Admissions Information

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We are currently accepting applications for Fall 2024 admission on a space-available basis until May 1, 2024. Please complete your application as soon as possible. Review of the application will only begin after we receive all the required documents. For more information about the application process, please see below.

Admissions Requirements for M.A. in Clinical and Counseling Psychology

  • A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or an appropriately certified foreign institution. Graduating seniors are expected to submit final transcript following graduation and prior to enrollment at WPU. 
    • Official transcripts from all colleges attended other than William Paterson University are required. All applicants should contact their prior institutions to request official copies of their transcripts be sent to WPU electronically or by post.
  • An undergraduate degree grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) for all degree work.
  •   Prerequisite courses*
    • General Psychology
    • Developmental Psychology
    • Research Methods/Experimental Design or Statistics 
    • Abnormal Psychology. 

*Strong applicants who are deficient in any of the four prerequisite courses may be considered for admission if the applicant provides documented evidence of course equivalencies. 

**Please note: The GRE is no longer required for admission.
       

How to Apply 

•    Personal Statement, which addresses all of the following: 
      1.    What has led you to pursue a career in clinical and counseling psychology? 
      2.    What do you see as your strengths and weaknesses and how will they impact your ability to attain your academic and professional goals? 
      3.    Why does this program represent a good fit for you? 
      4.    Any additional information or relevant experience that can help us evaluate you. 

•    Current Resume or Curriculum Vitae, which includes clinical, research and/or human services experiences. 

•    Official Transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended. You will need to order transcripts from EVERY school you have received credit, even if those credits show up on your conferral transcript. 

•    Three Recommendation Letters from individuals who know you well, preferably drawn from academic and clinical/human service areas. Personal or non-professional references are not accepted. 

•   Completion of an interview with a member of the M.A. Program Faculty (by program invitation only). 

Please note that all application updates will be sent via email. Please be sure to check your email address regularly to receive application updates.

Financial Assistance

A small number Graduate Assistantship (GA) awards are available to select students with outstanding credentials and financial needs. These assistantships involve a full tuition waiver along with a small stipend in exchange for working at William Paterson University for 20 hours per week from September to June. In the past, graduate assistants have worked as program assistants in various academic departments or university programs and provide administrative or research support. If you are interested in being considered for a graduate assistantship, please complete the supplemental questions to the application. 

 1) What types of skills and abilities would you be able to bring to an assistantship position?

 2) What is your main reason for applying for an assistantship?  To what extent does enrolling in the program hinge on your receiving an assistantship? (Optional: Please include information about your financial needs.)

Please note the below requirements for graduate assistantship eligibility:

  • Students who are enrolled in the program full-time (12 credits/semester)
  • Students who can work 20 hours per week on campus during the workday.
  • Preferences will also be given to the student with a strong academic record, skillset, and demonstrated financial needs.
  • Students who completed their MA program application (all materials received) by March 1st will be given priority consideration for the graduate assistantship.

For more information about the graduate assistantship, see here.

More information about our program is also available on our program flier.

Application Deadline 

All application materials, including official transcripts, and recommendation letters must be received by the deadline. Fall enrollment only. Applications may be submitted here.

  • Priority Deadline: March 1st to be considered for a graduate assistantship 
  • Please note that applications will be accepted on a space-available basis after the priority deadline, until May 1, 2024.