Qualified applicants will have

• Intellectual and personal passion for addressing problems related to mental suffering, and a desire for strong scientific and clinical training in the field of clinical psychology.
• We are a mentor-based program; most applicants can potentially work with more than one mentor, and we appreciate the applicant's explanation of how interests fit with one or more faculty member. At the same time, due to existing mentoring commitments, not every faculty will accept a student each year. Please review our faculty who serve as research mentors.
• Undergraduate degree in psychology or related field* from an accredited U.S. institution, or international equivalent**.
• Earned a 3.0 or higher GPA on a 4.0 scale or equivalent.
  • Or equivalent evidence of academic qualification and readiness.
• Evidence of training and background in the field of Psychology and suited to program training demands and goals.
• OHSU welcomes applications from students with diverse backgrounds.

• The Clinical Psychology PhD (CPP) program requires that all applicants have taken the Psychology GRE subject test prior to their application being reviewed for admission into the program. Applicants can submit the program application with preliminary scores along with an uploaded copy of their Psychology GRE subject test scores. Please refer to the ETS.org site for additional details and dates concerning GRE Subject Tests.

  • A copy of the applicants official score report should be submitted to Oregon Health & Science University, institution code 4865. Please note that scores are valid for 5 years and that submitted scores must be within the last 5 years.
  • The CPP program requires that all enrolled students have met and submitted subject test results evidencing a score of 25^th percentile (or percent correct equivalent as reported annually by the ETS Psychology GRE group) or higher in the following domains – Biological, Cognitive, Developmental and Social. For applicants applying in 2024 this is a percent correct score of 49% in Developmental, 44% in Biological, 47% in Cognitive and 54% in Social bases of behavior.
  • The program reserves the right to review and admit applicants who submit scores that do not meet the 25^th percentile requirement; however, any student who is admitted with scores below the 25^th percentile will need to retake the subject test, earning a score at or above the 25^th percentile in the four psychology domains listed above, within the first year of the academic program.
  • We strongly recommend that you prepare for the Psychology GRE subject test. There are books, study guides and practice tests available including the GRE Psychology Test Practice Book – ETS.

    Please note that the General GRE is no longer an admissions requirement. 

*Must demonstrate preparation for advanced study in psychology.

**If a master's degree has been obtained, the transcript will be considered with the admissions materials, but no master's credit will transfer and no courses will be waived.

Sound like you?

Accepting Applications from September 1 - December 1, 2024

Application Requirements

i. A baccalaureate or equivalent from a recognized academic institution is required (accredited U.S. academic institution or equivalent foreign institution). If a prior master’s degree has been obtained, that transcript will be considered for admission, but no master’s credit will be transferred from prior institutions. Grades and coursework undertaken will be considered from all previous training.

ii. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of all undergraduate courses of at least 3.0 is highly recommended (based on a letter grade system of A=4 points, B=3 points, C=2 points, D=1 point, F=0 points), or its equivalent in other grading systems. Applicants with an undergraduate GPA under 3.0 may provide additional information if they believe that their GPA does not accurately reflect their academic skills or potential for success in a doctoral program.

iii. Unofficial transcripts from each college and/or university attended. All unofficial transcripts must be submitted (uploaded into the application system) by the December 1 deadline. If admitted, official transcripts will be required prior to starting the program. 

iv. Three letters of recommendation. The online application will allow you to enter the name, position, institution, phone number, and email address for each reference. Each reference will receive an automated email with a request to upload their letter to the system. You will be able to view the progress of each letter. Letters must be received by the December 1 application deadline.

v. A two-page personal statement detailing your interest in the program, prior research and clinical experience or interest, why you are a good fit for our Clinical Psychology PhD program, and how you see yourself contributing to diversity and/or the diversity values of our program. This personal statement should include the names of several OHSU research mentors you are interested in working with and why you are interested in working with them. Please select research mentors on our website, who you are listed as possibly taking a student fall 2025.

vi. The Psychology GRE subject test is a requirement for admission into the Clinical Psychology PhD program. Please provide your preliminary results and upload a copy of your Psychology GRE preliminary scores by December 1, 2024, this is required for application completion. Official scores must be submitted directly to the program from ETS and are required to be received by January 15, 2025, to ensure full consideration for admission into our program. Please refer to our website for additional details.

vii. Curriculum vita/resume

viii. TOEFL scores for international students whose native language is not English and who have not earned a degree from a regionally-accredited U.S. institution. 550 on paper-based 213 on computer-based 80 on web-based.

ix. $70 application fee

Prior to admission, we will require

English Language Requirement

We require TOEFL scores, taken within the past two (2) years, for international students whose native language is not English. This requirement is waived for international applicants who have received a degree from a regionally-accredited institution within the United States. 550 on paper-based 213 on computer-based 80 on web-based.

OHSU's code for TOEFL scores is 4865.

Degree Equivalency

While not required at the time of application, a World Education Services (WES) International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP) credential evaluation may eventually be required for all foreign colleges attended, regardless of country of origin. You are responsible for the full cost of this service. If you have already completed a similar credential evaluation through WES or another company, the Office of Graduate Studies may evaluate on a case-by-case basis whether a WES ICAP will be needed.

Office of International Affairs

To obtain an I-20 or for more information about OHSU's resources on visa statuses, immigration services, and international student resources, contact the Office of International Affairs.

The Clinical Psychology Program is able to provide appropriate accommodations during the application process if requested. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in admissions, please contact the Office of Graduate Studies no later than November 1. We cannot guarantee an accommodation if your request is not made in a timely manner.

Please begin an application prior to requesting accommodation.