Curious about becoming a graduate student in the clinical science research area at MSU? Explore these frequently asked questions below.
In Clinical Science, Dr. Brooke Ingersoll, Dr. Katy Thakkar, Dr. Amy Drahota, and Dr. Raffles Cowan are accepting graduate students for Fall 2027.
The application deadline is December 1st. If you plan to submit GRE scores, be sure to take your General GRE test early enough that the scores will be released to MSU by the deadline. Application materials and instructions can be found here: Apply for Admission
All applications are evaluated holistically by both the first-choice mentor, and other members of the clinical area admissions committee. They take into consideration:
Approximately 150-200 students apply each year to MSU's clinical science program. We typically admit 4-5 students each year.
The students in our program complete a curriculum that facilitates their growth as clinical scientists. The Master’s portion of the program is designed to take two years, while the doctoral program takes four years (including the internship).
We aim to recruit students seeking rigorous training in both clinical research and clinical application. Both skill-sets inform each other necessarily. As such, students who are happiest and most productive in our program tend to want careers that incorporate research activities in a substantive way (e.g., conducting independent research, program evaluation, or program administration). Because we adhere to the clinical science model, our program is likely not the best fit for applicants who are interested solely in clinical practice careers.
Our mentorship model is one in which students choose a primary advisor within the Clinical Science Program, but they are encouraged to work with a range of faculty across clinical science and related disciplines. Although the research training is done primarily through an apprenticeship with the primary mentor, the full clinical science faculty are actively involved in the overall student training through coursework, clinical practica, evaluation of students, and intellectual activities (e.g., colloquia series). Thus, students are exposed to the multiple perspectives, training, and expertise of the full clinical science faculty. We believe that this mentorship model facilitates flexibility in methods and theory, provides the best approach for fostering positive mentor-mentee relationships, and develops research scientists who have a breadth and depth of training in the clinical science field.
All students who are admitted to MSU's clinical program receive a teaching or research assistantship or a university fellowship. During the last decade, we have been able to provide funding for students through their fifth year in the program. If you are admitted to our program, the letter of admission will specify the number of years of funding you are guaranteed. The clinical program is a full-time program. Thus, it is not feasible for students to complete the necessary graduate work and, at the same time, hold a full- or part-time job. Therefore, MSU's clinical program only admits the number of students that can be supported through departmental or university funding.
Graduates of MSU’s clinical Ph.D. program are employed at universities, colleges, hospitals, government agencies, consulting firms, industry, and private practices.
Students typically take three (3-credit) classes each semester during their first year, in addition to working on their master's thesis. In subsequent years, students take one to three courses per semester, in addition to research and clinical practicum. Generally students are able to complete required coursework by the end of their third year, although many students choose to take additional courses during their fourth or fifth years.
Students begin their formal clinical practicum training during their second year in the program, with an introduction to completing brief assessments in the spring of their first year.
You are more than welcome to do so, but it will not impact your odds of receiving an interview invitation or an offer of admission. Faculty members who are considering accepting a student for the current admissions cycle are listed on the website. You are encouraged to read through proposed mentor(s)’ individual website, the Clinical Science program section, and the Department of Psychology site, and site to familiarize yourself with our labs, program, and department.
We find it helpful when applicants include the following information in their personal statements:
Faculty closely review all applications on which they are listed as a first-choice mentor. Listing multiple potential mentors may be appropriate if your interests and goals clearly bridge two faculty members’ research programs (as described in your personal statement)—and in some cases, co-mentorship by two faculty members in the clinical science area is possible. Applicants do not gain an advantage by listing multiple faculty mentors on their application, and should not list more than two.
The following resources may be helpful:
Explore questions related to the admission process and student life for MSU graduate students.