Where is the Department of Psychology located?

On the third and fourth floors of Brackett Hall. The main department office is in Room 418.

Who can I contact for additional information about the graduate programs in psychology at Clemson?

Please contact Dr. Chris Pagano, our Graduate Programs Coordinator.

When is the deadline for applying to the graduate programs?

December 15 (This is for admission for the following Fall semester).

Can I apply for a January admission?

No, our programs are tightly structured for 45 credit hours in the first two years. January admissions are not practical in such a program.

What materials are required in an application?

1. The General GRE exam (Verbal, Quantitative, & Analytical). The GRE Psychology Subject test is NOT required. The institution code for sending official GRE scores to Clemson University is 5111.
2. Transcripts from your undergraduate (and any graduate) institutions.
3. Three (3) letters of recommendation. These do not have to be from college professors. As part of the online application you will be required to fill in the name and contact information for the individuals who will submit recommendations on your behalf. A message will be sent to them automatically via email and they will be able to submit their recommendation online. You will not need to obtain or distribute recommendation forms.
4. Recommended but not required: A resume (or academic-style vita).

Where should application materials be sent?

Send supporting materials to the admissions office:

Graduate Admissions Office
E-209 Martin Hall
Clemson, SC 29634

What are the minimum cut-off scores for the GRE and GPA?

We do not have an official minimum cut-off score for the GRE and GPA. However, in general, a low GRE in our program would be around 500 and a low GPA would be around 3.0. Although the acceptance criteria vary slightly among our different graduate programs, acceptance into all of our programs is competitive. Both GRE and GPA are considered in the application process.

What are some typical GRE and GPA scores for your students?

Our students typically have GRE subtest scores averaging 550 Verbal, 600 Quantitative, and 650 Analytical with an average overall GPA of 3.5.

How many students do you accept each year?

The number of students accepted varies according to our funding levels, but we typically enroll 6 to 7 I-0 students and 4 to 5 Human Factors students each year.

How many applications do you get each year?

We typically receive more than 150 applications each year.

Do you have to have a degree in Psychology to apply?

No, but you do need 18 undergraduate hours in Psychology or the equivalent. Note that courses in related but different fields, such as Sociology, do not count toward the 18 hours. At least one course in Statistics and at least one course in Research Methods in Psychology is highly recommended. Note: If you are applying to our Human Factors program, you should have an undergraduate course in Calculus. If you do not have Calculus you can pick it up while you are in our program, but it is a requirement for the degree in addition to your regular graduate course work.

I have not yet received the information or an application. When can I expect to receive these materials?

Information regarding our graduate programs may be obtained by e-mailing Dr. Chris Pagano, the graduate program coordinator. Application materials may be obtained from the Graduate Admissions website or by calling 864-656-3195 for an application.

How can I check the status of my application?

You can check the status of your application online.

Is financial aid available?

Yes, but the specific amounts may vary according to our funding levels. Typically, we offer most of our students the following funding package: 20-Hour/Week Teaching or Research Assistantship (TA / RA) that pays $11,000-14,000 for each academic year (9 months) PLUS a full tuition waiver (you pay no tuition, in-state or out-of-state; you do, however, pay about $1000 per semester in various fees). Also, many students find paid summer internships that supplement their financial aid. Some types of aid are also available online through Clemson’s Financial Aid Office.

When are admissions decisions and decisions about assistantships made?

The admissions committee makes decisions and communicates the results to applicants throughout the months of February, March, and April.

How long does the program take?

We do not offer graduate courses part time, online, or via distance learning. With the exception of approved internships, students are expected to remain full-time students in residence for the duration of their graduate career. The completion of a Masters degree in Psychology requires two years of full time study while in residence. The completion of a PhD requires five years of full time study in residence, assuming that the student enters the program with a Bachelors degree and earns the Masters along the way. The completion of a PhD by a student entering Clemson with a Masters degree from another institution typically requires three to four years of full time study in residence. All graduate students are expected to be involved in both class work and research on a full time basis.

Does the Department of Psychology offer graduate courses part time, online or via distance learning programs?

No.

What is the orientation of the program?

The Master’s programs are oriented toward applications and research. To correctly apply psychological research (and to stay current as the field advances) you must be a trained evaluator and informed consumer of psychological research. To that end, we require substantial training in research methods and a written thesis is required in our Master’s programs.

The Ph.D. program is based on the scientist-practitioner model, following the guidelines for doctoral programs issued by the Society for Industrial/Organizational Psychology. We try to maintain a balance between the I and O sides of the field and between research and applications.

Does the Master’s degree require a written thesis?

Yes (see above).

What is Clemson like?

Clemson is essentially a medium-sized land-grant university in the middle of a small South Carolina town. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and bountiful with lakes and rivers, Clemson is scenic and offers a wide variety of possibilities for outdoor recreation.

See the CU home page for more information about the university and the surrounding area.

What is the housing situation at Clemson?

Clemson University offers Single or Roommate-oriented housing, and Clemson and surrounding cities offer off-campus apartment housing options.

For more information visit the University Housing Office.