Doctoral Programs in Clinical Psychology

Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology

Admission Requirements

The Psy.D. program builds upon the foundation of course work and experience obtained during undergraduate and prior graduate education.

Applicants for doctoral study must possess a master's degree in psychology or a closely related field that reflects a graduate-level foundation of knowledge in the following domains: biological aspects of behavior, cognitive and affective aspects of behavior, social aspects of behavior; psychological measurement, research methodology, and techniques of data analysis.

The Psy.D. Admissions Committee takes into consideration the breadth and depth of an applicant's foundation of general knowledge of psychology and clinical and research experience in granting admission. Scores of the Graduate Record Examination (including the Psychology Subject Test), in addition to a review of undergraduate and graduate transcripts, provide an assessment of an applicant's general knowledge. The average undergraduate grade point average for students in the 2002-2008 entering classes was 3.29 (Range: 2.3 – 4.0); average GRE Verbal Test Score was 528 (Range: 310 - 800); average GRE Quantitative Test score was 574 (Range: 270 – 800) and average Psychology Subject Test Score was 614 (Range: 280 – 820). The profession of clinical psychology requires individual and interpersonal competencies in addition to academic preparation. Interpersonal attributes and skills are therefore taken into consideration in assessing an individual's qualification for admission.

• Application for Admission with a nonrefundable processing fee.
• A baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited institution.
• A Master's degree from a regionally-accredited institution.
• Official transcript in a registrar's sealed and stamped/signed envelope from the accredited institutions that awarded the baccalaureate and master's degrees to the applicant and all official transcript(s) of postbaccalaureate study.
• An autobiographical statement of three to ten typed pages that addresses factors in the applicant's past that led to an interest in psychology, current interests in psychology, reasons for applying to Pepperdine University, and professional plans ten years after graduating.
• A brief résumé of professional experience both inside and outside the field of psychology (include current professional activities).

• Two recommendations:If possible, one from a college professor familiar with the applicant's academic performance and one from a clinical supervisor familiar with the applicant's clinical skills.

  Recommendation Form

• Scores from the Graduate Record Examination (General and Psychology Subject Test sections). Note: The Psychology Subject Test is offered only 3 times a year (April, October, and November).  Further information can be found at www.gre.org.
• The Clinical and Research Experience form, as provided in the application for Admission.
• Personal interviews may be required.
• Optional: It is recommended that applicants submit course descriptions of master's degree courses to assist the Psy.D. Admissions Committee in assessing the breadth and depth of the applicant's academic preparation.
• Please send all application materials to Psy.D. Admissions at:                      6100 Center Drive, 5th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90045

After the initial screening of the applications, the remaining candidates will be invited for interviews by the Psy.D. Admissions Committee. Special arrangements for telephone interviews may be made for applicants who reside outside the Southern California area. The committee bases its decisions on an entire mosaic of requirements rather than on any single factor. Students completing their master's degree at Pepperdine University should not assume automatic admission into the doctoral program.