Admission Requirements

Application Information

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO THE ADMISSION PROCESS. PLEASE READ THIS WHOLE SECTION CAREFULLY.

It is the responsibility of the program applicant to assure that all application materials are received by the submission deadline. Advance planning is a particularly important skill necessary for a successful doctoral education and subsequent career in Clinical Psychology. Therefore it is imperative that the program applicant plan sufficient lead time to assure that the General GRE and Psychology subject tests have been taken, scored, and submitted by the program deadline. (Hofstra University has no influence on the scheduled times, locations, or availability of the Psychology subject test by the Educational Testing Service.) Likewise, it is the applicant's responsibility to follow-up with the writers of recommendation letters to assure letters are submitted by the deadline.


Applications are due December 15. All application materials need to be entered through the online submission portal, Apply Yourself, administered by Hobsons for the Graduate Admissions office. All Clinical Psychology program applications and supporting materials are to be solely submitted online. Mailed paper documents will not be reviewed. Missing information from the electronic application will result in your application being considered incomplete and non-reviewable. Please review your applications assuring that scanned materials are clear and readable. Pay particular attention to transcripts and GRE reports.


Besides the application information which follows below, additional application questions may be found on the program's FAQ page.

Selection of Doctoral Students

The selection of Doctoral students is a lengthy and difficult process as many excellent applications are received annually. A multitude of factors play a role in the decision making process including an applicant's academic history, research experience, recommendations, diversity in its multitude of forms, match with faculty interests, motivation for professional study and promise for the field. Admissions decisions are made with the input of the whole Clinical Psychology core faculty.

Admissions Requirements

The following listing represents the minimal requirements for admission to the Ph.D. Program. Please click the tab marked "Admission/Program Data" to see actual characteristics of recently admitted classes to the program.

• Proof of completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited College or University.
• The GRE exam is required of all applicants. Verbal and Quantitative GRE scores of recent enrolled students have averaged 81% and 64% respectively. See the Admission & Program Data page for more detailed information.
  
  For non-native speakers of English, a TOEFL may be required. Check recently admitted student statistics at our website for detailed information.
• Recently enrolled students have averaged a score of 70% on the GRE Psychology Subject test. This test is required of all applicants.
• A strong undergraduate record or graduate record. Candidates are expected to have completed with an average of 3.0 or better, the following two courses:
  
  
  • Elementary Statistics
  • Research Design/Experimental Psychology (laboratory course)
  
  
  In addition, the following courses are strongly recommended:
  
  
  • Psychopathology/Abnormal Psychology
  • History or Systems of Psychology
  • Physiological Psychology or Sensation/Perception
    Tests and Measurements
• Personal Statement
  
  This statement gives you an opportunity to submit information that you would like to have evaluated with your application. Typically, applicants submit a well articulated essay of 2-3 pages in length on your interest in Clinical Psychology. An essay may include information about and/or copies of:
  
  
  • Honors or achievements which you have not listed elsewhere
  • Cultural, racial, religious, sexual orientation, or family history of perceived importance in determining your interest in professional Clinical Psychology
  • Physical disabilities
  • College or employment activities relevant to professional psychology
  • Previous publications or convention presentations in psychology, etc.
  • Any other information you deem interesting or relevant about you!
• Letters of Recommendation
  
  A minimum of three letters of recommendation are required. All letters must be submitted through the online application portal. Do not send paper copies.
  
  The committee views in-depth letters from professors who know your work in a number of courses or a variety of settings as more important than a vague, general letter attesting to your competence or academic prowess. We are especially interested in letters which attest to your interpersonal attributes and competence in research skills, both of which are viewed as necessary to be a Psychology professional. Specific competence in statistics, research design, physiological psychology, lab courses or tests and measurements may be reflected in letters as well. These academic letters may be supplemented by letters which attest to your organizational and work skills in community activities, group homes, mental health centers, etc. Volunteer work or paid employment are both equally valued.
• A curriculum vita listing educational and professional experiences and accomplishments.