Admissions

APPLICANT PRE-REQUISITES AND ELIGIBILITY

• Students may enter the program with an undergraduate major in psychology or in another field. A masters in psychology (or other field) is not a prerequisite for acceptance. Acceptance is based on assessment of the applicant's overall record and clinical acumen. Particular attention is given to the applicant's academic record (i.e. GPA) and past experiences (i.e. professional research or clinical experience). 
• Applicants who did not pursue psychology as an undergraduate can either enroll in a post-baccalaureate programs or take the required courses at a university that accepts non-matriculated students.

Required courses include 15 credits in psychology (typically satisfied by five classes of 3 credits each). These credits must include at least one semester of statistics AND one semester of experimental psychology (laboratory). 

Applications for Fall 2023 are CLOSED.

Please take a moment to review our list of Frequently Asked Questions.

If you meet the prerequisite requirements and are eligible to apply read the sections below for detailed information on the application components and the stepwise application procedure.

APPLICATION COMPONENTS

1. Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.

We require transcripts from ALL post-secondary institutions attended, whether or not they include psychology courses. Unofficial versions are sufficient at the time of application. Upon acceptance, official versions are required.

2. Resume/CV

3. Personal Statement

In your applicant statement, please discuss your past education and experience, academic and professional plans, and reasons for wishing to undertake graduate work. Include some details about intended specialization in your field, your preparation for that specialization, and anything else you consider important for an assessment of your abilities. Please also be sure to convey who you are as a person, not just your academic qualifications.

4. Supplemental essay: Diversity Statement

The Clinical Psychology doctoral program at The City College of New York aims to integrate diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice into our training mission. We seek a cohort of students that is inclusive and reflects the diversity of the community we serve. To this end, please submit a brief statement (maximum of 250 words) describing how your personal experiences and/or academic and professional experiences will contribute to this program’s commitment to diversity and social justice.  Additionally, please describe your aspirations for learning and growth within these areas and how you hope this aspect of the program’s mission will contribute to your development as a clinician and scholar. This statement is not intended to be a replication of your personal statement, rather to provide an opportunity to elaborate on your awareness, prior experiences, and training aspirations within the areas of diversity and social justice.

5. Two Recommendation Letters (at minimum).

Who should write my letters of recommendation? We require at least two letters of recommendation. We have no requirements as far as who writes your recommendation letters; in general, it is a good idea to include at least one from a professor (to vouch for your academic work and ability) and one from an employer or supervisor - someone who can speak to your research and clinical work and ability. It is important to ask people who can speak of you with real knowledge of your abilities and personal qualities (rather than "he/she was one of 200 undergraduates in my lecture course. He/she did very well with a grade of A in the course...) You can include more than two letters. 

6. Writing Sample (Optional). 

Note: A change in our admission requirements beginning 2021
Effective with the 2021-2022 academic year, the faculty of the doctoral program in clinical psychology has decided, after careful deliberation and a review of the empirical literature, that neither the general or subject GRE test will be part of our admissions requirements. We have found no useful purpose to the exams as they do not predict academic success in our Program, nor do they maximize our attempts at ensuring diversity and inclusion. Applicants are thus instructed not to submit such scores as part of their application.

Application fee is set at $75. A fee waiver is only offered to US veterans with proof of active service.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

^{I. Create an account here to obtain a username for your application.}

^{II. Login to the application here on the CCNY portal. You can later use this link to check the status of your application.}

i). Click on EDIT APPLICATION.

ii). For School of Interest, select COLIN POWELL SCHOOL FOR CIVIC AND GLOBAL LEADERSHIP from the drop-down menu.

iii). For the Program of Study, select CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY.

iv). Throughout the application, choose SAVE & CONTINUE when you are done with a section. You can always return to earlier sections to edit. Sections can also be selected from the menu on the left-hand side.

v). Make sure to complete the REQUIRED sections on Standardised Test Scores from ETS, Statement of Purpose, Resume/CV, Recommendations, Diversity Statement, and the OPTIONAL Writing Sample and Subject GRE score.

vi). Select CHECK YOUR APPLICATION on the left-hand side.

vii). Once you have completed the application forms to your satisfaction, you should submit your application by clicking the SUBMIT button at the top right-hand side of any page of the application. This does not include the Important Links section. This will take you through the steps to electronically submit your application to our office. 

Please note: Once you submit your application, you will not be able to make any changes to it using the online application system.

If you have any more questions about the application, please email: clinicaladmissions@gmail.com