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Inquiries and or questions regarding the doctoral program and its admissions process and requirements should be sent directly to PsycPhD [at] umd.edu.

To maintain our low student-faculty ratio that permits high-quality supervision of both research and professional education, only a small number of students with outstanding credentials are selected for admission each year. The Department only accepts graduate students who have demonstrated the capacity for completing the doctoral degree and whose goals are consistent with the educational opportunities offered by our specialty areas.

The specific criteria for admission to the Department of Psychology vary somewhat across specialty areas but generally include a high undergraduate grade point average, strong letters of recommendation, and research experience and/or previous relevant work experience. In most specialty areas, students are expected to have a thorough background in psychology, however, some specialty areas prefer a thorough background in mathematics, biological, and/or physical sciences (see specialty area descriptions). Students are expected to have appropriate background experiences that prepare them to begin graduate work when they enter our graduate program.

To be considered for admission, a complete application should be received by December 3, 2024, for Fall 2025 admissions.  Applicants applying to the Counseling (COUN) program have a "best consideration" date of November 15, 2024.  This means that the COUN program will start reviewing applications submitted by November 15th.

Application Process and Requirements

The University of Maryland’s Graduate School accepts applications through gradapply.umd.edu. Before completing the application, applicants are asked to check the Admissions Requirements for specific instructions.

Completing the Online Application is the first part of the application process. Both the Graduate School and the graduate programs require additional supplemental information from all applicants.

As required by the Graduate School and the Department of Psychology, the following materials must be submitted:

1. A completed online application.  To apply for admission, click here: gradapply.umd.edu
2. A non-refundable application fee of $75.00.
3. One complete set of transcripts reflecting all undergraduate and graduate work completed or in progress. Each transcript must bear the signature of the registrar and the seal of the granting institution and should include the years of attendance, courses that have been taken, grades received, class standing, and the degree, certificate, or diploma received.  For immediate access to review, you can upload a copy of your transcript(s) into the application system.
4. A minimum of three letters of recommendation.
5. Statement of Goals, Experiences, and Research Interests (aka Personal Statement).
6. If you are an international student or one with international credentials, additional test scores may be required, such as TOEFL. Please review the Information for International Graduate Students.
7. Program-Specific Requirements. These forms must be completed and submitted in addition to the Graduate School online application. 

Contact for Technical Issues

Applicants are encouraged to contact the online application’s helpdesk for any technical issues. For questions related to the admissions process, prospective students may contact the Graduate School.

Information for International Graduate Students
The University of Maryland is dedicated to maintaining a vibrant international graduate student community. The Office of International Students and Scholars Services (ISSS) is a valuable resource for information and assistance for prospective and current international students. International applicants are encouraged to explore the services they offer and contact them with related questions.
The University of Maryland Graduate School offers admission to international students based on academic information; it is not a guarantee of attendance. Admitted international students will then receive instructions for obtaining the appropriate visa to study at the University of Maryland which will require the submission of additional documents. Please see the Graduate Admissions Process for International applicants for more information.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
1. The Department of Psychology's program code is PSYC.
2. Be sure that all the materials you are submitting are labeled with your first & last name and the specialty area to which you are applying.
3. Area of specialization must be filled in and you may apply to only one area.
4. We admit students in the Fall term ONLY.
5. Frequently Asked Questions from the department can be found here: Psychology FAQ
7. Frequently Asked Questions from the Graduate School can be found here: Graduate School FAQ
8. If you do not have an official copy of your transcript to upload to your online application, you may have your official transcripts mailed to:

University of Maryland
Enrollment Service Operations
Application for Graduate Admission
Room 0130 Mitchell Building
College Park, Maryland 20742

For the expedited submission of official transcripts, students should bring official/sealed envelopes in person to the Graduate School's (Admissions) front desk located at the:

University of Maryland
The Graduate School
2123 Lee Building
College Park, Maryland 20742
 

Our program recommends the following resources to aid students in their application process: