Clinical Psychology (PhD) – STEM Designated Degree Program
The mission of the PhD program is to prepare students to become competent and highly skilled in the research and practice of clinical psychology. In emphasizing the integration of science and practice, the program adheres to a training approach consistent with the scientist-practitioner model. Students can seek advanced training in clinical child psychology or forensic psychology.
Along with the PhD in Clinical Psychology, the department also offers the following options for graduate study: Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Child/Adolescent Clinical Psychology, Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Clinical Forensic Psychology, and a certificate in School Psychology.
Please refer to our programs of study page for a comprehensive list of all of the graduate programs offered within the university.
Admission to our programs is competitive. As such, we look for applicants who demonstrate a high level of preparedness for doctoral training.
Requirements for admission to the PhD program in Clinical Psychology include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and a record of achievement that shows a strong promise of success in the program’s coursework and research and clinical training activities. Applicants considering this program should be aware of the following additional requirements:
As per the Office of Graduate Admissions policy, a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for those entering with a bachelor’s degree, while a minimum GPA of 3.5 is required for those entering with a master’s degree. Please note that competitive applicants entering with a bachelor’s degree typically have undergraduate GPAs in or above the 3.2-3.5 range. We also recommend an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.5 for psychology courses.
Although the GRE Psychology Subject Test is not required for admission, applicants may submit these scores for consideration by the admissions committee.
Applicants should have completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree in psychology (or a closely related field), though applicants will be considered as long as they have completed at least 15 credits in psychology (preferably including courses in statistics and research methods). Students who did not major in psychology or complete a master’s degree in psychology are strongly encouraged to submit the GRE Psychology Subject Test with their application.
In order to make applying for graduate school as seamless as possible for you, we have
created an application checklist. This checklist can be a reference point for you during the
application process to ensure that you have a comprehensive understanding of the steps
needed to apply, as well as all of corresponding supplemental materials for your specific
program of interest.
- Application Deadline: December 1st for Fall 2023 applications. The Fall 2023 deadline for has passed. The application for Fall 2024 will be available in the coming weeks.Please note: Upon offer of admission, you will be asked to submit an enrollment deposit of $200.
- Submit Online Application: Please create your online account and submit your application by following the general application instructions and pay (or waive) the non-refundable $60 application fee. Once this step has been completed, the online portal will allow you to upload your supplemental materials.
The following is a list of the supplemental materials that will accompany your application for the Clinical Psychology (PhD):
- Transcript: One from each college attended.
- Essays/Personal Statement – One personal statement and one writing sample:
- Please submit one personal statement (2-3 pages) with the following instructions:
- Articulate clearly, concisely, and in specific terms your relevant academic, research, and psychology-related experiences and interests, as well as your long-term career goals.
- You may also highlight any additional strengths that will make you an excellent candidate for our program, as well as explain any areas of relative weakness in your application (e.g., if your GPA or GRE scores are below recommended minimums).
- Please also explain your reasons for applying to Montclair State University’s PhD program in Clinical Psychology and indicate up to three faculty members with whom you would like to work and be interested in having as a faculty mentor.
- Please provide one writing sample that demonstrates your ability to write in a scientific and scholarly manner.
- Please submit one personal statement (2-3 pages) with the following instructions:
- Letters of Recommendation: Three.
- Resume: Required.
- Standardized Test Scores: GRE (Optional).
- Applicants with non-U.S. degrees, please visit the International Applicants page to review the US degree equivalency information.
Optional supplemental application information survey:
Beginning fall 2022, the program faculty have developed an optional supplemental application information survey to further facilitate its review of applications submitted to the program. While all applications will be reviewed regardless of whether this optional survey is completed, the program requests that applicants consider completing the survey to highlight additional relevant information for the reviewing faculty.
For more information, please visit the Clinical Psychology (PhD) program listing in the University Catalog.
If you have any general questions regarding the application process and requirements, please email or call us:
Office of Graduate Admissions
Email: graduate@montclair.edu
Telephone: 973-655-5147
Fax: 973-655-7869
If you have specific inquiries regarding your program of interest, please contact the Clinical Psychology (PhD) Program Coordinator:
*During the summer months, there will be a rotating department chair available to answer your inquiry. Find the updated summer chair for this program.*
Program Coordinator: Christopher M. King
Office: Dickson Hall 455
Email: gradclinical@montclair.edu
Telephone: 973‑655‑3325