Clinical Psychology: Applicant Information

Minimum Requirements for Admission

A bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution of higher learning in the United States or proof of equivalent training at a foreign university is required. Students who have completed or are in the process of completing a bachelor's degree are eligible to apply. Substantial coursework or a major in psychology is encouraged. 

Transfer of Graduate Credits

The Graduate Studies Committee for Clinical Psychology does not accept graduate credits obtained prior to admission.  It will, however, consider petitions from already admitted students to have particular required courses waived if there is clear evidence that the student has taken the substantial equivalent of such a course. Furthermore, students with a graduate degree (such as a master’s degree in psychology) may petition to waive certain courses; however, additional coursework will be substituted or courses may be modified in order to maintain the student’s enrollment as a full-time student. Thus, time to graduation is not accelerated by coursework taken before entering this program.

A satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Examination Aptitude Test (GRE): Scores of at least 500 each on the verbal and quantitative parts of the GRE are required.

Application for Admission - Procedure

The application must be completed via the internet at http://sws002.swmed.edu/gswebapp/.  A complete application consists of the submitted web application form and a "Support Materials Packet" which includes transcripts, letters of recommendation, and GRE scores (go to the link above and click on the "Getting Started" button to obtain complete instructions for the application form and packet). The "Support Materials Packet" must be mailed to UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Admissions Office, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, Texas 75390-9162.

Please do not send any materials directly to the Division or the Graduate Program.

A completed application consists of:

1. One copy of the "Application of Admission, Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences."
2. One original copy of each transcript of record issued by every college or university attended. Official reports of grades received after transcripts are submitted should also be sent.
3. Completed forms for recommendations from each of three references.
4. An official report from the Educational Testing Service of the applicant's verbal, quantitative and analytic GRE scores.  Advanced psychology GRE scores are not required but are encouraged.  Our GRE code is 6686.

IMPORTANT: 

IT IS SOLELY THE APPLICANT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO ASSURE THAT ALL OF THE REQUIRED MATERIALS ARE RECEIVED IN THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR BY THE JANUARY 1st DEADLINE.

• An application is complete only when all of the above items have been received by the Office of The Registrar.
•  Applications received by January 2, but missing any one of the above items are not complete and may not be considered.

 Criteria Used in Evaluating and Selecting Applicants

The Admissions Committee uses the following criteria in evaluating each application:

1. Scores on the GRE-General test taken within past 5 years
2. Academic performance in undergraduate school as reflected in the grade-point average (GPA)
3. Experiences in clinical and/or scientific research activities that would contribute to successful completion of a doctoral program.
4. The applicant's statement of background training experiences and personal motivation for a career in clinical psychology.
5. Recommendations from appropriate professors and/or mentors
6. Personal suitability for a career in clinical psychology, as evidenced by ability to relate to others,  warmth, empathy, and a deep interest in psychological processes
7. Factors that contribute to individual diversity such as socioeconomic background, race, ethnicity, bilingualism, and life experiences.
8. Interview*

*The Admissions Committee conducts an all-day group interview process for the top 20 - 40 applicants. These are candidates who have been screened from the total pool of applicants using the above criteria and deemed to be the best match for the Program. The Interview Day is an interactive process that involves students and faculty and includes program overview, individual interviews, and group activities. 

Interview Day is typically scheduled for late February or early March of each year.

Financial Aid for Doctoral Psychology Students

Stipends: The program provides financial support in the form of a stipend beginning in the student's second year. While there is no guarantee of funding from year to year, the program has been consistently able to provide stipends since the program's inception. Currently, the second-year Practicum stipend is $7,236 and the third- and fourth-year Internship stipend is $14,472 annually. There are additional fringe benefits (medical, dental, etc.) that are valued at approximately $4,500. 

Loans & Grants: Information about loan funds and other financial aid can be obtained from the Student Aid Office, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75390-9064. Student Financial Aid Application Instructions

Students with financial need are provided help in seeking research and/or teaching opportunities on campus.

The deadline for completed applications is January 1st of each year. All applications must be received by the deadline to be considered for the following Fall Semester.

Please direct any questions you may have regarding our Program to:

Kimberly Jones, Education Coordinator

214-648-5277 or by e-mail

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