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The following section is addressed to those who are interested in pursuing graduate education in psychology or related areas. it is a brief summary of some major considerations; The most valuable sources (found in the Psychology Department library on reserve in the main library) are:

Useful Sources
Consider Going to Graduate School
Types of Degrees/programs
Financial Considerations

Useful Sources - you can find these sources in the Psychology Department library on reserve in the main library.

Buskist, W. & Burke, C. . (2007). Preparing for Graduate Study in Psychology: 101 Q and A. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing. ISBN: 1-4051-4052-6.

For a person contemplating majoring in and possibly going to graduate school in Psychology (even if you are a freshman or sophomore) this is an excellent and well-formatted book. The Q and A format makes it easy to read. Some of the other books in this list expand on these topics once you are ready for more detailed information. NOTE: The first 21 pages (36 Q and A s) can be very helpful in providing beginning information.

Keith-Spiegel, P.& Wiederman, Michael W. (2000). The Complete Guide to Graduate School Admission: Psychology, Counseling, and Related Professions. (2nd ed.). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers. ISBN 0-8058-3120-7

This is a detailed but very helpful source for students intent on maximizing their chance of being accepted in graduate programs in psychology and related fields. Serious students should look at most of the book as early as the first semester of their sophomore year and definitely before the 2nd semester of their junior year.

Getting In: A Step-by-Step Plan for Gaining Admission to Graduate School in Psychology. (1993). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. ISBN 1-55798-219-8

The purpose of this book is the same as Patricia Keith-Spiegel and Michael W. Wiederman's Complete Guide to Graduate School Admissions: Psychology, Counseling, and Related Professions. (see above) This book is published by APA. It possibly is as good as Keith-Spiegel and Wiederman's book. Browse through it to see if it covers topics not covered in their book.

Graduate Study in Psychology, 2007 Edition. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. ISBN 1-59147-423-X

The 2007 edition is superior to previous editions because it is more up to date, and the book is no longer divided into four sections, which means the reader no longer has to conduct four separate searches. Schools are grouped alphabetically by state or province. Web site URLs are provided (often these will take you directly to information about graduate programs in psychology rather than just to the institution's home page!). E-mail addresses are also provided but it is often possible to e-mail directly from the website with a request for more specific information. BE SURE TO READ pages v-xi before using this book. They contain important information.

Mayne, T.J., & Norcross, J.C., Sayette, M.A.,(Eds.) Insider's Guide to Graduate Programs in Clinical & Counseling Psychology, 2006/2007 ed. New York: Guilford Publications. ISBN: 1-59385-258-4

An excellent book for those considering doctoral programs in clinical or counseling psychology. The first 7 chapters are "must" reading for any student who plans on applying in these areas. The remaining portions of the book provide fairly up to date information on APA accredited programs in these two areas as well as some valuable appendices. Although the previous edition was published only 2 years earlier, it is probably best to use this new edition. Compare the information here to that found in the APA's Graduate Study in Psychology.

Graduate Training Programs in I-O Psychology and Related Fields. (1998). Bowling Green, OH: Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Inc. Div. 14 of the APA.

Previous editions probably contain out of date information. It not only covers programs in Industrial and Organizational (I-O) Psychology, but also, graduate programs in Human Resource Management, Organizational Behavior, and Industrial and Labor Relations. Describes programs in Psychology Departments and in Business Schools. Covers Ph.D., Psy. D. and terminal Master's degree programs. If interested in this area read this book early in your college career because some of these programs will require college courses in such areas as business, management, marketing, etc. Although this is the most recent published version, an updated version may be found at www.siop.org/gtp/

Sachs, M.L., Burke, K. L., & Loughren, E.A., (Eds.). (2004). Directory of Graduate Programs in Applied Sport Psychology (8th Ed.) ISBN: 1-885693-70-2.

This directory is from the Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology (AAASP). The majority of the programs presented in this directory are not located in departments of psychology, but in such departments as: physical education, exercise and sport science, kinesiology, and human performance. Pages v-xxxv of this reference give valuable information about types of programs, certification, internships, etc.

Buskist, W. & Mixon, Amy. (1998). Guide to Master's Programs in Psychology and Counseling Psychology. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon ISBN 0-205-27436-6

This book (which has not been updated since 1998) contains information about master's degree programs in psychology and some related areas. Many of these programs are not listed in APA's Graduate Study in Psychology. It appears that the programs vary in quality and training, so you would be wise to try to evaluate each program in the areas that appeal to you. Although website URLs are not provided, it's very probable that there is more detailed information about many of these programs on the web.

You may also want to visit the website of the Council of Applied Master's Programs in Psychology (www.camppsite.org).

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, (2001). 5th Edition. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. ISBN 1-55798-791-2

Hopefully you are taking courses which will introduce you to APA style. Graduate schools will expect you to have some familiarity with APA writing style and requirements.

Walfish, S. & Hess, A.K. (2001). Succeeding in Graduate School. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence
Erlbaum Associates. ISBN: 0-8058-3614-4

Psychology students who want to continue their education today are confronted by a bewildering variety of possibilities. Succeeding in Graduate School offers them much needed practical help. Written by experienced mentors, it
- explains the options with a bachelor's degree, what each of the many available programs
at the master's and doctoral levels prepares people to do, and how to select the most appropriate programs and entrance one's chances of being admitted,
- gives reader-friendly tutorials in teaching, research, clinical and consulting skills,
- describes the stresses of life as a graduate student,
- suggests ways to cope with the management of difficult professors, the search for the
optimal advise-advisor match, and other political and emotional problems that can make or break a graduate career,
- offers advice on overcoming obstacles to completing a thesis or dissertation, and
- provides guidance on navigating beyond graduate school: maintaining one's ethical
focus, getting into and completing the internship that is a requirement of many programs, obtaining a license for those requiring one to work, and in general building a career beyond the degree.

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Consider Going to Graduate School

Should I go to graduate school?
Can I go to graduate school?
To which schools should I apply?

Should you go to graduate school?

Although this section assumes an interest in graduate education, there is a prior question: Should I go to graduate school? In the past the answer was generally "yes" because with an advanced degree come greater opportunities, responsibilities, and remuneration. This is still often the case. However, what now complicates the issue is that the market for college teachers, traditionally the source of employment for the great majority of Ph.Ds in psychology and other disciplines, has remained tight for some years now.

Some college teaching positions will open, of course. Moreover, psychologists can do many things other than teach. Job openings are better in the areas of clinical, counseling, health, organizational, and quantitative psychology. Nonetheless, students today need to be more imaginative in their career planning. Various sources in the Department library will help you consider innovative and nontraditional career plans.

Also keep in mind the significant ramifications of managed health care. For example, it is now more difficult to be in "private practice" because HMOs typically authorize for fewer sessions than clients had in the past.

Can you go to graduate school?

Entrance into graduate school is competitive and not everyone is admitted. The following six factors seem to be the major considerations:

1. Grades

Your cumulative GPA will be one determinant of whether you are admitted to a graduate program. (Most graduate schools put greater weight on your most recent work recognizing it as a more valid indicator than your earlier semesters). As a very general guideline, a GPA below 3.0 will hurt your chances for admission and one above 3.6 will enhance chances of getting into the better schools.

2. Scores on Standardized Tests

Graduate schools emphasize these scores because they provide a common yardstick for comparing applicants, whereas grades are affected by the varying standards of colleges and professors. The following Graduate Record Exams are commonly required (also see www.gre.org).

• Graduate Record Exam - General Information:
  
• When people refer to "the GRE", they usually mean this test. It is much like the SAT and other aptitude tests you have taken in the past and yields three scores-verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing. There are a number of study manuals on the market (some are in the departmental library) which are helpful in familiarizing you with the type of questions asked (In the Fall of 2007 there will be significant changes made in the general test.) This exam is now computerized; there is no paper and pencil version. Most graduate schools give great weight to these scores. For a look at a free practice GRE test online, see www.testprepreview.com/gre_practice.htm
  
• Graduate Record Exam - Subject
  
• This 2 ½ hour GRE is offered at various sites in April, November and December (but you need to register about 5 weeks earlier). Results of the December sitting are not reported until about mid January. This is too late for schools with a final application date of January 15 and earlier. This test measures one’s knowledge of a certain field, e.g. psychology. Surprisingly, one of the best ways to prepare is to master a rigorous introductory text. Reviewing texts and notes from previous courses is also helpful.

• A very helpful booklet which describes the GRE tests, answers many of your questions, and gives the information needed for registration is available free at the Registrar's Office.

3. Research Experience

Because most doctoral programs are research-oriented, graduate schools look with favor on applicants who have research experience, particularly if demonstrated by a publication or presentation. This is difficult for an undergraduate to accomplish, but three possible ways are: 1) take Psychology 356 (395) and present your paper at the Midwestern Psychological Association Conference, the Michigan Undergraduate Psychology Research Conference or a similar conference; 2) assist a faculty member with his/her research; 3) assist a psychologist in the community with his/her research.

4. Letters of Recommendation

Most schools will ask for 3-4 such letters from professors or work supervisors who know you. Obviously, it is advantageous if several professors get to know you, e.g. by doing distinguishing work in their courses. Students should provide the letter writers with the necessary forms, addressed and stamped envelopes, and adequate time to meet the deadlines.

5. Work Experience

If you have been a RA or worked at places like Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services or Wedgwood Christian Services, it could indicate strengths relevant to career plans. Nonetheless, it seems as if this factor carries less weight than the four discussed above.

6. Your application

Many applications require a personal statement. It is useful to ask a faculty member to read your personal statement before you finalize and submit it. Finally, keep in mind that you are being evaluated through your application; it should be complete, neat, with all requested materials in by the stated deadline. (Also look at the Norcross et al book mentioned earlier.)

To which schools should I apply?

Mentioned earlier was a very valuable resource, Graduate Study in Psychology and Associated Fields. This book is published annually by the American Psychological Association (APA). It lists all graduate programs in psychology and related areas in the United States and Canada. The body of the book gives you a great deal of concise information on each program; the programs are categorically organized in other ways as well. The department library has several copies of this book but students who are serious about graduate study sometimes purchase their own copy from the APA.

After you have clarified which programs are appropriate for you, given your interests and abilities, the next step is to request further information and the needed forms. Typically students apply to anywhere between 4-10 schools which seem to be a good match, perhaps 1 or 2 a cut above them, and then 1 or 2 a level below as a safety net in case they are not admitted to their preferred schools.

Most schools admit only a fraction of the applicants. This fraction varies from one specialty area of psychology to another with clinical psychology being one of the most competitive areas for students to be accepted into. However, because most students apply to many schools, the reality is not quite so grim as it first appears to be. Most students who really want to pursue graduate education eventually get admitted somewhere, but not necessarily to a doctoral program.

In some ways the situation has reversed itself. Though students still fear not getting in, a few graduate programs are experiencing a shortage of students. Some eagerly recruit and admit students while not being fully honest about whether there are jobs for its graduates. Buyer beware!

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Types of Degrees/programs

Traditionally one earned a baccalaureate degree, then a masters, and finally a doctorate. However, because of increasing requirements for certification and licensing, a masters degree is not adequate in many states. Because of that, students are increasingly admitted to a doctoral program directly after their undergraduate work.

The typical doctorate is a Ph.D. The Psy.D., or Doctor of Psychology, emphasizes what a practitioner (e.g. therapist) needs rather than the traditional emphasis on research and scholarship. (See Peterson, D.R., Twenty years of practitioner training in psychology, American Psychologist, April, 1985, pp. 441-451, for a description and evaluation of the Psy.D. degree. Also look at the Sayette et al book mentioned above.)

Financial Considerations

Graduate education is costly; non-resident tuition is often three times higher than the basic tuition. (Generally, you do not become a resident of a state by doing your undergraduate work there.) Fortunately, there are sources of financial aid beyond the loans and grants you are familiar with.

Fellowship and financial stipends usually based on academic achievement without required duties. Research or teaching assistantships, as the names suggest, might also pay $8,000 to $16,000 per year but require some duties. Nonetheless, those duties frequently lead to valuable experience and contacts and often change one's tuition status to "resident".

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