PhD in Clinical Psychology

To be eligible for admission to the Graduate School at Marquette University, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution or international equivalent must be completed prior to starting graduate school.
• A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
• Demonstrated English proficiency for non-U.S. citizens.

The psychology program regards training in the breadth of psychology and its research foundations as the best preparation for graduate study in psychology. An undergraduate major in psychology is desirable but not required. Research experience is strongly recommended.

Application Requirements

Read all application instructions prior to beginning an application.

• A completed application form and fee online.
• Transcripts:
  • If coursework was completed within the United States, submit copies of all current and previous college/universities except Marquette¹
  • If coursework was completed outside of the United States, a transcript evaluation is required. A copy of a general evaluation with cumulative GPA or course-by-course evaluation is approved for the application process.²
• A personal statement of 1,000 words or fewer that includes discussion of academic and professional experiences and goals. The statement should comment on how the applicant's experiences and/or interests would contribute to fostering diversity in the clinical psychology program. An individual’s ability to enrich diversity to the program, in addition to his/her very presence, can involve, but is not limited to, personal identity, intellectual contributions, and/or personal history or experiences that allow the applicant to bring a unique perspective/worldview. The program invites applicants who are particularly interested in diversity-related issues, in either research and/or clinical practice, to request consideration for the Department of Psychology Diversity Graduate Assistantship. All applicants who believe they would contribute positively to the diversity of the program are invited to state in their application that they would like to be considered for the Diversity Graduate Assistantship/Fellowship.
• Three letters of reference from individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic work and/or research experience.
• GRE test scores (optional).

• For international applicants only: a TOEFL score or other acceptable proof of English proficiency.
• The highest ranking applicants will be invited to an interview.

^{1Upon admission, final official transcripts from all previously attended colleges/universities, with certified English translations if original language is not English, must be submitted to the Graduate School within the first five weeks of the term of admission or a hold preventing registration for future terms will be placed on the student’s record.} 

^{2Upon admission, an official course-by-course transcript/academic record evaluation must be submitted to the Graduate School within the first five weeks of the term of admission or a hold preventing registration for future terms will be placed on the student’s record.} 

December 2: Application and application materials should be received to be considered for the fall term.

Teaching and research assistantships (TAs and RAs) are awarded to full-time students in the doctoral program. Assistantships are usually distributed among the first-, second- and third-year clinical students. TAs help the professors by teaching laboratory courses, leading discussion sections, preparing, proctoring and grading exams, and reading and grading papers. RAs help professors conduct research, including literature searches, running experiments, data entry, setting up labs, and statistical analyses.

A full assistantship requires 20 hours of work in return for a monthly stipend (nine months) and tuition remission of 24 credit hours. Many students receive a half assistantship, which requires 10 hours of work in return for a half stipend and 12 credit hours.

Assistantships are awarded per semester or an annual basis. Performance is reviewed each semester. Renewal of an assistantship is based on satisfactory performance and on academic performance.

The program invites applicants who are particularly interested in diversity-related issues, in either research and/or clinical practice, to request consideration for the Department of Psychology Diversity Graduate Assistantship. All applicants who believe they would contribute positively to the diversity of the program are invited to state in their application that they would like to be considered for the Diversity Graduate Assistantship.

Tuition remission scholarships (e.g., dissertation scholarships) and fellowships are occasionally available. Unlike assistantships, there are no service obligations to the university for scholarship and fellowship recipients.

Private scholarships may also be available. U.S. citizens and permanent residents may be eligible to apply for need-based federal aid (loans) to help fund their educational expenses as well.