Apply To The Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology

Application Materials

• $50.00 Application Fee (non-refundable), $75.00 if applying to two programs
• Completed application form
• Three (3) letters of recommendation
• Curriculum Vitae
• Application Essay
• Official transcript(s)
• Test Scores—GRE General test is required for Doctoral Programs, for Master’s programs though optional, it is encouraged. The PRAXIS II Test for School Psychologists is optional for the School Psychology PsyD Program.
• Re-Application Statement*
• Change of Career Statement*
  * if applicable, see appropriate section below.

All materials should be submitted together electronically (with the exception of transcripts which you should send to us in one packet and standardized test scores which you arrange to have sent to us) to the Admissions Office. Please begin the process early as we will consider only those completed applications which arrive on or before the deadline. If you have questions or concerns about the electronic application process, please contact the Admissions office at admissions@mspp.edu or 617-323-6662 x506 or x507. Thank you.

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Recommendations

Three letters of recommendation are required from people who are able to attest to your personal qualities, such as: professional; academic; intellectual; motivational; interpersonal; and, emotional. References should not be provided by family members, friends, or others who do not know you in either a professional or academic context.

Recommendation Forms can be accessed through our online application system. All recommendations must be submitted electronically.

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Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Please attach a current CV or résumé which includes the following: educational background; current activity; length and description of employment and/or training experiences; hours per week at each job or training site; names of supervisors at each facility; workshops and seminars attended; and any other professionally-related material (e.g., presentations, publications, etc.). You may also include any extracurricular activities or interests that you deem relevant.

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Application Essay

Please provide a 4 – 6 page personal narrative essay that thoroughly includes these items in the following order:

• Your academic background and career interests.
• Previous personal, relational, and professional experiences related to your career pursuits.
• How self-awareness and self reflection contribute to developing your professional role.
• How you navigate challenges and overcome obstacles.
• Abilities as they relate to the professional training that you seek at MSPP.
• How you anticipate the MSPP program will meet your learning goals and advance your career path.
• What you will offer the MSPP community.
• Major strengths and weaknesses in your application to the program.
• Commitments to volunteerism or community service.

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Official Transcripts

Please request an official transcript from each undergraduate and graduate institution that you have attended. Supply each institution with a self-addressed envelope, and request that the envelope be signed across its seal. We ask that if possible you request official transcripts be forwarded to you for inclusion unopened in one packet that you mail to the MSPP Admissions Office at:

Office of Admissions
221 Rivermoor Street
Boston, MA 02132

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Test Scores

The General Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required of all Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) applicants including School Psychology PsyD Program applicants at the MA entry level. Applicants to other programs are highly encouraged to submit GRE scores to enhance their application but not required. The psychology subject test is optional. MSPP’s School Code/Reporting Number is 3501.

For doctoral applicants GRE results (verbal and quantitative) are expected to be at least 1150 combined or a comparable score of approximately 310 on the “REVISED” GRE. Score level for the Analytical Writing section GRE-A is expected to be 4.0 or higher. Non-native speakers of English may be required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). TOEFL results (listening, structure and writing expression, speaking and reading) combined scores are expected to be at least 637 (paper-based), 270 (computer-based) or 110 (internet-based).

The general Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required of all doctoral applicants who are native speakers of English. The psychology subject test is optional. International applicants who are non-native speakers of English may be required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if English is not the primary language (see International Applicants on page 1, and/or contact the Admissions Office if you are unsure about which test to take). GRE test scores are valid for five years, and TOEFL test scores are valid for two years.

Be sure to take your test(s) well in advance of the deadline. Our recommendation is that you take the test(s) at least 6 weeks prior to the deadline.

For information regarding the GRE (MSPP Reporting Number 3501), please call Educational Testing Services at 609-771-7670, or visit www.gre.org.

For information regarding the TOEFL (Reporting Number 3501), call 609-771-7100, or visit www.toefl.org.

The PRAXIS II Test for School Psychologists is optional for the Doctor of Psychology in School Psychology PsyD Program. MSPP Recipient Code Number is 3520 and the score recipient’s name is Dr. Bob Lichtenstein, Head, School Psychology Department. Please be aware that the ETS only keeps PRAXIS test scores taken over the last 10 years.

For information on the PRAXIS test or to have your scores sent to us visit www.ets.org/praxis.

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Re-Applicants

Please attach a statement regarding your decision to re-apply. Be sure to indicate your re-applicant status on the front page of the application, the program to which you applied and the year.

This statement should contain whether you were or were initially offered admission or not, and address the specific factor(s) that contribute to your re-application. In addition, please provide a description of your interim experiences (both personal and professional) since your last application.

Previous admission files are kept on file for a period of two years. Reapplicants may utilize any, or all, of the original application. However, we strongly recommend that you take the time to strengthen your original application, update your statements and recommendations whenever possible.

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Change of Career

This section applies to those applicants who have made a decision to change careers within several years of application.  Describe the evolution of your career change and discuss the ways in which the experiences academic and applied you have had and skills acquired in your previous career might relate to your work as a psychologist.

Updated 1/5/12