Pick Your Deadline!
We encourage early applications for the strongest chance of admission. Applicants will be notified of their status approximately two weeks after each deadline. Admitted applicants are asked to confirm their decision within two weeks of receiving notification of admission.
- Priority Application Deadline: March 1 Decision Available: March 16.
- Standard Application Deadline: April 1 Decision Available: April 16.
- Beyond the Standard Deadline: After April 1 If spaces still remain, applications will be considered until all spaces are filled. When all spaces are filled, this will be updated on the website.
Please note that space is limited and later applications may not be reviewed if all program slots have been filled. Early submission is strongly encouraged. The program does not accept students to start in the spring term.
Admission Requirements
Acceptance by the Department of Psychology will be done on the basis of the applicant’s total academic profile. That includes:
- A completed application to the Graduate Office, University of South Carolina Aiken.
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with at least 15 hours in psychology.
- Transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work (minimum GPA of 3.00 preferred).
- Three letters of recommendation, with at least two from faculty at academic institutions with whom you’ve taken a course and/or done research.
- A written personal statement of intent describing professional background and goals.
Admission into the Master’s degree program may be granted at one of two levels:
Full admission status: applications with strong relevant references, undergraduate records indicating strong academic performance, and research or clinically-related experience (e.g., volunteering with an agency)
Provisional status: applicants who intend to seek a graduate degree but who lack sufficient requirements (e.g., strong GPA, 3 strong references) for full admission status. To be considered for admittance all applicants have a minimum of 15 credits in Psychology. Provisionally admitted students must attain a 3.0 grade point average during their first 12 credit hours to be eligible for full admission. If after the completion of any semester of the provisional enrollment, it is determined that the student will be unable to achieve a 3.0 grade point average during the course of the first 12 credit hours, the student must withdraw from the program.