Applications for Graduate Studies to the Department of Psychology are accepted for admission for the Fall term only. Applications for a terminal M.A. degree are not accepted. Completed applications and supporting credentials must be received no later than DECEMBER 1 to be considered for admission. Applicants will be notified of the department's admission decision no later than APRIL 1. Prospective applicants are REQUIRED to submit an application online through Rackham's website (click here). All applications and supporting credentials become the property of the University of Michigan. The Statement of Purpose, Personal Statement,and unofficial transcripts, as described below, should be uploaded with your application file. Please do not send a hard copy of your application materials to the Psychology Student Academic Affairs Office.

• Academic Statement of Purpose (Professional Goals) - This should be a concise, well-written essay about your academic and research background, your career goals, and how Michigan’s graduate program will help you meet your career and educational objectives. You can upload your Statement of Purpose online with your application. If you experience trouble submitting your Statement of Purpose online, please contact psych.saa@umich.edu
• Personal Statement (Life History) - This should be a concise, well-written statement about how your personal background and life experiences, including social, cultural, familial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges, motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Michigan. This is not an Academic Statement of Purpose, but a discussion of the personal journey that has led to your decision to seek a graduate degree. There is a 500-word limit for this statement.
• Transcripts - To expedite the processing of your online application, you are encouraged to upload an electronic image of your transcript(s) to your application. Instructions are given in the application. Please note that you will still need to request that an "official" copy of your transcripts be sent to Rackham (see below).
• Letters of Recommendation - These must be submitted electronically by your recommenders. As you are completing the online application, you will be given instructions for how to "Register Your Recommenders."
• Applicants to the Psychology PhD program are required to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Please have  your scores submitted to the University of Michigan using the  Institution Code of 1839. Do not use the Psychology department code of 2016.

Send the following materials to:
Graduate Admissions
Rackham Graduate School
915 East Washington
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1070:

1. One copy of Official Transcripts from all institutions attended. For detailed information about submitting transcripts click here.
2. TOEFL Score - required of international applicants whose native language is not English - See instructions on Rackham's website (click here). Applicants who have earned a degree from an institution where the language of instruction is English are exempt from submitting a TOEFL score.

Back to top