Admission & Financial Support

Admission Requirements

ODU Seal and Classroom Sign

The Department of Psychology Ph.D. programs admit students with at least a bachelor's degree. Each applicant must submit the following to admissions:

  1. Official scores of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test are optional but recommended.

  2. Official transcripts of all prior academic work.

  3. Three reference letters, at least two of which are from former college/university teachers or research supervisors.

  4. A resume/vita.

  5. A brief statement outlining personal goals and academic objectives.

  6. Although not required, applicants are encouraged to submit a writing sample.

Ph.D. Application Deadline: January 5

M.S. Application Deadline: March 15

Financial Support

The department attempts to admit only those students whom it can financially support. It is expected that entering students will be full‑time students. In this respect, the full financial support package is provided on the assumption that graduate work is the student's full‑time job to which he or she is devoting full‑time effort.

Entering students receive approximately the same support. Support typically comes from graduate assistantships which include tuition, fees, and a stipend for serving as laboratory or classroom instructors or research assistants.

There are two general forms of support for the academic year depending on the educational background of entering students:

  1. Student with a qualifying BA/BS are typically guaranteed four years of support
  2. Student with a qualifying MA/MS are typically guaranteed two years of support

Funding permitting, additional support may be available for summer and past the four (for those entering with a BA/BS) and two (for those entering with a MA/MS) year periods. International and non‑US resident first year students may also receive tuition, fees, and a stipend.

To date, the department has met the intended support, and will continue to do its best to ensure it. However, future funding is subject to change.