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Minimum Admission Requirements

Applicants to the MS in Experimental Psychology program are considered in terms of their potential for success in the program. Minimum requirements include a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.

  1. Completed online application.

  2. Transcripts from all previously attended higher-education institutions including degree conferral. (Applicants who have not yet completed their undergraduate degree programs may submit official transcripts prior to degree conferral to be considered for provisional admission. Final official transcripts must be submitted to receive full admission into the program.)

  3. Official GRE scores. (Note: For Fall 2025, the GRE will be optional.)

  4. Official GRE score for the Subject Test in Psychology (required only for applicants who did not major in psychology as undergraduates. Preferred score of 570 or higher is required in the subject exam.)

  5. Please briefly explain (500 word minimum) your interest in the field. In detail, explain the ways in which the M.S. in Experimental Psychology program may help you achieve your goals. The personal statement helps us get to know you beyond the objective data provided in review of your courses, grades and other objective information. It also demonstrates your ability to communicate your thoughts in a professional, organized and succinct manner.

  6. Students are admitted into the M.S. in Experimental program and not into a specific faculty member’s lab. However, given the research focus of the program and the importance of the fit between the student and the faculty member’s research interest, a good match between the student and one or more faculty members may be helpful for admissions decisions. We suggest that applicants identify two or three faculty members they believe may be a good match to their research interests. If your research interests are not clearly defined, that is fine, but please attempt to indicate which areas you may be interested in pursuing.
  7. Three letters of recommendation on official letterhead (from professors, colleagues, and/or those who can speak on behalf of the applicant's potential for success in the program).

  8. $50 nonrefundable application fee.

Preferred Admission Qualifications

  • Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • GRE combined score (verbal and quantitative) of 300 or higher

Foreign nationals 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.

Applicants who have attended foreign universities or colleges are required to have their academic credentials evaluated for U.S. institutional equivalence. While there are several credential evaluators, the most widely used companies are listed below or visit www.naces.org.

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.

ALL application materials must be received by the date below.

June 1 (Fall semester begins in August.)

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.

During the admissions process, all prospective students are required to disclose convictions of any criminal offense in any city, state, or country, other than minor traffic offenses. Prospective students are required to disclose any time they have entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere (no contest) to a criminal offense; had adjudication of guilty withheld for a criminal offense; participated in a first-offender or pretrial diversion program, or its equivalent, or committed any offense where the records have been sealed or expunged, including criminal offense committed as a juvenile. Driving under the influence is not a minor traffic offense for purposes of this policy. Prospective students also are required to disclose any pending criminal charges filed against them and disclose if they are currently incarcerated or will be incarcerated upon or during enrollment at NSU. Subsequent to submission of admission applications, prospective students have a continuing duty to disclose all of the above. Failure to disclose, omitting, or providing false information relating to any of the above may result in rescission of admissions offers or disciplinary action against a student, up to and including dismissal from NSU.

While enrolled at NSU, students have a continuing duty to disclose all of the above, along with any arrest or pending criminal charges within 10 days of any arrest or charges being filed. Students must notify the assistant dean for Student Development of any arrests or pending criminal charges. A failure to timely disclose any arrests or pending criminal charges may result in disciplinary actions against a student up to and including dismissal from NSU.

Jeanne Ruggiero
Administrative Assistant
(954) 262-8063
jruggier@nova.edu 

Jonathan Banks, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
(954) 262-7965
jb2676@nova.edu

Glenn Scheyd, Ph.D.
Chair, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience
(954) 262-7991
scheydjr@nova.edu

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