Ph.D. in Clinical
Psychology

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.

To promote academic focus, professional success, and efficient use of university resources, NSU limits the number of degrees a student may earn:

• Up to three master’s degrees, regardless of major or program

• Up to two education specialist (EdS) degrees

• Only one of each type of doctoral or professional degree (e.g., PhD, MD, JD, DO) — multiple degrees of the same type are not allowed, even if they have different majors or come from different colleges within NSU

Degrees earned at other institutions do not count toward this policy. However, NSU does consider an applicant's full academic background — including the number and types of degrees already earned — during the admissions process.

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.

Get help obtaining your I-20

Our Office of International Students and Scholars page guides you through the requirements to obtain your I-20 and other international admissions details.

English Proficiency

International applicants who reside outside the U.S. at the time of application, and whose native language is not English, must present evidence of proficiency in English by satisfactorily completing the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Score requirements are the same as undergraduate admission and are as follows: minimum paper score =550; minimum computerized score = 213; minimum internet score=79). A score of 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System (ILETS) exam is accepted in lieu of the TOEFL.

Proof of English language competency can also be achieved by successfully completing a degree at a regionally accredited U.S. institution of higher education.

Credential Evaluation

Applicants who have attended colleges/universities, outside of the United States, must have their official transcripts evaluated by a NACES credential evaluation agency. The selected service must be a "course by course" evaluation.

International students are encouraged to contact the Office of International Student Services at (954) 262-7240 or 800-541-6682, ext. 27240, or by email at intl@nova.edu, or visit www.nova.edu/internationalstudents.

NSU’s College of Psychology’s clinical, school, and counseling programs maintain affiliation agreements with health care and community agencies and may also place students within the NSU Psychology Services Center (PSC). These affiliations allow for student clinical training experiences required in the programs. Trainees may be required to undergo Level 2 background and drug screenings.

Please note that the university and affiliate sites have a zero-tolerance policy for drug use. Testing positive for illegal or illicit drugs, including marijuana (even if prescribed or certified by a physician), or a controlled substance for which the individual does not have a prescription, would constitute a failed test and as such, could invalidate the placement/match and result in a referral for further action. (Updated May 2025)

It is important to note that many agencies with whom the NSU College of Psychology partners for practicum/internship/post-doctoral residency program placements require that students show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (including recommended boosters).

Not being vaccinated may eliminate some placements as an option and in turn disrupt the sequence of training, delay program progression, and/or timely degree completion.

Questions may be directed to the appropriate program office. (Updated Feb 2022)