Rehabilitation Counseling Psychology: Admission Requirements

Applicants should have an undergraduate major in the behavioral sciences, such as psychology, sociology, education, business administration or gerontology. The applicant is required to demonstrate proficiency in basic statistics prior to admission. Individual exceptions will be judged by the department.

The Admissions Committee uses a number of criteria in evaluating applicants:

1. High-order intellectual abilities, with particular emphasis on those skills necessary for counseling/psychological practice;
2. Good academic background in psychology/counseling/rehabilitation-related courses;
3. Personal suitability for a career in rehabilitation counseling psychology as evidenced by ability to relate to others, warmth, empathy and a sincere interest in psychological processes;
4. Motivations, expectations and career aspirations congruent with the nature of this program;
5. Successful experience in rehabilitation, counseling and/or psychology-related activities.

In addition, in order to maximize inclusiveness the committee will consider applicants whose backgrounds reflect socioeconomic hardship, successful prior careers in another field and significant research or work experience.

Applicants are evaluated on a competitive basis. Efforts are made to assemble a group of eight students with the goal of producing professionals equipped to serve ever-changing communities effectively. All admissions are subject to approval by the dean of Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

There are two minimum requirements that must be met to be considered for admission to this program:

1. A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution in the United States or proof of equivalent training at a foreign university;
2. Satisfactory grades (generally a minimum overall grade-point average of 3.0) in undergraduate and graduate course work.

In addition, the applicant must submit the score on the Graduate Record Examination Aptitude Test and request that the GRE scores be sent directly to the Admissions Office. The code number for The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas is R6686-0.

Applicants must have taken the GRE within five years preceding the expected date of enrollment in the graduate school. GRE scores older than five years will not be accepted unless the applicant has recently been engaged in graduate study at this or another university.

The deadline for submitting completed applications is May 1; however, it is to the advantage of the applicant to apply earlier. Applications are accepted as early as Nov. 1. Students are admitted to the program only in the fall semester.