Clinical Psychology FAQ

Frequently Asked Admission Questions 

• How do I apply to the program?
• What kinds of experience and skills are you looking for in a successful application?
• Are students admitted in the Fall, Spring, or Summer? How many applications do you receive and how many students are admitted each year?
• Do I need to take the Psychology Subject portion of the GRE?
• I completed related graduate courses at another university. Will I be able to transfer these credits toward a Clinical Psychology degree at CSU?
• I am worried that my GRE scores will hurt my admission chances. How do GRE scores influence admission decisions?
• When are classes offered?
• Can the program be completed online?
• Can I work and attend the program?
• Is there an admission interview?
• Do students find their own practicum sites? Are placements all located in the Cleveland area?
• How much does it cost to complete the Clinical Psychology program at CSU?
• What financial aid is available to graduate students?
• Are graduate assistantships available?
• When will I hear from the program once I have completed my application?
• What do students do after completion of the program?

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Q. How do I apply to the program?

A. To apply to the CSU Clinical Psychology Program, you will need to submit (a) a personal statement addressing the questions on the application, (b) transcripts, (c) a curriculum vita, (d) a 200-word diversity, equity, and inclusion statement, and (e) two letters of recommendation, at least one of which should be from a former or current instructor. Directions for applying to our graduate program are available here.

The Clinical Psychology program faculty begin reviewing applications in mid-February and then invite highly-rated applicants for an on-campus interview in mid-to-late March. Offers of admission to the program are generally made in late March and early April.

We encourage students from diverse backgrounds on campus and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, disability status, gender, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, and SES.

Q. What kinds of experience and skills are you looking for in a successful application?

A. Applications that provide evidence of high academic achievement; interests, skills, and experience related to psychological research; familiarity with the profession of clinical psychology; and good interpersonal skills are preferred. The personal statement, diversity statement, curriculum vita, academic record (i.e., transcripts), and the required recommendation letters should highlight the applicant's strengths in the above areas. Most of our incoming students have obtained (or will) a BA or BS in Psychology, though students with other majors can be admitted (there are requirements for certain psychology courses before one can enter the program, however). 

For letters of recommendation, two letters that speak to the applicant's academic skills, work ethic, career goals, and interpersonal competence are desired. It is generally suggested that both letters come from university faculty who know the applicant well; however, letters from research supervisors and clinical supervisors are also acceptable. You may submit three recommendation letters if you wish, but we suggest doing this only if the third letter provides unique information about the applicant different than what is described above (for example, a letter from a supervisor from a volunteer experience may add information that is different from the information provided by faculty members, etc.). 

Q. Are students admitted in the Fall, Spring, or Summer? How many applications do you receive and how many students are admitted each year?

A. The CSU Clinical Psychology program admits students once per year; students are accepted in the Spring for admission into that year's Fall cohort. We receive roughly 100 applications each year and generally admit between 8 and 15 students per year.

Q. Do I need to take the Psychology Subject portion of the GRE?

A. No, you do not need to take the Psychology Subject portion of the GRE to be considered for admission to the program.

Q. I completed related graduate courses at another university. Will I be able to transfer these credits toward a Clinical Psychology degree at CSU?

A. Applicants with previous graduate coursework may submit transcripts and syllabi for possible transfer. This should be done after admittance to the program, and the Clinical Psychology Program Committee will conduct a formal review of such transcripts for possible transfer credits. Note that the university's College of Graduate Studies limits transfer credits to courses with earned grades of B or higher that have NOT been used to obtain a previous degree, and that were taken no more than 6 years ago. Also note that transfer credits do not reduce the time it takes to complete the program (i.e., two years).  

Q. When are classes offered?

A. The CSU Clinical Psychology Program is a full-time-only program; classes meet in the Fall and Spring semesters of the two years of the program. Most courses are offered during the day, though on occasion certain classes may occur in the evening. During the second year of the program, students typically spend two full days per week as practicum students at various clinical and assessment sites in the Greater Cleveland area.           

Q. Can the program be completed online?

A. No, the program is an on-campus, full-time graduate program.

Q. Can I work and attend the program?

A. Many of our students have held part-time jobs while in the program, and almost all students accept the part-time (typically, 10 hours per week) graduate assistantship/teaching assistantship offered to program students in the first and/or second year of the program. However, it is not realistic to maintain a full-time job while completing the program.

Q. Is there an admission interview?

A. Yes. Invitations to be interviewed by program faculty are offered to those applicants whose applications are rated highly by program faculty.

Q. Do students find their own practicum sites? Are placements all located in the Cleveland area?

A. Student practicum sites are arranged for and assigned by the program's practicum site supervisor. However, as part of this process students are asked their preferences as to type of site, location, etc. Practicum sites are generally located in the Greater Cleveland area (either in Cuyahoga County or one of the adjoining counties).

Q. How much does it cost to complete the Clinical Psychology program at CSU?

A. You can learn about specific fess and tuition costs at this link. Tuition for graduate students from inside Ohio is currently $590.40 per credit hour and is higher (i.e., $1,011.20 per credit hour) for students from outside Ohio. International students pay $1,116.40 per credit hour. The program currently requires the completion of 50 credit hours.

Q. What financial aid is available to graduate students?

A. Various federal loan programs are available to graduate students. Students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to determine eligibility. Further information may be found here.

Q. Are graduate assistantships available?

A. Yes. Typically, students are offered a position in the Psychology Department as a graduate assistant in the first year of the program. The amount of funding for graduate assistantships for the program can vary from year to year, so more specific information is provided each year during applicant interviews and at the time of admission offers. More information is available here. You can also contact the Program Director should you have further questions.

Q. When will I hear from the program once I have completed my application?

A. The application deadline is February 1. Invitations for interviews will likely be sent in early March. Interviews will likely be held from later in March and perhaps into early April. Admission offers will be communicated beginning about mid-April and will continue to be made until we have a full cohort (roughly 10-15 students) to begin their graduate studies in the following fall.

Q. What do students do after completion of this program? 

A. Students generally follow one of two paths: (a) Entry into a doctroal program (e.g., Clinical or Counseling Psychology Ph.D.; Clinical Psychology PsyD) or (b) Employment in a clinical or research setting. In the past 10 years, among the 90 graduates of which we have continued contact, 45 students (50%) entered Ph.D. or PsyD programs in Psychology. Another 27 graduates are working directly in the field as M.A.-level practitioners or psychometricians (30%); 5 graduates are in M.A.-level research coordinator positions (6%); and the reamining 15% are either in new fields (e.g., medical school; library science) or related positions (e.g., Federal Bureau of Investigation).

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