School of Professional Psychology Admissions: Clinical Psychology
Admissions Process Calendar 2008-2009
| November 13, 2008 | Professional Psychology Open House |
| January 9, 2009 | Application due in Admissions Office |
| Mid to Late February, 2009 | Applicants notified of Interview |
| February 23-March 9, 2009 | Interview Period |
| March 6-7, 2009 | Applicant Open House/Interviews (preferred) |
| Mid to Late March, 2009 | Applicants notified of Admission |
| April 15, 2009 | Deposit due to hold place in Fall 2008 class |
Clinical Psychology: Admissions Requirements
The School seeks students with both academic aptitude and personal qualities that will enable them to develop personally and professionally into effective psychologists. A personal interview is required for all finalists who apply to the program. Application deadline is January 9.
Applicants are advised that criminal background checks are required by the University. This check is required to determine the student's qualification to provide services, and takes place after admission and deposit. A criminal record may disqualify a previously admitted student. In addition, drug screenings will be required prior to the start of clinical practicum placements.
Doctoral Program: Requirements for admission with a bachelor's degree
- Satisfactory completion of a bachelor's degree. A grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.4 during the last two years of study is desirable.
- The General Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken within 5 years of application. Desirable minimum scores are a total of 1100 for the verbal and quantitative portions of the general exam; Analytic Writing, at least 50th percentile. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for those for whom English is not the native language. Minimum score for paper test is 600; computer test, 105.
- A strong undergraduate background in psychology. Applicants do not need to have a major, but 4 of the 8 following courses are required as preparation for work at the graduate level:
- Introduction to Psychology
- Personality Theory
- Abnormal Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Experimental Psychology
- Physiological Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Behavioral Statistics
- Prerequisite courses must be completed with an average of "B" or above before a student can matriculate into the program. Applicants may demonstrate their knowledge by submitting scores for the optional Psychology Subject test of the GRE. Note that this portion of the GRE is only administered by paper exam. It should be taken no later than November in order for results to be available by the application deadline.
Doctoral Program--Advanced Standing: Requirements for admission with a related master's degree
- Completion of the requirements listed above for entry with a bachelor's degree.
- Completion of a master's degree in clinical or counseling psychology, social work, or psychiatric nursing (which is roughly equivalent to receiving credit for one year of full-time study). Students admitted at advanced standing do not receive the M.S. degree in clinical psychology from Pacific University.
- The M.S. degree or subsequent academic coursework must have included preparation at the graduate level equivalent to that provided by the following courses in the Pacific University Clinical Psychology Program:
- Basic Clinical and Counseling Skills and Lab
- Introduction to Diagnosis and Treatment Planning and Lab
- Professional Communication
- Psychometrics
- Applicants with an approved master’s degree, but without such preparation, will be required to complete these courses at Pacific University during their first year of enrollment. Students exempted from taking Introduction to Diagnosis and Treatment Planning and Basic Clinical and Counseling Skills must take GPSY 740 Advanced Clinical Skills Review.
- Subsequent to admission, students applying for advanced standing will receive a supplement to the letter of admission confirming their status and documenting any prerequisites still required.
Respecialization Program: Requirements for Admission with a doctorate degree
Applicants who hold doctorates in areas of psychology other than clinical may apply for respecialization. Upon completion of all program requirements, respecialization students receive a Certificate of Respecialization. The GRE is not required for respecialization applicants.
Transfer of Credits
Post-baccalaureate work at the graduate level in psychology taken at an accredited university may be evaluated for transfer. An "A" grade must have been achieved and the course instructor and the Director of Academic Issues must determine that the content of the course (based on syllabus documentation) was appropriate through review of the Transfer of Credit Application. A maximum of 21 credits may be transferred from other schools provided these were earned after award of a bachelors degree from an accredited program and within the four years immediately preceding admission to the School. Practicum and internship credits are not transferable.