Admissions

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 select invited applicants before decisions are made concerning admission into the Program.

Admissions 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 overall undergraduate and graduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.000 on a 4.000 scale is required.
3. Completion of 18 semester hours or equivalent of prerequisite coursework in psychology including: Introduction to General Psychology, Human Growth & Development or Personality Theory, Abnormal Psychology, Statistics or Tests and Measurements. Performance in undergraduate prerequisite courses must be at the level of B- or above, as expected in the graduate program. 
4. Demonstration of community service or extracurricular activities.
5. Motivation for and commitment to healthcare as demonstrated by previous work, volunteer work, or other life experiences.
6. Oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues.
7. Commitment to abide by Midwestern University's Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.
8. Passage of the Midwestern University criminal background check.

Application Process and Deadlines 

1.    PSYCAS Application: Applicants are required to submit their applications to PSYCAS at https://psycas.liaisoncas.com by May 1, 2024. 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 PSYCAS. 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.    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. 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 interviews and entrance into the Program.

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:

Midwestern University 
Office of Admissions 
555 31st Street 
Downers Grove, IL 
(630) 515-6171
(800) 458-6253
admissil@midwestern.edu

Interview and Selection Process

Completed applications are reviewed to determine an applicant's eligibility for interviews. Interviews are conducted virtually or 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, which includes the Program Director, makes decisions for action with oversight from the Dean of the College of Health Sciences. The Dean, via the Office of Admissions, notifies applicant in writing of the admission action/decision.  

The Dean of the College of Health Sciences may recommend for an interview, applicants who meet the Program’s minimum requirements for which they are applying (e.g. children of alumni, faculty, or staff). These applicants are not guaranteed admission into a Program and will have their application reviewed similarly to other applicants being considered for acceptance. All admissions decisions are made by the program Admissions Committee.

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. Requests will not be accepted after the student's first quarter in 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 be awarded for required courses completed from other doctoral programs;
4. Credit may only be awarded for courses in which a grade of B- or higher was attained;
5. Credit may not be transferred for courses in Diversity. All students are required to complete PSYCD 1610: Diversity in Clinical Psychology at Midwestern University;
6. Credit is not transferable for clerkship, practica or internship; (for more information refer to the current Clinical Training Manual);
   1. 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.
7. Advanced Standing will only be granted for required courses. Advanced Standing will not be granted for MWU Clinical Psychology electives.
8. 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.

Graduation Requirements 

The Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology (M.A.) is awarded if the following conditions are fulfilled by students in the Psy.D. Program: 

1. Satisfactory completion of a minimum of 106.5 credit hours including all required courses (81 credits), Interprofessional Education course (1 credit), clerkships (2 credits), and practica and practicum seminars (21.5 credits).
2. Attainment of a cumulative grade point average of 3.000 or higher; and a minimum of B-    or P in all required courses, seminars and practica.
3. Favorable recommendation for conferral of master's degree from the Clinical Psychology Program Academic Review Committee and the CHS Student Promotion and Graduate Committee.
4. Settlement of all financial accounts with the University.

To receive the Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.), the student must complete all requirements within seven calendar years of matriculation. To be eligible for graduation the student must meet the following requirements: 

1. Satisfactory completion of a minimum of 233.5 credits consisting of all the required courses; (213.5 credits for the four-year option.)
2. Attainment of a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher; and minimum of B- or P in all required courses, seminars and practica;
3. Satisfactory completion of the written Qualifying Examination and program-based competencies;
4. Satisfactory completion of an approved internship;
5. Satisfactory completion of a Dissertation, including a successful oral defense and the submission of a copy for binding;
6. Completion of all graduation clearance requirements as instructed by the Office of the Registrar;
7. Favorable recommendation for doctoral degree conferral from the Clinical Psychology Program Academic Review Committee and the CHS Student Promotion and Graduation Committee;
8. Settlement of all financial accounts with the University.

Requirements for Full Time Study in Residence 
A residency requirement must be satisfied as a condition of graduation. According to the American Psychological Association Standards of Accreditation (APA, 2015) students must meet the following requirements: 

1. A minimum of 3 full-time academic years of graduate study (or the equivalent thereof) plus an internship prior to receiving the doctoral degree;
2. At least 2 of the 3 academic training years (or the equivalent thereof) within the program from which the doctoral degree is granted;
3. At least 1 year of which must be in full-time residence (or the equivalent thereof) at that same program. At this University this is defined as the successful completion of a minimum of twelve quarter hours per term for three consecutive quarters.

All enrolled students, including those enrolled with transfer credits, must meet or exceed the minimum residency requirements. All students must additionally complete all training experiences (clerkship, practica and a full-time predoctoral internship) during their residency in the Program.