Frequently Asked Questions

1. Would you send me information about the Ph.D. Program in Psychology?
2. Of the students you accept, how many get financial assistance?
3. What is the application deadline?
4. What is the institution code for the University of Maryland?
5. What is the Program Code for Psychology?
6. What is the average GPA of the students accepted?
7. What is the average GRE score of the students accepted?
8. I have already earned my Master's Degree at another institution. Can I be waived from taking the GRE?
9. Can GRE scores be sent in after the application deadline?
10. Is the GRE Subject Test in Psychology mandatory?
11. What are the minimum scores for being accepted into the program?
12. How many students do you accept each year?
13. How do I apply for fellowships or graduate assistantships?
14. Where should I have my letters of recommendation sent?
15. Do letters of recommendation need to be sent directly from the recommender?
16. I have been told that the December 15th due date is only for the application. When do the letters of recommendation and transcripts have to be in by?
17. Do I have to choose my Area of Specialization before I apply? I would rather wait until I have been in the program for a year before I decide.
18. Can I specialize in two areas?
19. When are acceptance letters mailed out?
20. How can I check to see if my application is complete?
21. I applied to your program in the past. Do you still have the information I sent in for that application?
22. I am an international student. Do I have to take TOEFL?
23. What are the minimum TOEFL scores you will accept?
24. What requirements must be met in order for a foreign student to be a TA?
25. Do you offer a Master's degree in psychology?
26. Can I enter the program with a Bachelor's degree?
27. I want to go to graduate school in psychology, but I don't know which area I would like to specialize in. Can I set up an appointment with an advisor?
28. Do you offer online courses?
29. Do you have classes at night or on weekends? Can I attend your program part-time?
30. My undergraduate degree is not in psychology. Could I still be accepted into the program?
31. Are your programs APA accredited?
32. Do you have a PsyD program?
33. Do you have a program in school psychology?
34. Is it possible to attend your program part-time?
35. How long does it take to complete the program?
36. Where can I download Letters of Recommendation forms?

Would you send me information about the Ph.D. program in psychology?

We no longer send out hard copies or brochures about our Ph.D. program.  However, we have posted all of the information on our website.

Under the Graduate Program link you can access the Information for Applicants.  This will provide you with information about our program as well as directions for applying.

Under Specialty Areas, we have listed the different areas of psychology offered in the Department of Psychology at the University of Maryland, College Park.  Click on an area and you will find a description of the area, a list of faculty who are affiliated with that area and, in most cases, the area’s web page.  To see a faculty member’s contact information and research interests, click on their name.

Once you have reviewed the information on the website, you can e-mail cgorham@psyc.umd.edu with specific questions.

Of the students you accept, how many get financial assistance?

Almost every student accepted into our program is given assistance in the form of a fellowship or graduate assistantship, which includes full tuition remission, for their first five years of study.

What is the application deadline?

December 15th is the deadline for fall admission.  We only admit students in the fall.

What is the institution code for the University of Maryland?

5814

What is the Program Code for Psychology?

PSYC

What is the average GPA of the students accepted?

The average GPA of a student entering our doctoral program is over 3.65.

What is the average GRE score of the students accepted?

The average verbal GRE of a student entering our doctoral program is over 635, the average quantitative score is over 700.

I have already earned my Master’s Degree at another institution.  Can I be waived from taking the GRE?

The GRE Verbal, Quantitative and Writing scores are required.  The Psychology subject test is recommended.

Can GRE scores be sent in after the application deadline?

The complete application is due on December 15th, this includes the GRE scores. 

Is the GRE subject test in Psychology mandatory?

The subject test is not mandatory, it is recommended.

What are the minimum scores for being accepted into the program?

There are no specific cutoff points for GREs or GPAs.  The specific criteria for admission to the Department of Psychology vary somewhat across specialty areas. The admissions committee will look at all of the information you provide, including your Letters of Recommendation and Statements of Goals and Research Experiences, as well as your GPA and GRE scores.

How many students to you accept each year?

The number of students we accept varies.  In 2007, we accepted 13 students.

How do I apply for fellowships or graduate assistantships?

You do not have to apply separately for a fellowship or assistantship.  If accepted into the Psychology program, your application will automatically be reviewed for funding.

Where should I have my letters of recommendation sent?

We would prefer that your letters of recommendation be submitted electronically through your application in MEGS. However, if it is necessary to send hard copies they can be sent to:

Enrollment Services Office – Graduate Admissions
Box G, Mitchell Building
University of Maryland, College Park
College Park, MD  20742

Do letters of recommendation need to be sent directly from the recommender?

Although we accept letters of recommendation directly from the recommender, we would prefer that you submit all of your application materials in one package.  However, each letter of recommendation must arrive at the University of Maryland in an envelope that is individually sealed and signed.

I have been told that the December 15th due date is only for the application.  What is the due date for the letters of recommendation and transcripts?

The complete application has to be in by December 15th.

Do I have to choose my Area of Specialization before I apply?  I would rather wait until I have been in the program for a year before I decide.

In order for your application to be reviewed by the correct Admissions Committee, you must select an Area of Specialization when you apply.

Can I specialize in two areas?

At the time of application, you are only permitted to select one area of specialization. However, research colaborations across areas are common and we encourage students to consider training across areas as well.

When are acceptance letters mailed out?

All acceptance letters will be mailed out by April 15.

How can I check to see if my application is complete?

When you apply using the on-line application system, you will receive an e-mail confirming that your application has been received.  The e-mail will also contain a password and directions on how to log-in and check your application status.

I applied to your program in the past.  Do you still have the information I sent in for that application?

We keep information for one year.  If you sent it before that time, you will need to resend it.

I am an international student.  Do I have to take TOEFL?

Yes.

What are the minimum TOEFL scores you will accept?

The minimum TOEFL score that the University of Maryland will accept is 575 on the computer test, 233 on the written test.

What requirements must be met in order for a foreign student to be a TA?

The student needs to be academically qualified to be admitted to the Graduate Program. They have to be full-time students.  They have to have taken the TOEFL exam and meet the general Graduate School requirements.  They have to take the TA Evaluation administered by Maryland English Institute and pass it before they can actually go into the classroom. The TA Evaluation administered by MEI includes an oral exam, practice teaching and video teaching so the applicants can see their own performance. MEI invites faculty and US students in to see the teaching.

Do you offer a Master’s degree in psychology?

We do not offer a terminal Master’s program.  Students may earn their Master’s degree while here, but are expected to go on to earn their Ph.D.

Can I enter the program with a Bachelor’s degree?

Yes, we do accept students with a Bachelor’s degree.

I want to go to graduate school in psychology, but I don’t know which area I would like to specialize in.  Can I set up an appointment with an advisor?

We do not have advisors available for graduate applicants.

Do you offer online courses?

No

Do you have classes at night or on weekends?  Can I attend your program part-time?

Our program is full-time.  Classes are held during the day, Monday through Friday.

My undergraduate degree is not in psychology.  Could I still be accepted into the program?

Yes, but in most specialty areas, students are expected to have a thorough background in psychology. Some specialty areas, however, prefer a thorough background in mathematics, biological and/or physical sciences, (see Specialty Area link on this website). Students are expected to have appropriate background experiences that prepare them to begin graduate work when they enter our graduate program.

Are your programs APA accredited?

Our Clinical and Counseling programs are APA accredited.

Do you have a PsyD program?

No.

Do you have a program in school psychology?

The School Psychology program is in the Department of Education.  Questions about the School Psychology program can be addressed to schlpsyc@umd.edu.

Is it possible to attend your program part time? 

No, we only accept full time students.

How long does it take to complete the program?

Most students complete our program within five to six years.

How should Letters of Recommendation be submitted?

Letters of Recommendation should be, when at all possible, submitted online via MEGS/Apra.