Most PsyD programs focus on clinical training and are designed to prepare future psychologists to provide prevention/intervention, assessment, and treatment for patients presenting with a wide array of clinical conditions. The process of applying takes time and commitment, so here are some tips to get you started.
Consider your personal candidate profile for PsyD programs
Before you begin researching which PsyD programs are right for you, take some time to assess your personal candidate profile. Reflect on the answers to these questions:
- Why do I want to get a doctoral degree in clinical psychology?
- What are my short- and long-term career interests?
- Am I interested primarily in clinical work, research, or a combination of the two?
- How and in what ways have my prior practicum/internship or other human services experiences prepared me for graduate study?
- Is there a specific population with whom I want to work?
- Am I drawn to a particular setting (e.g., community mental health, inpatient, private practice)?
- What skills have I mastered that will position me for success in this field?
- Which skills from my past and/or current career would transfer to doctoral studies in clinical psychology?
Your answers to these questions will serve as an excellent starting point as you progress through the application process. Your candidate profile will drive many of the decisions you make along the way, including which programs will best fit your needs and which admissions offer you accept.
Be clear about why you are applying to PsyD programs as opposed to PhD programs in clinical psychology. Both degrees prepare you to become a licensed psychologist; PhD programs focus on scientific research, and many people pursuing this degree are planning a career in higher education or research.
PsyD programs typically focus on clinical training, and although they involve some research coursework, it is less than one would have in a PhD program. Most people who pursue a PsyD are primarily interested in clinical work. Be aware that PsyD programs are available in fields other than clinical psychology, including school psychology and organizational psychology.
Plan of action for researching “best fit” PsyD programs
Keep in mind that you are looking not only for programs that best fit your needs but also for programs where you will fit in best. What are your professional goals, and how will the graduate program you are considering position you to reach those objectives? You will be asked to provide this information in your personal statement or Statement of Purpose.
Admissions committees want to be assured that you know where you are going and are confident that graduate studies will help you get there.
Within the field of clinical psychology, programs can have different specializations, concentrations, and areas of emphasis. Examples of program specializations include trauma, forensic psychology, child and adolescent psychology, geropsychology, clinical neuropsychology, and health psychology.
Dig deep to determine “fit.” Review each program’s curriculum and faculty members, including their areas of research, clinical background, published articles, and professional affiliations.
Some PsyD programs start clinical internships in the first year, and others begin field placements later in the program. Review the list of internship sites to learn about the kind of clinical experience you will gain. The longer the list, the deeper the connection between the school and the local community. What kind of placement support is offered for internships? Read about the field education program.
Is the program associated with a nonprofit or a for-profit school? Is it accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA)? How many students are enrolled in the program? How long does the typical student take to complete their PsyD?
Most PsyD programs have a page on their website with key program data, including the number of degrees conferred, the length of time needed to complete the program, the number of internship placements (and whether they are APA-approved sites), and the number of graduates who received licensure as a psychologist. Review this quantitative data carefully.
Is the program offered in person, online, or a combination? Are there different campus locations?
Is the program in a smaller, stand-alone school of psychology, or is it part of a larger university? If it is a stand-alone school of psychology, all your classmates will be studying fields similar to yours, while at a university, you might have the opportunity to get to know graduate students from a wide range of fields and interests, and you will have access to the resources of the entire school.
What are the school’s priorities? Read the school’s mission statement to learn about the program’s approach and values. Does the school have a particular theoretical approach?
Review information about graduates’ career paths and alumni success stories. Does the program report data on employment outcomes and salary ranges? What kind of career support is provided for students and alumni?
What is the cost of the program, and are there opportunities for teaching or research assistantships?
Next, analyze what makes you special and what you bring to the table. What are your greatest strengths? Think about your academic achievements, clinical experiences, research studies/interests, and professional affiliations. You will want to highlight the areas you believe will resonate with the admissions committee and add to the overall strength of your application.
Most programs are looking for a balance of academics and clinical experiences. They often describe on their website the admissions considerations they consider most important. If you do not meet a program’s admissions criteria, that program might not be a good fit for you.
Now that you have narrowed down your list of target programs, you can move on to the next step — preparing the documents you need for successful submission.
Apply to PsyD programs
Although the required documents vary from school to school, the following tend to be common elements you’ll need to provide.
Application
All schools require an application, though the format of the application will also vary from program to program. Some schools require applicants to use the Centralized Application System, known as PSYCAS, to submit their application. Individual programs also request supplemental essays. Receiving a secondary or supplemental application indicates that you have met the preliminary criteria for the program and the school now needs to know more about you.
Some programs use their own stand-alone, online applications. Others might request both the PSYCAS application and a school-specific application.
Undergraduate/Graduate (if applicable) Transcripts
You will need to submit transcripts from all the schools you have attended, including any college courses you took in your last year of high school, summer classes taken outside of your home school, online classes, and courses taken abroad. If in doubt, contact the graduate program director or the office of graduate admissions for clarification on any questions you have.
Minimum GPA
While most graduate programs require a minimum of a 3.0 overall GPA, the top PsyD programs are far more demanding. They not only review an applicant’s overall GPA, but they also carefully consider the grades the candidate received in courses such as abnormal psychology, statistics, research methods, developmental psychology, personality theory, and other upper-level psychology courses.
To stand out, you might take a few graduate-level psychology courses prior to submitting your application, making sure to earn As in those classes to show that you are ready to begin your PsyD studies.
If you have a low undergraduate GPA or little clinical experience, you might consider strengthening your application by obtaining a master’s degree prior to applying to PsyD programs.
Standardized Test Scores
Some PsyD programs require that candidates take the GRE, but many do not, and some require the General GRE. Some schools are test optional, which means that you can submit your test score(s) if you think it (they) will strengthen your application. Schools that are test-blind will not consider your scores.
English Language Proficiency
If you are an international student, you will need to take the TOEFL exam to fulfill the schools’ English language requirement. Determine which tests your target programs require by reviewing the admissions requirements listed on their web pages. Many programs will waive the English language requirement if you have already earned a degree from a U.S. college or university or from an institution where all courses are taught in English (e.g., one in the United Kingdom or Australia).
Statement of Purpose
You will need to write and submit a Statement of Purpose. It should include a clear, well-articulated overview of your educational and professional journey. Prepare your statement with due consideration of the specific program’s mission and your desired academic and professional outcomes. Be sure to respond to the question prompt and adhere to word or character limits and spacing guidelines. Not following directions is a clear-cut deal breaker.
The Statement of Purpose is your opportunity to help the admissions committee get to know you and what motivates and inspires you. Your goal is to highlight your strengths, share your short- and long-term career goals, and present not only your expectations of the program but also what you will contribute to it. Your story should be constructed with an attention-getting (in a positive sense) opening, a well-constructed middle, and a closing that brings the committee full circle by relating back to the beginning.
Be very specific about why you want to attend the particular PsyD program you are applying to. Discuss the courses that you anticipate taking, the professors with whom you hope to work (based on a shared research interest), the student groups you expect to participate in, desired clinical practicum/internships, and your target specialization area, if offered. Do sufficient research so that you do not seem to just be following a generic template. Read Five Tips for Writing Compelling PsyD Personal Statements.
Resume
Many programs require a resume, and you will need to carefully consider what to include in yours. Always think about the audience you are addressing, and customize your resume to present the qualities and skills that will make the greatest impact. Try to keep your resume to one page, and organize it so that the reader can scan it easily and quickly get a synopsis of your education, related work or internship experience, publications (if you have any), certifications, affiliations, community service, and special skills. Highlight any paid or volunteer experience you have had in providing services to clients with emotional, behavioral, or developmental disorders, because this will be a real asset. Use action verbs, and focus on highlighting your accomplishments.
Letters of Recommendation
Most programs require three letters from individuals who know you well and can speak to your ability and/or potential with respect to rigorous graduate study, clinical work, and/or research. Most schools prefer that you seek recommendations from faculty members in psychology or from practicing professionals in psychology or another mental health discipline.
It is important to give your recommenders information that will help them write the strongest letter possible. This can include your resume, copies of work you produced for their class (for faculty members), and a list of job accomplishments (for supervisors). Also provide a list of the schools you are applying to and the specific degree programs. Include instructions on what to include in the letter. Provide all these materials at one time and in an organized manner. Agree on a deadline that is no less than three to four weeks from the time you requested the letters, and keep the academic calendar in mind when you are approaching professors so you are respectful of their availability. Also, remember that faculty members sometimes go on sabbaticals, so you’ll need to plan accordingly.
Now you are ready to develop a competitive, compelling application for PsyD programs. You can realize your goal with careful preparation, attention to detail, thoughtful organization, and excellent time-management skills. Start early, and allocate sufficient time to take any required standardized tests, write and edit memorable essays, arrange for delivery of your academic transcripts, prepare a great resume, and seek out and provide recommenders with appropriate information so they can submit stellar letters in a timely manner.
Make sure that you carefully reflect on each component of the application. Many applicants find it helpful to talk through the process with a consultant who can help strategize and organize their Statement of Purpose and resume, identify appropriate recommenders, review essays, and provide interview assistance.
Interviews
Most PsyD programs will invite you to interview if you are under serious consideration for admission. Interviews can be held in person or virtually, depending on the school. Properly preparing for these interviews is important.
By Alice Diamond, former associate dean for career and community service at Lesley University. Alice has a BA from Colgate University, an MA from Bryn Mawr College, and an MS from Cornell University. She has more than 35 years of experience in career and admissions advising for undergraduate and graduate candidates. Alice’s clients have been accepted to top programs in a wide range of fields. Want to work with Alice? Click here to get in touch!
Related Resources: