Frequently Asked Questions
School Psychology Doctoral Program
Admissions F.A.Q.
Q: I do not have an undergraduate degree in psychology. Could I still be admitted to the program?
A: Yes, we offer admission to students with degrees in psychology and other disciplines. We do require 18 credit hours of undergraduate pre-requisite Psychology courses (Introduction to Psychology/General Psychology; Developmental Psychology/Lifespan; Statistics; Experimental Psychology/Research Design/Research Methods; Cognitive Psychology/Psychology of Learning; Physiological Psychology/Behavior Neuroscience)
Q: I have not completed all the pre-requisite courses. Can I still apply?
A: Yes. If accepted into the program you would be required to complete the required pre-requisite coursework within the first year of graduate study prior to beginning your graduate coursework. Obviously to maximize your chances of acceptance, we recommend that you do complete all pre-requisite courses prior to applying.
Q: Do you waive the GRE requirement for anyone?
A: No, the GRE cannot be waived. However, it is only one criterion among many that we use in making admissions decisions.
Q: Is the interview required?
A: Yes, we require either an on-site interview or a telephone interview for consideration of admission. We prefer that you interview in person, but occasionally make arrangements to interview by telephone if the applicant is unable to attend the on-site interview day.
Q: How should I obtain letters of recommendation and from whom?
A: We prefer that you attain letters of recommendation from individuals who know you well (current or former professors, and/or applicable employers) and who can speak to your potential for success in a doctoral program. Letters should be on letterhead stationery. Letters of recommendation from therapists, clergy, relatives, or friends should not be submitted.
Q: I have submitted all of my materials. What should I do next?
A: We encourage you to check with us to ensure that all of your materials have been received by the deadline (January 5th). You may contact our administrative assistants at 940-898-2303 or 940-898-2306. Should you be invited for an on-campus interview, we will be in touch no later than March 1st.
Q: Do you accept students in the summer/fall/spring?
A: We accept new students only once per year. The deadline for application is January 5th of the year you wish to apply. Application materials arrive after that date will not be considered until the next year. Students accepted in to the program may begin in either the summer or fall semester of the year in which they are accepted.
Q: What are some reasons why I was not offered admission (or invited to interview)?
A: We regularly receive many more applications from qualified students than we are able to admit. We intentionally keep our classes small so that we can provide excellent education and training to those we admit and maintain national accreditation and approval standards.
Q: What can I do to maximize my chances of being offered admission?
A: Review all of the information on the website to ensure that you have met or exceeded the admissions criteria. Research our program and ensure that you understand the expectations and training requirements of our program so that your application materials can reflect how your interests and professional goals complement our training model, mission, and goals. If you are invited to interview, be prepared and knowledgeable about the program, and able to ask appropriate questions about your fit with the program.
Q: Where can I find more information about …?
A:
- International Education at TWU - https://twu.edu/admissions/international-admissions/
- Financial Aid - www.twu.edu/finaid/
- TWU Graduate Requirements - www.twu.edu/gradschool/
- The GRE - www.ets.org/gre
Program F.A.Q.
Q: Is the doctoral program APA accredited/NASP approved?
A: Yes, our doctoral program in school psychology is accredited by the American Psychology Association (2018-2028) and approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (2012-2018).
Q: Can I attend the program on a part-time basis?
A: Our program is a fairly traditional doctoral program and the expectation is that the majority of students will be full-time. On occasion a student will be accepted on a part-time basis or allowed to attend the program as a part-time student.
Q: Are classes offered during the day, evenings, weekends, and/or online?
A: The majority of our classes are offered late afternoon and evening, however, at least one class each semester is likely to be offered only during the day. In addition, several classes have associated applied practicums that require school-based experiences which can only be attained during daytime hours. Occasionally, a class is offered on the weekends. We do not offer an online version of the program or a weekends/evening only version of the program.
Q: Can I work full-time while attending the doctoral program?
A: Working full-time while attending the doctoral program is discouraged. It is very difficult to work full-time and be a full-time student in the school psychology doctoral program. Students who must work full-time are more likely to move to part-time status in the program.
Q: On what campus is the School Psychology program offered?
A: The school psychology doctoral program is only offered on the Denton Campus.
Q: Can I apply to both the specialist and doctoral programs at the same time?
A: Yes, in the admissions process you can be considered for both programs, but you will not be admitted to both programs. You would first be considered for the doctoral program, and if not accepted, your application would then be considered for the specialist program. However, acceptance into the specialist program does not guarantee later acceptance into the doctoral program. You would need to apply again during the next or subsequent application cycles to the doctoral program.
Q: Can I transfer in courses/credit from previous graduate work?
A: Approval of transfer credit occurs on an individual basis and only after an applicant has been accepted into the doctoral program. However, the program director can assist you in determining if, and which, credits might be transferrable. It is suggested that applicants interested in this option meet with the program director and bring with them an unofficial copy of their transcripts for review.
Q: What courses in the school psychology program can be taken as a non-degree seeking students?
A:
- PSY 5803/6931 Introduction to School Psychology
- PSY 6103 Cognition and Affect
- PSY 6133 Advanced Behavioral Neuroscience
- PSY 6633 Philosophical and Historical Foundations of Psychology
- PSY 6774 Foundations of Social Psychology and Personality
- PSY 6613 Advanced Developmental Psychology
- PSY 6583 Neuropsychopharmacology
- PSY 6833 Ethics in Psychology
- PSY 5353 Research Techniques
- PSY 5304 Advanced Psychological Statistics I
- PSY 6204 Advanced Psychological Statistics II
Page last updated 12:28 PM, March 16, 2021