Frequently Asked Questions

"What are my chances of admission?  What does it take to get in?"

We typically admit five to seven new students in the counseling program each year. The number of students accepted approximates the number who graduate or leave for internship and will not return and the number for whom funding is available. In recent years, the number of applicants is typically in the range of 75-125 so admission is quite competitive. Applicants are evaluated for admission by a faculty admissions committee based on their transcripts, GPA, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, research experience, and personal statement. Your chances for admission are good if your GPAs exceed 3.75, your GREs exceed 600, and you have experience in service and research. Your chances are seriously weakened if your overall GPA is below 3.25, or if you have almost no research or counseling service experience. Entering class averages are shown in our Program Statistics Tables.

Another important factor is interest in and ability to develop multicultural competence.

Applications are accepted from students who have either a B.A. or M.A.; however, our program is geared toward B.A. applicants.

The graduate program in Counseling Psychology is a doctoral program. Although students a master's degree in the course of earning the Ph.D., only students desiring the doctorate are admitted. Thus, we discourage applications from those seeking just the MA.   So too, the involvement needed to pursue the Ph.D. requires full-time status.

Although some of our graduates do eventually pursue careers in private practice, our program would NOT be a good fit for the student who dislikes research and only wants a private practice career.

The Psychology Department has a long record of student support.  We traditionally provide stipends and tuition waivers for all graduate students for four years in which they are enrolled in the program. Nine-month training assignments carry a monthly stipend (currently about $1200 for pre-MA and over $1300 for post-MA students), as well as a tuition remission. Support during the summer session is less predictable, but the department tries where possible to provide at least one month of support beyond the nine months of the regular academic year. 

For those students who plan a career in teaching, a number of opportunities are available. The first experience might be as a TA/discussion leader in sections of the Introductory Psychology course, as a TA in undergraduate research methods, or some other course. A student who has demonstrated skill and interest may ultimately have full responsibility for teaching an undergraduate course such as Personality or Intro to Clinical & Counseling Psychology.

You may send e-mail for more information to gradpsyc@siu.edu or contact the Graduate Admissions Coordinator at 618-453-3564, postal address: Graduate Admissions Coordinator, Department of Psychology, Mailcode 6502, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Carbondale, Illinois, 62901.

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