Applications are accepted for the fall semester only. All application materials must be submitted by March 1 for early admission consideration. Late applications will be considered if vacancies are available. No applications are accepted after June 1.

All applicants must have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a GPA of 3.25 in the major. Course work in basic statistics and laboratory research methods is required. Course work in the areas of abnormal psychology, psychological testing and clinical psychology are recommended. Students lacking required courses may be considered for admission, but will be expected to complete deficits without graduate credit being awarded for those courses.

A combined score (Verbal + Quantitative sections) of 1000 on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) with not less than 470 on either Verbal or Quantitative sections is required. Applicants will not be considered until GRE scores are received. Applicants not meeting all required criteria may be considered for admission to the program based upon compensating factors.

Applicants are required to complete the Graduate College application form which must be accompanied by a $35.00 fee. Applicants must also complete the Psychology of Department application form. In addition, three letters of recommendation and official undergraduate transcripts are required.

In making admission decisions, the faculty considers evidence of academic and professional potential and the availability of departmental resources to meet the needs of the student.

Procedural Steps to be Completed in Applications

In order apply for admission to the Master of Science Degree in the Department of Psychology, a student should complete the procedures listed below:

1. The student must be admitted by the Graduate College to the graduate school at Missouri State University. The requirements and application forms are found at the back of the Graduate Catalog. Please note that being admitted to graduate study at Missouri State is not equivalent to being admitted to the graduate program in the Department of Psychology. To enter the Master's program in Psychology, a student must apply to the Psychology graduate program as well as to the Graduate College The total process is outlined in subsequent steps.
2. Transcripts should be sent to the Missouri State University Office of Admissions, Carrington Hall.  
3. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores should be sent to the Graduate College.
4. The student must also submit a completed Application for Admission Form (attached) to the Department of Psychology. This application form includes the request that the applicant provide a clear statement of career goals (page 1) and a description of experience in research, community I classroom, or non-classroom activities that are relevant to psychology (page 2). The student MUST indicate which track (I/0, Clinical or General) s/he wishes to enter.
5. The student should have at least three Recommendation Forms (attached) completed and sent to the Department of Psychology. At least two of these forms should be completed by college-level teachers who are well acquainted with the student's academic achievements.
6. International students are required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. This requirement can be satisfied by submitted proof of a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 550.
7. If a non-degree seeking graduate student at Missouri State wishes to become a degree-seeking graduate student in the Department of Psychology, the student must file a Change of Program at the Graduate College and must be accepted through the regular application process by the Psychology Department. No more than nine (9) credits of graduate coursework may be earned as a non-degree-seeking graduate student and counted toward a graduate degree.

All departmental materials, including the Recommendation Forms, should be sent to: Department of Psychology, Graduate Program Secretary, Missouri State University, 901 S. National Ave., Springfield, MO 65897. Applicant files will be reviewed upon completion and admission decisions will begin March 1. Applications must be completed no later than June 1 in order for an applicant to be considered for admission for the following Fall semester.

The Psychology Department will review the material that is submitted and will make decisions on the basis of the Application Form, the Recommendation Forms, the courses taken, the GPA, and the GRE scores. Admission will be granted to qualified students beginning with the highest rankings until all openings in the program have been filled.

Applicants for admission to the program should meet the following minimal criteria:

1. completion of a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited undergraduate program;
2. cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in undergraduate and graduate work and 3.25 in major field;
3. A 3.25 in all Psychology coursework and at least twenty (20) semester hours or thirty (30) quarter hours of Psychology, including coursework in statistics and research methods;
4. a combined score on the GRE (quantitative plus verbal) of at least 1000 but not less than 475 on either; and

A student who does not meet every requirement listed above may be considered for admission on the basis of individual merit and may be accepted on a probationary status.

Our application booklet is available for download.  Adobe Acrobar Reader is required to view it.