Recommendations for Students Planning to Attend Graduate School

You will be equally qualified to seek post-graduate education with either the BA or BS degree. Admission to professional and graduate programs in Psychology and related fields depends on: 1) grade point average; 2) overall academic record, including rigor of course selection; 3) letters of recommendation from faculty who know you well in laboratory and/or field work and classroom settings; 4) standardized test scores (e.g., GRE, MCAT); 5) research and/or clinical/field experience; and 6) extraneous factors over which you have little or no control, such as the availability of fellowship money, government regulations, and competition of the applicant pool. Of these factors, letters of recommendation, grades and standardized test scores are usually the most important. The match between the applicant's needs and skills and what the graduate program can offer is often another important factor.

Psychology major required coursework is consistent with what most graduate programs look for. Departmental academic advisors can also recommend specific electives in Psychology that can be useful for each person's specific goals. Research work in the specialty area is also strongly encouraged, because this "hands-on" experience provides important information for your graduate school decision-making process and future career success.

Students interested in pursuing graduate study should speak with departmental advisors, other faculty, current departmental graduate students, and attend the department's annual Graduate School/Career Night event.

If you are interested in graduate school in clinical psychology, click here to get useful information from the Council of Directors of Clinical Psychology.