Counseling Psychology: Admissions Requirements
Admissions Process Calendar 2008-2009
| September, 2009 | Application process begins |
| October 15, 6-8pm | Open House for Professional Psychology Contact admissions to attend: cdunlap@pacificu.edu |
| January, 2010 | FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) |
| March 5, 2010 | Preferred application deadline date |
| Late March 2010 | Applicant interview days |
| March to May, 2010 | Admission decisions |
The priority application deadline is March 5. Applications received after the deadline are considered on a space-available basis. Our admissions decisions consider many factors:
- Strength and breadth of academic record
- A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a four-point scale is desired. Those who have less than a 3.0 undergraduate GPA, but show other evidence of high potential are encouraged to apply. (Applicants may demonstrate their academic potential by taking the Graduate Record Exam.)
- Applied and Research experience
- Essay responses
- Strength of letters of evaluation
- Content of application forms and the care with which they have been prepared
Based on the criteria listed above, applicants may be asked to a personal interview.
For International Students
- 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, 250, internet test 100.
- If you attended a non-US or non-Canadian college, university, or graduate school, a course-by-course evaluation of your international college and university transcripts is required. There are several third party organizations that provide this service to international students, but we prefer WES (World Education Services). Please see the web site at http://www.wes.org for more information. The credentials evaluation must be received in our Admissions office by the application deadline to ensure consideration of your application.
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.
Prerequisites
- A bachelor's degree before beginning the counseling psychology program.
- Courses in introductory psychology, abnormal psychology, and statistics. CPSY 500 and CPSY 520 may count as meeting the prerequisites. We recommend additional undergraduate courses in psychology, particularly physiological psychology, social psychology, cognition, learning, personality theory, research methods and psychometrics. Applicants may be admitted with prerequisite course in progress. However all prerequisite courses must be completed with passing grades of "C" or higher before an admitted student can matriculate into the program.
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 10 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.