Counseling Psychology and Special Education (CPSE)

PhD Counseling Psychology: Application

Application Procedure

The application for the Office of Graduate Studies is online here.  Applicants are strongly urged to apply online, as processing is more efficient and most applicants are able to check the status of their application. All application materials must be submitted to the Graduate Admissions Office by January 2. Applicable portions are forwarded by this office to the CPSE Department. All admissions begin fall semester.

Application Materials

All applicants must submit the following materials:

  • Complete the Online Graduate Studies Application
  • Honor Code Commitment and Confidential Report
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Information for the CPSE Department (including a statement of intent)
  • Unofficial transcript uploaded from each institution attended
  • Non-refundable application fee

All international applicants who have not received a bachelor's degree from a U.S. institution of higher education must complete the TOEFL. The Department of Counseling Psychology and Special Education requires the same minimum TOEFL scores as the university. For more information on the TOEFL, click here. In addition, international students must submit a Financial Certification form and Contract of Support.

Additional Preferences and Recommendations

  • A GPA of 3.4–4.0 is considered competitive. Calculate and upload cumulative undergraduate GPA.
  • Applicants may be invited to campus for individual interviews and group activities. Assessments and interviews, along with academic and professional experience, assist administrators and faculty in evaluating characteristics recognized as important for successful performance in the field of counseling psychology.

Prerequisites to Admission

Students admitted to the doctoral program typically have completed either a bachelor's degree in the social/behavioral sciences or a master's degree in counseling or a closely related area. Students who are otherwise qualified but lack specific background coursework may be admitted provisionally to the PhD program, but during their first year they will be required to take the classes in which they are deficient.

Continuation

The opportunity to continue in the PhD program beyond the first year will be granted to students who successfully complete the required background coursework and receive satisfactory end-of-semester evaluations.