Psychology - School Psychology

University Admission Requirements

A student applying to this program must:

• Have earned a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or university that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association, or do so by the time of program matriculation.
• Submit unofficial transcripts from each college or university other than Illinois State at which graduate, undergraduate, or non-degree credit was earned. The unofficial transcript should be easily readable and clearly indicate degree(s) awarded, courses and course grades for each term.
• If admitted, official domestic transcripts can be emailed from the university to GraduateAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, Graduate School, 208 Hovey Hall, Campus Box 4040, Normal, IL 61790-4040.
• If admitted, official international transcripts can be emailed directly from the international institution to InternationalAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, International Admissions, Campus Box 6180, Normal, IL 61790-6180.

International students can learn more about specific application requirements by visiting the Graduate School Admission Requirements.

Additional Program Admission Requirements

Complete and submit your application by January 1.

Admission is offered only for the fall semester and is very competitive. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Admission offers are sent in February. The Council for Graduate Schools stipulates that an applicant has until April 15 to accept or decline an admission offer. Some admission offers may be delayed until applicants notify the department that they are declining admission.

GPA

You must have a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework or 3.0 GPA for 9 hours of graduate coursework.

If you have completed a master's degree in psychology, you must have a 3.5 graduate GPA or higher (on a 4.0 scale).

The Grade Point Average (GPA) of all undergraduate credentials earned in the United States that are used for graduate degree admission evaluation is calculated by the last 60 hours of undergraduate work. International credentials are evaluated by using cumulative GPA (CGPA) in lieu of the GPA from the last 60 hours of undergraduate work.

Undergraduate Coursework

You must have completed at least 21 hours of undergraduate psychology courses, including:

• General Psychology
• Experimental Psychology or Research Methods
• Psychological Statistics

You’ll also need to have a proficiency in math. This includes any one of the following:

• Passing grade in Finite Math or Pre-Calculus (MAT 120, 144, or equivalent)
• B grade or better in Psychological Statistics (PSY 340 or equivalent)
• Score of 144 or higher on the Quantitative Reasoning section of the GRE General Test

If you have not completed the required undergraduate courses, you may still be admitted. Missing courses will be added to your curriculum and must be completed during your first year of graduate study.

GRE

The GRE may be submitted to establish math proficiency. If you wish to submit GRE scores, use institution code 1319

Curriculum Vitae or Resume

Upload your current CV or resume to the online application system.

Writing Sample

Upload a scholarly writing sample (5-15 pages long).

Personal Statement

Upload a personal statement that addresses the following:

• Your strengths and weaknesses
• Research interests
• Professional goals
• Your expectations for professional training in school psychology
• How your identities, background, and lived experiences have influenced your decision to pursue school psychology
• Why you selected the doctoral program in School Psychology
• Why you should be admitted to the doctoral program

School Psychologist

If you have a master’s degree in something other than psychology, and you have been employed as a school psychologist, you are still eligible for admission.

You must be academically qualified to pursue doctoral study and be able to demonstrate research competency (such as a master’s thesis and research courses).

Credit for masters-level courses will be determined on an individual basis. If your master's degree did not require an empirical master's thesis, you must complete a research apprenticeship as part of the doctoral program's curriculum.

Doctoral Interviews

The application process requires campus interviews, which will be conducted via Zoom. Selected applicants will be notified about the interview schedule. 

Application Deadlines

• Fall (August) Term — January 1
• Spring (January) Term — No Spring admission
• Summer (May/June) Term — No Summer admission

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