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Admissions Deadline for Fall 2026: December 1, 2025

Please Note: The link to start the application is: https://admissions.msu.edu/apply/graduate-students

Contact the School Psychology Academic Program Coordinator at schpsy@msu.edu for questions that may arise.

We are glad to see you are interested in the MSU School Psychology Ph.D. Program! We encourage you to learn about our student group and our faculty, or take a tour of the MSU campus.

We invite you to reach out to a current Ph.D. student or contact a faculty member with any questions about the program or the admissions process.

Admissions Criteria for Ph.D. Program

We seek applicants who are interested in working as doctoral-level school psychologists. Professional activities include research, assessment, intervention, and consultation with the school-aged population, their caregivers, educators, and other professionals.

We believe our profession benefits from the perspectives of those who differ by gender, ethnicity, race, culture, sexual orientation, age, religious beliefs, socioeconomic class, and varying abilities. We encourage diverse individuals to apply to our program and to seek out opportunities to serve divers clients and systems.

Faculty Members Accepting New Students for Fall 2026: We will update this as we approach the beginning of the application season.

Checklist of Application Steps (Details can be found below):

  1. Complete the University Application
  2. Submit your fee of $65 OR e-mail schpsy@msu.edu to explain your fee waiver
  3. Provide contact information for three recommendation letter writers
  4. Upload your Academic and Personal Statement
  5. Upload your Writing Sample
  6. Upload your Curriculum Vita or Resume
  7. Confirm in the Application that you can complete an internship of 2000, full-time, clock hours
  8. Have one official copy of your Transcripts sent from each previous institution attended
  9. OPTIONAL: For the 2026-2027 cycle, it is optional to take the GRE. If you chose to take them, please send your Graduate Record Examination (GRE) by designating Michigan State University (1465) as an official recipient of your scores.
  10. For International students only: Complete Step 4 outlined below

Interview Day

The admissions committee review all applications and select a group of approximately 10-15 applicants to invite to campus for a day-long interview. Invited applicants are expected to participate in the on-campus interview with current faculty and students. If a campus visit is not feasible, program staff work with applicants to make other arrangements. Interview Day will be 1/16/2026.

School Psychology, Ph.D.