Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program Admissions

To be eligible for admission, applicants must meet the following academic and experiential criteria:

Academic Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree with a major in psychology or a related field (e.g., human development)
• Completion of at least 18 undergraduate credits in psychology, which must include:
  • An introductory psychology course.
  • A statistics or research methods course.
  • 15 additional credits in areas such as developmental, experimental, social, abnormal, cognitive, biological, or personality psychology.

Research and Clinical Experience:

• Demonstrated engagement in research through lab work, presentations, or publications is strongly preferred.
• Relevant clinical experience, such as internships, volunteer work, or employment in mental health settings, is highly desirable.

Applicants must submit the following materials through the BCM Online Application Portal by Dec. 31, 2025:

1. Academic Transcripts:

• Upload unofficial transcript(s) from all Colleges, Universities, and Training Programs/Schools attended.
• Official transcripts are also required. Please have your institution(s) send your electronic official transcript(s) directly to ClinPsychPhDApplications@bcm.edu.

2. References:

• We require evaluations from three (3) academic or professional references who can attest to your qualifications, research potential, and clinical readiness. 

3. Personal Statement:

• Provide a written narrative outlining your research interests, clinical goals, and alignment with the program’s mission. The statement may be up to 5,000 characters including spaces (approximately 800-1,000 words). The statement should be original and not generated by AI tools. 

4. Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume:

• Upload a detailed CV or resume highlighting your academic achievements, research experience, clinical exposure, and any relevant professional activities.

5. Graduate Record Examination (GRE):

• GRE General Test: Optional but encouraged.
• GRE Psychology Subject Test: Optional but encouraged for non-psychology majors or those with limited psychology coursework.
• Applicants who want their GRE scores considered in their application should 1) self-report scores in the Online Application Portal, and 2) have official test scores sent directly to Baylor College of Medicine via the ETS portal. Baylor College of Medicine’s code is 6052.

English Proficiency

Applicants with a degree from a non-U.S. institution must demonstrate English proficiency by satisfying one of the following:

• Baccalaureate degree (or higher) earned from an institution at which English is the medium of instruction in one of the following countries.
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) - The minimum TOEFL score required is 90 for the internet-based test (iBT) OR 610 on the TOEFL ITP Plus. Scores cannot be older than two years.
• IELTS (International English Language Testing Service) - The minimum IELTS score required is an overall score of a 6.5. Scores cannot be older than two years old.

Applicants may enter their unofficial TOEFL and/or IELTS scores directly on the application for the initial review process. However, applicants who are invited to interview will be requested to send official scores at that time. Official scores are required in order to receive an offer letter.

Non-English Transcripts

Applicants who wish for psychology coursework on a non-English transcript to be considered must provide a certified English translation of this transcript.

Applications are evaluated holistically across the following domains:

1. Academic Performance:

• Undergraduate (and graduate, if applicable) GPA and rigor of coursework.
• If submitted, GRE scores will complement academic records.

2. Research Potential:

• Evidence of research engagement, such as presentations, publications, or substantive roles in research projects.

3. Clinical Aptitude:

• Relevant experience in mental health services or volunteer work.
• Understanding of clinical psychology principles, as demonstrated in application materials.

4. Professionalism and Communication:

• Clarity and coherence in the personal statement.
• Strong evaluations and letters of recommendation that highlight academic and professional attributes.

All decisions rendered by the Admissions Committee are final and not subject to appeal. The dean of the School of Health Professions will issue letters of admission. See Technical Standards for Baylor College of Medicine Students.

Baylor College of Medicine is committed to a safe and supportive learning and working environment for its learners, faculty and staff. College policy prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability or genetic information. Harassment based on any of these classifications is a form of discrimination and also violates College policy (02.2.25, 02.2.26) and will not be tolerated. In some circumstances, such discriminatory harassment also may violate federal, state or local law. View the College's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Is the program in-person, hybrid, or online?
The program is fully in-person. While some courses may be delivered online and some practicum sites may include telehealth components, most training will be delivered in person and students are expected to reside in Houston, Texas or surrounding areas for the duration of their training.

How long does it take to complete the program? 
The program is designed to be completed over the course of five years of full-time study, including internship in the fifth year. In some instances, students may complete the program over six years.

How many students are accepted? 
We are anticipating 10 students to be accepted for the Fall 2026 cohort.

Do you accept international applicants? 
Unfortunately, visa sponsorship is not available at this time. The program currently accepts only U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents.

I graduated from a university outside the U.S. Are there additional requirements for admission?
Applicants with a degree from a non-U.S. institution must demonstrate English proficiency and provide a certified English translation of their transcript if it lists psychology coursework they wish to count towards the application requirements. Please see the "Application Components" section above for details.

Do you offer graduate assistantships or tuition remission?
At this time, tuition is out-of-pocket. We understand this is a significant consideration and are actively working to establish graduate research assistantships and teaching assistantships. Students may have opportunities to work within the Baylor academic community or Houston more broadly in a paid capacity for up to 20 hours per week. Upon acceptance, students will be provided with available options at Baylor. 

Does this program meet licensure requirements in Texas? What about other licensure requirements for other states?
The program is designed to meet the requirements for licensure as a psychologist (LP) in the state of Texas. Licensure requirements vary by state. We encourage students aiming to obtain licensure in other states to review the licensing board requirements in their intended state of practice, and discuss licensure planning with program faculty early on in their graduate training.

Do I need to apply to a specific faculty member?
Our program uses a Research Apprenticeship Model, in which students are admitted to the program as a whole and spend Year 1 exploring various research areas and connecting with potential mentors. In Year 2, students formally enter an apprenticeship with a research mentor who will guide their thesis and dissertation.

What do research activities look like?
In Year 1, there will be opportunities to work within a research lab, ideally that aligns with your interests. As part of your work within labs, there will be publication opportunities in Year 1.

In Year 2, you are matched with one research mentor that is determined based on preference, availability, and research fit. At this point and beyond, your research activities become more focused on a specific area to align with your research interests. Students will complete their Master's thesis in Year 2, work on their Dissertation in Years 3 and 4, defend their Dissertation in Year 4 or 5, and engage in publications and other research activities throughout.

Which faculty are involved in the program?
A full list of faculty and their research interests is available on our Faculty page. BCM is fortunate to have over 150 psychology faculty on campus. While there will be a core set of faculty (see the program website), there are also opportunities to work with a variety of other faculty across the college.

Can I mention specific faculty in my personal statement?
Yes! You are welcome to express interest in specific faculty members in your personal statement.

Please see a detailed breakdown of Tuition, Fees, and Estimated Cost of Living Expenses.

Most students qualify for financial assistance.

• Office of Student Financial Aid offers information of the types of financial aid programs that Baylor administers
• Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education has information on federal student aid, including the Student Guide on aid programs and the loan system, as well as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is required to receive financial aid at Baylor.

Students may have opportunities to work within the Baylor academic community or Houston more broadly in a paid capacity for up to 20 hours per week. Upon acceptance, students will be provided with available options at Baylor.