Applicant Qualifications

Applicants to the PsyD program must meet the minimum requirements below:

  • An earned bachelor’s or graduate degree from an institution of higher learning accredited by a regional or national accrediting body
  • A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale) in a baccalaureate degree program or 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale) in a graduate degree program
    • Applicants who do not meet minimum GPA eligibility requirements may submit a letter requesting special consideration. The letter should provide evidence of their ability to complete graduate studies successfully. Without such a letter, applicants who do not meet minimum GPA eligibility requirements may be denied automatically. Exceptions to this policy will be considered on a case-by-case basis and are at the discretion of the program.

Applicants who meet minimum eligibility requirements are not guaranteed admission to the program. Applicants who meet the minimum requirements may be selected to participate in a formal on-campus interview with program faculty. Applicants’ academic and professional history, exam scores, writing samples, professional references, and interview performance will be considered in decision-making for admissions.

Application Procedures and Required Materials

Deadline: December 1st for matriculation in Fall semester

Applicants are required to provide the following materials: 

  • Application: Online Application
  • Application fee: Waived for all applicants
  • Transcripts: Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, excluding the seven campuses of the University of Maine System (UMS transcripts are accessible to USM). A transcript is official when sent directly from the institution.
    • International College transcripts: In addition to an official copy of the transcript, an official evaluation of college-level transcripts from a NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) approved transcript analysis agency is required
  • Resume: A resume or curriculum vitae that outlines professional, volunteer, and community experience
  • Essays: Two essays are required. Applicants must respond to the following prompts in two separate essays: 
    • Why do you seek training in school psychology?
    • How does USM’s School Psychology program align with your professional goals and values?
  • Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation attesting to the applicant’s ability to succeed in graduate school and a career in school psychology. Only professional letters of recommendation will be accepted. Letters from professors, professionals in the field of school psychology, and/or supervisors from employment/internship settings are recommended. Letters from family members and friends will not be accepted.
  • Students whose first language is not English may be required to take one of the following: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Pearson Test of English (PTE) or Duolingo.  Applicants must submit official scores as part of the application process. See additional information below regarding test scores and requirements.

Where to send transcripts and application materials 

Official transcripts and other supporting documents can be sent to:

Application Processing Center

University of Maine System

P.O. Box 412

Bangor, ME 04402-0412

Colleges and universities that participate in the electronic submission of transcripts can send official transcripts to edocs@maine.edu. Resumes, essays, and other documents can also be sent to edocs@maine.edu.

For a transcript or recommendation to be considered official, it must be sent by the institution or the person writing the recommendation.

International Applicants

In addition to the standard application materials, international students must also provide the following materials:

  • College transcript evaluation: official course-by-course evaluation of college-level transcripts from a NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) approved transcript analysis agency
  • Declaration of Finances form accompanied by the appropriate financial documentation
  • English proficiency test scores may be required for students whose first language is not English. See below for details.

Applicants whose first language is not English

Students whose first language is not English may be required to provide test scores or credentials for English language proficiency.

USM accepts the following test scores and qualifications for admission into graduate programs:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOFEL): scores of 79 or higher on the internet-based test, 550 or higher on the paper-based test, or 213 or higher on the computer-based test
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): scores of 6.5 or higher
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE): scores of 60 or higher
  • Duolingo Test of English:  scores of 105 or higher. Duolingo scores are being accepted on a trial for the 2022-23 academic year.
  • Bachelor’s degree taught with English instruction

Questions regarding your experience and the requirements can be addressed with the Office of Admissions (usmadmit@maine.edu).

Transfer Policies

A maximum of two courses (6 graduate credits) required for the PsyD in School Psychology program of study may be completed prior to matriculation.

Admitted students may request permission to transfer up to 45 graduate credits toward the PsyD in School Psychology degree. In order for credits to be eligible for transfer, the following criteria must be met:

  • The credits must have been earned as part of a graduate course (e.g., 500 level or higher) offered at a United States institution of higher learning accredited by a regional and/or national accrediting body.
  • The credits must have been earned for a course that is equivalent, in terms of content knowledge and skill requirements, to one required within the program.
  • The earned grade for the course must be a B or higher (GPA equivalent of 3.0).
  • The credits must have been earned within 6 years from the date when transfer credit is requested.
    • The program may, at its discretion, consider coursework completed more than 6 years prior to a request for transfer credit when students: (a) developed initial competence in the professional practice area through coursework and (b) continued to update their competency through professional experiences, which may include relevant professional employment, supervision, and continuing education.
  • The credits for behavior analytic courses must have been earned for a course that was part of a BACB or ABAI Verified Course Sequence aligned with current task list standards.

To request transfer credits, students must complete a course equivalency request form and submit the relevant course syllabi and official transcripts to the Chair of the Department of Educational and School Psychology. Course equivalency requests will be reviewed by the Department Chair and referred to the faculty designee who has expertise in the area of instruction. The faculty designee may ask for additional information from the student or request to consult with the previous instructor. The designee will then make a recommendation to the school psychology faculty, and the faculty will vote to determine whether the course is considered equivalent. The student will be informed about the faculty’s decision by the Department Chair.

If transfer credits are approved, the program will notify the USM Registrar to enter the official transfer onto the student’s record. Transferred credits will be noted on the student’s USM transcript and counted toward the student’s degree program of study.

Note: Graduate students matriculated in an APA-accredited doctoral-level school psychology programs at another university may transfer into the PsyD program if they complete their final 45 credit hours, including two years of full time coursework, the dissertation requirement, and the predoctoral internship, at USM.

Tk20 Subscription 

TK20 (Watermark) is the comprehensive web-based, assessment management and reporting system used by all students in Educator Preparation programs at USM. All undergraduate and graduate students who matriculate into an Educator Preparation program at USM and are accepted as a candidate for their internship year are required to subscribe to Tk20. Students use Tk20 (Watermark) to provide evidence they have mastered state and professional standards for their profession. The subscription fee of $103 covers some of the expenses related to the administration and assessment of the program.  For loan purposes, TK20 (Watermark) is eligible for consideration as part of educational costs.  The subscription is a one-time payment and must be made by each student after they have passed their candidacy process and before the first semester of their internship year.  Subscription instructions are posted on the Office of Educator Preparation website at http://usm.maine.edu/educator-preparation.

Please note Professional Education Council Policy:  In order for USM’s Education Preparation Unit program-completers to be recommended by the institution to the state for certification or licensure, the candidate must provide evidence of meeting all certification requirements including proficiency on the standards relevant to his/her state approved professional program and this evidence must be compiled and assessed within the context of the Unit’s data management system (i.e., Tk20).

Professional Licensure and Certification Notice

Students who are pursuing degrees leading to application for professional licensure or certification, and/or who will be participating in clinical placements, practica, or internships through their USM program should be aware that their host facility may require a criminal background check, finger printing, and/or drug screening. In such situations, each student is responsible for obtaining and paying for the background check or other screening process and for delivering required documentation to the facility. Although the University will make reasonable efforts to place admitted students in field experiences and internships, it will be up to the host facility to determine whether a student will be allowed to work at that facility. Students should further be aware that a criminal record may jeopardize licensure or certification by the state or national credentialing body. Students may consult the certification body corresponding to their intended occupation for more details. Successful completion of a program of study at USM does not guarantee licensure, certification, or employment in the relevant occupation.

Students who are pursuing degrees leading to application for professional licensure or certification also should be aware that credentialing requirements vary state-to-state. Students may contact their state department of education certification office and/or state licensing boards to determine whether or not their USM program meets credentialing requirements for professional practice in their prospective states of employment. Successful completion of a program of study at USM does not guarantee licensure, certification, or employment in the relevant occupation.

Learn More

For more information about courses and credit hours, view our Program Requirements.