How to find doctoral programs that are accredited by the American Psychological Association: https://accreditation.apa.org/accredited-programs
Recommended Books For Pursuing Graduate School in Clinical/Counseling Psychology:
- Norcross, J. C., & Sayette, M. A. (2022). Insider’s guide to graduate programs in clinical and counseling psychology. The Guilford Press.
- Sternberg, R. J. (2017). Career paths in psychology: Where your degree can take you., 3rd ed.American Psychological Association.
- Williams, C. (2023). Brick by Brick: Becoming a Clinical & Counseling Psychologist. Formation Publication Press.
Recommended Videos:
Other:
- https://mitch.web.unc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/4922/2017/02/MitchGradSchoolAdvice.pdf
- https://www.psychologicalscience.org/members/apssc/undergraduate_update/summer-2011/choosing-a-graduate-program
Acceptance Rates:
- 13% of the students who applied to doctoral programs in clinical psychology were accepted in 2019. See the report by the American Psychological Association. (2019). Graduate Study in Psychology Summary Report. Admissions, Applications, and Acceptances.
Recommended Materials for Personal Statements:
- https://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/psn/2016/09/graduate-school-applications
- https://magic.initiative.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/3377/2021/09/Personal-Statement-Guide.pdf
- Appleby, D. & Appleby, K.M. (2006). Kisses of death in the graduate school application process. Teaching of Psychology, 33, 19-24. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1207/s15328023top3301_5
- Davis, K.M., Doll, J.F., Sterner, W.R. (2018). The importance of personal statements in counselor education and psychology doctoral program applications. Teaching of Psychology, 45, 356, 263. https://doi.org/10.1177/0098628318779273
Recommendations for Undergraduate Preparations:
- Earn a minimum of 3.5 overall GPA
- Complete Method & Theory as soon as possible as it is usually required before doing Independent Study
- Enroll in Independent Study with research faculty in psychology in the spring semester of your sophomore year, during both semesters of your junior year, and possibly though your senior year. Contact faculty the semester before you would like to join Independent Study.
- If possible, attend a professional conference as part of Independent Study and co-author at least one peer-reviewed journal article.
- Take Applied Experiences in Psychology to gain experience in the field.
- Identify three professionals that know you well to write letters of recommendation for you.
- Start working on a personal statement at the end of your junior year and refine before your senior year.
- Be a member of the Psychology Departments Psi Chi—Honor’s Society in Psychology