Admission Requirements
- Completed bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- GPA: Recommended minimum GPA of 3.3 in last two years of study.
- Prerequisite Coursework: Applicants do not need to have an undergraduate major in psychology but should have a strong background in undergraduate psychology. The following courses must be completed with a grade of B- or better before PhD coursework begins. (They do not need to be complete at the time of application).
- Statistics (math-based) | Grade of B- or better
- Research Methods | Grade of B- or better
- Abnormal Psychology | Grade of B- or better
- Courses in clinical psychology, experimental psychology, cognition/learning, introduction to psychology, and social psychology also are recommended.
- English Proficiency: Demonstrated English proficiency, for international students, with a TOEFL score of at least 600 (paper test), 200 (computer test) or 100 (internet test) or IELTS overall score of 7.0 with a minimum sub score of 7.0 in each section.
- CollegeNET Application: Complete an online application through CollegeNet. Your application will include a résumé/CV, two letters of recommendation, essay questions, GPA calculations and official transcripts.
- GRE Optional! The GRE is not required, but test scores will be considered if submitted.
In choosing students for admission, we look for individuals who have experience in research (e.g., as a research assistant, honors or masters theses, etc.) and whose interests match our training objectives and the research interests of our faculty. Additionally, we seek students with both the academic aptitude and personal qualities that will enable them to develop personally and professionally into effective psychologists.
Admission Deadlines
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Preferred Deadline | Dec. 2 (no application fee)
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Final Deadline: Dec. 19
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Interview Notifications: January/February
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Interview Days: Mid-February
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Admission Notifications: March
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Deposit Due: April 15
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Classes Begin: August
How to Apply
- Explore a PhD in Clinical Psychology at Pacific University. Information sessions are held each fall, and dates will be listed below as available.
- Talk to an Admissions Counselor: Contact our dedicated admissions counselor to learn more about the PhD program program. You can also talk to our Student Ambassadors to learn what it’s like to be a Pacific student.
- Apply through CollegeNet: Submit your application online through the CollegeNet system. Supplemental materials should be sent directly to Pacific University. Your application will include:
- CV or résumé | Upload within the online application
- Two letters of recommendation | Provide contact information for your recommenders via the online application. An email will be sent to the recommender requesting the necessary documentation.
- Essay questions | Completed as part of the online application
- Completed GPA calculations | Included in online application
- Official transcripts from all previously attended universities | Send transcripts directly to Pacific University. Electronic transcripts may be sent to psychdoctorate@pacificu.edu. Mailed transcripts may be sent to the Pacific University Office of Graduate Admissions:
190 SE 8th Ave.
Hillsboro, OR 97123 - Optional GRE scores | The GRE is optional. If you choose to submit scores, send directly to Pacific University at the address above.
- Attend an Interview | Highly qualified applicants will be notified in January/February that they have been selected for an interview. Interviews take place in mid-February.
- Accept Admission | Accepted applicants will be notified in March and will need to submit their deposit to hold their spot in the PhD program by April.
- Complete a Background Check | Pacific University requires criminal background checks. The background check is required to determine students’ qualifications to provide services. Background checks take place after admission and deposit, and a criminal record may disqualify a previously admitted student. In addition, drug screenings are required prior to the start of clinical practicum placements.
International Students
We welcome international students in the Pacific University Clinical Psychology PhD program. International applicants will need to demonstrate English proficiency, as outlined above. Students who attended a non-U.S. or non-Canadian college, university, or graduate school will also need a course-by-course evaluation of their international transcripts. Several third party organizations provide this service to international students, but we prefer WES (World Education Services). The credentials evaluation must be received in our Admissions office by the application deadline to ensure consideration of your application.
Transfer Students
Some applicants to the clinical psychology PhD program may have completed a master’s degree at another institution. If the master’s degree program did not require an empirical thesis, students must complete a thesis in our program (and, as result, a second master’s degree). If a student’s prior degree was in a psychology program and included an empirical thesis that is approved by the PhD program faculty, the clinical program also accepts the student’s previously earned master’s degree and, as such, the student is not required to complete another master’s degree in our program. Also, the student may be permitted, upon clinical PhD program faculty approval, to complete the in-residence program requirements in three years (as opposed to the required four years in residence for all other students).
A maximum of 15 semester hours of non-thesis graduate credit can be transferred toward the MS. If the student completed an empirical Master's Thesis that was accepted by the PhD faculty, the student may also transfer up to 12 thesis credits. If a student has earned a master’s degree prior to enrolling in the Pacific University clinical psychology PhD program and is required to complete a second master’s degree in our program (see above), 15 credits may be applied to the MS program of study. These credits must have been completed at a regionally accredited institution, the student must have received no less than an A grade, and must have been taken within four years immediately preceding admission to the PhD program.
School of Graduate Psychology
503-352-7277 | 503-352-7320 (fax)
190 SE 8th Ave., Ste. 260
Hillsboro, OR 97123
Jenni Gottschalk | Assistant Director of Graduate and Professional Admissions
800-933-9308 Ext 7225 or 503-352-7225 | PsychDoctorate@pacificu.edu