Admissions and Financial Aid

Admission Criteria

The admissions committee considers many variables. The entire set of credentials presented by the applicant is considered. However, a low standing on one criterion (e.g., grade point average [GPA], Graduate Record Examination [GRE] score) does not automatically mean rejection, nor does one very high standing on one criterion mean automatic acceptance. Students with diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to apply. GRE test scores are waived for applicants seeking admission for Fall 2023.

Online application for the psychology graduate programs will open on August 1st for admittance Fall 2023.
The applicant must possess a bachelor's or master's degree or their equivalent from a regionally accredited institution. The prior academic record must indicate ability and preparation necessary for pursuing graduate studies.
The minimum prerequisite for the doctoral program is 18 semester hours of undergraduate courses in psychology. These must include courses in general psychology, introductory statistics, research methods, mental measurements, and six semester hours in other upper-division, undergraduate courses.
Grade Point Average (GPA)- A minimum 3.0 required in undergraduate and/or graduate. Overall GPA in a degree program and GPA in the psychology courses are both assessed. Special note is made of honors courses or programs.
The General Test portion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for all applicants. The Psychology Subject Area test is required for applicants who do not have an undergraduate degree in psychology; it is recommended for applicants who have a psychology major. Xavier University's institution code is 1965. GRE test scores are waived for applicants seeking admission for Fall 2023.
Research experience. This may reflect anything from collecting data to publication in refereed journals.
Work experience. Of special interest is work relevant to clinical psychology.
Letters of reference. Letters from academic/research sources receive the greatest weight, although those describing other types of experience are also considered.
Compatible interests. Compatibility of the applicant's interests with those of the faculty is considered.
Writing skills. The applicant's ability to write, as reflected in the Personal and Diversity statement, as well as in technical writing shown in published research, is also taken into account.

Admissions Process

Applicants should see that the School of Psychology receives all application materials before the deadline date of December 1. Application materials can be mailed to:

School of Psychology

Xavier University

3800 Victory Parkway

Cincinnati, OH 45207-6511

To apply online, go to https://admit.xavier.edu/apply/ or contact Mack Maynard, Director, Academic Programs, at [email protected] or 513-745-1053.
A non-refundable $35.00 application fee.
Official transcript from all previous colleges and universities attended. These include colleges and universities that involve transfer credit
Three letters of recommendation.
Written statements (Personal Statement and Diversity Statement) reflecting a commitment to clinical psychology.
Official test scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) - General Test (required) GRE test scores are waived for applicants seeking admission for Fall 2023.
An application for possible financial assistance (optional)
Any other information that might aid in the selection process.

Applicants from foreign countries or who completed their degree overseas are required to submit transcripts evaluated by World Education Service (WES), a financial statement, a sponsorship letter, and official TOEFL scores, as well as the other requirements outlined above.

Official test scores from the Graduate Student Exam (GRE) should be sent to Xavier University's institution code, 1965.

Students in the program are not automatically considered candidates for the doctoral degree. Only after successful completion of the first two years of the doctoral curriculum and being awarded the MA degree in psychology, students are admitted as candidates for the Psy.D. degree.

Transfer Credit

The following are guidelines for the transfer of graduate credit to the doctoral program.

Students accepted into the doctoral program, already holding a master's degree in a field akin to clinical psychology may be able to apply a portion of the previous graduate work toward the fulfillment of the doctoral degree requirements. The allowable number of transferable hours will vary; all accepted hours must come from courses that match the requirements of courses in the Psy.D. curriculum. In all cases a minimum of 75 hours of the required 117 must be completed at Xavier.

Petitions for transfer of credit will be granted with the recommendation of the School Chair and approval of the Dean of the College of Professional Sciences. Courses will be considered for transfer at a grade of B or higher. Courses taken more than six years prior to entering the doctoral program will normally not be accepted for transfer.

Financial Aid

A limited number of graduate research, lab/teaching, and clinical assistantships are available. The School will award a one year graduate scholarship to an eligible Alpha Sigma Nu student. Applicants are encouraged to apply for graduate assistantships outside the School. For more information on these assistantships, contact the Graduate School office at 513-745-3957 or email [email protected].