Value of a Master's Degree for Gaining Admission to Doctoral Programs in Psychology

Abstract

American Psychological Association-accredited clinical doctor of philosophy (PhD), clinical doctor of psychology (PsyD), counseling, and school psychology doctoral programs were surveyed to assess the importance placed on various admission criteria, including having a master's degree in clinical psychology. In addition, potential benefits of obtaining a master's degree before enrolling in a doctoral program were assessed. Results indicated that clinical PhD programs view a terminal master's degree significantly more negatively than do the other programs. Benefits for terminal master's degree holders included credit transfer and, for those pursuing a PsyD, a more positive view toward the PsyD degree by some academicians. Although all programs reported Graduate Record Examination combined scores, undergraduate grades, and letters of recommendation as clearly important criteria when making admissions decisions, differences were found across programs in the value placed on research experience, journal publication, and work and life experience.

Does Research Experience Make a Significant Difference in Graduate Admissions?

“…On the other hand, when I've served on PsyD admissions committees, I've noticed that clinical work experiences were valued more highly than research. This observation was confirmed by Bonifazi, Crespy, and Rieker (1997). If you apply to PsyD programs, it will be important that you ask the professors and clinical supervisors who are familiar with your clinical skills to write letters for you.…”

“…Although enrolling in a master's degree program does not typically give you an edge on the competition, if you don't get into a doctoral program on the first try, it may be helpful to enroll in a master's program that has a research emphasis (Bonifazi, Crespy, & Rieker, 1997;Hines, 1986). An empirical master's thesis and any papers or publications you could produce during the program would be viewed very favorably by admissions committees.…”

“…An empirical master's thesis and any papers or publications you could produce during the program would be viewed very favorably by admissions committees. Course work in research methods and statistics is also viewed favorably (Bonifazi, Crespy, & Rieker, 1997;Hines, 1986;Purdy, Reinehr, & Swartz, 1989). If you complete an empirical master's thesis, it and several core courses (e.g., statistics, research methods, learning, development, personality) may transfer into the doctoral program you eventually attend (Bonifazi, Crespy, & Rieker, 1997;Hines, 1986).…”

Graduate Education and Social Stratification

“…MBA admissions research, for example, has considered work experience (Adams & Hancock 2000, Gropper 2007) and personality variables (Rothstein et al 1994) as predictors of academic performance. In one or more fields, applicant grades, college quality (Attiyeh & Attiyeh 1997), perceived inter- and intrapersonal problems (Brear et al 2008), letters of recommendation, having a master’s degree (Bonifazi et al 1997), research experience (Hines 1986), and disclosing a religious background (Gartner 1986) have been identified as correlates of admission decisions in one or more fields. Although there is some evidence of disciplinary variation in the correlates of graduate-level admission (Attiyeh & Attiyeh 1997) and in the decision-making processes and cultural logics (Posselt 2015b) that drive admissions decision making, recent quantitative research on disciplinary differences in admissions is all but nonexistent.…”

A Meta‐analysis of Letters of Recommendation in College and Graduate Admissions: Reasons for hope

“…Despite this troubling evidence, the letter of recommendation is not only frequently used; it is consistently evaluated as being nearly as important as test scores and prior grades (Bonifazi, Crespy, & Reiker, ; Hines, ). There is a clear and gross imbalance between the importance placed on letters and the research that has actually documented their efficacy.…”