Psychology - Clinical-Counseling Psychology

The master's degree in the Clinical-Counseling Psychology Program provides rigorous training in basic areas of psychology and their application in assessment, counseling, and psychotherapeutic treatment.

To learn more about Clinical Psychology, see the American Psychological Association's Society of Clinical Psychology website. To learn more about Counseling Psychology, see the APA's Society of Counseling Psychology website.

One of the strengths of this Program has been the presence of faculty who have been trained in Clinical Psychology and Counseling Psychology, which has provided a valuable opportunity for collaboration between faculty and graduate students. The master's degree can be completed with two years of full-time enrollment on campus.

University Admission Requirements

A student applying to a master's program must:

• Have earned a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or prior to fall admission
• Send official transcripts from each college or university, other than Illinois State, where graduate, undergraduate, or non-degree credit was earned. Transcripts should be emailed from the school to Admissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Office of Admissions, Campus Box 2200, Normal, IL 61790-2200

International students can learn more about specific application requirements by visiting the Office of Admissions.

Additional Program Admission Requirements

Complete your application by January 1.

Admission is offered only for the fall semester and is very competitive. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Admission offers are sent in March. The Council for Graduate Schools stipulates that an applicant has until April 15 to accept or decline an admission offer. Some admission offers may be delayed until applicants notify the department that they are declining admission.

To be considered for this program, you must meet the following requirements:

GPA

Have a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework or 3.0 GPA for 9 hours of graduate coursework.

Undergraduate Coursework

You must have completed 15 hours of undergraduate psychology courses, including:

• General Psychology
• Psychological Statistics
• Research Methods
• Abnormal Psychology
• Learning Theory

You should have proficiency in math. This can be demonstrated by any of the following:

• A passing grade in finite math or Precalculus (MAT 120, MAT 144, or equivalent)
• A grade of B or better in Psychological Statistics (PSY 340 or equivalent),
• A score of 144 or higher on the Quantitative Reasoning section of the GRE General Test

If you have not completed all of the required undergraduate courses, it is possible that you may still be admitted. This will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and competitive applicants will be advised accordingly. Missing courses will be added to your curriculum and, depending on the specific missing courses, must be completed either during your first year of graduate study or prior to beginning the program.

GRE Scores

The GRE is not required for Fall 2023 applicants and will not be used to evaluate applicants. The GRE may be submitted to establish math proficiency. If you wish to submit GRE scores, use institution code 1319.

Application Materials

In addition to meeting general requirements, a complete application will need to include the following items:

• Curriculum Vitae or Resume
• Writing Sample
• Personal Statement
• Three Letters of Recommendation

Curriculum Vitae or Resume

Ensure your curriculum vitae or resume lists your experience. This can be paid or unpaid experience, internships, volunteer work, etc. Include the following information.

• Dates
• Employer or organization
• Business addresses
• Nature of the experiences that are relevant to being admitted to the graduate program
• Received academic honors and awards
• Date received
• Explanation of what the honor or award recognizes
• Research experiences, skills, and accomplishments

Writing Sample

Provide a scholarly writing sample (5-15 pages long). Typical examples have involved papers written in APA format by individuals for a class or a research project.

Personal Statement

In 2-3 pages double-spaced, address the following:

• Your professional and career goals
• Research interests and experiences
• Qualifications for admission to this graduate program
• How your interests and goals fit with this graduate program

Letters of Recommendation

You will enter into the online application system the names and email addresses of three individuals who will write your letters. Your recommenders then will be contacted about uploading their letters into the system. 

Applicant Interview Day – Friday, March 3, 2023

Selected applicants will be invited to participate in required interviews and program informational meetings, which will be held on campus. The Applicant Interview Day schedule includes interviews with faculty members and meetings with current graduate students and other invited applicants. Invited applicants will be contacted by the graduate coordinator.

Admission Dates and Deadlines

Graduate Assistantship Information

The University provides opportunities for graduate assistantships as a means of financial support. They are intended as a way to facilitate a student's progress to degree while providing important professional development.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an assistantship, a student must, generally:

• be admitted as a degree-seeking student to a graduate program
• be in good-standing
• be enrolled full-time (typically at least 9 credits) during the fall or spring semesters

Benefits

Graduate assistants receive:

• monthly wages paid in the form of either a stipend or an hourly wage
• a waiver for 100% of tuition during a semester of appointment
• a waiver for up to 12 credit hours of tuition for the summer term immediately following a fall or spring appointment

Similar to admission to the program, graduate assistantships also are highly competitive. Applicants who are offered admission may be offered a graduate assistantship, depending on the availability of funding. Applicants who accept our admission offer will receive further information about the assistantship process. Graduate assistantships are subject to verification of employment eligibility under U.S. immigration laws and the receipt of anticipated state funding.

Cost & Funding

See Student Accounts for information on tuition and fees. Funding for graduate students is available from several different sources. Students who have been admitted from contiguous states including Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin will receive in-state tuition.

Graduate Coordinator