M.S. Psychology Admissions
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Quick Application Checklist
- Online Application in PSYCAS
- Application Fee
- Official Transcripts
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Letters of Recommendation
- Statement of Purpose
See Application Details, below for complete instructions on submitting materials.
Application Deadlines
The M.S. Psychology program begins in fall quarter only. Classes typically begin after Labor Day weekend in early September.
Fall Quarter Admission Deadlines
- June 30: Priority Deadline for admissions and early acceptance eligibility. Applicants will be notified of acceptance by July 15 and receive priority enrollment for available slots.
- July 31: Regular Deadline
- August 31: Rolling Admissions on a space-available basis.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit applications well in advance of deadlines. Be sure to allow plenty of time for transcripts and letters of recommendation to arrive at Palo Alto University. Applications submitted closer to the deadline frequently cannot be reviewed because supporting documents are not received in a timely manner.
Where to Send Documents
Please note: Beginning September 15, 2016, PAU will begin using PSYCAS for all graduate applications, and materials should be submitted through PSYCAS, not directly to the PAU Admissions Office. Instructions on how to submit materials through the PSYCAS system can be found here. The PSYCAS Transcript Processing Center mailing address is as follows:
PSYCAS Transcript Processing Center
P.O. Box 9138
Watertown, MA 02471
Admission Requirements
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited institution or the international equivalent.
Admissions Recommendations
A GPA of 3.3 or higher is recommended. If the undergraduate major was not psychology, four prerequisite courses are required for the M.S. Psychology program:
- Developmental psychology
- Physiological or biological psychology
- Personality or abnormal psychology
- Statistics
GRE scores are not required for admission to the Master's degree program. However, students who wish to apply to the Palo Alto University Ph.D. program in clinical psychology must submit GRE scores by the time of the application to the Ph.D. Clinical Psychology program.
For overseas international applicants remaining in their home country to apply for the program, the TOEFL exam is required (ets.org/toefl). For international students who earned their bachelor's degree in the U.S. or other English-speaking countries, the TOEFL is not required.
Application Details
1. Online Application
Applicants must complete the online application for the M.S. Psychology Program in PSYCAS.
2. Application Fee
A nonrefundable application fee must be paid to complete the application. In PSYCAS, the first application fee is $50, and subsequent application fees for additional programs are $35 each. The APA offers a fee waiver opportunity for students who qualify.
3. Official Transcripts
College transcripts verifying a Bachelor's degree are required. Only official, sealed transcripts from the Registrar's office of each institution are acceptable.
Admissions decisions based on submission of unofficial transcripts are provisional until official transcripts are received.
International transcripts must be translated through the World Education Service website, www.wes.org. It is the student's responsibility to have transcripts translated before applying. Applicants may contact the PAU Admissions Office, admissions@paloaltou.edu, with any questions before incurring the expense of translating documents.
Official transcripts should be mailed by the issuing institution directly to the PSYCAS Transcript Processing Center. Instructions for submitting transcripts can be found here.
4. Resume or Curriculum Vitae
The resume or CV should list professional and academic experience, education, awards, publications, etc.
5. Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation from academic or professional references should be submitted through the PSYCAS system.
6. Statement of Purpose
The statement of purpose serves as a sample of the applicant's ability to write in an academic and professional manner. It should be two to three 1.5- line-spaced pages and should represent the highest quality of expression and scholarship.
Points to cover in Statement of Purpose:
- A brief autobiographical sketch/background, including what led to an interest in a psychology pre-doctoral program.
- Details of goals and purpose in applying to Palo Alto University and how this applies to future career goals.
- Strengths and accomplishments thus far that have prepared the applicant for graduate psychology education.
- Personal qualities that will be important assets as a practicing psychologist.
Interview
After applications are received or in progress, applicants will be scheduled for a 30-minute online interview with program faculty.
Acceptance and Enrollment
Students accepted into the M.S. in Psychology program receive an official acceptance letter by e-mail and mail. To enroll in the program, students who have been accepted must submit a $350 tuition deposit within two weeks after receiving their acceptance letter to secure their place. The tuition deposit can be submitted online, or mailed to the address above.
Transferring Credit
Students can transfer up to five units of prior graduate work. Coursework cannot be more than five years old. Transfer coursework is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The student must submit a course description and supporting documentation (e.g. a comprehensive syllabus) for each transfer course. A Palo Alto University faculty member then reviews the documentation, and either accepts or rejects the course for transfer credit.
Financial Aid
Students who wish to secure financial aid after being accepted into the program should begin that process as soon as possible after being accepted into the program by completing the FAFSA. Once the FAFSA is complete, the PAU Financial Aid office will send the student a PAU financial aid application.
Admissions Contacts
Application Questions
Contact the PAU Office of Admissions toll-free at (800) 818-6136.
Financial Aid Questions
Contact the Financial Aid office, financialaid@paloaltou.edu.
Questions About M.S. Psychology Program Academics, Locations and Formats
Email or call one of the Master's Program Contacts.