Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology: Admission : The University of Akron, Ohio

Criteria for Admission

The Counseling Psychology Program curriculum is a post-bachelor’s-focused track, although we welcome submissions from all qualified applicants, including those with master’s degrees. Students admitted with master’s degrees are expected to take the bachelor’s curriculum, with options for waiving select courses and potentially their thesis waiver project.
Students are not admitted to specific faculty members but to the program as a whole. However, students are welcome to identify any research or clinical interests that overlap with faculty members as part of their declaration of intent.
Admission to the CPP is competitive, with many more applicants than the limited number of openings each year, so actual grades and scores needed for admission are typically somewhat higher than the minimums specified.

What are the criteria for admission to the CPP?

Below are the required and recommended criteria, which provide the minimum foundation for advanced training in our psychology program.

Required
- GPA of 3.0 or above on all undergraduate coursework.
- GPA of 3.25 or above on all psychology coursework (if applicable)
Preferred
- Hold at least a B.A. in psychology or have completed 30 hours of psychology coursework
GRE scores are not required for the December 1st, 2022 admissions deadline

Application Materials

What materials MUST be submitted for application?

The following application materials are needed for consideration for admission to the CPP:
- Graduate School Application.
- Graduate School Application fee.
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) coursework from each institution attended.
- Current vita outlining educational and professional experiences.
- Declaration of intent outlining occupational goals, interests, and commitment to program (including a reasons for choosing the field of counseling psychology and the University of Akron.)
- A minimum of three letters of reference attesting to success in the field and probable academic success at the doctoral level.
- Finalists will be required to be interviewed in the spring. Those invited for an interview will be asked to indicate which of two dates they prefer. The interviews will be virtual to maintain safety during this COVID-19 epidemic.

International applicants:
- We welcome applicants from all parts of the world. Visit the Office of International Programs website for general University information and the Graduate School’s International Graduate Admissions page for University policies related to graduate admissions.
- To receive a teaching assistantship (the primary graduate assistantship offered through the Department of Psychology), all international students must earn a score of at least 23 on the Speaking section of the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). Please note that this is in addition to what is required by the University for admission. All international applicants are encouraged to include official TOEFL scores as part of their application.

What is the DEADLINE for application?

To be considered for admission, all materials must be received by December 1.

Application Procedure

Submit all application materials to the University of Akron Graduate School. Applications via the University’s online portal are strongly encouraged by the University.

If it is not possible for you to submit materials online, hard copies of materials may be mailed to:

The Graduate School
Leigh Hall, Rm 515
The University of Akron
Akron, OH 44325-2101

For further information about the application process, go to the Graduate School website

Important tips for online applications for admission

The Program Information section of the Graduate School application includes an item asking applicants which program they wish to pursue.

All applicants regardless of holding a master’s or a Bachelor’s degrees should select “BUCHTEL COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES” and then select “Counseling Psychology (M.A.-Ph.D.).” Currently, no supplemental forms are required for applicants to the Collaborative Program in Counseling Psychology.

Applicants who are interested in being considered for graduate assistantships should be sure to indicate this on the online application for admission. For additional details, please see the graduate school page.

Additional application information:

If you have questions regarding the application, you may contact the staff of the Graduate School at gradsch@uakron.edu or 330/972-7663.

If additional program information is desired, prospective students may speak to a CPP Admissions Committee member at (330) 972-7280.

Only complete applications will be forwarded by the Graduate School to the CPP Admissions Committee. The Committee’s review of applications will begin in January. The timeframe for the initial review varies from year to year, but typically is completed by early February.

The Counseling Psychology faculty have tentatively scheduled two options for interviews. The interviews will be virtual. The options will be Friday, February 17, 2023 and Monday, February 20, 2023. Those invited for an interview will be asked to indicate which of the two dates they prefer. Invitations to interview are typically offered around the end of January or the beginning of February. This notice is an effort to help applicants understand the admission process. More details will be given when applicants are invited for the interview.

After the initial review is complete, finalists will be contacted by telephone to schedule an interview, and those who are no longer being considered for admission will be notified by letter.

Following the interview, finalists will be contacted to inform them of one of the following three admissions statuses:

offer of admission;
alternate for admission (may be accepted if opening becomes available); or
no longer being considered for admission.

Those under consideration for admission are encouraged to speak with CPP faculty and student representatives to facilitate their decision-making. In consideration for admissions alternates, those holding admissions offers are encouraged to inform the CPP Admissions Committee as soon as possible of their decision to accept or decline their offer. All decisions MUST be made by April 15, at the latest.