Often we are asked how a student should prepare for graduate training, and how one's chances for graduate admission can be improved.

Here are a few tips:

1. A solid background in statistics and methodology is essential. At least PSYCH 200 (Statistical Principles), 300 (Intermediate Statistics, and 302 (Psychological Research Techniques) should be completed, and PSYCH 402 (Multivariate Statistics) is recommended.
2. A strong background in general psychology is very important. Avoid becoming a "specialist" too early in your career. We encourage all majors to take PSYCH 400 (History of Psychology). You should have at least one course in each of these major areas in psychology: Developmental Psychology (220, 322L, 324, 327, 328, 329, 421, 422); Social Psychology (271, 374, 375, 375L, 377, 378); Clinical Psychology (231, 331, 332, 335L); Learning and Cognition (260, 265, 360, 362L, 364, 365, 367, 467, 468L, 469L); and Behavioral Neuroscience (240, 341L, 342, 343, 344, 347).
3. Research experience is very helpful. In addition to the upper-division laboratory course, you should arrange for individual experience working with at least one faculty member on research. This can be typically arranged through PSYCH 499. Consult the list of faculty research interests and then contact faculty with whom you might like to work. (Students in the Honors program automatically become involved in independent research.) The strongest applicants for graduate training have participated in presentation of a paper at a conference, co-authorship of a paper submitted for publication, etc. This level of involvement in research usually begins not later than the junior year.
4. The Graduate Record Examinination (GRE) and the Psychology Subject Test are required and used by many graduate programs in psychology. Many students find it helpful to prepare for the GRE by taking practice examinations and studying exercises such as are provided in study books available through the UNM Bookstore.
5. Letters of recommendation (usually two or more) are an important part of any graduate application. These are best written by faculty who have had direct experience with you beyond the classroom, or in smaller seminar settings. Keep this in mind as you plan your major with an advisor.

A major in psychology can provide important knowledge and skills that are related to a wide range of careers. Our previous majors have gone into many different fields including teaching, medicine, business, social work, architecture, nursing ministry, personnel, administration, industry, counseling, management, engineering consulting, art therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and research.

Each career requires its own special preparation, and the psychology department offers nearly a hundred different courses. You should consult with the Student Advisor early to discuss the courses that you might take, and to design a program of studies that will provide the best preparation for your own future.

Resources for Selecting a Graduate Program

Books

Peterson's Graduate Schools in the U.S. (1999). Princeton, NJ: Peterson's.

Peters, Robert L., Getting What You Came For: The Smart Student's Guide to Earning a Master's or Ph.D. (1997). New York, NY: The Noonday Press, Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Graduate Study in Psychology 2004. (2004) Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Norcross, John C., Michael A. Sayette, Tracy J. Mayne. Insider's Guide to Graduate Programs in Clinical and Counseling Psychology. (2002). New York: The Guilford Press.

Getting In: A Step-By-Step Plan for Gaining Admission To Graduate School in Psychology. (1998) Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Websites

Psychology Graduate Applicants portal: http://www.psychgrad.org/

Peterson's. The Education Supersite. Find a Graduate School, apply to a graduate school, prepare for graduate school by taking practice entrance exams. http://www.petersons.com/

Embark.com. "Find, apply and get into the right program for you." http://www.embark.com/

Gradview. According to the website, "GradView is your one-stop Internet resource for everything you need to know about graduate school." www.gradview.com

Grad Schools.com: http://www.gradschools.com/psychologysearch.html

The APA Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation website contains the only official web list of professional psychology programs accredited by the APA Committee on Accreditation. However, it is for informational purposes only and should not be used for official credential review. The Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation is not responsible for the accuracy of any accredited status representations on any other website: http://www.apa.org/ed/accreditation/doctoral.html

Graduate Exams

GRE (Graduate Record Exam). Site where you can take practice tests, register for tests and buy study guides. www.gre.org

Educational Testing Service. Parent organization for the GRE, SAT, GMAT and other exams. Also has a section of the website devoted to selecting a program. www.ets.org/