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Contact Us

Clinical Psychology
Doctoral Program
1400 J. R. Lynch Street
P.O. Box 17550
Jackson, MS 39217-0350
601.979.5990

INSTRUCTIONS AND POLICY FOR FIRST-TIME ADMISSIONS

The University has general first-time admission requirements for all Ph.D. programs at Jackson State University. A description of these policies and on line applications may be found at the JSU Division of Graduate Studies.

Individuals interested in applying to the program for first-time admission must also complete the program-specific application materials.  These items are available only by download below or by contacting the Director of Clinical Training at (601) 979-5990.  The deadline for early review for all application materials is December 15^th, 2008. After this date, the Program Admissions Committee will begin the initial review of all complete application portfolios. Please remember that the final applications deadline is January 15th, 2009; Applicant portfolios that remain incomplete after this date may not be evaluated by the Admissions Committee. Please refer to the program application checklist on the last page of the program application; all materials should be mailed to:

Doctoral Program Admissions Committee
Department of Psychology
P.O. Box 17550
Jackson State University
Jackson, MS 39217-0350

To download program-specific application materials: right-click on each link below and select "Save Target As" to save the document on your computer.

Disclosure of Education/Training Outcomes Statement
Graduate Program Application 2009
Recommendation And Evaluation Form 2009
Assistantship Application 2009
Program Brochure 2009

INSTRUCTIONS AND POLICY FOR READMISSION OF STUDENTS

Readmission is NOT automatic. Readmission requires approval by the major department, the Academic College Dean and the Division of Graduate Studies. The University has general readmission requirements for all Ph.D. programs at Jackson State University. A description of these policies may be found at the JSU Division of Graduate Studies.

Readmission of Inactive Students in Good Standing

Students on "inactive" status must apply for readmission with the JSU Division of Graduate Studies. The student with inactive status must also complete the program-specific application for readmission. An inactive student is one who in the last twelve month period has NOT:

1. Registered for at least three credit hours, or
2. Registered for continuous registration, or
3. Registered for thesis/dissertation, or
4. Received an approved leave of absence.

An inactive student applying for readmission must be in good standing with the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program. A graduate student is judged to be in good standing when making adequate progress toward completion of degree requirements, has a cumulative GPA of 3.00 in the doctoral program curriculum, and is not on probation or subject to dismissal. The student must file the Readmission Applications at least three weeks before the beginning of the semester. Departmental financial aid for readmitted students is not guaranteed.

Readmission of Withdrawn and Dismissed Students

Students on “withdrawn” status must apply for readmission with the JSU Division of Graduate Studies. Such students must also make formal application to the program and follow the competitive process for first-time admission (as described above) if they wish to re-enter the program at a later date. A student is placed on “withdrawn” status if any of the following conditions occur:

1. Students on probationary status that do not complete the requirements of the probation period.
2. Students with a cumulative GPA of less than 3.00 in the doctoral program curriculum that have
withdrawn from the program at an earlier date.
3. Students who interrupt their studies for more than 12 months by failing to register for a regular
semester without an approved leave of absence.

Students dismissed for academic and/or other reasons will not be considered for readmission.

PURPOSE OF THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS

A major goal of our program is retention and graduation of admitted students within the prescribed time limits. This is best accomplished by selecting applicants who have the educational foundation, motivation, and personality characteristics required to successfully complete an intensive and rigorous doctoral program. Applicants who have passed the initial screening are required to participate in a personal interview conducted by Doctoral Admissions Committee, interested faculty, and currently enrolled doctoral students.

Individuals aspiring to obtain a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology should be aware that faculty, supervisors, and administrators have a professional, ethical, and potentially legal obligation to ensure that the students who complete this program are competent to manage future relationships (e.g., client, collegial, consulting, professional, public, scholarly, supervisory, teaching) in an ethical, effective, and appropriate manner. Because of this commitment, and within the parameters of their administrative authority, the Program faculty, training staff, supervisors, and administrators strive only to admit, readmit, advance, graduate, or recommend, student trainees without demonstrable problems (e.g., cognitive, emotional, psychological, interpersonal, technical, and ethical) that may interfere with professional competence to other programs, the profession, employers, or the public at large.

Admission is, of necessity, competitive. A limited number of slots (6 to 8) are available annually with entry in the fall semester only. Because of the competitive nature of the process, meeting minimal standards does not guarantee admission. Admission is granted jointly by the Division of Graduate Studies and the Clinical Psychology Program. Invitations for a personal interview with the Admissions Committee will be made to designated applicants who have passed the initial screening. This interview is required.

The program recommends admission to the Division of Graduate Studies; this entity, in turn, monitors procedures and minimum requirements and makes the final decision on your admission. All applicants will be notified in writing of the Admission Committee's recommendation to the Division of Graduate Studies no later than April 15th.  The Division of Graduate Studies will inform applicants of their final admissions status by a separate letter.

Minimum Requirements for Admission

1. The minimum requirement for admission is a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with at least 21 semester hours of psychology coursework in such areas as statistics, general, abnormal, developmental, experimental, learning, and physiological psychology. 

2. The Division of Graduate Studies requires a minimum GPA of 3.00 (4.00 scale) on the applicant's most recent level of coursework. The applicant must provide official transcripts of all post-secondary academic work sent from institutions directly to the Admissions Committee. 

3. The program does not use specific GRE cut-off scores in the admissions process, however, submission of GRE scores prior to the application deadline is required. The GRE subject test in Psychology is also preferred but not required. The applicant must provide an official copy of GRE test scores sent from ETS directly to the Admissions Committee. Scores may not be more than five years old by the admissions deadline. 

4. Completion of the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program Application. 

5. A vita or resume must be submitted to the Admissions Committee. 

6. Three letters of recommendation from individuals qualified to assess the applicant's academic and professional potential must be submitted directly to the Admissions Committee. A minimum of two letters must be written by faculty members or faculty mentors familiar with your academic performance; the third letter may be written by qualified individuals who have supervised any previous clinical or research work. Please send no more than four letters. All letters must be typed and accompanied by the program's evaluation and recommendation form. 

7. Applicants that are currently enrolled in a degree program must submit additional letters from their program director certifying that the applicant is in good standing and will complete all program requirements leading to graduation prior to 8/15/2009.

8. Applicants that have been enrolled in a graduate degree program that was not completed must submit an additional letter from their program director explaining the circumstances surrounding the non-completion. The letter must also certify that the applicant is eligible to return to the program as a student in good standing.

9. An acceptable score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) must be submitted, if applicable.

Ethical Issues

Throughout the screening, interview, and evaluation phases all admissions data (applicant files, other publicly available documents and interview data) are evaluated for evidence indicating a situation where admission to the program places the applicant or program faculty at risk for conflict with the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code Of Conduct (APA, 2002).

Evaluation Domains

Using all admissions data (applicant files, other publicly available documents and interview data) the Clinical Admissions Committee evaluates the prospective doctoral applicant along the following domains: 

1. Academic aptitude for doctoral-level studies; 
2. Understanding & appreciation of diversity issues; 
3. Understanding & appreciation of the program's requirements; 
4. Previous professional or training experience in a clinical services setting; 
5. Previous research experience and dissemination history; 
6. Characterological suitability to perform as a Clinical Psychologist; 
7. Verbal communication skills; 
8. Interpersonal relations skills; 
9. Professional demeanor, and; 
10. If necessary, additional clarification of issues observed in the application materials. 

Notice Regarding Background Checks

Criminal background checks are not currently required as part of the admission process to the Clinical Psychology program at Jackson State University. However, all applicants should be aware that the various agencies that provide the practicum, externship and pre-doctoral internship training opportunities may require a criminal background check prior to placement. These agencies are external to the University and may set or revise placement policies at any time; a background check with negative results could result in a student's ineligibility for enrollment in clinical training courses and subsequent dismissal from the program. The Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Jackson State University cannot be completed without the successful completion of all coursework.