Answer:

Ours is a scientist/practitioner model. We award a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.

Answer:

It is a five year (4+1) program. The first two years are largely didactic, although students become involved in practica and research (including a master’s thesis or second year research project).The third year is an advanced clinical training year with fewer academic courses, but continued research involvement and planning for a dissertation project. The fourth year emphasizes the completion and defense of the dissertation and refinement of clinical skills before internship. The fifth year is a full-time, year-long clinical internship, required for degree completion.

Answer:

Students admitted to the doctoral program at VCPCP typically receive a minimum annual stipend of $20,000 for four years of full-time study with full tuition covered, with additional funding of $5,000 at least the first two summers of the program. Students are usually funded through teaching assistantships and/or research assistantships and may be eligible for additional funding, scholarships, and financial aid. Financial packages are made with offers of admission and will be confirmed in writing. If you receive an offer, ask any and all questions you have about financial matters at that time.

Answer:

No. A master's degree is not required. However, a substantial background in psychology is required. Approximately 24-30 undergraduate credit hours in psychology including statistics and research methods constitutes a substantial background.

Answer:

Applicants from related disciplines are welcome to apply. However, because psychology has its own science base, approximately 24-30 undergraduate credit hours in psychology is generally recommended and constitutes a suitable background in the field. Psychological statistics and research methods are required, as well as at least one (preferably more) clinically relevant courses such as developmental psychology, abnormal psychology, personality, and tests and measurement. Experience in clinical work (practicum, volunteer, or paid) and research are also necessary to be competitive for admission.

Answer:

Every semester includes prerequisites for the next. Students with master's degrees may be permitted to waive up to 6 hours (2 individual courses), but that does not result in shortening the length of the program. The 6 hours will need to be made up with elective courses. Admitted students may submit a request to waive non-clinical courses although this is not guaranteed. Course instructors evaluate the degree to which a previous course is substantively similar to our course.

Answer:

No, because each semester includes prerequisites for the next, and because there is a seven year limit for the degree, part time study is not practical.

Answer:

Classes are taught on the main campuses at Norfolk State University (NSU) and Old Dominion University (ODU).

Answer:

The Virginia Consortium has decided to make the GRE General Test optional for applicants at this time. Thus, you are not required to submit GRE scores and those applicants without GRE scores will be given full consideration by our faculty. While GRE scores are optional, choosing to submit a strong test score may increase your chances of receiving an invitation to interview because a strong score (rather than submitting no score) could off-set a lower-performing area (e.g., lower GPA, fewer applied experiences in research or clinical work). We take a holistic approach to our applicant review process and applications are evaluated in their entirety along a variety of dimensions. GRE scores, when submitted, are only one component of the overall application. Applicants will not be penalized for not submitting a GRE score.

Answer:

Yes, an interview is required. We anticipate holding in-person interviews for invited applicants. Financial support will be offered to invited applicants to help defray travel costs. Interview dates will be scheduled for February (please check the Admission page for dates). Offers will be made only to applicants who interview.

Answer:

You can easily check online at: http://odu.edu/admission/graduate/status where you can learn if your application is complete. Applicants who are invited to interview are notified by phone and/or email. Those who are not selected to interview will be notified by mail in addition to being able to check their admission status at http://odu.edu/admission/graduate/status. Interview invitations will be extended in January.

Answer:

Depending on the strength of the applicant pool, up to about 30 applicants are invited to interview each year. After interviews some of those may be released. From among those remaining, we admit a class of approximately 4-6 students.

Answer:

After interviews are completed, faculty research mentors and the Admission Committee make decisions regarding admission offers. Our goal is to make offers as soon as possible, usually within two weeks of your interview.

Answer:

Offers of admission are made by phone and confirmed in writing. There is a short list of alternates, who also are notified by phone. Some applicants may be released after interviews; those applicants are notified in writing.

Answer:

The Virginia Consortium supports the resolution adopted by the Council of University Directors of Clinical Psychology (CUDCP) and follows their guidelines for admissions offers and acceptance: "Offers are usually made in writing prior to April 1" and "Regardless of when the offer is made, students are not required to respond to the offer before the decision date of April 15..." A decision to accept must also be made in writing.

Answer:

It is likely to be a busy time. A successful strategy for handling competing pressures is to review your offers weekly, to decide between or among them, and release those in which you are no longer interested. Prioritize your options as soon as you have completed your interviews, and rank them. Then if you receive an offer from your 4th ranked program, notify the programs you've ranked below 4 (e.g., 5, 6 etc.) that you are withdrawing. Release the offer from program number 4 when you get an offer from number 3 and so on. The CUDCP policy encourages applicants not to hold more than two offers for more than one week unless there is specific information that has not yet been received from one of the programs that is necessary to make a decision.

Answer:

In the best of all possible worlds, your training goals would be your single most important consideration. In reality, other factors can limit your range of choices. We understand you must weigh issues such as is the length of the program, cost, and location, among other factors.

Answer:

If you find yourself considering an offer from our program, know that we are always available to discuss its merits or to answer questions. However, if you decide to accept another offer or to withdraw your application to the Virginia Consortium for any reason, we ask you to phone or e-mail us as soon as you have made that decision. Often other applicants will be waiting on your decision.

Answer:

Former and current students of the Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology may request their transcript (official or unofficial) by emailing crossreg@odu.edu. At this time, official transcripts can only be mailed to a destination. There is no cost for transcripts (official or unofficial). Please provide the following information in your emailed request:

1. Name
2. Maiden name
3. University Identification Number
4. Date of Birth
5. Current address
6. Daytime phone number
7. Email address
8. Estimated dates of attendance
9. Type of transcript requested
10. State if you received an ODU Master’s degree
11. Attach all documents that is to accompany the transcript.
12. Email address to send unofficial transcript
13. Provide mailing address for official or unofficial transcript

If you have any questions, please contact Enrollment Services in the Registrar’s office at (757) 683-4425 or email them at crossreg@odu.edu.