How to Apply to the Doctoral Program
Thank you for your interest in our PhD program. Before beginning the application process, please take the time to read through the resources on our Future Students page.
All materials are submitted electronically through the ApplyYourself application system. Admission decisions are communicated to applicants using this system. Please see the admissions FAQ for more information and advice.
Application Process
Deadline
December 1 is the application deadline for all materials to be received in ICD. This deadline applies to all applicants applying to all PhD program tracks.
Important note about the deadline: Your ApplyYourself online application is submitted to the Graduate School, and once they determine that it is complete, they will forward it to us at ICD. There will be a delay of up to ten days from when you submit your application to when we receive it. We STRONGLY encourage you to submit your application early. All materials must be received in ICD (which means processed by the Graduate School and forwarded to us) by the December 1st deadline. If you wait until December 1st to submit your ApplyYourself application, it is possible that the delay will cause us to be unable to consider you for admission. Do not wait until December 1st to submit your ApplyYourself application!
Materials
All application materials should be submitted directly to the ApplyYourself admissions system. We cannot review your application until all of the materials listed below are submitted successfully.
Submission of the following items comprises a complete application file:
| REQUIRED | ||
| Materials: | Where to submit: | How to submit: |
|---|---|---|
| Application | Electronically via ApplyYourself |
Required fields: Personal Information, Application
Information, Educational Background, Languages, Awards & Activities,
Residence Information, Financial Support, Applicant Statement
#1, and Recommendations. (See below for more
information about Applicant Statements and Recommendations.) Optional fields: All other fields are optional, but will be taken into consideration if submitted. We recommend completing the Test Information-Self Reported section if you have that information available. IMPORTANT: All applicants, including those applying to joint programs, must indicate their intended major as Child Psychology Ph.D. If an application is submitted with the incorrect intended major, it will cause severe delays in the processing of that application and possibly cause us to be unable to consider you for admission. It is critical you select Child Psychology Ph.D. as your intended major. Access the online application. |
| Application confirmation form | Electronically via ICD website | When you submit your application in ApplyYourself, please complete this brief form to confirm that you have submitted your application and paid your application fee. This required form assists us in managing applications and in expediting your application to our reviewers. |
| Program application | Electronically via ApplyYourself | Complete our program application form and upload it under Graduate Program Additional Application in the Program Supplementary Information section in ApplyYourself. |
| Letters of Recommendation | Electronically via ApplyYourself | Three letters of recommendation are required. Acceptable recommendations will
come from current or former professors who can assess your potential for graduate work.
Paper copies are not accepted. More than three letters are not accepted. Instructions for letter writers (please review and share with your recommenders). |
| Applicant Statement #1 | Electronically via ApplyYourself | This personal statement (see instructions) is an integral part of your application and will be weighted heavily in its evaluation. |
| Curriculum Vita | Electronically via ApplyYourself | Follow these instructions, then upload to ApplyYourself in the Program Supplemental Information section. |
| Application Fee | Electronically via ApplyYourself |
More information about fees. |
| Transcripts | Electronically via ApplyYourself | Unofficial transcripts or academic records should be uploaded directly
to the online application. Please do not mail in paper copies of your
transcripts, there is no need for official transcripts or academic records for
initial review. If you are admitted, the University will then request official copies of this
material. More information about transcripts and credentials. |
| GRE Scores | Electronically via ApplyYourself | We only require General Test scores. Scores should be entered
in the Test Information-Self-Reported field in ApplyYourself.
Request official copy to be sent to ICD at institution
code=6874, department code=2006 (this is the correct department code for Developmental Psychology). More information about the GRE test. |
| English Language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, etc.) |
Electronically via ApplyYourself
|
More information about TOEFL Scores. |
| OPTIONAL | ||
| Materials: | Where to submit: | How to submit: |
|---|---|---|
| Writing Sample | Electronically via ApplyYourself | You may upload a writing sample into the Writing Sample portion on the Graduate Program Supplementary Information section of the ApplyYourself online application. |
| Applicant Statement #2 | Electronically via ApplyYourself | If you wish to be considered for a Diversity of Views and Experiences (DOVE)
fellowship, please be sure to indicate this on your program application, and then
upload a statement briefly describing how your background,
experiences, and achievements will contribute to the
University’s goal of promoting excellence through diversity of
background and experiences. More information on the DOVE fellowship. |
Applicants to specialty tracks
Please be sure you have reviewed information about the program and the specialty tracks.
Developmental psychopathology and clinical science (DPCS) track: Applications are processed at the Institute of Child Development-Department of Child Psychology. Do not direct anything to the Department of Psychology. Be sure to direct all materials to ICD. We urge you to apply early and complete the GRE as soon as possible. Be sure to indicate your intended major on the Graduate School online application as Child Psychology Ph.D. If your application is not complete in ICD by the December 1st deadline it is likely that we will be unable to include your application in our review.
Joint child psychology/school psychology track: Applicants must also complete the departmental application for School Psychology (see website for information and instructions) in addition to following the instructions above (complete only one Graduate School application). Upload the School Psychology program application in the Program Supplementary Information section, under Upload 2, in ApplyYourself. Complete only one personal statement (maximum 3 pages) as instructed above. Complete and upload the critical issue essay required by School Psychology (see their website). Please be sure to indicate your intended major as Child Psychology PhD when filling out the graduate school application portion of the application process.
International applicants
Counseling, advising, and educational services are provided for students and scholars from other countries by International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) in conjunction with professional advisers in Student Services. Students may receive counseling and advising services regarding visa requirements and other immigration issues, social, personal, and financial matters; international and intercultural educational opportunities; academic issues; and English language requirements. Please visit the Graduate School's International Students page for more information, including details about the English language test requirements.
Additional Information
If you have any additional questions, please visit our FAQ page or contact:
Danielle Bordeleau
Associate director of graduate studies
612-625-9778
borde021@umn.edu