All candidates, regardless of their route to admission will be selected based upon the evaluation of the following criteria:
Prospective students who meet the above requirements must also be selected to be interviewed in order to determine appropriateness for the program.
The standards required for admission reflect concern for the safety and well-being of clients whom its graduates will eventually serve in clinical/school situations. Candidates for the degree must possess, with or without reasonable accommodation, multiple abilities and skills including intellectual, conceptual, integrative, and quantitative abilities. Moreover, intrapersonal, communication, behavioral, and personal attributes including empathy, emotional self-awareness, and emotional maturity are similarly crucial for success.
The above pre-requisites are necessary for an applicant to be considered for a doctoral program. Higher GPA and (optional) GRE scores indicating greater potential to complete doctoral-level work, will enhance an application. Other factors considered include: (1) previous courses taken, (2) previous clinical and research experience, (3) evidence of interest in psychology, (4) the applicant’s personal statement, and (5) letters of recommendation.
The Psy.D. program requires a minimum of a three-year, full-time academic residency (or the equivalent thereof). The doctoral program has three routes to admission. Candidates may apply:
It is important to note that specialist students and doctoral students share many of the same courses required for state of Florida certification as a school psychologist and national standards consistent with the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). Given the considerable overlap within the curriculum, grade point average and academic standing is cumulative across the programs. Regardless of the route to admission, all candidates must complete at minimum two years of doctoral coursework at the institution and one year of doctoral internship. A sample model curriculum for each route to admission is provided in this handbook.
The Department of Clinical and School Psychology is proud to welcome applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds. Our faculty admissions committee reviews each application to determine whether the applicant’s stated goals align with the program’s academic and professional objectives.
During the application review process, the faculty admissions committee places strong emphasis on the applicant’s coursework, grade point average, letters of recommendation, statement of professional goals, individual interview, research experience, and potential to be successful in the program and beyond.
Applicants to the School Psychology Psy.D. program, are not required to submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. However, the faculty admissions committee encourages applicants to submit GRE scores if they believe the scores will enhance their overall application.
Questions about the admissions process are welcomed at gradschool@nova.edu | (800) 541-6682 ext. 27563 | (954) 262-7563.
The following information is required as part of the application:
Please mail transcripts to: | |
---|---|
Nova Southeastern University Enrollment Processing Services Attn: College of Psychology P.O. Box 299000 3300 South University Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328-2004 |
For International Students: Nova Southeastern University Attn: Enrollment Processing Services 3300 South University Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328-2004 |
Official electronic transcripts must be sent to electronictranscript@nova.edu
NOTE: EXTERNAL INSTITUTIONS ONLY.
If you have any questions about the admissions process, call (954) 262-7563 / 800-541-6682, 27563 (a-s-k-m-e), or email to gradschool@nova.edu.
International Students are encouraged to contact the Office of International Students Services at (954) 262-7240 or 800-541-6682, ext. 27240 or by email at intl@nova.edu.
How to Apply
To access a step-by-step guide on the application process, click here.
All transfer credits must be awarded during the candidate’s first academic year in the doctoral program. Consideration will be given only to graduate level courses taken within the past five years and before beginning coursework in the doctoral program. A request for transfer credit for first semester courses must be made by July 15. Request for all other transfer credit must be made by October 15 of the year in which candidates enter the program.
Candidates requesting transfer of credit must submit a written request for transfer along with supporting documentation to the doctoral program administration. The candidate must provide the Program Director with a syllabus and catalog description of courses for which transfer is sought. Faculty members evaluating transfer courses may require the candidate to provide further documentation and supporting material, such as class notes, and may request that they meet with the student to obtain clarification. The resulting evaluations are reviewed by the Chair of the Department of Clinical and School Psychology who makes the final determination.
Transfer credits are not taken into account when computing the candidate’s grade point average. The maximum number of transfer credits that will be applied toward graduation is fifteen (15).
Transfer of credits will be awarded when the course being evaluated meets all of the following criteria:
It will be the responsibility of the candidate to demonstrate satisfactorily the equivalence of the course(s) proposed in order for credits to be awarded. Course work submitted from a foreign institution will be evaluated for equivalency in accordance with accreditation standards.
No transfer credit may be applied to meet the academic requirements for practica, internship, the culminating research project, or electives. No transfer credit may be applied to meet academic requirements in psychological foundations courses taken in a terminal masters program.
Federal Regulations require that veteran candidates MUST report all prior credit and training, and that the school MUST evaluate such and grant credit as appropriate, with training time and tuition reduced proportionately and with the Veterans Affairs and candidate so notified.
Credits earned at Nova Southeastern University are transferable only at the discretion of the receiving school.
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 welcomed. 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 fee is credited toward the first semester's tuition. Applicants may be subject to a background check upon acceptance into the program.
Candidates 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 candidate will not be allowed to continue class attendance. Financial aid will not be disbursed to a provisional/conditional candidate until he or she has been fully admitted as a regular candidate (i.e., all admissions requirements have been approved by the college/program admissions office). Candidates who have an unpaid balance 30 days from the start of the term will be assessed a $100 fee.
The university welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. Applications are reviewed after all required documents have been received. No waivers of the admission policies stated above will be offered.
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.
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 will 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 Feb 2022)
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)