Frequently Asked Questions
The APA accredited Program leading to the Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) is a professional program intended for those students who have completed a bachelor’s degree in psychology, or a related field, or for those students who hold a master’s degree in a mental health discipline. It is a 5-year full time program that has a partial part-time option that allows two levels of the program to be completed over 4 calendar years for a maximum time frame of 7 years from entry to degree completion. The Program follows the practitioner-scholar model of training clinical psychologists, and as such, an intensive integration of theory research and practice is stressed throughout the entire course of study.
When is the deadline for application materials?
The deadline for application materials and all supporting documents is Monday, December 5, 2022 (at 11:59 pm EST) for Fall 2023.
How do I apply?
Applications are submitted online by clicking here. In order to submit your application you will need to upload a current Curriculum Vitae or resume as well as your statement of interest and intent indicating your reasons for applying to the Psy.D. program. You will also be asked for the email contact information for those writing your letters of recommendation. We recommend that you have all of these materials with you when you start your application. It is recommended that the application be submitted before arranging to have transcripts and test scores sent to La Salle University.
How many students will be accepted?
On average we admit 20-25 students per year.
What are the admission requirements?
Evidence of an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a major in psychology or a related discipline. Those entering with a B.A. must have a grade-point-average of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale; those with an M.A., a 3.5. The record should show the completion of at least 15 hours in psychology with particular reference to General Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Statistics, Research Methods and Tests and Measurements (Students lacking these required courses will be required to complete them prior to matriculation).
Foreign students must present an acceptable TOEFL score and all international academic credentials must be reviewed by WES.
In addition, all applicants submit three letters of recommendation and a personal statement of their professional goals.
Note: The Psy.D. Program has decided to waive the GRE for the Fall 2023 admission cycle.
How many semester credit hours is the program?
The program is 111 semester credit hours.
Where have the Psy.D. students been placed for externships and internships over the past few years?
How many of my master’s credits may I transfer?
The La Salle Psy.D. Program curriculum was thoughtfully and carefully designed in line with APA Standards of Accreditation. Ultimately our programmatic stance is that the doctoral degree you earned should reflect the learning you engaged in while at La Salle. That said, students who have completed graduate work in psychology or a closely related discipline, may apply for credit transfers. Transfers are granted in exceptional circumstances and typically only some courses are eligible for transfer. Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Psychopathology, Personality and Individual Differences, Cognitive Psychology, Psychological Measurement and Statistical Analysis and Research Methodology are the most commonly considered. In very rare cases, other courses may be considered for transfer but this will only be done at the discretion of the relevant teaching faculty and Program Director under unique circumstances. Clinical and intervention courses are almost never granted transfer approval. Credit may be awarded for previous coursework only if they meet the Program’s equivalency criteria with regard to course content and competency level. Faculty will evaluate the syllabi/documentation submitted and transfer will only be considered if the previous course overlaps with the La Salle University course syllabus by 80%. Decisions in this regard will be made on a case-by-case basis. The absolute maximum number of courses transferred cannot exceed 18 credits of foundations coursework. Students must submit written request for transfer to the Program Director through the Administrative Assistant prior to August 1 of the year that they enroll in Level I and must include syllabi and any other supporting documentation. Course transfer approval does not exempt the student from needing to take the Foundations Exam at the end of Year 1 or from completing any other program milestones.
Is relevant work experience acceptable for credit in any form?
No. Doctoral practicum is a unique training experience and prior work experience and/or Masters level practicum experiences will not be transferred.
Are the GRE’s required?
The GRE general exam is not currently required for applicants to the PsyD program.
When are the interviews held?
Interviews will be virtual and are tentatively scheduled for February 27 and March 3, 2023. Interviews are by invitation only.
When are the PsyD classes held?
Classes meet on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for level 1 students. Classes meet on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for all other levels. Our classes can start as early as 8am and can go as late as 8pm.
How long will it take to complete the program?
There are 5 levels to our program. If you attend full time then the program can be completed in 5 years. Our program must be completed within 7 calendar years. This means you can choose two levels to attend part time but the other 3 levels must be completed full time. If you choose the part time option you may still be required to attend classes during the day. Choosing the part time option will only lessen your course load, it won’t accommodate a person working a full time job.
