The program admits students for matriculation only in the fall semester of each academic year. The application deadline is Dec. 1 prior to the fall for which matriculation is being requested. The admission process is typically completed by April 15. We anticipate entering classes of approximately five to eight students each year.
The deadline for submitting all required application materials (see below) is Dec. 1. The online system will be closed to admissions after Dec. 1. Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials as early as possible.
Admission Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or a master’s degree or equivalent from an accredited institution.
- Applicants should have completed at least 18 hours of undergraduate psychology courses including Statistics, Abnormal Psychology, and Research Methods. Applicants are also expected to demonstrate foundational knowledge competency in Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Physiological Psychology, and Social Psychology. Foundational competency in each area can be demonstrated by either, 1) a grade of B- or better in a relevant undergraduate course; or 2) a score at or above the 70th percentile in the relevant area of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Psychology Subject Test. Applicants can be admitted without having achieved these foundational competencies, but should attempt to meet them prior to entering the program. If competencies are not met prior to entering the program, they can be remediated after entering the program during the first two years of study by taking necessary undergraduate coursework or the GRE Psychology Subject Test with relevant scores at or above the 70th percentile.
- The GRE general test will not be accepted for applicants to the Clinical Psychology program. The GRE Psychology Subject Test is recommended but not required. Current GRE Board policy states that your scores are retained for the five testing years following the testing year. Applicants must have official scores sent to UNLV (GRE code 4861) and may also submit unofficial scores in their online application.
- Applicants must have official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (even if credits were transferred) sent to UNLV and should upload unofficial versions of their transcripts directly into their online applications.
- Three letters of recommendation that evaluate the applicant’s potential for doctoral studies in a scientist practitioner model program.
- A letter of intent written by the applicant. This letter should describe your clinical and research interests, education and professional goals, a primary faculty member with whom you wish to work, and any other factors that you would want the admissions committee to consider in evaluating your application. We welcome you to comment on how you contribute to or benefit from our multicultural community.
- A current curriculum vitae.
- Personal interviews will be conducted virtually with applicants selected for further consideration. A personal interview with members of the program faculty is required for finalists in the selection process. Typically, applicants are notified by early February if they are finalists and notified of the program’s interview day. Alternative interviews may be scheduled under unique circumstances.
Contact
Questions related to the program's accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
Phone
Mailing Address
750 First St, NE
Washington, DC 20002
Evaluation of Applications
The admission requirements represent the minimum standards. Meeting these minimum standards does not guarantee admission. Admission is a competitive process in which the faculty judge each applicant’s credentials with the goal of selecting those who are most qualified and represent the best fit with our Clinical Psychology program.
Student selection is based on review of application materials by the clinical psychology doctoral program faculty. Applicants are reviewed on six major criteria: (1) undergraduate grade point average and graduate grade point average (if applicable), (2) letters of recommendation, (3) statement of purpose, (4) maturity and interpersonal skills which are examined during individual and group interviews, (5) fit with the program, and (6) students’ backgrounds, experiences, or interests that contribute to the diversity of the program and the field of psychology. Consideration of fit includes factors such as the applicant’s goals and the program’s goals, research interests, and past volunteer and paid work experiences. We believe that the study and treatment of human experience is benefited by views from diverse walks of life. Therefore, we attempt to maintain a culturally diverse student body, broadly defined, and encourage applications from students with a variety of life experiences and those from under-represented groups.
Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data
Although it is impossible to predict admission decisions in advance, some sense of an applicant’s likelihood of being admitted can be gained from comparing qualifications with those of recently admitted students. Please note that the listed qualifications do not include factors such as fit with the program, relevant experience, letters of recommendation, and letter of intent. View our performance and outcome data for information regarding students that have been admitted to the program during past years. Outcome data for recent students are presented as well. Typical admitted students have GPAs of 3.7.
Transfer Credit
The Clinical Program Committee evaluates requests for transfer/waiver credit only after students have been accepted into the program.
Please note: We do not grant personal interviews to prospective applicants apart from the formal admission process.
Apply
Complete the online application via the Graduate College website. Application fees are $60 for domestic applicants and $95 for international applicants. If the application fee poses a financial hardship, please email the Director of Clinical Training (stephen.benning@unlv.edu) and provide a one paragraph explanation of the financial hardship before paying the application fee (select the “Pay by check” option when submitting your application materials). The admissions committee will consider all hardship requests. Fee waivers are not guaranteed but will be made based on need and available funding. Fee waiver requests must be received by Nov. 1 in order to receive full consideration.