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Clinical Psychology Admission

The Clinical Psychology Program considers applicants who possess the academic and professional promise necessary for development as competent, caring members of the healthcare community. The program requires an interview with applicants before decisions are made concerning admission into the program.

The Clinical Psychology department has established November 15th as the first priority deadline for the 2020 admissions cycle.  All applicants who submit completed applications before the priority deadline date will be considered for on-campus entrance interviews to be held in late November and early December.  Additional interview dates will be scheduled during the Winter and early Spring, but we strongly encourage you to submit your online application with all of the required application materials prior to the deadline to ensure consideration for these early interviews.

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Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission within our competitive selection process, applicants must submit the following documented evidence:

  1. Completion of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
  2. An undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale is required
    • If the applicant has graduate courses, but no degree granted, this will be viewed as an extension of the undergraduate work and will be evaluated as part of a cumulative GPA.
    • If the applicant has a conferred graduate degree in psychology or a related mental health field from a regionally accredited university, the GPA from that graduate program will be weighted more heavily than the undergraduate GPA.
  3. Completion of 18 semester hours or equivalent of prerequisite coursework in psychology with a grade of B- or better including: Introduction to General Psychology, Human Growth & Development or Personality Theory, Abnormal Psychology, Statistics or Tests and Measurements.
  4. Graduate Records Examination (GRE) general test scores using the Midwestern University institution code of 1769:
    • Scores will be accepted from tests taken no earlier than January 1, 2015
    • For more information about the GRE, contact Educational Testing Services (ETS) at 609/771-7670 or 866/473-4373 or visit www.ets.org/gre.
  5. Demonstration of community service or extracurricular activities.
  6. Motivation for and commitment to healthcare as demonstrated by previous work, volunteer work, or other life experiences.
  7. Oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues.
  8. Commitment to abide by Midwestern University's Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.
  9. Passage of the Midwestern University criminal background check.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

An international student must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States, or from a recognized post-secondary Canadian institution that uses English as its primary language of instruction and documentation. Of the 30 semester hours, 15 hours must be in the sciences, 6 hours in non-remedial English composition, and 3 hours in speech/public speaking.

Applicants who wish to receive credit for prerequisite coursework completed outside the U.S. or at a Canadian institution that does not use English as its primary language of instruction and documentation must submit an official, detailed, course-by-course evaluation obtained from one of the following evaluation services:

International applicants who do not provide documentation of acceptable U.S. or Canadian course/degree equivalency will not receive credit, and will be required to complete all prerequisite courses at an accredited college or university in the United States, or at a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada that uses English as its primary language of instruction and documentation.

For clarification about recognized post-secondary institutions in Canada that use English as a primary language of instruction and documentation, international applicants should contact the Midwestern University Office of Admissions.

International Applicant Packet

Apply Online at PSYCAS

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Application Process and Deadline

1. PSYCAS Application

Applicants are required to submit their applications to PSYCAS at https://psycas.liaisoncas.com by July 15, 2020. Please refer to the PSYCAS application instructions for specific details about completing the application, required documents, and processing time. Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete their PSYCAS application early in the cycle. Midwestern University operates on a rolling admissions basis where applications are reviewed throughout the admissions cycle.

2. Letters of Recommendation

Applicants are required to submit a minimum of two letters of recommendation from professionals to PSYCAS (https://psycas.liaisoncas.com). The Office of Admissions will only accept letters of recommendation received directly from PYSCAS. Letters of recommendation should be written by professionals who know the applicant well (teachers, advisors, professional colleagues or supervisors). The applicant should refer to the PSYCAS application instructions for specific guidelines and requirements for submitting letters of recommendation.

3. GRE Scores

Applicants are required to submit official GRE general test scores directly to Midwestern University. The MWU institutional code for submitting scores is 1769. Only test scores earned during the previous five years (no earlier than January 1, 2015) and sent directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) will be accepted.

4. Completed Applications

The Office of Admissions will send letters verifying receipt of PSYCAS applications with all required materials to all applicants who meet the minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. The letters will also include instructions on checking the status of the required application materials online. All applicants must also submit official GRE general test scores to Midwestern University to complete their applications. Applicants are responsible for tracking the receipt of their application materials and ensuring the submission of all required documents. Only applicants who submit completed applications with all required application materials will be considered for potential entrance into the Program.

Send application materials to:

Midwestern University
Office of Admissions
555 31st St.
Downers Grove, IL 60515
800/458-6253
admissil@midwestern.edu

Applicants are responsible for notifying the Office of Admissions of any changes in their mailing address or e-mail address. All requests for application withdrawal must be made in writing via e-mail, fax, or letter to the Office of Admissions at the above address.

Interview and Selection Process

Completed applications are reviewed to determine an applicant's eligibility for interviews. Interviews are conducted on the Midwestern University campus during several days throughout the admissions cycle. The personal interview is the final step in the application process. The Admissions Committee reviews the completed files of interviewed candidates and submits recommendations for admission to the Dean for final approval. The Dean, via The Office of Admissions, notifies applicants of admissions decisions.

Matriculation Process

The matriculation process begins after applicants receive notification of their acceptance. To complete the matriculation process, applicants must:

  • Submit the matriculation agreement and required deposit monies by the date designated in the matriculation agreement. Deposits are applied towards the first quarter's tuition.
  • Submit official final transcripts from all colleges attended post-high school by the deadline of two weeks (14 days) prior to the first day of classes. Students who are accepted to MWU less than one month prior to the first day of classes will have 30 calendar days from the date of their acceptance to submit all official transcripts to the Office of Admissions. Any special circumstances or requests for exceptions to this policy must be sent to and approved by the Office of the Dean of the college. Students who fail to submit all official final transcripts by the stated deadline may jeopardize their acceptance or continued enrollment in the College.
  • Submit completed medical files documenting completion of a physical exam, immunizations, tuberculosis and titer blood testing as instructed by the Office of Student Services and detailed in the Student Handbook.
  • Submit proof of medical and disability insurance coverage. Students may select either a plan offered by an MWU-approved carrier or a comparable plan offered by an outside carrier of their choice, as determined by the Office of Student Services. Insurance must be maintained throughout the entire period of enrollment.
  • Submit additional documents as requested by the Office of Admissions or College.
  • Students who are requesting an F-1 visa or who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents must prepay tuition and in some cases other mandatory program fees for the first year of their educational program 6 weeks before the first day of the first quarter of each academic year. Furthermore, the student must prepay tuition and in some cases other mandatory program fees for each successive year at the start of each academic year on the University’s stated due date.
  • Submit a signed Credit Policy Statement.
  • Authorize and pass the appropriate MWU criminal background check, international police clearance, and/or fingerprinting background check as required by the College. Students who fail to provide completed checks/clearances or fail to pass background checks/clearances by the end of the first month after the start of the first quarter of enrollment may jeopardize their acceptance or continued enrollment in the College, and the student may be required to take a leave of absence.
  • Submit a signed MWU Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy Statement.

Applicants who fail to satisfy these matriculation requirements or who omit or falsify information required on official admission documents automatically forfeit their seat in the program. Any individual accepted for admission to the college/program who does not comply with stated timelines for submission of all required materials receives no further notification from the college regarding the forfeiture of their seat.

Transfer of Credit

To receive credit for coursework completed at other institutions prior to matriculation at Midwestern University, students must submit a Petition for Advanced Standing/Transfer of Credit Form and a course syllabus for each course the student is requesting to transfer.  In addition, one official transcript must be submitted. All requests for Advanced Standing must be submitted prior to registration for the first quarter of the program. The transfer of credit has the following conditions:

  1. A maximum of 40 quarter hours, 32 trimester hours, or 27 semester hours, of credit for coursework completed prior to matriculation may be considered;
  2. Transferred course credit is limited to graduate level courses in psychology or mental health from recognized, regionally accredited degree granting institutions;
  3. Credit may only be awarded for courses in which a grade of B- or higher was attained;
  4. Credit is not transferable for clerkship, practica or internship;
  5. Other courses that include a competency gateway may be considered for transfer of credit. This will be determined on a case by case basis. Furthermore, in order for any credit to be granted for a course that includes a competency gateway, a competency examination is required to determine satisfactory performance before transfer of credit will be granted.
  6. Advanced Standing will only be granted for required courses. Advanced Standing will not be granted for MWU Clinical Psychology electives.
  7. Credit can only be awarded for courses completed within a seven-year period before matriculation.

All Advanced Standing requests will be reviewed by the Chair of the Program's Education Committee, the Course Director of the Midwestern University Course for which the student is requesting Advanced Standing, and/or the Program Director. If a course is accepted for credit, the equivalent Midwestern University course and Advanced Placement (AP) notation will be recorded on the transcript along with the name of the institution at which the credit was earned. Any earned letter grade will not be included on the MWU transcript or used in the MWU GPA calculation. Students requesting, and receiving, Advanced Standing understand that this might have financial and scheduling implications throughout their time at MWU. While the Program will work with the student, it is the STUDENT'S responsibility to ensure they have enough credits to qualify for Financial Aid for any given quarter.

Reapplication Process

Students who receive either denial or end-of-cycle letters may reapply for the following year's admissions cycle. Before reapplying, however, individuals contemplating reapplication should seek the advice of an admissions counselor. To initiate the reapplication process, prospective students must complete and submit a new application and proceed through the standard application process.

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