Frequently Asked Questions – Pediatric School Psychology

What’s required for admission?

  • Online application via the ECU Graduate School – To find Program Application links, type “Psychology” in the [Search Programs] box on Find Your Program webpage. Application Deadline for Health Psychology (PhD) Pediatric School: January 1st
  • Health Psychology PhD Survey: If you are applying to the Health Psychology Ph.D. program in the Clinical Health or Pediatric School concentrations, you must complete this brief Health Psychology PhD Survey
  • Review ECU requirements for graduate school admission prior to completing your application
  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
  • Prerequisite courses are Introduction to Psychology, Statistics, & Research Methods
  • Transcripts of undergraduate & graduate coursework (if applicable). We rarely admit students with an overall GPA below 3.0
  • Resume or CV demonstrating applied or research experiences relevant to psychology
  • Three letters of recommendation from professors (usually in psychology) or others who can comment on your academic accomplishments and your readiness for graduate study
  • Personal Statement (2-3 pages): Describe why you want to be a psychologist, how your experiences (academics, research, applied work) shaped your academic & career goals, and why you think ECU Pediatric School Psychology would be a good fit for your graduate training. Please specify 1 or 2 Pediatric School Faculty whose research interests match with yours.

What makes a strong applicant?

Evidence from your application materials shows that you have the dispositions to be successful in our program, to complete rigorous research requirements, and to practice effectively as a professional psychologist. These include strong letters of recommendation, past experiences with research or practice, commitment to blending elements of school and pediatric psychology, good communication skills (oral & written), ability to work collaboratively, ability to accept constructive feedback, and academic motivation.

Do I need a mentor for the program?

The program is based on a mentorship model. Applicants who share research interests with our faculty members will be assigned to those faculty for advising. Please visit our faculty listing to view their research areas. And be sure to name 1 or 2 faculty with whom you share research interests.

I don’t have any research experience. Can I still apply to your program?

Yes, but it is very hard for the admissions committee to assess an applicant’s ability to work in a science-practitioner program if you don’t have some basic experiences with psychology research (or a related field). You would need to address this issue thoroughly in your application materials.

How long will it take to earn a Ph.D. if I already have a Master’s or Specialist degree in psychology?

Students with an MA, MS, or school psychology Specialist degree in will require a minimum of 3 years to complete their Ph.D. However, it may take longer depending on the specialization of your master’s degree, adequacy of transfer courses, and other factors.

What is life like at ECU and in Greenville, NC?

ECU is a large state university and part of the UNC System. We serve the eastern part of the state and have over 25,000 students. Our mission is to be a national model for student success, public service and regional transformation. View more ECU facts.  Greenville, NC is just over one hour east of Raleigh and one hour to the beach (Atlantic Beach NC). View more information about Greenville.

Is there funding for doctoral students?

Yes, all students earn a monthly stipend for 12 months of work (July 1-June 30) as a graduate assistant. The first year is fewer months of pay (Aug 15 – June 30). We offer tuition waivers and health insurance coverage. The University fees, however, are the responsibility of the student. Other associated costs include books, tuition for internship year only, parking pass, gas for travel to practicum sites, testing fees, and internship application fees (APPIC). More details provided in the student handbook upon admission.