Getting into Graduate Programs in Psychology

 

 

            If mountains of graduate applications and impending GRE test dates are leaving you overwhelmed, you are not alone.  Completing the application process for graduate school in psychology is a daunting task for many students.   It can be a very confusing and stressful time in your career as a student.  How do you find the program that's right for you and then once you've found that program, how do you get admitted to it?  How can you get a good score on the GRE?  What's a vita?  What should I put in my personal statement?   Who should I ask to write me a letter of recommendation?  These are just a few of the questions that you may be faced with as you complete the process of applying for graduate study.  This website is meant to offer students guidance as they prepare for advanced study in psychology. (Also check out Dr. Austin's So you want to go to Graduate School? MSword document

 

There are several different types of graduation programs for you to choose from, so the first step in choosing the graduate program that's right for you is to understand the differences between these programs.

 

• Masters Only Program (aka, Terminal Masters):  These programs usually require 2 years to complete and the admission standards are generally lower than PhD programs (e.g., 1000-1100 GREs).  Some master programs do not require a thesis and are course-oriented with a practical experience requirement.

 

• Doctoral program (PhD):  As a PhD student, you complete your Masters and PhD in the same program.  You donÕt have to reapply to the PhD program once you've completed your Master's requirements.  The average length of a doctoral program is 5 to 6 years and require the completion of a dissertation.

 

• PhD vs. PsyD programs:  This distinction pertains to graduate study in clinical psychology.  PhD programs prescribe to a scientist-practitioner model (e.g., The Boulder Model) in which equal weight is placed upon the development of research competencies and clinical skills.  Boulder model programs provide rigorous education as a researcher (e.g., training in statistics, history and systems, research methods) and a clinician (e.g., courses in development, learning, therapy, etc.). PhD programs are almost exclusively located in graduate programs of universities.  Students of PhD programs receive a doctorate of philosophy.  On the other hand, the focus of PsyD programs is to train scholar/professionals (e.g., The Vail Model).  Emphasis is placed upon clinical service provision and less on research.  PsyD programs may be housed within a psychology department, within a university-affiliated psychology schools, or within an independent, freestanding psychology school (e.g., California Schools of Professional Psychology).  Students of PsyD programs receive a doctorate of psychology.  Often PsyD programs are easier to gain admissions to but are more expensive.  The Insider's Guide to Graduate Programs in Clinical and Counseling Psychology, 2002/2003 Edition has a listing of APA-Accredited PsyD. Programs in Clinical Psychology for students who are interested in locating these programs.

 

• Accreditation:  An accredited graduate program has been judged as having met minimum standards of quality for education in psychology.  The American Psychological Association only accredits doctoral programs in four specialty areas:  clinical psychology, counseling psychology, school psychology, and combined professional-scientific psychology.  Masters programs are not accredited by the APA.  Other professional organizations, such as the Association for Behavior Analysis, may also accredit graduate programs in Psychology, including masters programs.  Accreditation becomes an important issue for prospective graduate students as a degree from an institute that isn't accredited may not recognized by licensing boards, certifying organizations, or insurance companies.  Students from APA-accredited programs are generally more competitive in terms of their internship choices and employment prospectives.  Additionally, sitting for licensure or certification board exams is an easier process if the student comes from an accredited program than a non-accredited program.  Though students coming from nonaccredited programs are not excluded from these examinations, the process is often difficult as they must prove they have demonstrate certain proficiencies to be able to sit for the exams (e.g., have completed certain coursework, clinical proficiency, etc.)

 

• Licensure:  In most states, you must be licensed in order to provide psychological services.  There are several categories of therapists including licensed psychologists and limited licenses.  Depending on the state you are in, the licensure process will determine what you will be allowed to do (e.g., be able to bill insurances, open one's own independent practice, or having to work underneath a supervising psychologist, etc.).  Depending on the state that you wish to practice, the licensure process will determine what you are allowed to do, not the graduate program you came from. You must be sure that you have the requirements to sit for the licensure exam.

 

***As a note, Western's undergraduate curriculum has been preapproved by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board, meaning that, at graduation, our undergraduates will have completed the necessary coursework to apply to take the Board Certified Associate Behavior Analyst (BCABA) exam. Students will also need to supply additional documentation regarding supervised applied experience and proof of BS degree.  Click here to learn more about the BCBA/BCABA program. 

 

•  Areas of Interest in Psychology

 

 Psychology is a vast discipline and therefore, graduate study in psychology encompasses a wide variety of topics.  It is important for prospective students to identify their particular area of interest and then search for programs that have faculty members working in this area, as they will be the ones to guide and shape your graduate education.  Some different types of Graduate programs in Psychology include:

• Behavior Analysis/ Therapy
• Behavioral Medicine
• Behavioral Neuroscience
• Clinical Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Community Psychology
• Counseling Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Educational Psychology
• Experimental Psychology
• Industrial/ Organizational Psychology
• Marriage & Family Therapy
• Mental Retardation
• Psychiatry (Medical School)
• Psychobiology
• Rehabilitation
• School Psychology
• Sensation & Perception
• Social Psychology
• Social Work (clinical)
• Sports Psychology

 

To learn more about these and other area of psychology, visit the APA Divisions website at http://www.apa.org/about/division.html. 

 

• Considerations in Selecting a School

There are a wide variety of considerations that one must make when choosing graduate programs to apply to. 

 

1. Type of program:  Doctoral programs are often more competitive to Masters programs, Clinical programs are more competitive than other types of programs and PhD programs are more competitive than PsyD programs. Therefore, when selecting programs to apply to, it is best to choose a variety of Doctoral, Masters, and program types.  This will increase your chances of being accepted into at least one program and will give you options to choose from when making the final decision.  If you are absolutely sure you want to get a PhD but are not accepted into a program, think about getting a Masters and then reapplying.  The Masters degree will increase your marketability as a candidate (be aware that you may need to complete certain requirements when transferring into a PhD program, such as redefending your thesis).

2. Research interests:  When searching for programs, it is important to find programs that have faculty members who are doing work within the areas that you are interested in.  Essentially you are searching for a professor who is a good match for you, and this requires a lot of research on your part.  Find articles in your area of interest and see where the authors are working and if they are affliated with a graduate program.  Read the faculty members webpages, descriptions of their research/clinical work, articles and books that they have written, etc.

 

3. Clinical opportunities:  If your interests are applied in nature, it is important to find a faculty mentor who is working within your area of interest.  You will want to find out a faculty member who is practicing within the clinic you would like to work in.

 

4. Theoretical Orientations:  Five common orientations include psychodynamic/psychoanalytic, applied behavioral analysis/radical behavioral, family systems/systems, existential/phenomenological/humanistic, and cognitive/cognitive-behavioral.  It is important to determine the theoretical orientation of the graduate program you are interested in applying to as this orientation will be a large factor in determining your experience in that program. 

 

5. Financial Aid:  An important consideration in choosing a program is the probability of financial support.  Some types of common aid include tuition waivers, assistantships, assistantship and waiver, and graduate fellowships in addition to student loans.  It is also important to know what duties would be expected of you by receiving these certain types of aid (e.g., teaching, research, etc.).  Also, some schools require additional applications to be considered for different forms of financial aid so make sure you have the proper paperwork filled out when you apply for this program.

 

6. Quality of Life:  Lastly you must consider quality of life issues (e.g., geography of the school, it's surrounding community, attractions, proximity to family, etc.) as this is an area in which you will be spending the next two to six years and you want to make sure that it is an area where you can see yourself living.

 

• Resources for Researching Graduate Programs

 

• Books: 

-        APA Graduate Study in Psychology (2004 Ed.)

-        Insider's Guide to Graduate Programs in Clinical and Counseling Psychoogy (2002/2003 Ed.)

 

Both books are available in the Psychology Undergraduate Advising Office (2124 Wood).

 

• Websites:

-        www.apa.org/students:  APA's site for students.  Offers information about careers in psychology, applying for graduate school, funding opportunities, and much more!

-        www.socialpsychology.org:  useful page with more than 5,000 pychology-related links, including listings of psychology graduate programs.

-        www.clas.ufl.edu/CLAS/american-universities.html:  listings of American Universities offering graduate programs

-        www.psychwww.com/resource/deptlist.htm:  listings of over 1,000 Psychology department websites.

-        www.gradschools.com/listings/menus/psych_clinic_menu.html:  a directory of Clinical Psychology graduate programs.

-        www.gradschools.com/listings/menus/psych_cmt_menu.html:  a directory of Counseling Psychology and Mental Health graduate programs.

 

• Tips for Success

 

-        Do your research to find the programs and professors that are right for you, and apply to a wide variety of Masters and Doctorate programs.

 

-        Talk with our faculty about your interests.  These individuals are a wealth of information and may be able to direct you to certain professors and graduate programs that may be a good match for you.

 

-        Try to make contact with potential professors you are interested in working with as a graduate student.  Write a letter (or email) to them expressing your interest in their particular research area and request more information about the work that they are doing in their labs and if they will be taking graduate students in the upcoming year.  Another method for getting to know a professor is to attend a professional conference in which they are presenting and introduce yourself.

 

COMPONENTS OF THE APPLICATION

 

• Application forms

 

Each school that you apply to will have a separate application to be completed.  Common information that you will be asked to supply include full name, previous and maiden names, citizenship status, semester of entrance, current mailing address, permanent home address, educational history, degree sought, field of study, relevant courses taken, GPA, academic honors, clinical experience, special qualifications, employment history, teaching/research experience, career objectives, and references.

It is important that you complete these applications carefully, professionally and neatly.  Illegible handwriting, incorrect spelling, and poor grammar will seriously affect your chances of being admitted.  Consider making photocopies of the applications and completing a first draft of the applications. 

 

• Curriculum Vita

 

A curriculum vita summarizes your academic and employment history as it pertains to your career in psychology in a structured format.  It is essentially an academic resume.  Topics included on your vitae are educational history, relevant coursework, clinical, research, and teaching experience, honors and awards, memberships in professional organizations, publications, and presentations.  Involvement in departmental activities, such as research projects and teaching experiences, as well as relevant clinical experiences, such as practicum experience and volunteer experience at agencies that may pertain to your research interests, are excellent activities to highlight on your vitae.

 

Click here to see a sample of a curriculum vita.  

 

• Personal Statement

 

Your application to graduate program will require you to write a statement of purpose.  When conceptualizing your personal statement, it is best to view it as a professional statement.  Your personal statement is not a forum to discuss personal philosophy on life, significant life experiences, such as your first love, or intimate narratives on how you have chosen psychology as a career path. Instead, keep the tone of your statement formal, clear and professional and write about your activities and experiences as an expectant psychologist. 

 

Each application will specify the topics that you are to address in your personal statement.  Common topics include career plans, clinical experiences, interest areas, specific faculty of interest, research experiences, autobiographical statement, academic objectives, reasons for applying to that particular program, and educational background.  Carefully read the question for each application, individualize your response to each program, and respond to all the parts of the question. 

 

Your personal statement must be written extremely well, void of all grammar and spelling errors.  Write several drafts of your personal statement, and with each revision, concentrate on the organization and clarity of your thoughts.  Share your personal statement with others to gain feedback about your writing and make sure to PROOFREAD!

 

• GRE

   

Most graduate programs require a minimum combined score (verbal + quantitative) of 1000 on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).  Some programs, such as clinical, require scores over 1200.  Plan on taking the test as early as possible in your senior year (perhaps even the summer before), so that if you do not receive the score that you wanted, you will have time to retake the test before your application materials are due.  Because your GRE scores are such a critical part of your application, don't take the test cold.  You can improve your score by studying for it.  In addition to the study materials that will be sent to you by the Educational Testing Services when you register for the test, you can buy supplemental materials to help you prepare for the test. 

 

Books publishers:

-        Kaplin

-        Princeton Review

-        Research and Education Association

-        Barrons

 

Software:

-        Higher Scores on the GRE

 

Before you sign up, be sure you know what the schools you are applying for require of applicants.  Some programs will require applicants to take the Subject test in addition the GRE General test.  If you must take the Subject test, register early as this test is only offered a few times a year. The GRE website offers a lot of good information regarding test dates and preparation hints.  Visit this site at www.gre.com to familiarize yourself with the testing procedures. 

   

In the Kalamazoo area, tests are given at the Prometric Testing Center located at 640 Romence Road in the Hillside Center, Suite 215.  You can call 321-8351 for more information and to schedule a testing date. 

 

• Transcripts

 

You must also include official transcripts from each of the colleges and universities that you have attended as a part of your application materials.  Most schools require that these transcripts are sent directly from the schools and not included with your application.  Therefore, make sure you request to have transcripts sent to the schools that you are applying to by Thanksgiving to ensure that the transcripts are received by the deadline and follow up to make sure that the transcripts have been received by the schools you are applying to.

 

• GPA and Psychology GPA

 

Most graduate programs require a minimum GPA of 3.0;  some schools require a higher GPA.  Do everything you can to boost your GPA, including retaking courses (particularly courses in psychology that you may have earned a low grade in).  Click here to see how to calculate your Psychology GPA.  

 

• Letters of Recommendation

 

Letters of recommendation provide admissions committees with an objective evaluation of your work by someone who is working within the field.  When choosing people to write letters of recommendation for you, try to identify individuals that can attest to your ability to complete advanced studies in psychology.  Such individuals include psychology faculty members, practicum supervisors, or work supervisors from employment in a psychologically related job.  Start working on gaining letters during your sophomore and junior year by being involved in practicum, research projects, teaching opportunities, other departmental activities, and taking multiple courses with the same instructor.  In essence, start developing a strong relationship with individuals in a position to write you a letter of recommendation, so that when the time comes to ask for that letter, they are able to write you a glowing letter.

 

• Tips for Success

 

-        Start the application process early so that you will have plenty of time to complete all the requirements. 

 

-        Become involved with activities in the Psychology department.  Your involvement will help you narrow your interests in the field, gain important research, teaching, and clinical experiences, and build relationships with faculty members and other individuals who you can ask for letters of recommendation.

 

- Click here for a sample timeline for applying to graduate programs.   

Reference:

            American Psychological Association.  (2004).  Graduate study in psychology.  Washington D.C.:  American Psychological Association.

 

            American Psychological Association.(2003, December 8).  APA online: students.  [On-line] Available:  http://www.apa.org/students

 

Norcross, J.C., Sayette, M.A., & Mayne, T.J.  (2002).  InsiderÕs guide to graduate programs in clinical and counseling psychology.  New York:  The Guilford Press.

 

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 SAMPLE CURRICULUM VITA

 

Kimberly Foster

732 Lake Shadow Drive

Kalamazoo, MI  49007

(616) 555-1324

e-mail: kim.foster@wmich.edu

Educational History

Western Michigan University

        B.A. in Psychology, 2002

        GPA (overall):  3.52

        GPA (psychology):  3.87

        GRE (verbal + quantitative):  1120

Relevant Coursework

á       Introductory Psychology     .           .           .           A

á       Child Psychology    .           .           .           .           A

á       Abnormal Psychology         .           .           .           BA

á       Research Methods .           .           .           .           A

á       Experimental Analysis of Behavior  .           .           A

Clinical Experience

Croyden Avenue School - Autism Preschool

Position:  Behavioral Technician

            Duration:  August, 2001 Ð December, 2001

Duties:  one-on-one teaching, data collection

Supervisor:  Richard Malott, Ph.D.

           

Research Experience

'A Comparison of Brief versus Extended Functional Analyses''

            Position:  Research Assistant

            Duration:  January, 2001 Ð April, 2001

            Duties:  data collection, graphing

            Supervisor:  James Carr , Ph.D.

Teaching Experience

Research Methods in Behavior Analysis

            Position:  Teaching Assistant

            Duration:  January, 2001 Ð April, 2001

Duties:  grading papers, office hours, one lecture

            Supervisor:  James Carr, Ph.D.

Honors

2001    Gold Key Honor Society Ð Outstanding Student Award

Memberships in Professional Organizations

1999-present   Behavior Analysis Association of Michigan

1999-present   American Psychological Association (student affiliate)

Publications

Clark, J. G., & Foster, K.  (2000).  How to prepare for graduate study in behavior therapy.  the Behavior Therapist, 25, 105-106.

Professional Presentations

Carr, J. E., & Foster, K.  (2001, March).  Treatment of Tourette Syndrome using habit reversal.  Paper presented at the Annual Convention of the Behavior Analysis Association of Michigan, Ypsilanti, MI.

 

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Calculating Your Major GPA

 

Your major GPA is a measure of how well you are doing in your psychology courses.  To calculate your GPA, you should have the following things handy:

-          A listing of all courses you have taken along with the grade and the number of credit hours;

-          A calculator

 

Here are the steps to calculating your major GPA:

1)              Highlight all psych courses you have taken.

2)              List these courses below with all relevant information.  Fill in the information in column A in a minute.

 

		A	B
Psychology Course	Grade	Grade #**	Credit hours	Multiply column A by column B
TOTAL

   

To determine the information in column A (Grade #), put the following numerical equivalents of the grade in the column:

   

A=4.0                           BA=3.5            B=3.0               CB=2.5            C=2.0

DC= 1.5                       D=1.0                           E=0.0

   

3.              Multiply column A by column B (that is the grade numerical equivalent by number of credit hours).

4.              Continue with step #3 until you have done all psych classes.

5.              Add all of the numbers in the last column.

6.              Divide the answer you got in #5 by your total number of credit hours in psychology (that is the total of column B).

7.              That is your psych GPA!

   

Here is an example. Say I took the following courses--PSY 100, PSY 160 and PSY 250.  Here is my table:

   

		A	B
Psychology Course	Grade	Grade #**