Frequently Asked Questions to Graduate Programs in Psychology
1. How many Graduate Programs in Psychology do you have?
We offer six programs in Psychology, three M.A. degrees and three M.S. degrees. The M.A. programs include emphases in Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology, and Psychological Research. The M.S. programs include Clinical Psychology, School Psychology and Industrial/Organizational Psychology.
We also offer a third year School Psychology Pupil Personnel Services Credential program offered jointly through our School Psychology program and the College of Extended Learning.
2. What is the PPS Credential Program? Can I apply?
The PPS Credential Program is the third-year internship program for students who have completed their two-year Graduate Program in School Psychology. Students from outside our own program may also apply to the PPS Credential Program, having already obtained a Graduate Degree in School Psychology or other related field. There is a set list of requirements you must have completed to be admitted, which is listed on the PPS Credential Program Application.
3. How many applicants do you accept annually into each program?
Each program accepts between ten and fifteen applicants per year.
4. How many applicants do you get and how many do you accept each year?
Between twenty and two-hundred, depending on the program. We accept between ten and fifteen per year, depending on the program.
5. Can I apply for Spring admission?
Only the Developmental Psychology program accepts new students for the Spring semester.
6. What are the tuition rates for resident/non-resident students and other associated costs?
For a California resident full-time graduate student (at least six semester units), tuition runs $2,235 per semester other fees not included. For full details, please contact the Graduate Division (contact information below or visit http://www.sfsu.edu/prospect/fees.htm ).
7. Can I hold a job during the program?
It really depends on which program you're applying to and how flexible your job hours are. All of our graduate programs are FULL TIME PROGRAMS. Some students work part-time during the academic year.
8. How many units will I be expected to take per semester?
It ranges between nine and eighteen, depending on the program. Total semester units required for each program are listed below:
- Clinical - at least 51 total semester units (two-year program)
- Developmental - at least 30 total semester units (two-year program)
- Industrial/Organizational - at least 36 total semester units (two-year program)
- Research - at least 35 total semester units (two-year program)
- School - at least 55 total semester units (two-year program)
- PPS Credential - at least 24 total semester units (one-year program)
- Social - at least 33 total semester units (two-year program)
9. When do you notify students regarding their admission status?
Application review begins during the second week of March. At the very soonest, applicants will be notified between April 15th and May 1st.
10. I am unsure as to which program I should apply to. Who can advise me in this regard?
Dr. Julia Lewis is the Graduate Coordinator. Each program also has a specific Program Coordinator. Their contact information is listed below.
11. I have questions about your Graduate Program in Psychology. Whom should I contact?
For admission, application or prerequisite questions, you should contact the Graduate Services Coordinator. For specific program information, you should contact the appropriate Graduate Program Coordinator. Their information is listed below.
12. Can you send me a Course Schedule or University Bulletin?
No. You must request these items from the SFSU Bookstore. Contact information is provided below. You can also obtain the Course Schedule and University Bulletin online at http://www.sfsu.edu.
13. Can you send me Financial Aid information or Housing information?
No. For financial aid information, contact the Office of Financial Aid. For housing information, contact Housing & Residential Services (contact information provided below).
14. I was in a graduate program previously. Can my previous units be transferred into your program?
No. As a general policy, we do not accept transfer units into any of our programs.
15. Can I audit any graduate courses to get a feel for the program?
This is up to the individual professor's discretion. You'll have to contact the professor to make sure. We don't usually allow it.
The Application Process
16. What are the Department Application deadlines?
For fall admission, the application deadline is February 1st. For spring admission (Developmental Program only), the application deadline is October 15th. These deadlines apply not only to the Department Application, but all associated Department Application materials as well and the University Application.
17. How many applications do I need to fill out?
You must fill out one Department Application and one University Application.
18. Where can I get a Department Application?
You can request one from the Graduate Services Coordinator via phone or e-mail (my contact information is listed below). Or it is available at our website, http://bss.sfsu.edu/psych/ as an Adobe .pdf file.
19. Where can I get a University Application?
You can request one from the Graduate Division (their contact information is listed below) or by applying online at http://www.csumentor.edu/AdmissionApp/grad_apply.asp.
20. Is there an application fee?
There is no fee for submitting the Department Application. There is a $55 fee for submitting the University Application. There is a $150 fee for new applicants submitting the PPS Credential Program Application. For re-applicants it is $100.
21. When should I submit my University Application?
The University Application has the exact same deadline as the Department Application: February 1st and October 15th. The department encourages you to submit it earlier than the February 1st deadline.
22. Where do I send my Department Application and all of its related materials?
Send them to the Graduate Services Coordinator. Contact information is listed below.
23. Where do I send my University Application and all of its related materials?
Send them to the Graduate Division. Their contact information is listed below.
24. Can I send both my Department Application and my University Application and all of their associated materials to the same location?
No, you must send all materials to their appropriate destinations. Doing so will help ensure that all materials will be received and processed on time.
25. Can I be accepted by the Psychology Department/Graduate Program if I have been denied admission from the University?
No.
26. Do you accept applicants conditionally?
Yes, generally with completion deadline dates.
27. How can I find out if my application is complete?
You should contact the Graduate Services Coordinator by phone or e-mail before the February 1st deadline, preferably with ample time to replace something that may/may not be missing. Contact information is listed below.
28. I received notification that my application is incomplete. What gives?
Since the Psychology Department does not send written notification that your application is complete or incomplete, most likely the written notification came from the Graduate Division regarding your University Application. If you have questions, they should be contacted.
29. I am an International Applicant. Do I need to fill out a special application?
You do not need to fill out a special Department Application, but you may need to fill out a special University Application. Please contact the Graduate Division or the Office of International Programs (contact information is listed below).
Application Requirements / Prerequisites
30. What are the basic requirements for the Department Application?
Your Psychology Department Application should include all of the following:
- the completely filled-out application, including the applicable coursework grid on the second page
- the essay, responding to program specific questions
- at least three letters of recommendation, ideally from a mixture of academic faculty and/or employers
- one official copy of all transcripts for any/all previous college coursework
- official GRE score report, sent from ETS-please request this in advance
Important: The application should be sent as a complete package.
31. Is there anything else I can/should turn in that is not on this list?
You may turn in your resume, curriculum vitae, any writing sample you wish us to read, or anything else you think we should have and use to evaluate your application.
32. What are the basic requirements of the University Application?
Among other things, the University Application requires two official copies of all transcripts for any/all previous college coursework, and a statement of purpose. Please contact the Graduate Division for further details.
33. Do you accept late applications/application materials such as letters, GRE scores, etcetera? Will my application still be reviewed if items are late?
We do accept late items. If your application has not already been reviewed, we will include these items in the review. However, the likelihood of your acceptance depends on the timeliness of your materials. Individuals with complete applications will be given priority.
The Essay
34. The Department Application calls for an essay and the University Application calls for a Statement of Purpose. Can I turn in the same thing for both?
Yes, as long as whatever piece of writing you submit for your Department Application essay requirement answers the program specific questions.
35. Regarding the Department Application essay, is it best to answer the questions individually or to answer them all in one single essay?
This is up to you.
36. How long can/should the Department Application essay be?
Seven pages or less.
Letters of Recommendation
37. Is the Letter of Recommendation Form that comes with the Department Application required? What if my letter-writer just wants to write a letter?
The Letter of Recommendation Form is optional; it can be used in lieu of an actual letter. Either the filled out Letter of Recommendation Form or a letter of recommendation will do. Some letter-writers submit both the form and a letter. However, whichever is sent, it must be an original copy, including an actual signature.
38. Should the letters of recommendation and/or official transcripts be sent directly from their respective letter-writers and/or universities? Or can I pick up said items and send them myself?
Please include your transcripts and letters of recommendation in your Department application. The letters of recommendation must be in sealed envelopes with a stamp or signature or sticker of the letter-writer on the back of the envelope, for security purposes.
39. What happens if I don't sign the Waiver on the Letter of Recommendation Form? Will I be able to read my letters after they are submitted to the Department?
No. No applicant is allowed to read his/her letters of recommendation once they have been submitted to the department. At that point they become property of the Psychology Department.
The GRE and other Tests
40. Which programs require the GRE? The Writing Assessment Portion? The Psychology Subject Test?
All of our Graduate Programs in Psychology, including the PPS Credential Program, require the General Portion of the GRE, including Verbal, Quantitative and Writing Assessment sections.
41. How do I sign up for the GRE?
For registration information, call the toll-free number (800) GRE-CALL.
42. How old can my GRE scores be?
Up to five years old from the semester of enrollment noted on your application.
43. What is the GRE Institution Code for San Francisco State University?
The proper Institution Code is 4684.
44. What is the Department Code for the Psychology Department?
There are several different codes that will ensure your scores are sent to the Psychology Department. Some are listed bellow:
- 2001- Clinical
- 2006- Developmental
- 2008- Industrial/Organizational
- 2010- Research
- 2015- Social
- 2099- School
45. Can I get around the GRE requirement? I have three PhDs, twelve toddlers at home and 15 years of work experience.
No.
46. Is the CBEST required for admission into the School Psychology program?
No. The CBEST is required for admission into the PPS Credential Program, but not the general School Psychology Graduate Program.
Prerequisites
47. I am a returning student/non-Psychology major. Do I need to take any coursework prerequisites?
Some programs have prerequisites that are required for admission. The ideal applicant will have all of the program-specific coursework listed below completed. All courses must be upper division (from a four-year university). The course titles mentioned are SFSU specific.
- Clinical Psychology - Introduction to Psychology (PSY 200, does not have to be upper division), Theories of Personality (PSY 451-needs to be an upper division course), Abnormal Psychology (PSY 452-needs to be an upper division course) and any statistics coursework are the required prerequisites. Additional courses that are recommended are Developmental Psychology (PSY 330 or 431), Introduction to Clinical Psychology (PSY 521), Cross Cultural Psychology (PSY 455,) Community Psychology (PSY 525) and/or Psychology of the Family (PSY 441).
- Developmental Psychology - any statistics coursework, Experimental Psychology (PSY 497), Learning/Cognitive Psychology (PSY 491/PSY 494), Developmental Psychology (PSY 431).
- Industrial/Organizational Psychology - at least fifteen units of upper-division Psychology coursework, in addition to a course in Intermediate Psychological Statistics.
- Psychological Research - any statistics coursework, any research methods coursework, Experimental Psychology (PSY 497)
- School Psychology - Introduction to Psychology (PSY 200, does not have to be upper division), Introduction to Clinical Psychology (PSY 521), Theories of Personality (PSY 451), Abnormal Psychology (PSY 452), Developmental Psychology (PSY 431), Cross-cultural Perspectives in Psychology (PSY 455), any statistics coursework, any research methods coursework, Learning/Cognitive Psychology (PSY 491/PSY 494)
- PPS Credential Program - see application, Previous Coursework Evaluation Form
- Social Psychology - Social Psychology (PSY 440), any statistics coursework, any research methods coursework
48. Can I take these prerequisites at a different institution?
Yes, you can. However, you must make sure the course(s) you intend to take are equivalent with our own. You can do this by sending your Program Coordinator the official course descriptions from the University's handbook. At that point we can verify whether or not the course(s) is equivalent with our own. Also, please be sure the institution is a four-year institution. These prerequisites must be upper-division or in other words junior-level or higher. It is impossible to take upper-division courses at the junior college level.
49. I am a returning student, I haven't taken any of these courses and I want to take them at SFSU. How do I go about doing that?
There are two ways: one is to go through the College of Extended Learning, a.k.a. Open University. The benefit of this is there is no University application process required. The bad news is, it is a $215 per unit charge, and seeing as how most of these classes are at least three units, this can be rather expensive. The second way is to apply to the University for a second Bachelor's degree in Psychology. You don't actually have to go through and complete the degree and this would allow you to take any undergraduate courses in psychology that you see fit. Sometimes this is more economical, as there is a flat rate for either part-time (less than six units) or full-time (more than six units) students.
50. Are there any other Program-Specific prerequisites I should know about?
Both the Clinical Psychology program and the School Psychology program have very specific applicable field experience requirements. The Clinical Psychology program requires at least one year of experience in a clinical setting, and the School Psychology program requires at least one year of experience in an institution such as a school or other service-oriented setting.
Other Questions
51. I need my transcripts/work experience to be evaluated for PPS Credentialing. Can you review my materials?
Only by applying to the program can you receive an evaluation.
52. Are there any other MFT programs on campus?
Yes. There is an MS in Counseling that is offered through the Counseling Department. They can be contacted at ( 415) 338-2005. Their program does require the GRE, and includes an application fee and a mandatory orientation that occurs monthly between September and December. Their website is: http://www.counseling.sfsu.edu.
53. I submitted several application materials, but then decided to withdraw my application. Can I have my application materials back?
Generally we do not return materials once they are submitted to us, as once we receive them, they become property of the Psychology Department.
Important Contact Information:
Jaih McReynolds, Graduate Services Coordinator
Psychology Department
San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Avenue, EP 301
San Francisco CA 94132
Tel. (415) 338-2711
Fax (415) 338-2398
E-mail: jbmac@sfsu.edu
Graduate Division
San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Avenue, ADM 254
San Francisco CA 94132
Tel. (415) 338-2234
E-mail: gadmit@sfsu.edu
Office of International Programs
Tel. (415) 338-1293
E-mail: oip@sfsu.edu
Office of Financial Aid
Tel. (415) 338-7000
E-mail: finaid@sfsu.edu
Bookstore (Catalog/Bulletin Ordering)
Tel. (415) 338-2665
Housing & Residential Services
Tel. (415) 338-1067
For Faculty Office hours, please see current department schedule
Dr. Julia Lewis, Psychology Graduate Program Coordinator
Clinical Psychology Graduate Program Coordinator
Tel. (415) 338-7545
E-mail: jmlewis@sfsu.edu
Office: EP 241
Dr. David Guard, Clinical Psychology Graduate Program Coordinator
Tel. (415) 338-1440
E-mail: dgard@sfsu.edu
Office: EP 235
Dr. Tom Spencer, Developmental Psychology Graduate Program Coordinator
Tel. (415) 338-2613
E-mail: tspencer@sfsu.edu
Office: EP 311
Dr. Christian Wright, Industrial/Organizational Psychology Graduate Program Coordinator
Tel. (415) 338-1465
E-mail: cwright@sfsu.edu
Office: EP 509
Dr. Avi Ben-Zeev, Psychological Research Graduate Program Co-Coordinator
Tel. (415) 405-2107
E-mail: abenzeev@sfsu.edu
Office: EP 327
Dr. Mark Geisler, Psychological Research Graduate Program Co-Coordinator
Tel. (415) 338-6026
E-mail: mgeisler@sfsu.edu
Office: EP 325
Dr. Diane Harris, School Psychology Graduate Program Coordinator
Tel. (415) 338-7064
E-mail: dharris@sfsu.edu
Office: EP 234
Dr. Marina Abalakina, Social Psychology Graduate Program Coordinator
Tel. (415) 405-3577
E-mail: mabalaki@sfsu.edu
Office: EP 218
