Acceptance rates in various psychology programs can vary significantly, with social psychology and clinical psychology having some of the lowest rates at 27% and 31% respectively. Clinical psychology programs at the doctoral level may have the highest number of programs, applications, and acceptances, but they also come with a challenging acceptance rate of just 12%. For those aspiring to pursue a PhD at Columbia University, it’s important to understand the admission requirements and what it takes to secure a spot in their graduate programs.
For admission to Columbia University’s graduate programs, including their PhD programs, applicants are typically required to have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0. This means that students must maintain a solid academic record throughout their undergraduate studies to meet the university’s academic standards. Those with a GPA below 3.0 may still be considered for admission, but they may be subject to conditional admission, which may come with additional requirements or restrictions.
The admission process at Columbia University involves submitting an online application, providing official transcripts, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and standardized test scores (such as the GRE). Additionally, some programs may require interviews or supplemental materials. Once all materials are submitted, the admissions committee reviews each application holistically to assess the applicant’s academic qualifications, research experience, personal statement, and letters of recommendation to determine if they are a good fit for the program. Meeting the GPA requirement is just one aspect of the application process, and applicants should strive to present a well-rounded and competitive application to increase their chances of acceptance.
| GPA Requirement for Columbia PhDSocial Psychology Acceptance RateClinical Psychology Acceptance Rate |
|---|
| 3.0 or higher27%31%Conditional admission for GPA below 3.0N/AN/A |
| ProgramNumber of ApplicationsAcceptance Rate |
| Social PsychologyN/A27%Clinical PsychologyN/A31%Columbia CollegeN/A12% |
Columbia University Overview
Starting out as King’s College in 1754, Columbia University’s initial enrollment included eight students. Today, the university enrolls more than 26,000 students and operates 20 academic schools.
The Teachers College at Columbia offers one of few research-focused clinical psychology doctoral programs that uses a mentorship model. Applicants must identify a faculty member whose area of research and expertise resonates with their own academic and professional goals. Students earn a master of science and master of philosophy as they complete the requirements for the Ph.D. The university funds doctoral students (tuition and a $25,000 stipend) through their fourth year of enrollment.
Average Net Price: $48,390
Columbia University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.The department offers a comprehensive research-based graduate program including concentrations in the following broad areas: Behavioral Neuroscience; Sensation and Perception; Cognition; and Social and Personality Psychology. Collaboration among different laboratories involving research spanning different areas is quite common. The graduate program is designed to provide a broad base in psychology, while offering an opportunity for intensive research. In addition, supervised teaching is integral to the graduate career, and all students serve as teaching assistants for one semester each year.
Columbia Psychology PhD Acceptance Rate
At the doctoral level, the highest number of programs, applications, and acceptances were found in clinical psychology, but with an overall acceptance rate of 12%.
Columbia University Clinical Psychology PhD Requirements
Our program operates according to a scientist-practitioner model. We are, thus, dedicated to training students to generate empirically-based knowledge in clinical psychology and to perform clinical work that is constantly informed by traditional and emerging scholarship in the field. We expect our students to learn to expertly produce, analyze, and discuss scientific material. We also expect our students to become proficient at providing clinical services to a diverse population. And, most importantly, we expect our students to learn to integrate these two goals. As our mission statement in the TC catalog notes, “The driving goal of our Clinical Psychology Program is to provide rigorous training in both contemporary clinical science and clinical assessment and intervention.”
The program of study that follows is described in terms of full-time study. Some of the courses may be taken on a part-time basis. However, full-time study after the first 30 applicable credits is required unless the student can present persuasive evidence that his or her living and working circumstances have not prevented and will not prevent him/her from taking full advantage of the College’s resources. Certain essential subjects and practica are offered only in the morning and early afternoon hours.
The doctorate is granted after successful completion of a minimum of 90 points of planned, sequential study beyond the bachelor’s degree, of which at least 60 points must be taken at Teachers College. The doctoral program is accredited by the American Psychological Association and requires at least five years, including the equivalent of four years of academic study beyond the bachelor’s degree and one calendar year of internship.
Please note that upon admission to the Ph.D. program in Counseling Psychology, students will receive a Doctoral Student Handbook for the Ph.D. program in Counseling Psychology which will provide updated policy, program features, and requirements. (The most recent handbook is available on the program website). The program of study leading to the Doctorate in Counseling Psychology is guided by criteria adopted by the American Psychological Association for accredited programs in professional psychology.
The course of studies includes: scientific and professional ethics and standards; psychological measurement, statistics, and research design and methodology; knowledge and understanding of: (a) history and systems of psychology, (b) the biological basis of behavior, (c) the cognitive-affective bases of behavior, (d) the social bases of behavior (e.g., social psychology), and (e) individual behavior (e.g., personality theory and human development), intervention strategies and methods of inquiry; and preparation to undertake a doctoral dissertation.
In developing the necessary mastery of these areas, the student is expected to be attentive to the historical roots of counseling psychology, i.e., the study of individual differences, the vocational guidance movement and the mental health movement. Similarly, she or he is expected to be prepared for the probable future of counseling psychology in the areas of expertise represented by the faculty, especially the influence of social and cultural systems (home, family, workplace, and environment) on human development and change.
In addition to core requirements, courses in specific and specialized areas of counseling psychology are available. Courses in the department are supplemented by appropriate offerings in other programs and departments at Teachers College and Columbia University.
Please note that satisfactory performance in the program is defined as no incomplete grades and no courses in which the grade earned is lower than B. Academic dishonesty and unethical behavior may be grounds for immediate dismissal from the program (master’s or doctoral). Specific information regarding curriculum requirements are contained in the Doctoral Student Handbook. In addition to coursework, a number of other academic experiences are required.
Columbia Psychology Masters Acceptance Rate
Students start their own research beginning in their first year and are encouraged to do innovative and original work throughout their graduate career. As there are few course requirements, graduate students have the opportunity to fully invest themselves in their research and in their instructional training. They also regularly attend area research seminars and colloquia. Within a community of dedicated faculty, students explore and tailor their interests in consultation with appropriate faculty advisors, creating their own learning environments.
There are usually between 30 and 40 graduate students in residence whose programs are funded from university fellowships or external fellowships. While the majority of graduates of the program pursue jobs in academia, research jobs in applied settings such as medical institutions and market research departments, have also been career choices.
UNBC course requirements and applicability of transfer of credit At least half of the course work taken must be completed as a degree candidate in a Graduate Program at the University of Northern British Columbia and be UNBC courses. The Program may accept courses taken at other institutions for credit toward a UNBC graduate degree.
Courses taken at the University of Northern British Columbia as a non-degree student in a Graduate Program may be considered for transfer to a graduate degree (see 1.5.4).
In order to qualify for transfer of credit, courses must meet all of the following conditions:
- must be a graduate level course;
- must be completed with a grade of at least B (or equivalent); and
- must not have been used to obtain any degree, diploma, certificate or other credential, unless otherwise noted.
The grades from courses allowed for transfer of credit will not appear on the transcript, and they will not be used in determining sessional or cumulative grade point averages. Credit granted at another institution on the basis of life or work experience is not acceptable for transfer of credit. For students admitted as mature students (see 1.4), transfer of credit will not normally be granted for courses taken before enrolling in Graduate Programs at the University of Northern British Columbia.
clinical psychology phd acceptance rate
The PhD in Clinical Psychology program admits students once a year for the fall term, which starts in September.
Quick Application Checklist
- Online Application via PsyCAS
- Application Fee
- Official Transcripts
- Resume or CV
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- Statement of Purpose
What are the characteristics of successful applicants? Each program has its own set of requirements and standards; some are publicly stated, some are not. For instance, this department’s graduate program in experimental psychology provides a list of eligibility requirements, plus provides a FAQ with the average GPA and GRE scores of successful applicants. On this page we provide a general idea of what graduate programs may be seeking, plus admissions statistics by area of specialization in psychology.
Note: for the most definitive information on the characteristics of successful applicants, we recommend that you directly check with program websites, the programs themselves, and individuals at those programs (such as graduate coordinators, graduate program officers, graduate students, or faculty).
Graduate Programs Are Highly Competitive
Most mid- to top-tier graduate programs, and particularly those programs that provide funding to their graduate students, are highly selective. For example, this department’s graduate program typically receives around 300-400 applicants annually, of which admission offers are commonly extended to around 20 (around half accept, depending on the year). Successful applicants not only meet the eligibility requirements; they exceed those requirements in key ways. These may include research experience, academic achievements, and more.
Consequently, it is helpful for students to carefully research the characteristics of successful applicants, to work toward achieving similar qualifications at the baccalaureate or post baccalaureate level, and to clearly emphasize their strengths in their applications.
It is important to emphasize that graduate admissions criteria substantially differ from those used at undergraduate and other levels. It is not necessarily the case that applicants with the highest GPA and highest test scores have the greatest chance of being accepted. Instead, more idiosyncratic factors such as “program fit” and compatible research interests may play a greater role. Thus, students who are accustomed to judging their progress solely on grades need to adjust their thinking; this is a different playing field and the rules are different.
Basic Qualifications of Successful Applicants
To score an interview – in other words, to be seriously considered – applicants are typically expected to have a record which includes the following characteristics:1,2
Prerequisite undergraduate coursework completed
The courses that you are expected to have taken vary according to the graduate program you are applying to. Some may have very specific requirements, others do not. Some may prefer that the applicant have a well-rounded record including a diversity of rigorous courses both within and outside of psychology.
High GPA
The mean of successful applicants to PhD programs in psychology, on the 4.0 scale, is 3.6 overall and 3.7 in psychology courses; for Master’s programs it is 3.4 overall and 3.5 in psychology courses.1 The GPA should be, at minimum, typically 3.0 or higher.
Good GRE scores
Minimum requirements (also known as “cutoffs”) vary depending on program. Some programs, such as the one in this department, have dropped minimum scores. However, GRE scores can be used to choose between two closely matched applicants. The mean GRE scores of first-year graduate students in psychology, using the scale begun in late 2011, is 158 verbal and 149 quantitative for psychology PhD programs; it is 153 verbal and 146 quantitative for Master’s programs. For the GRE Psychology subject test, the mean is 633 for PhD programs and 577 for Master’s programs.1 Please note that some programs, such as the one in this department, do not require the subject test.
Research experience
Research experience is a must. This can take a variety of different forms, but publications and presentations are typically the most valued evidence of research experience. For further information about gaining research experience as an undergraduate, please visit our research opportunities page.
Practical or clinical experience
This may be important for those applying to programs with a clinical or public service component. For example, the number of hours you have volunteered at an outpatient clinic could be valuable for a clinical psychology graduate application. However, it should be noted that guides to clinical psychology programs typically emphasize research experience as even more important.
Extracurricular activities
Optional and varies; should be relevant to the graduate program. May include membership in psychological organizations, any leadership activities you have participated in, science communication, or charitable works.
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