Graduate School, Recommendation Letters, Resumes, & Employment Possibilities

To which Graduate School Programs do our Psychology Majors apply?

  • Social Justice Programs: The following 4 programs offer a blend of psychology, leadership, social justice, anthropology, and political science). In the past few years, a few of our majors have graduated, obtained grassroots experience, and used their experience to apply to graduate program. Social justice education (typically within organizations–non-profit and for-profit) is a new and growing field.
  • Cognitive and Cognitive Neuroscience (including Michigan State University, Indiana University, Cambridge)
  • Law and Social Work (dual degree): WMU, Loyola
  • Masters in Social Work (including Western Michigan, University of Michigan, Smith College MSW, Bryn Mawr, and MSU)
  • Fletcher School- Masters in International Diplomacy
  • Berkley-PHD in Socio Cultural Education
  • New School-Masters in Organizational Change Management
  • Silverman School of Social Work (Hunter)- MSW in international social work
  • University of Pennsylvania-Masters in Human Geography
  • Law school (U of Oregon, U of M; WMU Cooley; MSU)
  • Masters in Human Resources: WMU, U of M, MSU, Washington U., Smith College)
  • Developmental Psychology Ph. D. (Yale)
  • Economics M.A. (London School of Economics)

  • Clinical Psychology Ph. D. (Notre Dame University, WMU, Wayne State U., U of M; U of Akron, Adler Professional School of Psychology, U of Florida, Boston University)
  • Art Therapy M.A. (U of San Francisco)
  • Counseling Psychology Ph. D. (WMU, Boston U., U of Houston, U of Missouri, U of Counseling Psychology M.A. (WMU, Boston U., Oakland U., U of Missouri, U of Oregon, Wayne State U.)
  • Social Psychology Ph. D. (e.g., NYU, U of M, Kansas, U of Alberta, Ohio State, U of Western Ontario, TCU, U of California)
  • History of Psychology (York University)
  • Experimental Psychology Ph. D. (Wayne State)
  • Behavioral Analysis Ph. D. (WMU)
  • Behavioral Analysis M.A. (Western Michigan University)
  • Leadership M.A. (WMU)
  • School Psychology (MSU #1 program; Stanford)
  • Educational Specialist (MSU #1 Educational program; Stanford)
  • Leadership or Leadership Administration, Ph. D. (e.g., WMU, Cornell)
  • J.D./Ph.D. (U of Chicago)
  • Business Administration

Excellent Resource to purchase when preparing for graduate school:

Resources to Check out before you Apply

  • Signing up for the GRE: www.ets.org/gre/
  • Guide to Grad School Admissions: www.gradschool.about.com/cs/generaladvice/a/guide.htm
  • Graduate Study in Psychology, Published by APA (obtain the most recent edition at Amazon)
  • Insider’s Guide to Graduate Programs in Clinical and Counseling Psychology

Getting In, Second Edition: APA’s essential resource for anyone considering graduate study in psychology.

This handy, readable book simplifies the process for applicants and increases their chances of being accepted. Useful timelines, tips, and tools break the tasks into manageable steps and help readers define their goals, select programs, and navigate the application process. A monthly timetable and detailed worksheets for selecting the best program matches are included, and a resource section provides a list of publications and organizations that are useful in the various phases of applying.

Readers will learn what criteria admissions committees use to evaluate applicants, how to improve their qualifications, and how to showcase their talents in personal essays, letters of recommendations, and preselection interviews. The costs of a graduate education and financial aid information specific to graduate students are also discussed. Members of special populations, such as women, ethnic minorities, gay and lesbian applicants, and applicants with disabilities will find resources and guidance particular to their needs.
While applying to graduate school can be challenging, this book demystifies the process and allays students’ concerns about how to tackle it.

Applying to Graduate School:

GRE exams are required for most graduate programs (exceptions are social work grad schools). Here is information from the GRE web page. For more detailed information, go to Signing up for the GRE.
The Graduate Record Examinations®: The General Test measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and critical thinking and analytical writing skills that have been acquired over a long period of time and that are not related to any specific field of study. The GRE® Subject Tests gauge undergraduate achievement in eight specific fields of study and is often required for admission into a master’s degree program.


The Graduate Record Examinations®: The General Test measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and critical thinking and analytical writing skills that have been acquired over a long period of time and that are not related to any specific field of study. The GRE® Subject Tests gauge undergraduate achievement in eight specific fields of study and is often required for admission into a master’s degree program.