ucla psychology phd acceptance rate

Admissions Requirements for the Graduate Major in Psychology

After exploring options and choosing a specific program, follow the steps on our University’s graduate application process:

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Information for Prospective Health Psychology Graduate Students at UCLA

Thank you for your interest in the UCLA Department of Psychology’s Health Psychology Graduate Program.

UCLA’s Psychology Department offers the Ph.D. degree, a five-year, full-time course of study. Students seeking a terminal M.A. degree, or limited or part-time status, are not considered. The degree is granted in eight specialty areas, one of which is Health Psychology. You may apply to only one area. The Fall 2024 deadline for Departmental applications and supporting materials (e.g., letters of recommendation, transcripts) is December 1, 2023  for Health Psychology applicants.

The following faculty are accepting new students for the 2024-2025 academic year: Julienne Bower, Theodore Robles, Annette Stanton, Jennifer Sumner, Janet Tomiyama, and Patrick Wilson.

The UCLA online Application for Graduate Admission needs to be completed in order to be considered for admission into the graduate program. The UCLA Application for Graduate Admission can be found here .

Candidates applying for Fall 2024 admission must submit the following material through the online Application for Graduate Admission:

• Three letters of recommendation (preferably from research psychologists).
• Unofficial transcripts from all colleges/universities you have attended.

Please note that if you are recommended for admission and decide to accept the offer, you must submit final, official copies of your transcripts for final approval of your admission by Graduate Division’s Graduate Admissions Office. Any discrepancies between the unofficial and official transcripts could lead to withdrawal of an offer of admission. International applicants must upload copies of original and translated international transcripts per the country- or educational system-specific guidelines here .

• A Statement of Purpose. The Health Psychology Area Admissions Committee is very interested in your research experience and what kind of research you want to conduct in your graduate training that is relevant to health psychology
• International students must also submit a TOEFL score and a Financial Statement. Official TOEFL scores must be received from ETS by the application deadline.

In light of challenges posed by COVID-19, both the  GRE General Test  and the  Psychology Subject Test will be optional for students submitting applications to our program in 2024 (i.e., for entry in Fall 2024). That is, students who wish to apply for admission to our graduate program for the 2024-2025 academic year are not required to take the GRE or submit a GRE score report as part of their application. However, students may voluntarily submit GRE test scores and they will be reviewed as part of the holistic application consideration. The applications with GRE test scores will not be given greater weight than those that do not include scores.

Interviews are required for admission to the Health Psychology PhD program. More details about interviews will be forthcoming in early 2024.

Candidate evaluations are handled by Faculty Area Admission Committees. Over each of the past three years, Committees across the department reviewed 799 to 857 applicants to form incoming classes of 37 to 40. As with any graduate program, GPA is important. The average overall undergraduate GPA for the past three years’ incoming classes is 3.74. University policy holds that an applicant must have a minimum GPA of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale)—or its equivalent if the letter grade system is not used—in undergraduate study or in graduate level study, if any.

Very careful consideration is also given to your Statement of Purpose, research experience, and letters of recommendation. An outstanding record in one of these areas—especially demonstrated achievement in research endeavors—may compensate for less outstanding performance in another. The Department seeks a diverse student body. The program gives special attention to applicants who may contribute to the social or cultural diversity of our student body.

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Emilia Ninova at  [email protected] .

For questions about the Health Psychology program, please contact Prof. Theodore Robles (Health Area Chair)  [email protected]  or Prof. Janet Tomiyama (Health Area Admissions Chair) at  [email protected] . We look forward to receiving your application.

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Graduate Admission

The graduate programs at UCLA are some of the most esteemed in the world, consistently ranked in the top 25. Forty doctoral programs rank in the top 10.

Our campus offers more than 130 graduate and professional programs, ranging from an extensive selection of business and medical programs to degrees in 40 different languages. On average, UCLA admits 14,000 graduate students of the 55,000 who apply each year. At UCLA, you’ll be among the best and brightest in the world.

Our programs combine the learnings of one field with the components of another, to create a hybrid of deep specialized knowledge. The notion that knowledge is produced through multidisciplinary approaches is paramount at UCLA. We offer faculty and graduate students the opportunity to collaborate on research projects and study groups that transcend departments and programs.

These collaborations go beyond the campus. UCLA enjoys strong connections to other major universities as well as public and private institutes and firms thanks to its location within Los Angeles. Our graduate students engage with these communities both academically and culturally as a part of the UCLA graduate experience. The students who thrive in the environment are creative, determined and unrelenting in their search for new ways to answer questions.

If this sounds like you, check out our programs and learn more about what we have to offer.

Applying to a Graduate Program

Most graduate applications are processed through the Graduate Education Department. Explore 130+ graduate degree programs and choose the one that’s right for you.

Professional Schools

Four of UCLA’s professional programs offer their own specialized application processes. Follow the links below to learn more about admission steps and requirements at these four schools.

UCLA College has nation’s top graduate program in clinical psychology, according to U.S. News and World Report

This story was adapted from its original version.

In its annual ranking of the top graduate schools, U.S News and World Report has listed 12 UCLA College and graduate programs among the top 20 in the country. Among them is the College’s clinical psychology program, which was named No. 1. Another 11 College graduate schools and programs are listed among the top 20, demonstrating the quality, reputation and breadth of graduate-level education at the UCLA College.

The U.S. News graduate program rankings are based on experts’ opinions about program excellence and on statistical indicators that measure the quality of a school’s faculty, research and students. The data for the rankings come from statistical surveys of more than 2,000 programs and from reputation surveys sent to more than 20,500 academics and professionals, conducted in fall 2017 and early 2018.

The full list of programs include:

Clinical psychology  (No. 1) Psychology  (No. 3, tied) English  (No. 6, tied) Math  (No. 7, tied) Sociology  (No. 8, tied) History  (No. 9, tied) Economics  (No. 12, tied) Political science  (No. 12, tied) Earth sciences  (No. 13, tied) Chemistry  (No. 15, tied) Physics  (No. 17, tied) ​ Biological sciences  (No. 18, tied)

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Applying to Graduate Programs

• Applicant Qualifications, Admissions Criteria, and Acceptance Rates

What are the characteristics of successful applicants?  Each program has its own set of requirements and standards; some are publicly stated, some are not.  For instance, this department’s graduate program in experimental psychology provides a list of eligibility requirements , plus provides a FAQ with the average GPA and GRE scores of successful applicants .  On this page we provide a general idea of what graduate programs may be seeking, plus admissions statistics by area of specialization in psychology. 

Note: for the most definitive information on the characteristics of successful applicants, we recommend that you directly check with program websites, the programs themselves, and individuals at those programs (such as graduate coordinators, graduate program officers, graduate students, or faculty).

Graduate Programs Are Highly Competitive

Most mid- to top-tier graduate programs, and particularly those programs that provide funding to their graduate students, are highly selective.  For example, this department’s graduate program typically receives around 300-400 applicants annually, of which admission offers are commonly extended to around 20 (around half accept, depending on the year).  Successful applicants not only meet the eligibility requirements; they exceed those requirements in key ways.  These may include research experience, academic achievements, and more. 

Consequently, it is helpful for students to carefully research the characteristics of successful applicants, to work toward achieving similar qualifications at the baccalaureate or post baccalaureate level, and to clearly emphasize their strengths in their applications. 

It is important to emphasize that graduate admissions criteria substantially differ from those used at undergraduate and other levels.  It is not necessarily the case that applicants with the highest GPA and highest test scores have the greatest chance of being accepted.  Instead, more idiosyncratic factors such as “program fit” and compatible research interests may play a greater role.  Thus, students who are accustomed to judging their progress solely on grades need to adjust their thinking; this is a different playing field and the rules are different .

Basic Qualifications of Successful Applicants 

To score an interview – in other words, to be seriously considered – applicants are typically expected to have a record which includes the following characteristics: 1,2

Prerequisite undergraduate coursework completed

The courses that you are expected to have taken vary according to the graduate program you are applying to.  Some may have very specific requirements, others do not.  Some may prefer that the applicant have a well-rounded record including a diversity of rigorous courses both within and outside of psychology. 

The mean of successful applicants to PhD programs in psychology, on the 4.0 scale, is 3.6 overall and 3.7 in psychology courses; for Master’s programs it is 3.4 overall and 3.5 in psychology courses. 1   The GPA should be, at minimum , typically 3.0 or higher.

Good GRE scores

Minimum requirements (also known as “cutoffs”) vary depending on program .  Some programs, such as the one in this department, have dropped minimum scores.  However, GRE scores can be used to choose between two closely matched applicants.  The mean GRE scores of first-year graduate students in psychology, using the scale begun in late 2011, is 158 verbal and 149 quantitative for psychology PhD programs; it is 153 verbal and 146 quantitative for Master’s programs.  For the GRE Psychology subject test, the mean is 633 for PhD programs and 577 for Master’s programs. 1  Please note that some programs, such as the one in this department, do not require the subject test.

Research experience

Research experience is a must.  This can take a variety of different forms, but publications and presentations are typically the most valued evidence of research experience.  For further information about gaining research experience as an undergraduate, please visit our research opportunities page.

Practical or clinical experience

This may be important for those applying to programs with a clinical or public service component.  For example, the number of hours you have volunteered at an outpatient clinic could be valuable for a clinical psychology graduate application.  However, it should be noted that guides to clinical psychology programs typically emphasize research experience as even more important.

Extracurricular activities

Optional and varies; should be relevant to the graduate program.  May include membership in psychological organizations, any leadership activities you have participated in, science communication, or charitable works .

How Applicant Qualifications Are Weighted

Each of the aforementioned qualifications, plus other components of the application materials, can make or break an applicant’s chances of being invited for an interview and ultimately receiving an offer of admission.  There typically are at least two stages of review.  The first involves choosing applicants that will be invited to interview.  At that stage, selection criteria may include (please note that each program may weigh each aspect differently): 1,2

• GPA and GRE scores – many programs only interview those that are above a certain threshold.
• Letters of recommendation – many programs solicit three letters of recommendation. Although letters are subjective, in many programs these are given as much weight as GPA and GRE scores.
• Research experience – there needs to be evidence that the applicant has the potential to succeed in the primary occupation of graduate school, which is conducting research.
• Statement of purpose – this is taken as evidence of the applicant’s writing ability, their own stated research interests, their thoughts about program fit, and more.
• Coursework completed – transcripts are examined to determine whether the applicant has taken the necessary courses to qualify for the program, that they have the relevant background knowledge, and that they can handle academically rigorous coursework. 

After the interviews, the final selection criteria often includes the following (in order of importance). 1,2 It should be noted that the applicant’s interview performance, statement of purpose, and recommendation letters can heavily inform these criteria and ultimately final selection decisions.

• Publications or paper presentations – resulting from the applicant’s existing research activities
• Applicant’s skills and interests match the program – as indicated in the application essays and as revealed in interviews
• Match with faculty member that is interested in working with the applicant – particularly as evidenced by the faculty member’s interview with the applicant and shared research interests; moreover, the faculty member has to be accepting students that year
• Statement of purpose – how clear and focused was the applicant able to write the essay; writing skills as evident in the essay
• Prior research experience – more generally, how much prior research experience the applicant had, and what that experience was, etc.

Other criteria may also be considered depending on the program.  Finally, it should be noted that among the least important criteria for selection typically include: multilingual fluency, contribution to geographic diversity, and whether the applicant is related to another student that was or is in the program .

Admissions Statistics

Acceptance rates at graduate programs in psychology range between 32-78% for Master’s programs and 12-48% for PhD programs (non-clinical); for clinical programs generally, acceptance rates vary from 7-50%. 1  Data on the mean acceptance rates in different areas of psychology, compiled by the APA in 2010, are as follows: 1

Workshops and Downloadable Resources

• For in-person discussion of the process of applying to graduate programs in psychology, neuroscience, and related fields, please consider attending this department’s “Paths to PhDs” workshop and other related events (for dates and times, please check the undergraduate workshops calendar).
• Tips for Applying to Graduate Programs in Psychology (a brief summary) [ PDF ]

Further Resources

How-To Videos     

• Applying to Grad School Videos

Recommended Reading

• American Psychological Association (2007). Getting in: a step-by-step plan for gaining admission to graduate school in psychology .  Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
• Keith-Spiegel, P., & Wiederman, M. W. (2000). The complete guide to graduate school admission: psychology, counseling, and related professions . Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.

APA Videos on Graduate Applications

• Preparing and applying for graduate school in psychology [12-part video series]
• Preparing and applying for graduate school in psychology [video slides in PDF format]
• Avoiding common mistakes that students make when applying from APA Division 2 [PPT]
• Choosing a graduate program from the Association for Psychological Science
• Smart shopping for psychology doctoral programs [PDF]

1  Norcross, J. C., & Hogan, T. P. (2016).  Preparing and applying for graduate school in psychology: 12 modules. American Psychological Association [video workshop].

2  american psychological association (2007).  getting in: a step-by-step plan for gaining admission to graduate school in psychology . , 3  american psychological association (2010).  graduate applications, acceptances, enrollments, and degrees awarded in master’s- and doctoral-level students in the u.s. and canadian graduate departments of psychology: 2008-2009., prepared by s. c. pan for ucsd psychology, graphic adapted with permission under the expat license..

• Finding and Choosing Graduate Programs of Interest
• Timelines for the Graduate Application Process
• Writing Statements of Purpose and Other Application Essays
• Requesting Letters of Recommendation
• Preparing for the Graduate Record Examination
• Graduate Admissions Interviews
• Applying to Clinical Psychology Programs
• Applying to Medical School and Professional Health Programs
• Accepting Graduate Admissions Offers

2024 Psychology Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony

Date published: 06/06/24

Congratulations to the nearly 1300 students who are participating in the Psychology Undergraduate Commencement Celebration this year! The ceremony livestream will begin at 8:00AM PDT on Saturday, June 15, 2024.