Applied Clinical Psychology Admissions

The MA program in applied clinical psychology admits students once in the fall of each year for enrollment. Please refer to the How To Apply section for the application and instructions.

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Contact Catherine Martin with questions at psych.masters@pacificu.edu or 503-352-3631.

Frequently Asked Questions About Admissions

How or where can I apply?

Find our application on PSYCAS and select Pacific University, Oregon Master's in Applied Clinical Psychology. 

Visit our Apply Now tab to read about our timeline and additional information for applying.

Do you require a bachelor's degree? Prerequisites?

Yes, a bachelor's degree must be completed before beginning the master's program.

We also require 2 prerequisite courses before the beginning of the master's program: 1) A General or Introductory Psychology course and 2) a Statistics course. 

• These prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or higher and taken on a graded basis unless the course was switched to pass-fail by an institution in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Do you require the GRE?

The GRE is not required to apply to the master's program, but is a requirement to apply to the PsyD and PhD programs.

How do I know if I am a competitive applicant?

Our admissions committee considers many factors, including:

• Strength and breadth of academic record
• A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a four-point scale is desired. Those who have less than a 3.0 undergraduate GPA, but show other evidence of high potential are encouraged to apply.
  • (Applicants below a 3.0 may choose to demonstrate their academic potential by taking the GRE, but it is not required.)
• Applied and research experience
• Essay responses
• Strength of letters of evaluation
• Content of application forms and the care with which they have been prepared

What is the selection process?

Complete applications are screened by the Office of Admissions staff to ensure they meet basic requirements.  Files are then forwarded to Admissions Committee faculty members for review and are rated on basis of academic preparedness and goodness-of-fit. Highly ranked applicants are invited to participate in an interview day with faculty and current students. Interviews will assess applicants' interpersonal skills, knowledge and fit with the program, and potential for success in academic and clinical or research domains.  Final admissions decisions will be made based on all information gathered through the selection process.

I am an international applicant. What do I need to do?

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for those for whom English is not the native language. Minimum score for paper test is 600; computer test 250; internet test 100.

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test can also be taken. An overall score of 7.0 is required with minimum sub scores per section also being 7.0.

Or, the Duolingo Exam will also be considered as proof of English Language Proficiency with the following qualifications:

• A minimum score of 120 out of 160 (or higher).
• Minimum subscores of 120 out of 160 (or higher) of Literacy, Comprehension, Production, and Conversation.
• Official scores sent to psych.masters@pacificu.edu

If you attended a non-US or non-Canadian college, university, or graduate school, a course-by-course evaluation of your international college and university transcripts is required. There are several third-party organizations that provide this service to international students, but we prefer WES (World Education Services). More information is available at the World Education Services website. The credentials evaluation must be received in our Admissions Office by the application deadline to ensure consideration of your application.

If I am reapplying, what do I need to do?

Re-applicants will need to fill out another application with updated letters of recommendation, a re-applicant essay, and updated transcripts or work experience if applicable. Re-applicants are strongly encouraged to make a phone appointment with the admissions counselor to discuss the application prior to submitting a new application. You can contact Catherine Martin with questions at psych.masters@pacificu.edu or 503-352-3631.

Am I able to transfer from my current Master's program to the Applied Clinical Psychology program?

Post-baccalaureate work at the graduate level in psychology taken at an accredited university may be evaluated for transfer. An "A" grade must have been achieved and the course instructor and the Director of Academics must determine that the content of the course (based on syllabus documentation) was appropriate through review of the Transfer of Credit Application. A maximum of 12 credits may be transferred from other schools provided these were earned after award of a bachelors degree from an accredited program and within the four years immediately preceding admission to the school. Practicum and internship credits are not transferable.

Do you require a background check?

Applicants are advised that criminal background checks are required by the university. This check is required to determine the student's qualification to provide services and takes place after admission and deposit. A criminal record may disqualify a previously admitted student. In addition, drug screenings will be required prior to the start of clinical placements. If you have questions about the background check, feel free to contact the program director, Dr. Lisa Christiansen, at lisacpacificu.edu.