Tips to Streamline Your Admissions Process

Welcome! We appreciate your interest and strive to make the NSU Ph.D. Clinical Psychology admissions process as smooth as possible.  Please review all requirements below. Don’t hesitate to reach us at 954-262-7563 or by email with any questions.

A few tips before you begin:

  • You may select the option to apply for both the Psy.D. and Ph.D. programs.       
  • We recommend that you start at least one to two months prior to the application deadline, as the admissions process does take time.
  • All documents submitted to NSU must include your name on every page.
  • Document format must be either Word (.docx, .doc) or Acrobat (.pdf) only.

Minimum Core Requirements

  • Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.
  • 3.0 undergraduate GPA average (4.0 scale) OR 3.5 graduate-level.
  • GPA average (4.0 scale) based on 18 semester hours minimum, which must be completed by end of fall semester. 
  • 3 semester hours of statistics.
  • 18 semester hours in psychology.

(Required 18 semester hours of psychology coursework waived with Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Psychology Test score of 600 or higher)

  • 3-credit-hour experimental psychology course (recommended).
  • Complete GRE scores (Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical writing) required. (Combined score greater than 297 for GRE verbal and quantitative preferred). Please see adjusted GRE requirements below for students enrolling in the Fall 2021 semester.
  • GRE Psychology Test recommended, but not required.

Candidates for the degree must also possess, with or without reasonable accommodation, multiple abilities and skills including:

  • Intellectual, conceptual, integrative, and quantitative abilities.
  • Intrapersonal, communication, behavioral, and personal attributes including empathy, emotional self-awareness, and emotional maturity.

GRE Requirement for Fall 2021 Semester

In order to support our applicants during the COVID-19 pandemic, the College of Psychology has decided to make the following changes for those applying for admission to the Fall 2021 semester (Doctoral and Specialist programs) or Winter 2021 (Specialist program, Tampa).

Effective immediately, GRE scores ARE NOT required for admission to the following programs: 

  • Specialist Program
    School Psychology Psy.S. 
  • Doctoral Programs
    Clinical Psychology Ph.D. 
    Clinical Psychology Psy.D.
    School Psychology Psy.D. 

Doctoral program applicants who do not hold the bachelor’s degree in psychology must have a minimum of 18 credit hours in psychology OR they may submit the Psychology Subject Test of the GRE with a score of 600 or better. (Please note that due to COVID-19, the subject area is not currently being offered).

These changes are temporary and only for Fall 2021 doctoral program applicants and for Winter and Fall 2021 School Psychology Specialist program applicants.

Questions about this update should be directed to gradschool@nova.edu or (954) 262-7563.

What Enhances Your Application?

  • Higher GPA and GRE scores, indicating greater potential to complete doctoral-level work
  • Previous courses taken, especially quantitative for Ph.D. and biological for Clinical Health and Clinical Neuropsychology
  • Previous clinical and research experience
  • Evidence of your interest in psychology
  • Your personal statement
  • Your three letters of recommendation

Follow these 9 Steps to Apply

  1. Complete online application form.
  2. Remember to submit your non-refundable $US 50 application processing fee.
  3. Once your application and processing fee is received, you’ll be able to upload your supplemental documents to “Supplemental Documents” on your user profile.
  4. Upload statement of Professional Goals. This statement of your professional experiences should include descriptions of: your clinical experience; research experience; areas in psychology of greatest interest to you; and goals.
  5. Send Curriculum Vitae or Resume.
  6. Obtain three academic or professional letters of recommendation. Once NSU receives your application processing fee, you’ll be able to enter Recommender's Email Addresses. They will receive an email with a link to your application. Your recommenders should fill out this form electronically and upload their letter.
  7. Include official transcripts. Make sure you include all colleges or universities you attended and mail directly to Enrollment Processing Services (EPS). This includes agency evaluation of foreign degrees for determination of U.S. equivalence (including Canadian transcripts). International students should visit http://www.nova.edu/internationalstudents for further information.*
  8. Submit GRE scores. (GRE Code: 5516)
  9. If applicable, send English proficiency scores. International student applicants should submit English proficiency scores. Visit Requirements for Obtaining an I-20 to learn more.

Next Steps: Committee Review and Your Interview

Once you’ve submitted your completed application and uploaded your supplemental documents, your file is sent to our faculty committee for review. This review process may take several weeks, depending upon time of year. (You can check your status online anytime via the application portal.)

  • If you are selected during our review process, you’ll be invited to an on-campus interview. (We’ll notify you well in advance, giving you time to make travel and lodging arrangements.)
  • Once all interviews are completed and final committee decisions have been made, you’ll be notified at the email address you have on file.
  • If you are admitted, you’ll have until April 15 to respond to our offer, in accordance with guidelines established by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association.

Your Application Deadlines

Location Terms Offered Interview Days Deadlines
Main Campus August (Fall)
  • Early December
 Early November 1, 2021
Main Campus August (Fall)
  • TBD
 January 8, 2022

Where to Mail Your Transcripts

Nova Southeastern University
Enrollment Processing Services
Attn: College of Psychology
3301 College Avenue P.O. Box 299000
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33329-9905

For International Students:

Nova Southeastern University
Attn: Enrollment Processing Services
3301 College Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33329-9905

Official electronic transcripts must be sent to electronictranscript@nova.edu.

NOTE: EXTERNAL INSTITUTIONS ONLY.

Need help? We’re here for you: reach us at (954) 262-7563, (800) 541-6682, 27563 (a-s-k-m-e), or email to gradschool@nova.edu.

Interview Days: December and February

If you’re invited to interview with us, those personal interviews are held on Interview Days each December and February. Our graduate admissions office will need your completed application and all supplemental documents by January 8 for the following fall admission consideration. The first Clinical Interview will be in early December. Students are admitted only once per year for classes that start in the fall semester.

Additional Information

In accordance with the guidelines established by the American Psychological Association, accepted applicants have until April 15 to respond to our offer, although earlier notification is desired. Applicants who accept our offer must send a required deposit of $1,000 by April 15 to secure their place in the program. This nonrefundable deposit is credited toward the first semester's tuition. You may be subject to a background check upon acceptance into the program.

Students may be provisionally admitted to a degree-seeking program based on a review of unofficial transcripts or other specific program admission requirements. However, this admission includes a condition that final and official documents and requirements must be received within 90 calendar days from the start of the term. If these final and official documents and/or requirements are not received by that time, the student will not be allowed to continue class attendance. Financial aid will not be disbursed to a provisional/conditional student until he or she has been fully admitted as a regular student (all admissions requirements have been approved by the college/program admissions office). Students who have an unpaid balance 30 days from the start of the term will be assessed a $100 fee.

Please note that NSU reserves the right to rescind or place conditions upon admissions offers should information become available that calls into question an admitted student’s academic performance or character, including that which reflects a violation of NSU’s Code of Student Conduct.

All transfer credits must be awarded during the student's first academic year in the doctoral program. Consideration will be given only to doctoral-level courses taken within the past five years and before matriculation in the doctoral program. Requests for first semester courses must be made during the summer before July 20, and may be done through the mail or by making an appointment with the Director of Academic Affairs that is responsible for awarding these credits. Requests for all other transfer credits must be made during the fall, before September 30. The maximum number of credits transferred that will be credited toward graduation is 15. Coursework submitted must meet all the specific criteria outlined in the center catalog. No transfer credits may be applied to pre-practicum, practicum, internship, or electives. Courses from terminal master's degree programs are not transferable. See the College of Psychology student handbook for additional information.

Help with I-20 and more

Get help with your I-20 and other international student admissions details at our Office of International Affairs page.

Applicants whose native language is not English are required to demonstrate English proficiency. Please visit the International Students Office website for a list of English proficiency tests that satisfy the Universities requirements.

Students who have obtained a degree from a foreign country should view the list of approved agencies to have their official transcripts reviewed for university credit. Please visit the International Students Office website for a list of National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). 

Need to speak with someone directly?

Call our International Student Services team at (954) 262-7240 or 800-541-6682, ext. 27240 or email us.

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