Northern Illinois University
Department of Psychology
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

To apply for admission to our program in developmental psychology, please ensure that the following steps are completed and submitted by January 15.

Admission Steps

1. NIU Graduate School online application and fee: Complete the NIU Graduate School online application and pay the applicable fee.
2. Letters of recommendation: Submit three letters of recommendation.
3. Statement of career goals: Provide a statement outlining your career goals.
4. GRE scores: Not required for Dec. 2023 applications. The GRE psychology subject test is also not required.
5. Transcripts: Include transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework. Both unofficial and official transcripts are accepted during the application process. Official transcripts will be required once you are admitted to our program.

Please use the following address for mailing transcripts by regular post:

If you are using a courier service (e.g., FedEx, UPS), please use the following address:

Admission Consideration Criteria

For the strongest consideration for admittance, candidates should:

• Complete and submit their application by January 15. Early application is highly encouraged.
• Possess a B.A. or B.S. in psychology, although other related majors may also be considered.
• Maintain a strong undergraduate GPA, typically above 3.30.
• Obtain strong letters of recommendation from university faculty.
• Demonstrate relevant research experience.

Please note that the Department of Psychology only admits full-time students.

Admission decisions are based on the overall strength of the application, including undergraduate GPA, the statement of career goals, letters of recommendation, and research experience. Additionally, applicants with a GPA above 3.30 are typically more competitive.