Admission deadlines: Fall: December 1
Standardized test scores: GRE general test is not required.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the PTE Academic is required of all applicants except those who hold a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a college or university in the United States or from an institution located in a country in which English is the official language, provided English was the language of instruction.
Minimum scores for the program are:
-Academic IELTS: an overall band score of 7.0 with no individual score below 6.0; or
-TOEFL: 600 on paper-based or 100 on Internet-based; or
-PTE Academic: 68;
Prerequisite requirements: Course prerequisites: applicants need to meet program course requirements in one of three ways:
a) Have an undergraduate Bachelor's degree in psychology
b) Have a Master’s degree in psychology
c) For Non-Psychology majors - Complete at least six undergraduate or graduate courses in psychology, including Statistics, Research Methods, Abnormal Psychology, and three general content courses (such as developmental psychology, social psychology, cognitive psychology, personality, biological bases of behavior, or history and systems of psychology).
Recommendations required: Three (3) recommendations
Prior academic records: Transcripts are required from all colleges and universities attended, whether or not credit was earned, the program was completed, or the credit appears as transfer credit on another transcript. Unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be uploaded to your online application. Official transcripts are required only of applicants who are offered admission. If transcripts are in a language other than English, English language translations must be provided. The English translation alone should be uploaded into your application.
Statement of purpose: In an essay of 500-1000 words, state your purpose in undertaking graduate study in your chosen field. Include your academic objectives, research interests, research experience, and career plans. Describe how you see your role as a scientist-practitioner within the context of social justice and diversity considerations. In responding to this question, we encourage you to reflect upon how your cultural, ethnic, or personal background brings a unique perspective to the Clinical Psychology graduate program. Also describe how your interests resonate with the Clinical Psychology Program's mission statement (https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpsychology.columbian.gwu.edu%2Fsites%2Fg%2Ffiles%2Fzaxdzs4741%2Ffiles%2F2024-08%2FFaculty%2520Preference%2520Ranking%2520Form%25202025-26_acc.pdf) and the faculty member(s) whom you've selected to work with.
Interview: An interview is required.
Additional requirements: Applicants will rank two faculty members whose research interests best match their current research interests (1 = first choice, 2 = second choice). Applicants should review eligible core faculty and bios and indicate their ranking on the online application for the PhD program in clinical psychology (https://columbian.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzs4901/files/2022-08/faculty-preference-ranking-form-2023-24.pdf).
International applicants only: Please review International Applicant Information (https://columbian.gwu.edu/international-graduate-applicants) carefully for details on required documents and English language requirements.

Supporting documents not submitted online should be mailed to:

Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Office of Graduate Studies
The George Washington University
801 22nd Street NW, Phillips Hall 107
Washington DC 20052

For additional information about the admissions process visit the Columbian College  of Arts and Sciences Frequently Asked Questions page.

Contact:

askccas@gwu.edu
202-994-6210 (phone)

Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate Programs.

The requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Program.

72 credits, including 54 credits in required courses, at least 6 credits in dissertation courses, and 15 credits in dissertation or elective courses. Students also take five 0-credit courses and successfully complete a comprehensive examination.

In addition, students are required to obtain clinical training, including a minimum of two assessment practica and two therapy practica in the Meltzer Center’s Psychological and Community-Based Services, and to complete a one-year psychology internship training program. In almost all cases this will be an APA- approved pre-doctoral internship program.

Required
Methods/Statistics
PSYC 8205Multiple Regression Analysis in Psychological and Social Sciences
PSYC 8206Multivariate Analysis and Modeling
PSYC 8202Psychological Research Methods and Procedures
Breadth
PSYC 8210Developmental Theories and Issues
PSYC 8250Foundations in Cognitive Neuroscience
PSYC 8253Social Cognition
Clinical core
PSYC 8207Psychological Assessment I
PSYC 8208Psychological Assessment II
PSYC 8211Community Psychology I
PSYC 8212Community Psychology II
PSYC 8218Evidence-Based Interventions
PSYC 8220Ethics and Professional Issues
PSYC 8236Ethnic and Racial Diversity in Psychology
PSYC 8237The Practice of General Psychology I
PSYC 8238The Practice of General Psychology II
PSYC 8239Lifespan Developmental Psychopathology I
PSYC 8240Lifespan Developmental Psychopathology II
Required 0-credit courses
PSYC 8280Theories and Practice of Clinical Supervision
PSYC 8283First Year Seminar I: Motivational Interviewing
PSYC 8284First Year Seminar II: Introduction to Therapy
PSYC 8285History and Systems of Psychology
PSYC 8286Clinical Psychology Externship
Dissertation courses
At least 6 credits total taken in the following courses:
PSYC 8998Advanced Reading and Research
PSYC 8999Dissertation Research
Dissertation or elective courses
15 credits to be taken in dissertation or elective courses.
Comprehensive examination
Successful completion of a comprehensive examination is required.