Admission to Psychology Graduate Study
Graduate Program in Psychology
The Department of Psychology admits graduate students to one of four programs in three areas: Clinical Psychology (PhD only), Counseling Psychology (PhD only) and Experimental Psychology (both MA and PhD). The Experimental Program has several concentrations, including Biopsychology, Social, Health, Industrial/Applied, and Cognitive/Consciousness. The Department does not admit students to do Master's work in Clinical Psychology. Although not required, students with the MA or MS degree are encouraged to apply to the doctoral programs. The Clinical and Counseling Programs are recommended for students interested in either academic research or applied careers in professional psychology. The Experimental Program is recommended for students interested in academic and/or research careers in experimental psychology.
The Master's Program in Experimental Psychology is recommended for students interested in a terminal Master's degree (e.g., those interested in developing their skills prior to applying to a doctoral program).
Admissions Information
Deadlines for receipt of completed applications are December 10 for Clinical and Counseling Psychology, January 15 for the PhD program in Experimental, and March 15 for the MA program. This includes all materials required by both the Department and Graduate School. Applications are reviewed in March, and notification of acceptance is usually made no later than April 1. Applications cannot be processed until all information and records requested by the Graduate School have been received. In accordance with accepted recruitment practices, commitments regarding financial support in effect as of April 15 are considered binding on both the Department and the applicant.
For applicants with the bachelor's degree, the Graduate School requires a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4 point scale. The Department expects an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0, and students accepted for graduate study typically have an undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Applicants with a Master's degree must supply records of both undergraduate and graduate course work. Results of the Graduate Record Exam are required of all applicants.
All students admitted into the doctoral programs receive financial assistance. Funding is typically available for either four years (Clinical and Experimental PhD programs) or two years (Counseling). At the present time, financial assistance is ordinarily not available for students in the Master's program. In addition to departmental funding, there are other sources of funding for students, including the Graduate School and research grants of individual faculty members. There are also a variety of loan programs. Additional information about loans is available through the Graduate School as part of the formal application process. This information is available from the Graduate School link below.
The application process has two components. You must apply separately to both the Graduate School and the Department of Psychology.
Check out the latest Graduate School Information about application procedures, including downloading of forms.
Download both the Department of Psychology Application Form and the Letter of Recommendation Form (to be filled out by three faculty familiar with your potential for graduate school). You may also print a brief listing of Faculty Research Interests, as well as a Program Description, by clicking here. Do not forget to fill out the top part of the first page of the Letter of Recommendation Form for each of the four faculty from whom you are requesting letters of recommendation before you give them the form. These letter of recommendation forms are to be sent directly to the Graduate Secretary, Department of Psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996-0900 by the faculty members you have chosen. Send the Application Form directly to the same address.
The requirements for the Graduate School are:
- The completed Graduate School application form and fee ($35);
- One official copy of all transcripts of college course work
- One official copy of GRE scores
The requirements for the Department are:
- The completed application form
- Three letters of recommendation
- One unofficial copy of all transcripts of college course work
- One unofficial copy of GRE scores
- Current vita
You may contact the Graduate Secretary by sending email to: cjogle@utk.edu
NOTICE TO ETHNIC AND MINORITY APPLICANTS
The department is fully committed to the goal of increasing the number of ethnic and minority psychologists. In order to accomplish this goal, we use multiple admission criteria. If you would like more information about UTK, the psychology graduate programs, or particular research areas, please contact the Chairperson for Affirmative Action, Department of Psychology, UTK, Knoxville, TN 37996-0900. At your own option, you may identify yourself as having minority status on the first page of this application.
UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services.
UTK EEO/TITLE IX/SECTION 504 STATEMENT
The University of Tennessee does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status in provision of educational programs and services or employment opportunities and benefits. This policy extends both to employment by and admission to the University.
The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex or disability in the education programs and activities pursuant to the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.
Inquiries and charges of violation concerning Title VI, Title IX, Section 504, ADA or the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) or any of the other above referenced policies should be directed to the Office of Equity and Diversity (OED), 2110 Terrace Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560 (Ph: 865-974-2498; V/TTY available) or 974-2440. Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the UTK Office of Human Resources, 600 Henley St, Knoxville, TN 37996-4125.