Requirements

Clinical Psychology (PsyD)

Application Deadline:  December 2, 2024 for Fall 2025

International applicants are strongly encouraged to apply 1 month prior to the final application deadline, as transcript review can take several weeks.

The online application for Fall 2025 is now open.  https://gradadmissions.du.edu/apply/

Applications are reviewed from December through January. Applicants will be notified via email regarding an admissions status update in January and early February.

A Master's degree is not required as a part of our admission requirements for the PsyD program.

In order to be considered for admission, you must submit the following by the application deadline: 

• Online Application

  Online Application for Graduate Admission:  https://gradadmissions.du.edu/apply/ 

• Essay Responses

  Instructions:

  • Please respond to both essay prompts below. 
  • The word limit for each essay is 500 words. Please number or label your essays. 
  • In your online application, please upload one PDF document which should include your two essay responses. Both essay responses are required.
  • We do not require a personal statement.

  **Note: Please read the essay prompts carefully and be sure to align your response with what is requested in the prompts.**

  Essay 1

  Describe someone you know, other than a parent or guardian, about whom you have strong ambivalent or conflicting feelings. Describe the person in such a way that they “come alive” for the reader. How do you understand your reactions to this person? How might your personal history influence how you react?

  Essay 2

  What life experiences and personal motives have most influenced your decision to pursue graduate study in psychology in GSPP’s PsyD Program?
  *This question is about your personal motives and requires a degree of self-disclosure.
  *Avoid writing about the wish to help others or about how you want to contribute to society.
  *There is no need to list your credentials or professional experience (this is already on your CV/resume which will be read).

• Letters of Recommendation
  • Two letters are required; three letters are strongly encouraged.
  • It is helpful to have one letter speak to your academic abilities.
     

  Here's how the process works:

  1. You will submit the names and email addresses of your references through the online application.
  2. An email requesting a letter of recommendation will be sent to your references upon entering their contact information. Your references will be required to submit their recommendations online.
  3. Please be sure to provide current contact information to avoid any delays in processing your application.
• Transcripts

  One (1) transcript from each college/university where at least one credit has been earned should be included in your application. This can be an uploaded, unofficial copy; however, if admitted you must submit an official copy from each college/university by the 6th week of your first quarter.  Transcripts can be uploaded as a PDF to your online application, emailed to gradinfo@du.edu, or mailed to the following address:
  
  University of Denver
  Office of Graduate Education
  Mary Reed Building
  2199 S. University Blvd, Rm 5
  Denver, CO 80210

• GPA Requirements
  • Applicants for the PsyD program must meet a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 to be considered for admission.
    • This requirement may be substituted by a 3.0 cumulative graduate GPA for those with an earned master's degree in psychology or a related field. 
    • Applicants with a cumulative undergraduate GPA below a 3.0, who have some graduate-level courses completed in psychology or a related field but not an earned master's degree, should contact GSPP admissions to determine eligibility before applying to our program.
  • A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher is strongly encouraged. 
• Resume/Curriculum Vita (CV)

  Please detail all relevant experiences in your resume/CV. (Having paid or volunteer experience providing services to clients having emotional, behavioral, or developmental disorders is an asset.)

• Prerequisites

  ​​​​​​*This requirement is for applicants without a Bachelor's (major or minor) in psychology, or applicants without an MA/MS in clinical or counseling psychology.

  • The psychology prerequisite can be met through coursework or by obtaining a score of at least 660 on the psychology subject GRE exam. 
  • For applicants WITHOUT a psychology background, you are required to complete four (4) psychology courses from a regionally accredited institution, earning a 'B' or better in these classes.  The classes can be online or in person.
  • Psychology pre-requisites must be completed by the start of the program. Applicants should detail how they plan to meet this prerequisite somewhere in their application.
  • Pre-requisite courses will be officially evaluated during the application review process.  Additional, recent coursework may be required if outdated or if the coursework is not relative, general psychology coursework.
  • We recommend the following foundation courses.  The courses should be general Psychology coursework.  This is not an exhaustive list - please contact us with questions: 
    • Introduction to Psychology
    • Abnormal Psychology
    • Child Psychology
    • Experimental Psychology (requires the student to complete the content portion of an experimental psychology class [e.g., learning, perception, cognition, motivation, physiology, and to perform one or more direct experiments using the scientific method applied to some empirical question. This second requirement is often met by taking an experimental lab associated with the course.)
    • Personality Theory
    • Statistics
• International Students
  • International Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their online application at least one month prior to the application deadline, as evaluation of international transcripts can take up to 3 weeks.  A fee may be required for international transcript evaluations.
  • Additional documentation is required by the International Student Office.
  • Please see below for additional application requirements and Proof of English Proficiency requirements.
• TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo

  International applicants, or applicants who do not hold a degree from an institution where English was the primary language of instruction, please provide one of the following for proof of English Proficiency: Duolingo scores of 115 or higher; minimum TOEFL scores 550 pBT; 80 iBT; or 6.5 or higher IELTS score.

• Application Fee

  The application fee for this program is $65. 

Other Information

• Review of Applications

  In reviewing applications, we are concerned with the quality of the whole application, evidence of academic ability, quality of work done in the human service role, how referees view the applicants potential to become a professional psychologist, and how the applicant presents him or herself in answering questions on the Supplemental Application. Our aim is to enroll people who have an appreciation of psychology as a scientifically based discipline and sufficient emotional and social maturity to function effectively in applied professional work. Even though we do not require an undergraduate major in psychology, we expect applicants to have knowledge of and curiosity about psychological theory and issues.

  Because clinical work starts in the first year, the in-person interview is particularly important. Based on both written and interview materials, the full faculty meets to select candidates. For the past five years, GSPP has made an average of 77 admission offers and welcomed an average class size of 38. Students are notified of admission decisions by April 1 of the admission year.

  Please contact the Admissions Office with questions by email or phone: 303-871-2908

• Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy

  The University of Denver is an Equal Opportunity Institution. It is the policy of the University not to discriminate in the admission of students, in the provision of services, or in employment on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or disability. The University prohibits all discrimination, harassment and retaliation, and complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and Executive Orders.

• Admissions Timeline

  Faculty review completed applications November-January.  We aim to notify applicants sometime in January regarding an admissions status update.  Admissions status updates will be sent via email. If invited to interview, interviews will be held online in early February.

  We strive to make final offers of admission by the middle of March. All admissions decisions for Fall 2024 consideration will be made by April 1, 2024. Admitted applicants have until April 15, 2024 to inform us of their admission decision and to submit the non-refundable $500 admission deposit to confirm their place in the program. The $500 admission deposit will be credited towards the student's first quarter's tuition.

• Background Check

  All incoming students will be required to complete background checks to work in practicum sites, including the Graduate School of Professional Psychology clinics. Failure to pass a background check may result in limitations to work in certain practicum sites and employment positions.

Masters Programs

The application deadline for our MA-Forensic Psychology, MA-International Disaster Psychology, and MA-Sport & Performance Psychology programs is January 8, 2025 for Fall 2025 consideration.  

International applicants are strongly encouraged to apply one month prior to the final application deadline, as transcript review can take several weeks.

For admissions deadlines and requirements for the online Master of Arts in Sport Coaching programs and certificates, click here.

In order to be considered for admission, you must submit the following by the application deadline:

• Online Application

  The online application is now open:  https://gradadmissions.du.edu/apply/

  The application deadline for our Masters programs is January 8, 2025 for Fall 2025 consideration.  

  International applicants are strongly encouraged to apply one month prior to the final application deadline, as transcript review can take several weeks.

• Essays

  Please respond to both of the essay questions listed under the program that you are applying to. Please upload one document including both essay responses to your online application.

  Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology

  *The word limit for both essays combined is 1,500 words. 

  Essay 1

  Describe someone you know who has engaged in behavior of which you disapprove. How has this behavior affected your view of this person? How has your relationship with this person changed? How do you understand your reactions to this person? How might your personal history influence how you react?

  Essay 2

  Write about a time you received feedback with which you did not agree.

   

  Master of Arts in International Disaster Psychology

  *The word limit for the essay is 750 words. 

  Essay

  The MAIDP program provides a unique and exceptional avenue for students to partake in global mental health internship experiences, often amidst unfamiliar and culturally diverse settings. In this essay, delve into a relevant personal experience that has molded your interest in and readiness for working in such environments. This could encompass global travel experiences for work or leisure, or instances where you found yourself in unfamiliar settings and navigated an unknown. 
  
  Essay Parameters: 
  ·  Reflect on a specific past experience that has significantly influenced your interest in global mental health and/or cross-cultural work. This might entail travel experiences, volunteer work, academic pursuits, or personal encounters with diverse communities. 
  ·  Consider scenarios where you felt like the "other," whether due to cultural disparities, social dynamics, or any other factors. In your response, emphasize a relational encounter that significantly influenced your self-perception.

   

  Master of Arts in Sport & Performance Psychology

  *The word limit for the essay is 450 words.

  Essay  

  Please describe how your personal and performance history have influenced your interest in working with athletes and performers – communities with rich multicultural experiences and a diverse array of individuals – and why you have chosen the Sport and Performance Psychology program at the University of Denver to help achieve your professional goals.

• Letters of Recommendation
  • Two letters are required; three letters are strongly encouraged.
  • It is helpful to have one letter speak to your academic abilities.

  Here's how the process works:

  1. You will submit the names and email addresses of your references through the online application.
  2. An email requesting a letter of recommendation will be sent to your references upon entering their contact information. Your references will be required to submit their recommendations online.
  3. Please be sure to provide current contact information to avoid any delays in processing your application.
• Transcripts

  One (1) transcript from each college/university where at least one credit has been earned should be included in your application. This can be an unofficial copy; however, if admitted you must submit an official copy from each college/university by the 6th week of your first quarter.  Transcripts can be uploaded as a PDF to your online application, emailed to gradinfo@du.edu, or mailed to the following address:
  
  University of Denver
  Office of Graduate Education
  Mary Reed Building
  2199 S. University Blvd., Rm 5
  Denver, CO 80210

• GPA Requirements
  • Applicants for graduate study at the University of Denver must meet a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 to be considered for admission. For applicants with an earned master's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution, the GPA from the graduate degree may be used to meet the GPA requirement.
  • The average cumulative undergraduate GPA for admitted applicants to our Masters programs is a 3.3.
  • GSPP reviews each application in its entirety to determine all assets an applicant brings to the program. Please be sure to highlight your strengths in your application.
• Resume/Curriculum Vita (CV)
  • Please detail all relevant experiences in your resume/CV. Having paid or volunteer experience related to the program that you are applying to is an asset.
• Prerequisites

  *This requirement is for applicants without a Bachelor's (major or minor) in psychology, or applicants without an MA/MS in clinical or counseling psychology. Please note: prerequisites are only required for PsyD, MA-Forensic Psychology, and MA-International Disaster Psychology applicants, NOT MA-Sport & Performance Psychology applicants. 

  • The psychology prerequisite can be met through coursework or by obtaining a score of at least 660 on the psychology subject GRE exam. 
  • For applicants WITHOUT a psychology background, you are required to complete four (4) psychology courses from a regionally accredited institution, earning a 'B' or better in these classes.  The classes can be online or in person.
  • Psychology pre-requisites must be completed by the start of the program. Applicants should detail how they plan to meet this prerequisite somewhere in their application.
  • Pre-requisite courses will be officially evaluated during the application review process.  Additional, recent coursework may be required if outdated or if the coursework is not relative, general psychology coursework.
  • We recommend the following foundation courses.  This is not an exhaustive list - please contact us with questions: 
    • Abnormal Psychology
    • Child Psychology
    • Experimental Psychology (requires the student to complete the content portion of an experimental psychology class [e.g., learning, perception, cognition, motivation, physiology, and to perform one or more direct experiments using the scientific method applied to some empirical question. This second requirement is often met by taking an experimental lab associated with the course.)
    • Personality Theory
    • Statistics
• International Students
  • International applicants are strongly encouraged to apply at least one month prior to the final application deadle.  International transcripts may take up to 3 weeks to be evaluated. A fee may be required for international transcript evaluations.  
  • Additional documentation is required by the International Student Office.
  • Please see below for additional application requirements and Proof of English Proficiency requirements.
• TOEFL/IELTS

  International applicants, or applicants who do not hold a degree from an institution where English was the primary language of instruction, please provide one of the following for proof of English Proficiency: Duolingo scores of 115 or higher; minimum TOEFL scores 550 pBT; 80 iBT; or 6.5  or higher IELTS score.

• Application Fee

  The application fee for MA programs is $65.

Other Information

• Review of Applications

  In reviewing applications, we are concerned with the quality of the whole application, evidence of academic ability, quality of work done in the human service role, how referees view the applicants potential to become a professional psychologist, and how the applicant presents him or herself in answering questions on the Supplemental Application. Our aim is to enroll people who have an appreciation of psychology as a scientifically based discipline and sufficient emotional and social maturity to function effectively in applied professional work. Even though we do not require an undergraduate major in psychology, we expect applicants to have knowledge of and curiosity about psychological theory and issues.

  Please contact the Admissions Office with questions by email or phone: 303-871-2908

• Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy

  The University of Denver is an Equal Opportunity Institution. It is the policy of the University not to discriminate in the admission of students, in the provision of services, or in employment on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or disability. The University prohibits all discrimination, harassment and retaliation, and complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and Executive Orders.

• Admissions Timeline

  Faculty review completed applications December through early February.  We will notify applicants via email with an admissions status update sometime in late January/early February.  If invited to interview, interviews will be held via Zoom in February and/or early March.

  We strive to make final offers of admission by the end of March. All admissions decisions will be made by April 1st. Admitted applicants have until April 15th to inform us of their admission decision and to submit the non-refundable $500 admission deposit to confirm their place in the program. The $500 admission deposit will be credited towards the student's first quarter's tuition.

• Background Check

  All incoming student will be required to complete background checks to work in practicum sites, including the Graduate School of Professional Psychology clinics. Failure to pass a background check may result in limitations to work in certain practicum sites and employment positions.