Admissions

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Admission to a graduate program in school psychology is a two-stage process consisting of (1) preliminary screening by the Graduate School and (2) final review by the Programs in School Psychology.

Each applicant is required to submit to the Graduate School no later than December 15:

  • completed Graduate Application from the Graduate School
  • transcripts of all college/university work
  • three letters of recommendation (which address both the individual’s ability to successfully complete the respective graduate program and the probability of effective functioning in the field)
  • scores on the Graduate Record Examination. GRE scores are required from ALL applicants to the doctoral (Ph.D.) program AND the Educational Specialist program (Ed.S.).The GRE must have been taken within the last five years.

When the Graduate School has ascertained that minimum University requirements have been met, the materials are then forwarded to the program area for consideration. (This evaluation process customarily takes four weeks.)

The following materials should be sent directly to the School of Applied Psychology and Counselor Education no later than December 15:

  • Written statement (300-500 words) indicating the applicant’s Personal and Professional Reasons for Selecting School Psychology as a Profession
  • Current Vita
  • Supplementary Data Sheet (included in this packet)

Following an initial screening, selected applicants may be invited to the University for an interview. In extenuating circumstances a telephone interview may be conducted in lieu of an on-campus interview.

The applicant’s file is reviewed if materials are received on or before December 15. Each completed folder is reviewed independently by all members of the School Psychology faculty as well as students on the selection committee. No one criterion is the sole factor in the admissions decision; rather, each faculty member is charged with assessing the degree to which the applicant will be able to successfully complete the program and be a credit to the profession. Additionally, the appropriateness of the training program to the applicant’s career goals is evaluated. After independent review, the faculty meet together to reach admissions decisions. Offers of admission are tendered to as many qualified applicants as there are positions in the program. A limited number of additional qualified applicants are placed on an alternate list and are offered admission as positions become available. The program is committed to Affirmative Action and recognizes the need for diversity in the profession. Applicants are notified of admission decisions by late March.

Profile of Students Admitted

The Programs in School Psychology are competitive. Acceptance rates vary depending on student credentials and the number of available spaces. Usually between 50 and 150 students apply to the programs. Approximately 16 students are admitted annually. Presently, our students range in age from 22 years to 42 years. The median age is 30 years. Approximately 10 percent of our students are ethnic minorities.

Summary of Application Procedures

1. Obtain an application from the UNC Graduate School by contacting:

The Graduate School

Carter Hall, Campus Box 135

University of Northern Colorado

Greeley, CO 80639

 

Phone: (970) 351-2831

E-mail: gradsch@unco.edu

Send the following information to the UNC Graduate School:

  • completed graduate school application
  • all college/university transcripts
  • three letters of recommendation
  • and Graduate Record Examination scores (verbal, quantitative, and analytical). (GRE scores are required for both Ph.D. AND Ed.S students.)

Send the information to the Graduate School addresNovember 24, 2008llowing information to the School Psychology Admissions Secretary, School of Applied Psychology and Counselor Education:

  • Statement of Personal and Professional Reasons for Selecting School Psychology as a Profession
  • Supplementary Data Sheet (PDF)
  • Current vita

Send the information to:

School of Applied Psychology and Counselor Education

Programs in School Psychology

Attn: Diane Greenshields

Campus Box 131

University of Northern Colorado

Greeley, CO 80639

(Ms. Greenshields email is diane.greenshields@unco.edu should you need further information.)