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Prospective Students: Get Answers
Get Answers: Admissions
 Do I have to take the GRE if I have already taken the MAT?
Yes. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required for application to the clinical psychology program. We do not substitute MAT scores in place of the GRE score.
Do I have to take the GRE if I already have a graduate degree?
Yes. All applicants, regardless of previous degree earned, are required to take the general GRE to be considered for admission to the program.
Do I have to take the psychology subject test of the GRE?
The psychology subject test is not required for admission. Applicants whose degrees are not in psychology may take this test to demonstrate knowledge of subject matter.
What prerequisites do I need for the program?
Check program requirements on our Admissions page.
Do I have to have a master’s degree to apply for the program?
No. The minimum requirement by which all applicants are assessed is a bachelor's degree.
I already have a master's degree. Can I transfer credits?
No. There is no process by which an applicant can transfer master’s degree credits directly into the program. Applicants should be prepared to complete the one-track, five-year program in its entirety. After gaining formal admission to the program and during the first year, students who feel they have successfully completed the same coursework at another regionally accredited institution may submit a petition (with previous syllabi) to their faculty advisor for committee review.
Who should I have write letters of recommendation for me?
- One professional reference should come from a person in a related field (e.g., clinical supervisor).
- One academic reference should come from a former professor or instructor.
- One personal recommendation should come from any professional who is not a member of the applicant's family.
Academic references are most important. In fact, letters from a supervisor and/or personal recommendation also might be from college professors. Learn more on our Admissions page.
Get Answers: The Program
Is the program accredited?
Yes. SPU’s Clinical Psychology Doctoral program is accredited by the American Psychological Association.
The formal date of our accreditation corresponds to the APA site visit at Seattle Pacific, which was conducted in October 2006. The APA Committee on Accreditation voted to award approval for seven years. The CoA specifies time periods of accreditation for three to seven years (between renewal site visits); we are proud to be awarded the maximum duration for approval.
After I graduate, can I be licensed?
The curriculum has been developed to conform to the academic requirements for state licensure.
However, students must successfully complete 1,500 hours (in no less than a 12-month time period) post-doctoral supervised clinical hours, apply for licensure, and take the written and oral comprehensive exam. We have had many graduates who have been licensed in Washington and several other states.
When are classes scheduled?
Classes are scheduled and require full-time commitment Monday through Friday.
Can I continue working while pursuing the degree?
The doctoral program is designed for a full-time student. Study, research, group meetings, RVTs, and additional work spent publishing and preparing for the dissertation take up to 40 hours per week (or more). Practica and dissertation work usually take up many hours that a person would have to use for employment. Some students, however, do work part time to offset the costs of graduate school.
Where can I do my practicum?
Practica occur at sites throughout Western Washington. Sites include mental and behavioral health clinics, hospitals, medical facilities, correctional institutions, and university counseling centers. Practica are supervised by licensed clinical psychologists who work in these settings.
Where can I do my internship?
There are 11 APPIC internship programs in Washington. Eight are in the Puget Sound region. These are among the most popular internships in the U.S. and are extremely competitive.
- The sites accept about 5 percent of their applicants.
- Students are encouraged to apply nationally and should prepare to do that.
Students participate in a national internship matching process called APPIC. Establishing an internship is a student’s responsibility. However, the director of clinical training is available for consultation and will assist with the application process.
Please review the APPIC directory to learn detailed information about programs by region and/or specialty, and check out the FAQ section, which explains the match.
Get Answers: Finances
Where can I find more information about financial aid?
Direct your specific questions to Student Financial Services (SFS) .
Financial aid, in the form of student loans and work study, is administered by SFS. Financial aid is available to students who are admitted as degree-seeking students and who demonstrate financial need.
Do you offer scholarships, assistantships, or fellowships?
Yes. Resources available to students to offset costs include:
- Student loans. Includes amounts that exceed tuition and provide for living expenses.
- Merit Scholarships. Offered by the University as an offset to tuition.
- Graduate assistantships. Department and grant-funded research and administrative assistant positions are offered to a limited number of students each year.
- Teaching assistantships. Offered to a limited number of students for courses in the Clinical Psychology and other departments.
- Internship stipend: The majority of internships are funded in the fifth year.
How much is the program total?
The clinical psychology tuition rate for 2009–10 is $634 per credit. The doctoral program consists of 204 credits to be eligible for graduation. |
