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Northern Illinois University

Department of Psychology

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Contact Christine Malecki, Program Director

Admissions

Applications are due December 15.

If you apply and are invited to interview, you will be asked to come for a full day on Friday, February 19, 2009.

Our application process is competitive and we receive many more applications that we can accept each year. Please note the Department of Psychology and our School Psychology program admits only full-time students. We strive to provide assistantship support to all of our students. We encourage students with cultural and individual diversity to apply to the program.

Application Procedure

Have the following completed and turned in by December 15:

  • Complete the online application form and send your fee of $30.  Note we are in the Department of PSYCHOLOGY and are the SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY program (not Educational Psychology). 
  • Send three letters of recommendation. The Graduate School has forms for the individuals who write your letters to complete
  • Send your official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work
  • Send your Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores to NIU
  • A statement of your career goals is required and is included as part of the online application
  • On the Graduate School application, note that you are pursuing the M.A. degree even if you are interested in the Ph.D. You will work toward your M.A. first so that is the degree to indicate on the application
  • Send all materials to: The Graduate School, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115-2864

For strongest consideration for admittance into NIU’s program in school psychology (both Specialist-level and PhD track) candidates typically:

  • Send your application by December 15
  • Have a B.A. or B.S. in psychology, although other related majors may be considered
  • Have earned a strong undergraduate GPA; typically above 3.40
  • Have strong GRE scores; typically in the 1100 to 1250 range (Verbal + Quantitative), with Writing scores in the 4.5 to 5.5 range
  • Have strong letters of recommendation
  • Have relevant research or applied experiences

Out of our applicant pool, approximately 20 students with strong credentials (GRE, GPA, letters of recommendation) are invited to interview on our interview day. We admit 7 or 8 students from that group who interview. Students are notified of our admissions decisions as they are made. Assistantship decisions are made following admissions decisions.

Note: The Department of Psychology admits only full-time students

Our school psychology program is a full-time degree and certification program.  We do NOT offer "certification only".  We take 7 or 8 students each year who will be engaged in all aspects of the program full-time (with most classes and practicum during the day) in pursuit of their M.A. + 30 credits or Ph.D.  If someone is admitted into our program who has a degree in psychology other than school psychology, likely only a few courses would transfer in. The program would still be full-time and in almost all cases, students will be full-time for the full three years (if pursuing the M.A. + 30/Specialist program).