Program Admission
Admission to the program is based on the following criteria. Priority consideration will be given to those who meet all requirements.
1) Academic ability as measured by Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing scores on the GRE. In keeping with other programs in the state and with national criteria, admission typically includes a minimum score around the 50th percentile on the Verbal and Quantitative sections and a Writing section minimum score of 4.0. Scores on the GRE Advanced Psychology Test are not required and will not be used in decisions.
GRE scores are not required for the Fall 2024 Admissions Cycle due to the Covid-19 crisis. However, if you have taken the GRE and want your scores to be considered part of your application, you may submit official scores.
2) Achievement in undergraduate or graduate work. Undergraduate GPA of approximately 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale. Successful applicants typically present with higher GPAs.
3) Academic background in psychology. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 20 undergraduate semester hours in psychology, including a course in statistics and a laboratory course in research methods/experimental psychology.
4) Personal qualities that predict success in graduate study and professional placement after graduation. To evaluate these, each applicant must submit three letters of recommendation. Personal qualities will also be evaluated in the context of an interview for those who pass the initial file review and are invited to the interview day(s).
5) Fit between applicant and faculty interests. A personal statement is required describing the applicant’s interests. We will be particularly interested in students with research and/or clinical experiences that are a good fit with faculty areas of expertise.
Steps for Admission
Interested applicants will submit a PSYCAS Application. All admission requirements must be met by the deadline for your application to be reviewed by the department.
Application materials submitted to PSYCAS include:
- Required Documents:
- Personal statement (instructions available within PSYCAS) – 500 words.
- Essay related to fit with the program (instructions available within PSYCAS) – 500 words.
- Diversity essay (instructions available within PSYCAS) – 500 words.
- Writing sample (typically a research paper).
- Curriculum vitae or resume.
- Official transcripts of all education beyond high school. Required for every institution granting credit. Transcripts must be submitted directly to PSYCAS. Transcripts sent to EMU will not be accepted as official, and the application will not be considered complete. (Applicants should allow 2-6 weeks for PSYCAS to process transcripts.). For additional information regarding transcript submission, please see the PSYCAS website.
- Official GRE results, including Verbal, Quantitative, and Writing scores and, if taken, the Advanced Psychology Exam score. GRE scores are not required for the Fall 2023 Admissions Cycle. However, if you have taken the GRE and want your scores to be considered part of your application, you may submit official GRE scores.
- Three letters of recommendation.
Questions and concerns should be directed to:
Psychology Department
Eastern Michigan University
341 Science Complex
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
psy_xgrad@emich.edu
734.487.1155
Completed applications, including Graduation Record Examination (GRE) scores, letters of recommendation, and transcripts, must be received by February 1 for consideration. If the first falls on a weekend, materials will be accepted the next business day only.
Only complete applications are considered. Credits earned under non-degree student status do not automatically apply to the degree program’s requirements. There are no admissions to degree programs in the winter and summer sessions. After the admission quota for the program has been met, students may be placed on a waiting list, which only guarantees admission if spaces become available.
Eastern Michigan University and the Psychology Department reserve the right to change any statement in this program concerning, but not limited to, rules, policies, tuition, fees, curricula, and courses.
Adobe Acrobat forms are intended to be completed in Adobe Reader. Alternative programs like Preview do not save all form data or enable all features. Please download a free and up-to-date copy of Adobe Reader to complete the forms if needed (adobe.com/reader).
Degree Requirements: 30 hours
The M.S. in Psychology - General Experimental requires 30 graduate hours, with at least 24 in psychology. All students who apply should seek a faculty advisor, or mentor, to act as their sponsor. Students uncertain about a mentor choice, or applying from another campus and unfamiliar with the faculty, may be assigned a temporary mentor by the coordinator of the program. The program is highly individualized and the mentor supervises the student’s training, research and master’s thesis. Should a student’s interests change, a new mentor may be selected with approval from both faculty members and the general experimental program coordinator.
Critical Graduation Information
Each graduate student is responsible for fulfilling the requirements or equivalents of the Eastern Michigan University catalog in force at the time of their initial registration or a subsequent catalog, including the one in effect at the time of their graduation.
Master’s degree requirements must be completed within six (6) years of first enrollment in the master’s degree program.
In the event a student does not complete the master’s degree requirements within six years of the date of their original registration, the student may be required to have their credits re-evaluated by the academic department(s) of their degree in keeping with catalog requirements in force during the year of their graduation.
The following are minimum requirements for all master’s degrees awarded by Eastern Michigan University. Some programs require more than the minimum in one or more areas below.
- A master’s degree must require a minimum of 30 credit hours.
- No more than six credits of independent study courses and no more than 12 credit hours of special topics and independent study courses combined may be applied to a graduate degree.
- Residency Requirement:
- For students admitted to master’s degree programs of 36 or fewer required hours, at least 24 new graduate hours beginning the semester of acceptance and enrollment into the degree program must be earned at EMU. The remaining program requirement hours may be met through transfer or prior degree credit (EMU or elsewhere).
- For students admitted to master’s degree programs of 37 or more required hours, at least 30 new graduate hours beginning the semester of acceptance and enrollment into the degree program must be earned at EMU. Minimum degree hours must still be met for graduation. The remaining program requirement hours may be met through transfer or prior degree credit (EMU or elsewhere).
- Residency and enrollment in multiple programs: Students enrolled in multiple master’s/specialist degree programs must have 24 unique credit hours in each degree program.
- Only credits from one completed graduate certificate may be applied to a master’s or specialist degree in a relevant field of study, as determined by the Graduate School and with the approval of the degree-granting academic department, and be included in the residency hours above.
- Students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA in all graduate-level courses taken at EMU and in their program of study to remain in good academic standing and be eligible for graduation. Students do not need to be registered for classes during the semester of graduation.
- The Graduate School does not permit the use of undergraduate courses (499 and below) to meet degree requirements on graduate programs of study.
- Some master’s programs require a thesis; others require a special project or internship; others require students to pass a final exam. See the Graduate School website for Thesis and Dissertation Manuals, all forms, and information about research and human subject approval. Every completed thesis or dissertation must be submitted to Digital Commons. Any form of graduate student work submitted to Digital Commons must first be approved by a faculty advisor and the Graduate School.
