What is Graduate School?
Graduate school, also called grad school, is any degree program completed after finishing a bachelor's degree program. This can include master's, doctorate, or certificate programs. There are many types of graduate programs, varying from niche fields to broader topics. Getting a graduate degree is not always necessary for your desired career pathway and many careers do not require it. When deciding if you want or need to go to graduate school, you will first need to consider your desired career path.
Why go to graduate school?
There are many reasons to go to graduate school, such as:
- You enjoy school, including reading and studying.
- You want to gain more expertise or prestige for your desired career field.
- Your future career requires a graduate degree.
- You need more academic knowledge to decide on your career pathway.
- A graduate degree increases your chances for higher salaries or positions in your career field.
- You want to have a competitive advantage when applying to jobs.
- You want to contribute to your reputation or credibility in your field of expertise.
The Graduate Pathway
The graduate pathway for psychology majors is typically either a professional pathway (psychology in practice/applied psychology, law, or medicine) or a research pathway (academic research in psychology). A master’s degree usually requires 2 to 3 years of course work after the bachelor’s degree and a Ph.D. will take 5 to 7 years beyond the bachelor’s. The selection of a master’s or doctorate degree should be based on interest in either practice or research and on commitment level. An advanced degree is required for a career as a Counselor, Psychologist, Psychiatrist/Doctor, attorney, and other advanced specializations. In some cases, licensure and/or certification will be required to become a practitioner with your advanced degree.
There are many resources to get you started with preparation for graduate school and you should meet with your academic advisor to discuss your graduate school goals. The resources below will assist you in becoming familiar with the general factors for admission, in learning about the timeline to follow as an undergraduate student, and in preparing your application materials.
Degree Options
Master's programs vs. Doctorate programs
Master's programs are typically 2 to 3 years in length. Doctorate programs are 5 to 8 years in length.
Master's are not always required before going to a doctorate program. If you plan to go into a doctorate program, research if a master's is needed first. You may find some doctorate programs prefer going straight from a bachelor's to a doctorate and prefer skipping a master's. Some doctorate programs may award a "master's in passing".
Choosing a program
There are many degrees to choose from and some go by different names depending on the university. First, you will need to decide your career pathway, then you can know which graduate program to do.
Listed below are some of the common graduate degrees for students who graduated with a bachelor's in psychology or neuroscience, separated by career fields. This list is not exhaustive; it is always recommended to talk to the admissions representatives or advisors of the program you are interested in.
Mental Health:
- Master's to gain licensing to work as a therapist: Counseling, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Applied Behavior Analysis, Addiction Psychology, Sports or Performance Psychology, Health Psychology
- Master's for gathering more advanced knowledge: Psychology, Positive Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Clinical Psychology
- Doctorates for gaining licensing to work as a therapist or researcher: Clinical Psychology (Ph.D.), Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.), Counseling Psychology (Ph.D.)
There are many differences between a Ph.D. and Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology but the main differences to understand are:
- Ph.D.: research focused, potential for teaching at universities, possibility for tuition coverage or stipend, higher competition for acceptance
- Psy.D.: practice focused, shorter length
Law and Business:
- Master's: Business Administration (MBA), Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Global Management, Human Resources, Marketing
- Doctorate: Juris-Doctor (lawyers, judges)
Healthcare:
- Specific training programs: Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathologist, Physician Assistant (PA)
- Doctorate: Medical Doctor (for Psychiatry), Dental Medicine or Surgery, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, Physical Therapy, Optometry, Chiropractic, Clinical Psychology (Ph.D.) or Psy.D. (for neuropsychology)
Education:
- Master's or doctorate in Education (teaching, advising, administration)
- Master's: School Counseling or School Psychology
- Doctorate: School Psychology
Miscellaneous:
- Master's: Statistics, Quantitative Research, Ux Design (User Experience), Public Health
- Doctorate: Psychometry
Neuroscience:
- Master's for gaining more advanced or niche knowledge: Neuroscience, Health or Public Policy
- Master's for healthcare positions: Speech and Hearing Science, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Genetic Counseling, Nurse Practitioner, Epidemiology
- Master's for research: Biostatistics, Quantitative Research
- Doctorate for research: Neuroscience (Ph.D.), Data Science
- Doctorate for neuroscience-related healthcare positions: Medical Doctor (for Neurology or Neurosurgery), Dental Medicine or Surgery, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, Physical Therapy, Optometry, Chiropractic, Clinical Psychology (Ph.D.) or Psy.D. (for neuropsychology)
Admission Factors
The following are the five general factors for admission to a graduate school program. You should always consult with the specific graduate school program that you are applying to for detailed information on admission factors and requirements.
Undergraduate GPA:
- Your official transcript will be reviewed by the graduate school program.
- Generally, the focus is on the last 60 credit hours of your undergraduate degree (Junior & Senior year).
- Your cumulative GPA should be above 3.0 for master’s degree programs and 3.5 for doctoral programs to be a competitive applicant.
Personal Statement:
- Your personal statement provides an explanation of career interests and goals.
- You are able to provide specifics on your academic background and experience.
- You can address any pre-established questions asked by the graduate school program.
- You should be honest and speak to distinguishing characteristics and qualifications.
Resume/CV:
- Your resume/CV provides an overview of your educational background, professional experience, and research/internship experience.
- You will provide details on your responsibilities and tasks associated with work, research, internship, and/or volunteer positions.
- You should build your portfolio of experiences based on the focus of the graduate school program you are interested in.
- Most graduate school programs will accept resumes, but some ask for CVs if they are academic/research focused programs.
Letters of Recommendation:
- Generally, three letters of recommendation will be requested by graduate school programs.
- Your writers of your letters of recommendation should be individuals that can speak to your academic background and achievements.
- Your letters of recommendation should be from professors, internship site supervisors, and/or relevant work supervisors.
- Your selection of writers will vary based on whether the graduate program is a research or applied-focused graduate program.
GRE (Graduate Record Examination):
- Many graduate school programs will require that you take the graduate record examination.
- The General GRE test contains three sections: verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. You can retake test.
- Some programs may require the GRE Psychology Subject Test. Be sure to check admissions requirements listed on the program's page.
- Score scale is 130 to 170 for verbal & quantitative and 0-6 for writing.
How do I prepare for building my graduate school application?
- Experiential Education: Look for internships, research assistant positions, undergraduate teaching assistant positions, volunteer positions related to your desired career path.
- GRE: Determine if the General or Psychology Subject GRE is required.
- Network: Connect with faculty and staff members about content, experience, and advice. Stay away from just talking about grades.
- Personal Statement: Prepare evidence for why you belong in that program.
- GPA: Grades are a contributing factor, but not everything.
- Resume/CV: Keep track of everything you have ever done and tailor your resume to the program.
Qualifying for a program is important but different than being a competitive choice for a program.
Accreditation:
This process is an important factor for choosing a graduate program for certain career pathways. Accreditation is a 'stamp of approval' given by a professional organization for graduate programs, typically for programs that lead to licensing such as a psychologist. It is awarded based on the quality of the program, program components, and success statistics. Graduation from an accredited graduate program helps support an easier transition for licensing if you move states and may be required in order to receive licensing. Different organizations provide accreditation but all have a search function to find accredited programs.
Timeline
Check out the suggested timeline for when you should complete certain milestones as you are preparing for graduate school.
Resources
Check out the following web and print resources on applying to graduate school, how to write your resume and personal statement, and on preparing for the GRE:
General Resources:
APA Careers in Psychology Guide
APA Graduate and Postgraduate Education
Becoming a Psychological Scientist: Top Things to Know as You Apply to Grad School (Video)
Career Interest Profiler (Holland Code)
U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools
Application Materials:
ASU Writing Center (Personal Statement Help)
Resume and Application Materials (Career Services)
Social and Human Services Sample Resume
Tips for your Personal Statement
ASU Resources:
Career Services Graduate School Resources and Princeton Review Test Prep
Department of Psychology What Can I Do With a Psych Degree?
EXPLORE Graduate School Seminars
Additional resource books available in the Psychology Undergraduate Student Center (Advising Office) for review:
- APA Graduate Study in Psychology
- Applying to Graduate School in Psychology: Advice from Successful Students and Prominent Psychologists
- Career Achievement: Growing Your Goals
- Career Directions: The Path to Your Ideal Career
- Careers in Psychology
- Careers in Psychology: Opportunities in a Changing World
- Finding Jobs With a Psychology Bachelor's Degree
- Getting In: A Step-by-step Plan for Gaining Admission to Graduate School in Psychology
- Graduate to a Great Job: Make Your College Degree Pay Off in Today's Market
- Insider's Guide to Graduate Programs in Clinical and Counseling Psychology
- Majoring in Psychology: Achieving Your Educational and Career Goals
- Peterson’s Graduate Programs in the Biological/Biomedical Sciences & Health Related Medical Professions
- Peterson’s Graduate Programs in the Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences
- Six Thinking Hats
- So You Want to Be A Neuroscientist?
- The Psychology Major's Companion
- The Psychology Major's Handbook
- What Can You Do with a Major in Psychology?