DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


GRADUATE PROGRAMS:

What is the difference between Clinical and Experimental Psychology?
Clinical psychology focuses on psychological factors involved in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illness. The clinical psychology training program strives to integrate the science and practice of psychology, helping students to learn the research foundations for the field, and apply research findings to clinical settings.

The experimental psychology program at Case Western Reserve University focuses on the training of experimental psychologists. The primary focus of experimental psychology is research. Most of the students who complete our program go into university research and teaching or research administration. The primary focus of the program is doing research with a faculty mentor. During training they learn the laboratory and statistical methods necessary for a successful research career.

What is the deadline for applying to the graduate program?
The application deadline for the Clinical program is January 5th of the year of admission. The application deadline for the Experimental program is February 15th of the year of admission.

Can I complete the program part-time, online, or long-distance?
Both the Clinical and Experimental graduate programs are offered full-time and in-person only.

How long will it take to get my Ph.D.? Clinical students typically receive their degrees in five to seven years, which includes the required year-long internship. Experimental students typically receive their degrees in four years.

How many applications do you usually receive, and how many do you accept each year? The Clinical applicant pool includes 100-150 students - four to six students enter the program each year. The Experimental applicant pool includes 25-50 students - two to three students enter the program each year.

Do all students receive financial aid? Yes. All students receive full tuition coverage. Some research and clinical practica have an additional stipend provided. Individuals from diverse backgrounds may receive an additional fellowship. More information on financial aid can be found here

Can I apply to the Ph.D. program if I have received a Master's degree? Yes. For students who already have a Masters degree, transfer credits are assessed once an applicant is accepted and enrolled. A Master's degree from another program may meet some of the requirements of our Ph.D. program. There is no guarantee, however, that the courses taken at another college or university will transfer and a thesis completed elsewhere may not meet the requirements of our program.

Will I receive a Masters degree in addition to the Doctoral degree? Students without Master's degrees will earn a Master's en route to the doctorate.

What are the minimum GRE scores required, and what are past scores of accepted students? Preferred minimum scores for admission to both programs are: GREV+Q 1200; GRE-Adv 600; TOEFL 550; GPA 3.0. For a detailed breakdown of past admitted applicants, click here. For recent admitted Experimental applicants, click here.

Can I apply to start graduate school in the Spring? Clinical and Experimental students are accepted for Fall admission only.

How do I apply? Clickhere to learn more about our Clinical programs, and here to learn more about our Experimental program.

Who do I contact for more information? Please visit faculty members' web pages and contact the faculty member with whom you are interested in working.

Am I required to take the TOEFL? We require the TOEFL from all candidates who complete their undergraduate degree at an institution where English is not the medium of instruction. For an international applicant who studied at a university where the language of instruction was English, this must be communicated on the official transcripts for the TOEFL requirement to be waived.

Do I have to take the subject GRE? All applicants who did not receive their bachelor's degree in psychology are required to take the subject GRE. The test must be taken and the scores submitted to the Psychology department BEFORE the submission deadline. Applicants who did receive their bachelor’s degree in psychology are not required to take the subject GRE.

What institution/department code should I provide when I take the GRE or TOEFL? The institution code is 1105. There is NO department code.

I just submitted my application. What happens next? You will receive e-mail updates as we receive your supplemental materials, as well as updates on what materials are still missing. Faculty will review completed Clinical applications after the January 5 deadline. They will decide who to invite for interviews (approximately 40 of the top qualified applicants), and interviews will take place in late February. Faculty will review completed Experimental applications after the February 15 deadline. Faculty will then contact the top qualified applicants for phone interviews. Please DO NOT contact the department via phone for an update on your application.