Psychology courses required to get into graduate school in clinical Psychology

by Lynn Friedman, Ph.D.

Psychology courses are required to get into graduate school in clinical psychology. What courses should you take? In selecting courses consider four goals. First, complete any official prerequisites. Second, you take those courses which will make you the most competitive. Third, take those courses that are most likely to ensure your success once you are in graduate school. Fourth, take a series of courses that allow you to systematically test-out your interests in clinical psychology. Obviously, there is significant overlap in the course work required to achieve each of these goals.

The requisites required vary from program to program and can best be assessed by reviewing graduate catalogues. I recommend at least two terms of statistics. However, providing that you are mathematically competent, I would urge you take as much as possible. In fact, I'd advise anyone to seriously consider a minor or a double major in statistics. If statistics is terribly difficult for you, you may want to consider an alternative graduate school experience inasmuch as research is a cornerstone of any doctoral program in clinical psychology.

In the computer arena, you should be conversant with all of the current statistical packages for the social sciences. As with statistics, this is an important skill area, the goal is not to be savvy in programming; rather, you should be able to use computers effectively in data management. Another important area is that of biology. Today's climate is extremely biologically-oriented. It is important to take as much neuroscience as possible; you may want to consider biology or neuroscience as an alternate minor or double major.

Finally, in the psychology arena, it is important to develop your research skills as fully as possible. Although you must collaborate with faculty on independent research efforts in order to gain admission to graduate school, course work is important too! Thus, I would encourage you to take at least two research methods courses at the undergraduate level. Moreover, if you are fortunate enough to be in a university with a graduate program, it is a very good idea to take a graduate course in this vital area.

Many students mistakenly believe that it is important to take course work in abnormal psychology and clinical psychology. Actually, course work in experimental psychology is a far more important requisite. Take course work in cognitive psychology, learning, the history of psychology, and sensation and perception.

As for the psychopathology arena, it is a good idea to take these courses for two reasons. First, if you find them uninteresting, you may be headed on the wrong trajectory. Second, although all of this material will be repeated in greater depth at the graduate level, having completed them will give you greater comfort in your early graduate school days; the material will feel familiar.

I would particularly encourage you to take a "hands-on" course aimed at developing your listening skills. If your school does not offer it, viewing it as not rigorous enough, then, I would urge you to consider volunteering at your local crisis-intervention center. Although their training may not have the rigor of your undergraduate program, it will provide valuable "hands-on" experience. Experience of this sort will allow you to feel more comfortable in the clinical setting.

Finally, and very importantly, success in progressing toward to doctorate in a timely fashion entails good writing skills. It is critically important that you develop exceptionally good writing skills. Thus, I would urge you to select all course work based on the frequency of writing assignments. At Carnegie Mellon, the methods courses provide significant opportunities to develop research writing skills. If your department does not offer a psychological or research writing course, lobby for them to do so. Alternatively, take advantage of your English Department's professional writing offerings.

All of these suggestions provide an important beginning. However, anyone applying to graduate school should have significant experience in clinical research and some exposure to clinical settings. Also, experience as a teaching assistant is a valuable adjuvant to these experiences.

Students who plan to apply to graduate school are encouraged to take the following steps:

• Participate in class.
• Get to know faculty: Tips on establishing relationships with faculty.
• Try your best to do well and address any deficits in your academic record.
• Prepare to take the GRE.
• Obtain research experience and a research position.
• Here are two Washington Post articles by Washington DC Psychologist, Dr. Lynn Friedman, on obtaining research experience: 10 Steps to Getting a Great Research Internship in Psychology and Applying for Research Internships and Summer Jobs in Psychology and the Health Professions.
• Here are some more thoughts on applying for research positions.
• Write a compelling cover letter for a research assistant position. Here's a sample cover letter.
• Here are some undergraduate psychology internships.
• Ask faculty and research advisors for references for graduate school.
• Write a thoughtful graduate school application.