Admission Requirements
Regular Admissions
Students must meet University admissions and eligibility requirements applicable to all graduate programs. In addition, applicants must meet department requirements specific to the graduate program in psychology except the specified prerequisite courses are not required for the Graduate Certificate in Disability Services. Admissions are processed through graduate enrollment, with final admissions decisions being made by the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences. The following are required for admission to the program:
- A completed graduate application
- A bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA from an accredited university.
- Applicants with a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of the bachelor’s degree, the student’s major courses, or on an accredited graduate degree are also acceptable.
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended must be submitted. Hand-delivered copies, photocopies, and printouts of a grade report are not acceptable.
- A short 500-600 word personal essay in APA professional format (with title page) briefly discussing the following:
- Why do you want to pursue this degree? How will it fit with your personal or career goals?
- How is a degree from a Christian university such as Faulkner a good fit for you? (consider Faulkner’s mission statement in your answer)
- How have you navigated challenges that have come in your life, academics, career, etc. What do you anticipate may be the most difficult adjustment you will need to make as you pursue this degree?
- What is one thing about yourself you wish everybody knew, but you are often reluctant to share?
- Successful completion of pre-requisite courses, or approved plan for completion within the first semester (See pre-requisite requirements below; Does not apply to Certificate in Disability Services).
- One (1) course in: General Psychology [Faulkner equivalent: PY1310]
- One (1) course in: Human Development (any human development across the lifespan [Faulkner equivalent: PY2301]
- One (1) course in: Research Methods (any related discipline)* [Faulkner equivalent: PY3350]
- One (1) course in: Statistics (any discipline, or math statistics)* [Faulkner equivalent: PY3330]
- Students not meeting the minimum admissions requirements may be considered under the Conditional Admissions path.
Conditional Admissions
Students not meeting the regular admissions requirements may submit any or all of the following additional items for consideration.
- Letters of recommendations from professional or academic sources
- Submission of standardized admissions exams (e.g. GRE, MAT, LSAT, etc.)
- Resume demonstrating relevant professional experience
- Other evidence indicating academic preparedness
Graduation Requirements
A student who has completed all required coursework must meet the following conditions before a degree or certificate will be awarded:
- Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0
- No grade below C in any courses
- No more than two C grades in the program of study
- Pay applicable graduation fees
- No holds on any financial accounts
Please note: Students may retake a course up to two times to earn a passing grade.
Technology Requirements
Students must have access to the following technology resources in order to successfully complete the program:
- Mac computer or PC that is less than five years old with storage and unrestricted access
- Webcam (720p minimum; 1080hd recommended)
Please note that none of the psychology degrees offered at Faulkner lead directly to state licensure in Alabama nor in most other states. Licensure as a psychologist typically requires a doctoral degree (e.g., Ph.D. or Psy.D.) and additional supervised clinical experience. Some states may allow limited licensure at the master’s level for roles such as psychological associates, but these often require specific programs that meet strict regulatory criteria.
Our psychology degree programs are intended to provide a strong academic foundation in psychological science and can help prepare students for advanced graduate study that may lead to licensure, as well as to equip students with valuable skills applicable to a wide range of non-licensure careers in areas such as human services, psychological support, life skills, social services, business, education, research, and more.
Students interested in pursuing licensure should consult the specific requirements of the state in which they intend to practice and consider further graduate education tailored to meet those requirements.
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