Department of Psychology
General instructions for application to the School of Science & Technology
PLEASE OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS.
By doing so, you will make it possible to secure prompt consideration of your application.
The following documents are required in order to process your application to the Department of Psychology, School of Science & Technology, Loma Linda University. Please note that all required documents must be received by the School of Science & Technology by December 31!
- Signed and completed application form.
- Application fee.
- Personal statement.
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended.
- Three letters of recommendation (from previous instructors).
- GRE scores (within 5 years)
- MA - GRE general scores are required.
- PsyD/PhD - GRE general and subject tests are both required.
- TOEFL scores (foreign applicants).
- Please complete one application form per degree. A separate application must be completed for each additional degree you apply to. When specifying the "graduate program" to which you are applying, please indicate either "clinical psychology" or "experimental psychology."
NOTE: If you are applying to the PsyD/DrPH dual degree program, in addition to completing the Graduate School application, you must also request and complete an application to the School of Public Health (909) 558-1600. Their deadlines and requirements are different so please check with the School of Public Health for more specific information.
- Complete the application form. Be sure to include all information requested and a photograph (optional). You may also provide additional information that you feel would be useful in evaluating your qualifications.
- Sign the application form and return to Graduate School admissions at the address listed below.
- Enclose your personal statement and $60.00 application fee made payable to Loma Linda University.
- Request official transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended. Transcripts must be mailed directly to the Graduate School from the college or university you attended in a sealed institutional envelope using institutional postage meter in order for them to be considered official. Any transcripts that you mail to us are considered unofficial. Confusion and delay frequently arises when applicants send documents to the program instead of the Graduate School admissions office. If you are currently attending LLU or have previously attended LLU, contact our office regarding transcripts before you request them.
- Arrange for the reporting of your scores on the Graduate Record Examination. Our institutional code is 4062. If you have not taken the test, or it has been over five years since you have last taken the test, you may request a GRE application from the Graduate School admissions office or the Educational Testing Service at Box 6000, Princeton, NJ, 08541-6000, (609)771-7670. The test may be taken on a day other than Saturday by making appropriate arrangements.
- If your native language is not English, scores on either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the Michigan Test must be submitted to the Graduate School.
- Give the enclosed reference forms and envelopes to three instructors who know you well and are qualified to speak of your ability and performance as a student. Urge them to submit their references promptly.
- Again, do not mail your correspondence to any other department, program, or school as it may cause delay in the processing of your application. Address all correspondence (application form, personal statement, application fee, transcripts, references, GRE and TOEFL scores) to the address below:
Graduate School Admissions
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA 92350
(909) 558-1800 or 1 (800) 422-4558
Fax: (909) 558-4859
E-mail: gradschool@llu.edu
Requirements for admissions
Undergraduate requirements:
The preferred preparation for a doctoral program in psychology is an undergraduate major in psychology. This would include classes in statistics and research methods as well as laboratory courses. A solid background in areas such as mathematics, biological, and social sciences is quite appropriate. In addition, research experience is particularly desirable for PhD candidates. In the case of clinical psychology, field experience also may be of interest.
The following are the minimal undergraduate courses required:
- Psychology:
- One course in history and systems of psychology.
- Two of the following: cognition, learning, physiological psychology, and sensation & perception.
- Two of the following: developmental, personality, and social.
- One course in research methods in psychology.
- Biological Sciences: At least one course in biology.
- Physical Sciences: One course in physics or chemistry (optional).
- Social Sciences: One course in anthropology or sociology (optional).
- Mathematics:
- One course in mathematics.
- One course in statistics.
Note: Although it is desirable that these requirements are fulfilled before admissions, it is possible to be accepted with some deficiencies in these areas. However, deficiencies would have to be remedied during the first year of the program. This can be accomplished by taking the missing undergraduate courses concurrently with the graduate courses, demonstrating proficiency by examination, or taking a relevant graduate level course.
Required GPA and GRE scores: Applicants considering the PhD programs in clinical or experimental psychology or the PsyD in clinical psychology program must enter with an average undergraduate or graduate GPA of 3.5. Applicants to the master's in experimental psychology must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0. In addition, all applicants must have GRE scores on both the verbal and quantitative sections in the 50th percentiles, score 4 or above on the Research and Writing Graduate Level Papers writing assessment portion of the GRE, and a score of 600 or above on the Psychology subject test. (Psychology subject test is not required for MA applicants.)
