349 students looking toward specialization in physical therapy, and is designed to fulfill the prerequisites needed for admission into a master’s degree program in Physical Therapy. The curriculum provides a strong general liberal arts education with a sound foundation in biological, chemical, physical, and social sciences. In addition, 200 hours of practical experience through internship in a variety of clinical settings are required prior to graduation.
PREPROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAM: Keith Rieder, Ed.D., Associate Professor of Psychology
2009-2010
Pre-Professional
To become a psychologist, one must have a doctoral degree in psychology and be licensed by the state in which one intends to practice. Gaining admittance to graduate school in psychology is extremely competitive. A recent study of 1,089 graduate programs in psychology found that, on average, each program received 85 applications from which they selected an average of four students. Clinical psychology programs are the most popular, averaging almost 200 applicants and accepting only 12 students. Competition is keen. Careful and rigorous undergraduate preparation is essential to ensure the best chance of admission to graduate school in psychology. Generally, a student intending to enter graduate school in psychology must complete a baccalaureate degree, with no fewer than 18 semester hours in psychology. Completing the major in psychology is required to complete the Preprofessional Psychology Program. Selected courses and activities within Waynesburg University’s psychology program have been tailored specifically to provide students with a solid foundation in general psychological theory and practice. The Preprofessional Psychology Program requires more courses in science, writing skills, and an internship to enhance preparation for graduate school. An additional component to the Preprofessional Psychology Program is the advisement of students interested in pursuing graduate studies in psychology. It is recommended that students register with a Preprofessional Psychology Advisor early in their college careers, preferably during their freshman year, or as soon thereafter as possible. Students graduating from Waynesburg University with a major in psychology have the necessary academic background to prepare them for graduate school. However, because competition is keen, students with overall GPA’s lower than 3.50 may find it increasingly difficult to gain admittance to graduate school. For this reason, although a student may be admitted to the Preprofessional Psychology Program as early as their freshman year, a GPA of 3.25 (to be reviewed at the end of the student’s sophomore and junior year) must be maintained to continue in the Preprofessional Psychology Program. Furthermore, a high GPA is no guarantee of acceptance to graduate school. A strong mathematics and science background is highly recommended and will be an integral part of the advisement plan for students in the Preprofessional Psychology Program. Also, prior to making application to any graduate school in psychology, a student is required to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). This test should be taken during the spring or summer of the student’s junior year. Students typically apply to graduate school during the fall of the senior year of college, with most application deadlines occurring in mid-January. It is the role of the Preprofessional Psychology Program Advisor to assist the student in submitting strong applications for graduate study in a timely manner.