Tips for Preparing for Graduate School in Psychology
- Get research experience through working with professors here, working with external mentors, or by completing your own honors thesis research.
- Take upper-level courses in the area of psychology you'd like to pursue.
- Get to know your professors; ask them about their career paths.
- Become a member of the American Psychological Association or the Maryland Chapter of Psi Chi. These professional organizations can provide learning opportunities as well as a chance to network.
- Spend some time thinking about exactly what type and level of degree you want to pursue, and what you hope to do after graduate school.
- Speak with an advisor about the application process.
Applying to Graduate School
The career center website has some wonderful advice on deciding whether to go to graduate school, applying to graduate school, how to get good letters of recommendation, financing a graduate education, and even a bit on how graduate school differs from your undergraduate experience. All of this can be found at: http://www.careercenter.umd.edu/student/grad/apply.asp
In addition, the APA website has a list of all APA accredited programs. They also publish Graduate Study in Psychology every year with a listing of all the psychology programs, their entrance requirements, degrees offered and a bit about the nature of the program.
The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE®)
Most graduate programs in psychology require you to take the GRE. These tests are somewhat like the SAT, however, they are currently administered using a computer rather than a paper-and-pencil format. Some psychology graduate programs will also require the psychology subject GRE. Information about both of these tests, as well as practice exams can be found on the GRE website.
The GRE is offered in the Shoemaker building through the Testing Center. For information on scheduling a test time go to http://www.counseling.umd.edu/Services/srv_cbt.htm.