Admission: Clinical Psychology: College of Health Sciences: Illinois

Admission Requirements
Application Process
Application Deadlines
Technical Standards
Matriculation Process
Reapplication Process

Downloadable Application

The Clinical Psychology Program considers applicants who possess the academic and professional promise necessary to become competent, caring members of the health care community. The program requires an interview with the applicant before a final decision is made concerning
admission into the program.

Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission within our competitive selection process one must:

  1. Possess a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
  2. Posses a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.0 scale. Only for Fall-09 admission into the PsyD program, excellent candidates with a cumulative GPA between 2.75 and 3.00 will also be considered.
  3. Submit Graduate Records Examination (GRE) general test scores; the test must have been taken no earlier than January 1, 2004. The Midwestern University institution code for the GRE is 1769. For more information about the GRE, contact Educational Testing Services (ETS) at1-866-473-4373 or visit www.gre.org. Or you may substitute MCAT, GMAT, LSAT, PCAT or Miller’s
    Analogies Test.
  4. Reflect a people/service orientation through community service or extracurricular activities.
  5. Reflect proper motivation for and commitment to health care as demonstrated by previous work, volunteer or other life experiences.
  6. Possess the oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues.
  7. Abide by Midwestern University’s Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy;
  8. Pass a criminal background check.
  9. Complete 18 semester hours in psychology, including:
    • Introductory/General Psychology
    • Human Growth & Development or Personality Theory
    • Abnormal Psychology
    • Statistics or Tests and Measurements

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: Must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework in the United States. Of the 30 semester hours, 6 hours must be in nonremedial English composition and 3 hours in speech/communication.

Application Process
To be considered for admission to the Clinical Psychology Program, students must submit the following items to the Office of Admissions:

  1. A properly completed application. The application, forms and instructions can be downloaded at www.midwestern.edu; click on the IL Clinical Psychology Program section. For questions about the application or admissions process, you may contact the Office of Admissions at 800/458-6253 or e-mail at admissil@midwestern.edu;
  2. A nonrefundable, nonwaivable application fee of $50;
  3. Two properly signed and sealed letters of recommendation from professionals who know the applicant well (teachers, advisors, professional colleagues or supervisors);
  4. Personal statement reflecting the applicant's goals and a self-appraisal of qualification for the profession;
  5. Current resume;
  6. Official transcripts from all postsecondary schools attended; and
  7. Standardized test scores (GRE or substitute)

     Send all application materials to:
    Office of Admissions
    Midwestern University
    555 31st St.
    Downers Grove, IL 60515

The student should notify Midwestern University of any changes to the mailing address and e-mail address. All requests for withdrawing an application must be done in writing.

Completed applications are reviewed to determine the applicant’s eligibility for an interview, conducted on the Midwestern University campus during several admission days throughout the admissions cycle. The personal interview is the final step in the application process. Upon completion of the interview, admissions decisions are made and the Dean–– via the Office of Admissions–– notifies each applicant of the admissions decision.

For those admitted to the Doctor of Psychology/Master of Arts Program, a nonrefundable tuition deposit to reserve a seat in the entering class will be required by a date stipulated in the matriculation agreement. The tuition deposit is applied toward the tuition due for the first quarter of study.

Application Deadlines
Admissions decisions will be made on a rolling basis. Applicants are advised to complete the application file as early as possible to ensure timely consideration.

Technical Standards
A candidate for the Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology degree must have abilities and skills of five varieties, including: I) observation; II) communication; III) motor; IV) intellectual, conceptual, integrative, and quantitative; and V) behavioral and social. Technological compensation can be made for some limitation in certain of these areas, but a candidate should be able to perform in a
reasonably independent manner.

I. Observation: A candidate must be able to accurately make observations at a distance and close at hand. Observation
necessitates the functional use of the sense of vision and somatic sensation and is enhanced by the functional use of all of the other senses.

II. Communication: A candidate must be able to communicate effectively, efficiently and sensitively with patients in both oral and written form and be able to perceive nonverbal communication.

III. Motor: Candidates must be able to coordinate both gross and fine muscular movements, maintain equilibrium and have functional use of the sense of touch and vision. The candidate must possess sufficient postular control, neuromuscular control and eye-to-hand coordination to perform profession specific skills and tasks.

IV. Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities: The candidate must be able to problem solve,
measure, calculate, reason, analyze, record and synthesize large amounts of information in a timely fashion. The candidate must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand spatial relationships.

V. Behavioral and Social Attributes: A candidate must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his/her
intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, and the consistent, prompt completion of all responsibilities and the development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships. Candidates must be able to tolerate physically, mentally and emotionally taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. They must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, effective interpersonal skills, willingness and ability to function as an effective team player, interest and motivation to learn all personal qualities required during the educational
process.

Matriculation Process
The matriculation process begins after an applicant receives notification of his/her acceptance into the Doctor of Psychology/Master of Arts Program of the College. The student must submit both a signed matriculation agreement and deposit to the Office of Admissions. The student must also:

  1. Submit deposit monies by the dates designated in his/her matriculation document. The entire deposit is applied toward the student’s first-quarter tuition.
  2. Submit official final transcripts from all colleges attended post-high school by deadline of two weeks (14 calendar days) prior to the first day of classes. For students who are accepted to MWU less than one month prior to the first day of classes, they will
    have 30 calendar days from the date of their acceptance to submit all official transcripts to the Office of Admissions. Any special circumstances or requests for exceptions to this policy must be made by the Office of the Dean of the college. If students
    fail to submit all official transcripts by the stated deadline, then their acceptance or continued enrollment in the college may be jeopardized.
  3. Submit proof of immunization against measles, mumps, rubella, oral polio (opv), diphtheria, and hepatitis B.
  4. Provide evidence of testing for tuberculosis within the last 12 months. A titer verifying immunity to the previously mentioned diseases may be required.
  5. Submit proof of medical insurance coverage. The student may select either a plan offered by an MWU-approved carrier or a comparable plan offered by an outside carrier of the student’s choice.
  6. Submit proof of Illinois residency (this applies only to those students claiming Illinois residency).
  7. For non-U.S. citizens/nonpermanent residents only, provide documentation verifying that sufficient funds have been deposited in a U.S. bank to cover all expenses while attending CHS.
  8. Provide documentation that any additional coursework or service requirements stipulated by the admissions committee of the program has been completed.
  9. Provide certification that they understand and meet the technical standards.
  10. Submit additional documents as required by the Office of Admissions.
  11. Sign authorization form allowing a criminal background check
  12. Sign Midwestern University's Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy statement.
  13. Complete physical exam and submit form.
  14. Sign Credit Policy Statement.

If the student either fails to satisfy the above matriculation requirements or omits/falsifies information required on official admissions documents, the student automatically forfeits his/her seat in the program. Any individual accepted for admission to the Clinical sychology Program of the College of Health Sciences, who does not comply with stated time lines for submission of all required materials, receives no further notification from CHS relative to forfeiture of his/her seat.

Reapplication Process
After receiving either a denial or end-of-cycle letter, a prospective student may reapply for the following year’s admissions cycle. Before reapplying, however, individuals contemplating reapplication should seek the advice of an admissions counselor.

To initiate the reapplication process, the prospective student must complete and submit a new application and proceed through each step of the entire application process.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)