Admission Requirements

UNIVERSITY AND PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The Psychology Department Online Application process for fall 2013 will be open October 1, 2012 through December 15, 2012. Please read the following instructions carefully and remember that you must apply (1) to the University and (2) to the department.

UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS

• Hold an acceptable baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
• A minimum GPA of 2.85 (This does not include lower division courses taken after award of baccalaureate degree.)  A 3.00 cumulative GPA for international coursework.
• Have been in good standing at the last institution attended.

DEPARTMENT MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Minimum requirements for admission to the Psychology Department’s master’s programs are outlined below. However, meeting all of the criteria does not guarantee acceptance, since admission is competitive and thus dependent on comparison with other applicants.

1. Grade Point Average

Minimum undergraduate overall GPA: 2.85
Minimum undergraduate psychology GPA: 3.0

2. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

A score at or above the 50th percentile on the Verbal and Quantitative sections is expected. Actual scores of accepted students are generally substantially higher. Scores must be received by the Department by December 15th . We suggest that you take the GRE by November in order to meet the December 15th deadline.  The Institution code is 4682 and the Department Code is 2016.

Note: Information about characteristics of accepted students, such as GPA and GRE scores, is shown further on in this document.

3. Completion of Undergraduate Course Work Equivalent to the Following SDSU Courses:

A. Course Requirements for the M.A. Program

Three classes from among the following:

Plus six units of upper division psychology electives, which may be from the above list.

If you lack one or two of the above courses it is considered a deficiency, which must be made up in the first year of your graduate program.  Deficiency make-up courses cannot be counted toward the Master’s degree.  Students with more than two deficiencies will not be admitted.

B. Course Requirements for the M.S. Program

Three classes from among the following:

Plus 6 units of upper division psychology electives, which may be from the above list.

If you lack one or two of the above courses it is considered a deficiency, which must be made up in the first year of your graduate program.  Deficiency make-up courses cannot be counted toward the Master’s degree. Students with more than two deficiencies will not be admitted.