Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What faculty are accepting students?
Please find links to the faculty bio pages on the "Faculty" tab, which should include a statement about this. If you do not find one there, you will find faculty contact information, and we suggest a quick email to check.
Is the program accredited?
The Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) program is accredited on contingency by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA) effective February 2, 2024. Contingency status expires February 2, 2029.
For more information about APA accreditation, see: apa.org/ed/accreditation.
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
750 First St, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
Telephone: (202) 336-5979
TDD/TTY: (202) 336-6123
Fax: (202) 336-5978
The Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) program has been approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Can I apply to the M.A. program only?
No. We do not have a terminal M.A. program in Clinical Psychology. The M.A. degree is only awarded en route to the doctoral degree (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology. Please note that the en route MA program is not identical to the Psychological Sciences MA program and does not require completion of the Psychological Sciences MA program.
Is the Psy.D. program offered remotely?
No. The program is full-time and in-person.
Can I schedule a meeting prior to submitting my application?
We are not able to schedule individual meetings with current or future applicants for this purpose. We strongly believe that all applicants should have an equal opportunity to gain admission and do not wish to offer any unfair advantage to applicants who have the resources to travel to our campus. Please see the program homepage for information on virtual open house meetings. If you have specific questions for which the information is not available on the website, please contact Dr. Lisa Curtin at curtinla@appstate.edu.
Can I apply as an international student?
Yes. Please see the Graduate School requirements here.
Do you have any advice on applying to the Psy.D. program?
Dr. Mitch Prinstein’s document called Mitch’s Uncensored Advice for Applying to Graduate School in Clinical Psychology provides tips on how to apply to clinical programs, how the admissions process works, how to obtain research experience, how to interview and so much more!
APA created a series of six videos in Fall 2023 and live question and answer sessions with psychological scientists and current graduate students from different subfields with lived experience and expertise in the application process. These sessions will offer advice and strategies for navigating all the steps of the application process, discuss important considerations for selecting a program and highlight resources for funding your graduate education. The series will address challenges and systemic barriers for students and is free and open to all. Watch the series here!
When will I know if I am invited for an interview?
Interview invitations will be sent out by the end of January (with few exceptions).
If I am invited for an interview, when will it be?
Interviews will be typically held in February.
What kind of funding is available?
All students will be offered a graduate assistantship in the total amount of $22,000/year for four years (dependent upon adequate progress in the program).
What is the tuition for graduate students at Appalachian State University?
Tuition (and fees) will be paid by students. View current tuition figures. Out-of-state tuition waivers are available on a competitive basis during the first year of study. Independent students may apply to establish North Carolina residency for their second year.
How do I get financial aid?
Complete a Free Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA) on the web at fafsa.ed.gov and list the schools you are considering on the form. You will receive an estimate of financial aid based on your current income.
Will I be eligible for licensure as a psychologist?
Appalachian State University's doctoral program in Clinical Psychology program is designed to satisfy the educational requirements for licensure in North Carolina and prepares students to sit for applicable exams. However, requirements in other states may be different. PIease note that at this time Appalachian State University may or may not be able to determine whether the program meets requirements for psychology licensure outside of North Carolina. See information on program educational requirements for licensure under "status by state" as required by the U.S. Department of Education as well as this link from the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards. State requirements can change, so prior to enrolling, please review requirements carefully.
What are the expected career outcomes for program graduates?
To date, our graduates (N = 6) are all employed. They are working in postdoctoral positions and staff positions in a variety of settings including campus counseling centers, health departments, integrated care programs, university hospitals, and private practices.
As noted on our homepage, the program is designed to prepare students for practice as a licensed psychologist-health service provider serving rural and underserved populations. The role of psychologist- health service providers in rural areas can be quite varied, and the breadth of the curriculum and experiences in the program reflect this reality. Graduates of the program who become licensed might expected to engage in a number of activities including (but not limited to): direct service provision to consumers in community mental health centers, hospitals/medical settings/federally qualified health centers in both inpatient and outpatient settings, private individual/group practices, schools, and/or correctional settings; professional consultation with community organizations, including conducting needs assessments, program development and evaluation, and staff training and development; teaching, supervision and other educational activities; and organizational leadership, including administrative and managerial roles.
Does the Psy.D. program offer an option to complete the requirements remotely?
No. Our program requires on-site training for most of the four pre-internship years. Summers in years one and two require coursework and/or practicum training that also require being in Boone.
Can I still be employed while completing the program?
We do not recommend it; this is a demanding, full-time program. Still, we understand that the financial burden of graduate education is real. Our program provides financial support mainly through our graduate assistantships; this is not "free money." You will be expected to work, up to 20 hours a week, doing tasks that assist in research or teaching or another administrative function. You will also, of course, be expected to take classes as a full-time student, and these are much more demanding than undergraduate courses. You will also be engaging in practical, clinical training, including formal 10-15 hour placements with client-facing responsibilities after your first year; will be working on your own research projects and participating in your mentor's lab; and will participate in other professional development and program activities. As such, full-time employment in addition to fulfilling program expectations is not realistic. Part-time employment may be possible, but our experience is that it comes at a cost in the stress that students feel. We highly recommend at least not engaging in outside employment until after your first year; once that adjustment is successfully made, part-time employment may be a possibility, but we recommend talking with your mentor and perhaps the Director of Clinical Training for guidance prior to making any such decision.
Will I get credit for my prior graduate work?
The policy of the Appalachian State Graduate School is that credit cannot be given for any prior graduate coursework that has led to a completed degree. However, depending on what type of degree you earned (or prior graduate work you have done) you could possibly have specific, non-clinical requirements waived (e.g., a graduate Developmental Psychology course), with a maximum of 9 hours. Hours required for degree completion would not vary, and any adjustments to a student's program of study would only be made after review by the faculty (including the syllabus and specific deliverables from the related course). As such, no guarantee can be made for any adjustment to the required program of study of the program, for any applicant.