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Psychology Program

Psychology Program > Getting into Graduate School

Getting into Graduate School

Getting into Graduate School

Getting into graduate school is a lengthy process that the student should begin to think about as early as possible. There are numerous types of graduate programs available. Each of these programs demand different requirements for potential students. The information here is meant to guide you into thinking about the steps necessary to get into a graduate program. The best advice you can receive is from your academic advisor. As soon as you become aware that you are considering the possibility of graduate school, schedule an appointment with your academic advisor.

What types of graduate programs are available?

There are numerous programs available for students interested in psychology both in the local community and across the United States. The following list is NOT comprehensive.

  1. Experimental Psychology (Ph.D. and/or M.S.)

    There are many doctoral programs in experimental psychology. Each of these programs requires the student to earn both a masters and a doctorate. This typically requires four to five years of education after the bachelor's degree. It is important to realize that most of these programs expect the student to earn the doctorate and not to stop their studies after the master's degree. Most of these Ph.D. degrees prepare the individual for working in the university setting teaching and conducting research. However, many individuals end up working in private settings such as industries or research facilities.

    • Learning: This branch of psychology emphasizes principles of learning and focuses on research techniques.

    • Sensation and Perception: This area focuses on how the sensory system processes incoming information and how the brain interprets it.

    • Developmental: This field focuses on how individuals develop from conception to death.

    • Personality: Major focus is on theories of personality development, personality assessment, and the operation of personality processes.

    • Social: Emphasis in this field is on studying the impact of interpersonal behavior in a social context.

    • Physiological: this field focuses on physiological processes involved in human behavior.

    • Industrial/Organizational: Major focus in this area is on principles of human behavior applied to the organizational setting. This field also includes an emphasis on measurement issues and research design.

  2. Clinical Services

    • Clinical psychology (Ph.D.): To become a clinical psychologist you will need to earn both a masters and doctoral degree in this area. Clinical psychologists are able to work in a variety of settings including hospitals, community mental health clinics, private practices, and university settings. Clinical psychologists are trained in research, psychological testing, and therapy, making them somewhat unique in comparison with other mental health service providers. Clinical psychologists may also take a licensing exam in the state in which they practice which enables them to practice independently and to be reimbursed through insurance.

    • Clinical psychology (Psy.D.): This degree is very similar to the Ph.D. degree except there is not a research emphasis. Due to the lack of research training, these individuals would not be hired by most universities. This degree is relatively new compared to the Ph.D., also. Due to psychologists' inexperience with this degree and the lack of emphasis on research, there is some hesitancy on the part of many psychologists to fully accept this degree.

    • Psychiatrist: This degree requires an M.D. Psychiatrists must complete training in medical school and then must complete at least one year of their residency in psychiatry. Psychiatrists would be most likely to prescribe medication as a major component of treatment for psychological disorders.

    • Social Workers (M.S.W.): This degree typically requires two years after the bachelor's degree. This master's degree allows individuals to work as a therapist in varied settings such as hospitals, community mental health centers, welfare offices, or private practices. Training typically does not include extensive education in research or psychological testing. Emphasis of training tends to be on more social influences than traditional psychological studies. In most states, these individuals cannot be licensed and cannot be reimbursed by insurance.

    • Masters in Counseling Education: This degree is somewhat similar to the M.S.W. degree in terms of length of training and licensing issues. This degree may also allow the individual to work in school settings as a school counselor. Individuals with both the M.S.W. degree and M.Ed. degree tend to work with less severe psychological problems than clinical psychologists or psychiatrists.

  3. Applied (Masters)

    These programs focus on training students to apply psychology to a specific area.

    • Masters in Rehabilitation Psychology: Applying psychology to helping injured individuals reenter the work force.

    • Masters in Art Therapy: Learning how to use art as a medium of expression for those individuals who are not able to use traditional forms of expression such as verbal communication (e.g., children).

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Timetable for Students Interested in Pursuing Graduate Studies

This timetable should be viewed as a suggestion only! Your academic advisor will work with you on an individual basis to help you decide what is in your best interests.

Freshman:
  • Meet with your advisor to discuss plans for college career and possibly discuss tentative ideas for after graduation.
  • Talk with psychology professors about their research interests.
  • Join Psychology Club.
Sophomore:
  • Choose one professor to begin working with his/her research projects.
  • Take P250/P251 - Experimental Methods and Statistics.
  • Talk with Career Services & Placement about the possibility of doing a practicum during your junior yea.
  • Continue talking with your academic advisor about your post-graduation plans.
Junior:
  • Continue working with a professor on research (either continue with the same professor or choose a new professor).
  • Begin practicum experience.
  • Get information about the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and the Millers Analogies Test (MAT). These tests are required by many graduate schools for admission into their programs. The GRE is similar in nature to the SAT containing both a Verbal and a Quantitative (Math) section. You will also want to take the Advanced Psychology Test on the GRE that will assess your level of psychological knowledge as compared to other psychology majors. The MAT is an analogies test. Fewer schools use this test.
  • Begin to gather information about those graduate programs to which you would like to apply. It is best to send postcards to those programs during the summer before your senior year.

There is a handbook of graduate programs in the United States located in the Social Sciences office. Any faculty member can show you how to use this book and the important variables about each program. In general, try to find those programs whose interests match yours and are approved by the American Psychological Association (APA).

Senior:
  • Continue with research and/or practicum. The more experience you have, the more attractive you will be to graduate admission committees. Be sure to learn the basics of using a computer and SPSS.
  • Register to take the GRE and the MAT in the early fall (usually offered in October).
  • Collect application materials from all programs and meet with your academic advisor to narrow your choices. Select 8-12 programs to which you will apply.
  • Complete applications and mail. Many programs have deadlines of December 1st or January 1st. Be sure to send your materials at least two weeks early to prevent delays. Be sure to give those professors writing you letters of recommendation at least one month to write their letters. Also, it is wise to give professors the deadlines for each program.
  • Interview: Most graduate programs will ask you to come to an interview. GO! The interview is a good chance for the admissions committee to learn about you and for you to decide whether you would be happy at this program. If your interests do not match the interests of the program, it is unlikely that you will be happy. If the program does not request an interview, call them and ask when you can schedule a visit to the campus.
  • Discuss with your advisor the proper procedures for declining and accepting offers from graduate programs.

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Helpful Hints for Getting into Graduate School

  • Take advantage of your academic advisor. This person has successfully completed this process and knows what is necessary.

  • Get involved with research and be responsible! Professors will be writing your letters of recommendation. If you are irresponsible, you do not give the professor very good writing material!

  • Attend Psychology Club and Psi Chi events on getting into graduate school. Even if you know what you are doing, by attending these events you will be able to meet and impress members of graduate admission committees.

  • Do not be afraid to apply to programs all over the country. Your chances of being accepted are increased if you apply to more programs.

  • Only apply to those programs that match your interests. If you fail to follow this advice, you will be wasting your time, energy, and money.

  • Apply to a variety of schools. Apply to some top-notch schools that you believe you would not have a chance of being admitted, some moderate level schools, and some programs to which you believe you will definitely be admitted. However, be careful about the above hint.

  • Several websites exist that have more information on this topic.

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