Graduate School in Psychology: Getting in & Making It Work

This session brings together the perspectives of well-established graduate program directors and faculty mentors to provide useful information about graduate school to prospective and early-career graduate students, as well as the opportunity for attendees to interact with directors of specific graduate programs. The panelists include representatives from U.S. clinical psychology Ph.D. and Psy.D. programs and Canadian Ph.D. programs.

Panelists will provide information about the graduate school application process, including how undergraduate students and other prospective applicants can: (a) select a graduate degree and graduate program that meets their training and career goals, (b) best prepare themselves to be successful applicants to graduate programs, and (c) effectively navigate the application process. Panelists will describe the historical context of the graduate school admission process and the ways in which it is overdue for an overhaul in the interest of social justice and equity. Panelists will also discuss how, once enrolled in graduate school, students can capitalize on skills and experiences that will prepare them for success at each future step of their graduate training and careers.

The panel will be followed by a question-and-answer session and by a “Graduate Programs on Parade” session where representatives of graduate programs (typically 30–35 programs) will be available to discuss their particular programs with interested applicants. Several student members and new member professionals will be available to answer questions about their experiences applying to and participating in graduate programs. Attendees are encouraged to attend the ABCT SIG Expo immediately following this session. ABCT has over 40 different Special Interest Groups, many of which will be presenting research at the Expo. This is an excellent opportunity to meet students and professionals in specific areas of the behavioral therapies.

Participants are encouraged to visit www.abct.org and take advantage of ABCT’s resources for students, including information on getting into graduate school and what to expect as a graduate student in CBT, internships, grants, mentorships, postdoctoral fellowships, featured labs, and a student awards program.

This session does not offer continuing education credit.