropriate course work in the area of specialization. Master's programs usually require two years of study, supervised experience, and research work. Most Master's requirements include a thesis or written research paper, comprehensive written exams, and/or an oral exam by a faculty committee. Generally, a Master's degree is offered in applied psychology programs or as a stepping stone for those students who need additional preparation before applying to doctoral programs.

• Specialist Degree
  Some graduate departments of psychology or education offer a specialist certificate. These programs have requirements much like the Master's programs with the requirement of one additional year of course work and/or supervised experience leading to specialization in a particular area such as school psychology.

• Doctor of Philosophy Degree
  The Ph.D. is the highest academic degree offered by most graduate programs. A bachelor's degree is required with undergraduate course work related to one's area of specialization. The typical Ph.D. program involves four to six or more years of graduate course work, research, and for applied degrees, supervised field experience. Some Ph.D. programs require completion of a master's degree prior to admission to the program. Typically, both a Master's and Ph.D. program will be offered at such institutions. Besides specified course work, most Ph.D. programs require comprehensive written preliminary exams, a preliminary oral exam by a faculty committee, an extensive research project (the dissertation), and a final oral exam in defense of the dissertation. The Ph.D. is designed for those interested in teaching and research, especially in a college or university setting, or independent applied work in psychology.

• Professional degrees
• Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)
• Masters of Social Work (MSW)
• Masters in Business Administration (MBA)
• Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
• Doctor of Law (J.D.)

The professional degree prepares you for an career in an applied setting—as a doctor, lawyer, businessperson, social worker or therapist. Looking specifically at the Psy.D, while most professional degrees have a long history, the Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree is a relatively new concept among graduate programs; few schools in the United States now offer such a program. The Psy.D. programs have requirements similar to those for the Ph.D., but are designed for students interested in psychological practice. For students who are sure that they only want to work in an applied setting, a Psy.D. degree may be considered as competitive in the job market as the Ph.D. However, for students who are considering careers which include teaching and/or research at the college level, the Ph.D. is the more appropriate degree. The Psy.D. programs usually require four years of graduate work, including a year-long full-time supervised work experience in an applied setting.

For additional information about other professional degrees, consult psychology advisors for recommendations and/or referrals.

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What to look for in a Program

While the following discussion refers primarily to a graduate program in Psychology, you can use the same dimensions to evaluate any professional or graduate program that you might choose.

• Area of Specialization
  In graduate school, application is made to study in a particular area of specialization within psychology, such as clinical, counseling, social, cognitive and biological, industrial/organizational or others. Each graduate school offers programs in some specialties but not in others. In selecting a graduate school, it is important to select schools that offer the specific area you desire. The book Career Paths in Psychology: Where your degree can take you and pamphlet Psychology Careers for the Twenty-First Century: Scientific Problem-Solvers available in 105 Elliott Hall can help you explore prospective areas of specialization.

• Degree Program
  Another major consideration is whether the school offers the level and type of degree desired. Specialist certificates, Psy.D. degrees, and other less common degree options are only available at a few schools. Some schools admit students directly into a Ph.D. program; others admit students into the Master's program only and require another application for those who wish to go on for the Ph.D. degree.

• Orientation
  Within Psychology, various graduate schools have different general theoretical orientations: some are humanistically oriented, others are behavioral, psychodynamic, research or applied in orientation. Many offer internship settings in hospitals, student counseling centers, community mental health centers, or schools. Each school has a slightly different emphasis which is reflected in course offerings, training settings, and faculty research interests. In selecting a school, the orientation as well as the program area should be considered.

Note: Consideration of the department's orientation should be approached cautiously. Within any graduate department, there are often a variety of ideas and orientations among the faculty members and orientations may vary from program to program within the same department.

• Accreditation
  The American Psychological Association accredits applied doctoral programs (clinical, counseling, and school psychology) through the meeting of minimum standards of appropriate course work, qualified faculty, and adequate field experience training settings. Accreditation is an assurance of a quality training program. A non-accredited program is not necessarily poor or inadequate; many such schools provide good training for applied work. Accreditation does not apply to specializations other than clinical, counseling, and school psychology, or to degree options other than the doctorate. Aside from the APA, additional accrediting bodies may exist for specific professional degrees, such as the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (www.aamft.org).

• Professors
  The faculty members are important factors in determining the quality of the graduate experience. A periodic search of psychological journals will reveal which psychologists are exploring particular research topics at different schools. Some students apply to a particular school with the intent of working with a specific professor.

• Prestige
  The prestige of a graduate school often is the major attraction for potential graduate students. Although the departmental rating is some indication of the quality of the program, it is not the only factor to consider. Highly rated departments are likely to be more competitive. Because the ratings reflect the overall graduate department, there are often differences in quality between various programs in the same department. Your main concern should be how well the specific program meets your goals, regardless of overall departmental prestige.

• Criteria for Admission
  Admission requirements and criteria vary from school to school, and from program to program within the same department. Some requirements, such as particular course work or a minimum number of psychology credits, must be met in order to be considered for admission. Schools also often suggest specific supporting course work, such as a background in the biological sciences, mathematics, or social sciences, for students wishing to enter their programs. Most schools have required or suggested minimum grade point averages and/or minimum test scores. If these are stated as required (not suggested), they should be taken as such. Because the minimum standards apply only to the initial screening of applicants, the average grades of those actually accepted are usually much higher than the stated minimum.

• Financial Aid
  Graduate education is often expensive, with few opportunities for work while in school. The availability of funding may be a determining factor in selecting schools for application, and in the ultimate decision as to which school to attend. Different schools have different sources of funding for students. Schools offer loans, scholarships, fellowships or traineeships (grants with limited or no work requirements), and paid positions such as research or teaching assistantships. Funding cutbacks have limited financial support severely; many new graduate students no longer receive offers of financial assistance with their admission. In general, there is typically more funding available in Ph.D. programs than in Master’s degree or Psy.D. programs.

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What do Schools Look for?

Graduate schools look for evidence that you can do the demanding work of graduate school and that you will be motivated and happy to do the work needed to complete your degree and make a contribution to the profession.

• Grades
  Simply stated, good grades are required for graduate school. Good grades are evidence that you can master the demanding, rigorous courses taken by graduate students. Screening committees examine overall grades, grades in the major area, and grades in the last two years of undergraduate work. If your undergraduate GPA is less than 3.0 and you have been out of school for several years, in some cases you might try completing additional coursework to demonstrate your ability to complete graduate level courses.

• Examinations
  Scores on standardized tests are correlated with performance in graduate school and provide evidence that you can do the work. The most common tests required of graduate programs are the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and the Miller Analogies Test (MAT).

• The GRE consists of two separate tests, the General (Aptitude) Test and the Subject (Advanced) Test. The General Test has three subtests, each resulting in a separate score: verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing. The GRE Subject Test in Psychology covers the whole domain of psychological concepts and research. Many schools require the Subject Test, but some do not. The GRE should be taken by the fall one year before entering a graduate program. The GRE score is often the most important criteria in the evaluation of an application as it is a better predictor of graduate school performance than the undergraduate GPA is. The GRE General Test is currently offered only in a computer-based format through 109 Eddy Hall or Prometric Testing Centers.

• The MAT is a short (one-hour) test of verbal reasoning and word association through word analogies: light:dark::white:(black). This test is required by a small number of graduate programs.

Other professional schools have their own admission exams: the Graduate Management Record Exam (GMAT) is required for admission to an MBA program, the Legal School Admission Test (LSAT) for Law school, the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) for medical school.

MAT, GRE and information about other tests are available in the University Testing Center, 109 Eddy Hall.

• Letters of Recommendation
  Most graduate schools require two to four letters of recommendation as part of the application. You should obtain letters from professors who know you well. Recommendations from work supervisors in psychology-related work settings are also acceptable for some graduate programs.

Some students have difficulty obtaining good letters of recommendation because psychology is such a large department at the University of Minnesota. Research and individualized study opportunities are strongly recommended as ways for you to make yourself known to faculty and develop possibilities for obtaining recommendations. Use of instructor office hours is also strongly encouraged to establish a good relationship.

When requesting letters, assist your recommenders by being organized. A packet including forms, addressed & stamped envelopes, resume, statement of purpose and transcript will help support the letter writer's efforts.

• Course Work
  Most graduate schools require at least a minimum of course work in certain subjects to demonstrate interest and commitment. Suggestions or requirements for supporting background courses in different program areas are usually discussed in the departmental literature. Undergraduate advisors can help you plan programs of psychology and supporting courses to meet requirements. In general, most graduate schools desire a balanced background.

• Work & Experience
  Because many applicants to graduate school have strong grades, test scores, and letters of recommendation, students' extracurricular and independent study activities are also important for admissions. Such activities demonstrate that the student has tested his/her interest and has an idea of what will be required of them. Check the Research, Internships & Special Opportunities section of this website for information on involvement in these activities at the University of Minnesota. Many selection committees look for demonstrated research or applied skills, and for self-initiated and self-directed work.

• Applicant's Stated Interests
  Graduate schools attempt to select students whose interests, goals, and orientation match those of the school. Therefore, selection committees closely scrutinize your autobiographical statement. These statements are your chance to indicate specific research and study interests, and future professional goals. If you are interested in working with a particular faculty member, state it here, but only if you are serious. Although you may feel the urge to write statements geared to what the selection committee is looking for, your experience in a graduate program inappropriate for you may be a miserable one. The applicant’s statement also provides the selection committee an opportunity to assess writing ability. Be sure your statement is absolutely error-free and well-written. Psychology advisers welcome students' requests to review graduate school statements.

• Psychology Honors Program
  Students considering graduate school might also consider becoming an honors major in psychology. Although graduation with the honors major is no guarantee of admission to a graduate program, the features of the honors program, including more advanced course work, the honors project, and the faculty honors advisor do make it a preparatory program for graduate school.

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Graduate School in Psychology

Several resources are available for background information on graduate programs in psychology, degree options, course offerings, and general information for graduate school preparation.

• Psychology professors often have a firm knowledge of the various graduate programs in their areas of specialization. The type of information provided by faculty members is valuable because it is usually not printed in catalogs.

• Graduate school catalogs are available in the Career Development Center (302 Eddy Hall), and the Graduate School.

• Graduate programs The best source of information on a particular program is from the school itself. Mailing addresses for schools offering graduate psychology programs can be obtained from the APA Graduate Study in Psychology book available in 105 or 107 Elliott.

• The Internet is also an excellent tool for gathering information. One helpful site with which to begin is www.apa.org, the American Psychological Association’s home page.

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Application Procedures

1. Select an Area of Specialization
   Before the beginning of the senior year, a student considering graduate school should have selected the area in which he/she wishes to specialize. Most students can make this decision from their experiences in psychology and related courses, independent study or extracurricular activities, and from discussion with psychology professors and advisors. In addition to an interest in the area of specialization, students should have some knowledge of the type and length of program usually required in that area, and of career possibilities after graduation.

2. Obtain Information on Graduate Schools
   After selecting an area of specialization, find out which schools offer programs of study in that area, prerequisites for admission, and general information on the program. The APA publication Graduate Study in Psychology has this information for the more than 600 graduate programs in the United States and Canada. The chart at the end of the book provides a quick reference for determining which schools have programs in the area of interest. The descriptions for the individual schools provide information on minimum requirements, student statistics for the most recently admitted class, tuition rates, and department orientation.

3. Obtain Application Materials
   In many cases, you download materials from schools' websites or apply via on-line portals. Write or e-mail those schools you are interested in for application materials and brochures. Postcards are sufficient if you are using the mail; most schools do not keep request letters. Your request should indicate clearly the area of interest, projected entry date, and your name and return address.

• Admissions to the Ph.D. programs are intensely competitive! Apply to several schools (4-8) with a range of selectivity: some at the highest level at which you can realistically hope for admission, a number where probability of admission is good, and one or two "safe bets" (that you feel have adequate programs).

• Gather application materials Fall semester, preferably by October, in your senior year.

4. Prepare your Letter of Intent
   Your Letter of Iintent or Personal Statement is of extreme importance. Graduate programs closely examine these statements for the applicants clear vision regarding the program they are applying to. This statement should both underscore your unique abilities, talents, and interests that will be brought to the program and your understanding of why the program is a perfect fit for your goals and direction. There are many resources online, in the library, and in our office (105 Elliott Hall) to assist you in preparing your Letter of Intent.

5. Schedule Required Exams
   Find out what tests are required for particular schools, and if the tests required are computer-based or have a specific test date. The GRE computer-based test is offered at Prometric Testing Centers and on-campus. Information on tests is available from University Counseling and Consulting Services, 109 Eddy Hall (612) 624-5520. Because of application deadlines (from December to March, depending on the school), late summer or early fall of your senior year is the best time to take the GRE general test. With computer-based testing, you can see your score instantly as you finish the test or cancel your score before seeing it. Score reports are mailed to schools approximately 10-15 working days after you complete the test. Schedule one to three weeks in advance of the proposed test date or check testing schedules by calling the testing center or ETS at 1-800-473-2255 or check the ETS website.

6. Obtain Letters of Recommendation
   We have already discussed the necessity of good letters of recommendation. If you cannot obtain letters from faculty members familiar with your abilities, you can request instructors of courses in which you have done well to write them. Based on a review of your transcript and an interview on your career plans and relevant experiences, the faculty member may be able to write an adequate letter of recommendation. Obviously, a more personal letter is usually more informative to the graduate school. When requesting letters, assist your recommenders by being organized. A packet including forms, addressed & stamped envelopes, resume, statement of purpose and transcript will help support the letter writer's efforts.

7. Financial Aid Application
   Most applications for financial aid are submitted at the same time as the regular application; however, some schools have earlier deadlines for financial aid consideration. Typically, students admitted into Ph.D. programs will also receive an aid package, which may include research or teaching assistantships, fellowships and/or grants. Of course, fellowships and grants, which do not require that students work for or repay the funds, are the most attractive options. However, even TA or RA positions are beneficial, enabling students to receive tuition remission, health benefits and compensation while attending school.

8. Application Deadlines
   Most schools have deadlines between December and March. It is important that you submit ALL required materials before the deadlines. At some schools, incomplete and late applications are not considered. Many schools notify applicants when their files are complete; applicants who have not received such notification as the deadline approaches should contact the school before the deadline in order to ensure a complete application.

9. Notification of Decision
   Schools usually notify applicants of their decisions as soon as possible. However, due to different procedures for considering applications, notification dates vary from December to June. Once your application files are complete, all you can do is wait. Most psychology graduate programs are in schools that are members of the Council of Graduate Schools (COGS). COGS has passed a resolution that students must accept offers of admission with financial aid by April 15th. These offers are considered agreements which both the student and the graduate school are expected to honor. After April 15th, applicants can only change their acceptance of an offer with aid by obtaining a formal release from the school whose offer was accepted. Check our websiter for psychology related career information.

10. Planning Alternatives
    Because psychology doctoral programs are very competitive, there is a real possibility of not being accepted. You should plan for alternatives such as graduate study in a related field or employment with the B.A. degree in case these become necessary.

    
    For more great information on the Graduate School Application Process, look at the University of Minnesota's Graduate School website: http://www.grad.umn.edu/prospective_students/Application_Information/process/
    

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Last modified September 19, 2007