Admissions Information

The Counseling Psychology Program admits a number of students each year that is considered to be optimal in balancing the needs of students enrolled in the program with availability of faculty resources. For the past three years, the program admitted a class of 5-7 students who were selected from a finalist pool of 20-25 applicants (see additional information).

The Counseling Psychology program invites applications from all qualified students. Although the Counseling Psychology Program does not use cut-off scores on any of the selection criteria, the mean GRE scores over the past three years have ranged from 1050-1200 (Verbal + Quantitative) for the respective classes. In reviewing applications, the committee takes the following factors into consideration:

• Scores on the Aptitude Section of the Graduate Record Examination
• Previous grade point average
• Recommendations of professors and professional employers/supervisors
• Previous work, research, or volunteer experience
• Information gained from the on-campus interview
• Evidence of interest in and potential for research and scholarship.
• Fit between student and faculty research interests and program training goals

Students with Bachelor’s degrees and/or with academic ambitions are strongly encouraged to apply. Additionally, students from groups typically underrepresented in graduate training are also highly encouraged to apply.

Application is made to both the program and to the Office of Graduate Studies. Please be aware that this requires separate application material be sent to both offices – refer to the checklist below.

Personal Statement

The personal statement is an opportunity for you to showcase your strengths and fit with the program as well as your writing abilities. Statements which address professional goals and fit with the field of counseling psychology and program at USM are positively received. This statement should be no more than 2 pages, typed, double-spaced and should address the following in narrative fashion:

Detail your professional goals as they relate to becoming a psychologist generally and a counseling psychologist specifically. Statements should emphasize research interests as they relate to specific faculty. Discuss your professional as well as research interests and how you believe the Counseling Psychology program at USM will work to assist you in achieving your goals.

Approximately 15-20 applicants who show a high level of potential for doctoral study and a good fit with a major professor’s research interest and the program’s training goals are invited to participate in a day long on-campus interview. Interviews are usually scheduled early in the Spring semester.

“Fit” is an important consideration in making final admission decisions. As students are admitted to work with a major professor, it is critical that attention be given to the match between student and faculty research interests and the ability of the program to meet the student’s training goals. Offers of admission are contingent on a student’s agreement to work with a specific faculty member, based on mutual interests and availability.

Program admission recommendations are made by the program faculty to the Office of Graduate Studies; students are notified by phone about their admission status as soon as possible. Official admission offers come from the Office of Graduate Studies. Should you receive an offer of admission, consider it carefully and make note of your decision in writing by the agreed deadline. Applicants are strongly discouraged from holding multiple offers of admission at one time. For more information on this, please refer to the APA website: http://www.apa.org/ed/accept.html.

For more information, please review our Application Brochure.

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