Admissions

Thank you for your interest in the graduate Psychology programs at Florida State University. Learn more about the application process and requirements by program below. Then submit an application through the FSU Graduate School.

Deadline for Psychology Ph.D. Programs:

Dec. 1, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. 

Deadline for Master's Program:

Feb 1, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. 

For admissions questions, contact grad-info@psy.fsu.edu.

NOTE: We have a GRE waiver process for the PhD programs in Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience, Developmental Psychology, Neuroscience, and Social Psychology. Our PhD program in Clinical Psychology requires the GRE, so there is no GRE waiver.


Admission Requirements by Program

Clinical Program

  • Matching student and faculty research interests plays a major role in the admissions process; applicants should list faculty whose research best fits their own interests.
  • Minimum GPA: 3.3; average GPA: 3.7
  • Minimum GRE percentiles: Verbal – 60th, Quantitative – 60th; average GRE percentiles: Verbal – 84th; Quantitative – 70th
  • Psychology subject GRE not required
  • Most students have 1-2 years empirical research experience before entering the program.
  • 3 strong letters of recommendation
  • Statement of purpose describing areas of academic interest, experience, and career goals (≤ 2-3 double spaced pages)
  • Most current transcript available; official copy of final transcript required upon admission to the program
  • Optional Graduate Diversity Statement describing how your personal background informs your interest in and goals for pursuing an advanced degree in Clinical Psychology (≤ 2-3 double spaced pages) (instructions)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • GRE scores older than 5 years will not be accepted; students should submit up-to-date test scores
    • institution code: 5219
  • A master's degree is not required for application
  • TOEFL scores (non-native English speakers):
    • TOEFL (internet-based) – 80 minimum, 100 competitive
    • TOEFL SPEAK – 26

Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience

  • Matching student and faculty research interests plays a major role in the admissions process; applicants should list faculty whose research best fits their own interests.
  • Minimum GPA: 3.0; average GPA: 3.7
  • GRE - students may request a GRE waiver if they meet specific criteria. See below for more information.
  • Psychology subject GRE not required
  • Most students have 1-2 years empirical research experience before entering the program.
  • 3 strong letters of recommendation
  • Statement of purpose describing areas of academic interest, experience, and career goals (≤ 2-3 double spaced pages)
  • Graduate Diversity Statement describing how your personal background informs your interest in and goals for pursuing an advanced degree in Cognitive Psychology (≤ 2-3 double spaced pages) (instructions)
  • Most current transcript available; official copy of final transcript required upon admission to the program

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

GRE Waiver Information:

The GRE admission requirement will be waived for select, outstanding students who meet at least one of the key criteria for demonstrating Success and Aptitude for Research plus at least one of the key criteria demonstrating Academic Preparation. These criteria are as follows:

  • Success and Aptitude for Research (need to meet at least one):
    • Undergraduate research-based thesis in a relevant field.
    • Post-graduate research experience in a relevant field.
    • Extensive (at least 4 months) relevant research or laboratory experience related to the applicant’s graduate training goals.
    • Co-authored research paper published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
    • Extensive (at least 4 months) relevant employment related to the applicant’s graduate training goals.
  • Academic Preparation (need to meet at least one):
    • Upper-division undergraduate GPA of 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale) or higher from any nationally or internationally accredited college or university.
    • Graduate GPA of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) or higher from any nationally or internationally accredited college or university.

Prospective students must present supportive evidence within their application that they meet the selected waiver criteria. All applicants will have the option to report their GRE test scores. GRE scores older than 5 years will not be accepted; students should submit up-to-date test scores, institution code: 5219

Developmental Program

  • Developmental Psychology applicants who demonstrate an interest in and experience with research and who have overlapping research interests with developmental faculty are given priority.
  • Suggested minimum GPA: 3.2
  • GRE - students may request a GRE waiver if they meet specific criteria. See below for more information.
  • Psychology subject GRE not required
  • Most students have 1-2 years empirical research experience before entering the program (e.g., working in a lab as a research student or employee, working on an honors thesis, a research-based Master’s degree).
  • 3 strong letters of recommendation
  • Statement of purpose describing areas of academic interest, experience, and career goals (≤ 2-3 double spaced pages)
  • Most current transcript available; official copy of final transcript required upon admission to the program
  • Graduate Diversity Statement describing how your personal background informs your interest in and goals for pursuing an advanced degree in Developmental Psychology (≤ 2-3 double spaced pages) (instructions)
  • ≥ 12 semester hrs. in psychology, including a laboratory experimental course and a course in statistics, are desired

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

GRE Waiver Information:

The GRE admission requirement will be waived for select, outstanding students who meet at least one of the key criteria for demonstrating Success and Aptitude for Research plus at least one of the key criteria demonstrating Academic Preparation. These criteria are as follows:

  • Success and Aptitude for Research (need to meet at least one):
    • Undergraduate research-based thesis in a relevant field.
    • Post-graduate research experience in a relevant field.
    • Extensive (at least 4 months) relevant research or laboratory experience related to the applicant’s graduate training goals.
    • Co-authored research paper published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
    • Extensive (at least 4 months) relevant employment related to the applicant’s graduate training goals.
  • Academic Preparation (need to meet at least one):
    • Upper-division undergraduate GPA of 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale) or higher from any nationally or internationally accredited college or university.
    • Graduate GPA of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) or higher from any nationally or internationally accredited college or university.

Prospective students must present supportive evidence within their application that they meet the selected waiver criteria. All applicants will have the option to report their GRE test scores. GRE scores older than 5 years will not be accepted; students should submit up-to-date test scores, institution code: 5219

A master's degree is not required for application

TOEFL scores (non-native English speakers):

  • TOEFL (internet-based) – 80 minimum, 100 competitive
  • TOEFL SPEAK – 26

Neuroscience Program

The FSU interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience has a separate admission process. Visit the Neuroscience admission page for more information.

Social Program

  • Matching student and faculty research interests plays a major role in the admissions process; applicants should list faculty whose research best fits their own interests.
  • Minimum GPA: 3.0; average GPA: 3.7
  • GRE - students may request a GRE waiver if they meet specific criteria. See below for more information.
  • Psychology subject GRE is not required
  • Most students have 1-2 years empirical research experience before entering the department
  • 3 strong letters of recommendation
  • Statement of purpose describing areas of academic interest, experience, and career goals (≤ 2-3 double spaced pages) The statement of purpose should express clearly your background, experience, and research interests, with a particular focus on why you think you are a good fit for the lab to which you are applying.
  • Graduate Diversity Statement describing how your personal background informs your interest in and goals for pursuing an advanced degree in Social Psychology (≤ 2-3 double spaced pages) (instructions)
  • Most current transcript available; official copy of final transcript required upon admission to the program

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

GRE Waiver Information:

The GRE admission requirement will be waived for select, outstanding students who meet at least one of the key criteria for demonstrating Success and Aptitude for Research plus at least one of the key criteria demonstrating Academic Preparation. These criteria are as follows:

  • Success and Aptitude for Research (need to meet at least one):
    • Undergraduate research-based thesis in a relevant field.
    • Post-graduate research experience in a relevant field.
    • Extensive (at least 4 months) relevant research or laboratory experience related to the applicant’s graduate training goals.
    • Co-authored research paper published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
    • Extensive (at least 4 months) relevant employment related to the applicant’s graduate training goals.
    • Presented a poster or talk (based on research the applicant helped plan and conduct) at a national or international Psychology Conference
  • Academic Preparation (need to meet at least one):
    • Upper-division undergraduate GPA of 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale) or higher from any nationally or internationally accredited college or university.
    • Graduate GPA of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) or higher from any nationally or internationally accredited college or university.
  • GRE scores older than 5 years will not be accepted; students should submit up-to-date test scores
    • institution code: 5219
  • A master's degree is not required for application
  • TOEFL scores (non-native English speakers):
    • TOEFL (internet-based) – 80 minimum, 100 competitive
    • TOEFL SPEAK – 26

Applied Behavior Analysis (Master's)

The FSU interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience has a separate admission process. Visit the FSU Panama City site for more information.