Graduate Program: Admissions

Admissions to the Graduate Program in Psychology

To be admitted to any of the graduate programs in psychology, students must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Candidates' undergraduate preparation should include a background in psychology, at least one course in mathematics, statistics, and one laboratory course in psychology. Demonstrated ability and experience in research and activities related to the applicant's desired field of study is considered very important. Although most students enter the program after finishing a bachelor's degree, the department does admit students who have completed a master's degree from another program. A number of successful graduates of the program have entered after having worked in other fields.

There are several pieces of information that should be submitted directly to the Psychology Department (Graduate Coordinator, Department of Psychology, Miami University, 100 Psychology Building, 90 N. Patterson Avenue, Oxford, OH 45056):

1. Cover letter indicating the specific area to which you are applying and your reasons for pursuing doctoral studies in the area.
2. Three letters of recommendation from faculty who are familiar with your work and preparation for graduate studies.  Ask your recommenders to write their letters on their own letterhead and give the recommendation to you in a sealed envelope with their signature on the flap.  The Department does not have a separate recommendation form.
3. Xerox copies of your application and unofficial transcripts may be helpful, though are not required.  (Official copies of all college and graduate transcripts should be sent to the Graduate School.)

You should send the above information directly to the Department of Psychology in a single envelope to facilitate processing.  An official copy of your GRE Scores (Verbal, quantitative and analytic writing) should be sent directly to the Department of Psychology. The Psychology test is not required. You may include Xerox copies of your GRE scores in the packet sent directly to the department.  However, final action on your application will not be taken until we receive the official scores from the Educational Testing Service.
International students must also submit scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).  

The clinical psychology program has additional application requirements. If you are applying to the clinical psychology program, you will need to complete a checklist and submit additional materials and information. Additional requirements can be found on the clinical psychology admission’s page. The application deadline for the clinical psychology program is December 1.

The social psychology program also requires that applicants complete a checklist in the materials they submit for consideration to the social psychology program. The application deadline for the social psychology program is January 1.

The brain and cognitive psychology program also requires that applicants complete a checklist in the materials they submit for consideration to the social psychology program. The application deadline for the brain and cognitive psychology program is January 1.

The clinical faculty invite their top applicants to visit the department prior to making offers of admission.  Visits to the department are not otherwise scheduled by the clinical program.  The faculty in the other subareas encourage qualified applicants to visit the department before admission decisions are made.

Admission to the graduate program is highly competitive. For each of the past five years, the psychology department has admitted between 13 and 15 students.  For the program year 2001-2002, there were 119 applicants, 79 for the clinical program and a total of 40 in the other subareas, with 16 being offered admission.  The average GRE scores for students entering the program were 580 verbal, 640 quantitative, and 640 analytical, and their mean undergraduate grade point average was 3.6 (4.0 scale). Application is made through the Graduate School.

If you have questions about the admissions process, contact Pam Turner, secretary for graduate admissions (turnerpr@muohio.edu).

Financial Assistance

For the 2005-06 academic year, the stipend for first-year graduate assistants was approximately $11,000, plus waiver of tuition. In the summer, graduate assistants are given a summer associateship, which does not require any specific responsibilities. A stipend of $900 and waiver of tuition are provided for each of the two summer semesters in which the student is registered for six credit hours, making the total annual stipend approximately $12,800. There is no separate application for financial aid.

Living in Oxford, compared to most university communities, is extremely inexpensive. Estimated living expenses for full-time graduate students for two semesters is $7,000.