How to Apply

Please refer to the Admissions Requirements webpage for the Clinical Psychology PhD Program.

The program seeks highly qualified applicants who demonstrate a commitment to a career serving the needs of deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing populations. In line with the mission of the University and the emphases in the program, individuals from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Deadlines and Information

Students are admitted to the Clinical Psychology Program to work toward the PhD degree. The program does not offer a terminal master's degree. Completed applications are due to the Graduate Admissions Office by January 15, 2022 for enrollment the following September. There are no Spring semester or rolling admissions in this program. The program expects to admit five students for the entering 2022-2023 cohort.

Program Specific Requirements

In addition to completing the Graduate Admissions application, students should carefully review the following:

  • Undergraduate Psychology Major or Minor, or Related Field;
  • Required Undergraduate Coursework: A minimum of 18 hours of undergraduate courses in psychology, or a closely related social science field, including courses in the introduction to psychology, abnormal psychology or psychopathology, child, adult, or lifespan development, experimental psychology or research methods, and statistics;
  • (Optional) The Graduate Record Examination (GRE; analytic, verbal, and quantitative) is optional and not required for this application cycle. If GRE scores are submitted as part of the application, the scores will be seen by the review committee, but not used in the final decision-making process to select applicants for interviews. Applications without GRE scores will not be penalized in any fashion. For those who would like to submit their scores, use 5230 for the ETS institutional code;
  • Three letters of reference (preferably from professors or individuals who can attest to academic, clinical, and/or research experiences of the applicant). A fourth letter of reference may be submitted from a professional familiar with the language or culture experiences of the applicant but is not required;
  • Narrative Statements (Written English): See Clinical Psychology Program application essays;
  • (Optional): ASL narrative statement of interest for the Clinical Psychology Program (e.g., reasons for applying to this program, research and clinical interests, experience with deaf and or hard of hearing people):;
  • Written English Academic Samples (e.g., previous scholarly work that may include publications, Honor’s Thesis/Capstone Projects, or research/term papers for advanced psychology courses:
  • (Optional): ASL Academc Sample (e.g., previous scholarly work that may include publications, papers or presentations in ASL).
  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV).

Interview Policy

The Clinical Psychology Program undertakes an extensive review of all applications and invites qualified individuals for individual and group interviews. This year however, interviews will be held in February and will likely occur remotely due to the COVID pandemic..

Mentor Selection

An important criterion for admission is the potential fit between the research and clinical interests of the student and those of the specific core faculty teaching in the program. Upon entering the program, the faculty mentor works closely with each student to help plan course work, develop language and communication competencies, select practicum opportunities, and guide the student's research training. To facilitate this process, each applicant must discuss how their research and clinical interests potentially align with the work of one to two core faculty in the Clinical Psychology Program, and describe in their application why they believe there may be a good fit. We recognize that faculty-student interests do not necessarily match given the field and populations of interest, and would like to know why an applicant might choose to want to study with one of the specific members of the core faculty.

American Sign Language Skills

American Sign Language (ASL) fluency is not a pre-requisite for application or admission to our PhD program, but is required to participate in certain clinical and research activities, as well as for graduation. All students are expected to demonstrate ASL fluency or a high degree of ASL proficiency as a part of their professional training (i.e., satisfying multiple methods of evaluation: e.g., ASLPI score of 2+ and clinical course language competencies to register for the second year clinical practicum course and at least an ASLPI score of 3 and or the Program clinical Language Evaluation to graduate from the program). Please note that an additional sixth year of study may be required for students who are acquiring their ASL skills and/or cultural awareness. This additional year supports students in the development of culturally competent practices prior to beginning their first on-campus clinical experience, which usually starts during the fall of the second year. 

Applicants accepted to the program who demonstrate developing ASL ability are strongly encouraged to expand their ASL skills during the spring or summer prior to entering the program. Courses in American Sign Language are offered on the Gallaudet University campus during the academic year and as summer intensive courses, and may be taken prior to the beginning of the first semester of study in the program. Additional routes to improving ASL skills will be recommended or required, as needed, to assist students in achieving necessary levels of competence.