Frequently Asked Questions

Cost

Q: How much does it cost to attend a doctoral program at BU Wheelock?
PhD students at Boston University receive free tuition to complete their required coursework.

Application Requirements

Q: How do I determine whether my background is a good fit with your doctoral program?
We are looking for candidates with a strong commitment to social justice and an interest in research related to youth and young adult populations. Because you are entering a training program, strong candidates will match well with one or more faculty member’s interests. In addition, faculty will be assessing whether our programs offer the range of research and clinical/experiential training to maximize your professional development.

Q: Am I able to enter your doctoral program directly after completing my bachelor’s degree?
On rare occasions we may accept students with a bachelor’s degree directly into our doctoral program. In addition to academic potential, the exceptional candidate needs to demonstrate active engagement in a research program during their undergraduate years that is aligned to our faculty areas of research and have exceptional letters of recommendation.

For the doctoral program in Counseling Psychology, the normal route is to first gain a master’s degree in a counseling or related field. This experience demonstrates your ability to develop emerging clinical skills and provide opportunities to join research teams in order to further develop your research skills. Because there is not a clinical component to the doctoral program in Applied Human Development, exceptional candidates are considered directly after completing a bachelor’s degree.

Another important consideration for entering the Counseling Psychology program is that, due to APA accreditation, there are a number of courses and prerequisites that would generally be met by completing the master’s degree. Many students who have competed a significant number of psychology courses can be considered. For candidates with exceptional backgrounds, the final decision will rely on whether it is deemed possible to complete the doctoral program requirements and internship within five years.

Application Process

Q: I am getting (received) a master’s degree and want to continue on to doctoral studies. What is different about the application process to a doctoral program?
Most often, the master’s degree is a professional practice degree while the doctoral program emphasizes research and the design, implementation, and evaluation of research-based practice. There are doctoral programs that focus primarily on practice and will therefore most often not involve as much research. For Counseling, a PsyD program will generally focus primarily on practice and is designed for those who seek to gain a doctoral degree with the intention to enter full-time clinical practice. Our PhD programs are focused heavily on research with the goal of preparing our students to enter academia, research centers, or positions that design and manage state/federal policies.

Q: Where can I find out more information on entrance requirements such as average GPA, GRE, and for TOEFL (international students) scores for applicants?
The application documents can be found here. While we do not set minimum GPA and GRE scores, we are looking for students who demonstrate the skills needed to effectively manage a rigorous and challenging doctoral training program. High undergraduate and graduate GPA generally indicate both your commitment to learning as well as academic skills. GRE scores are another indicator. Quantitative GRE is often used to evaluate readiness to engage in quantitative statistics courses and Verbal GRE is often an indicator of readiness to engage in the intensive writing that will be required. And, there are other indicators that students can use to demonstrate readiness for doctoral training. These include previous research and practical experiences, letters verifying your skills from faculty, previous publications, and your writing sample.

For international students, English speaking and writing skills are important for doctoral training and therefore the TOEFL, written samples, and a Skype or in person interview is important for helping assess readiness for doctoral training. In Counseling, English speaking skills are critically important because you will need to be able to respond to clients in a smooth and efficient manner. Information on TOEFL requirements can be found here.

Q: What makes a strong candidate for receiving an interview for your doctoral programs?
We interview doctoral students who demonstrate a: strong social justice orientation and therefore enter with clear understanding of their own cultural background and privilege as well as a deep appreciation and value for cultural diversity; clear engagement in research topics that align with one or more faculty interests; and clear career and life goals articulates the need for a doctoral degree.

The doctoral programs at BU Wheelock demand a tremendous commitment of time over an extended period of time. Without a clear fit to the program faculty and personal awareness of how the doctoral degree connects to your future career and life goals, it is less likely that you will successfully complete the program.

Q: How are students selected for the PhD in Counseling Psychology & Applied Human Development?
Selection of students from our PhD applicants is a competitive process. Applicants are evaluated based upon:

  1. Academic performance in their previous degree program(s)
  2. Intellectual ‘fit’ between student interests and program goals and faculty research
  3. Readiness for doctoral training
  4. Research and professional experience
  5. Career goals consistent with academic and/or research careers

Close mentoring of students is an important aspect of our program. Thus, when reviewing applications, care is taken to identify students with interests that overlap enough with faculty interests so that an effective mentoring relationship can be provided. Learn more about our PhD programs through the Boston University PhD profiles.

Program Faculty

Q: How do I find out about professors’ research interests and areas of specialization?
Begin with the Faculty Profiles. Once you find one or more faculty whose research are a good match to yours, email them to discuss your interests.

Q: What is your advice on reaching out to doctoral program faculty?
Start by exploring and identifying your career and life goals. Then, meet with your current or recent academic advisor to discuss whether a doctoral degree is necessary to pursue those goals. If yes, work with your advisor or current/recent program faculty to explore which doctoral programs fit best with your research interest. We hope that after this review our doctoral programs in Counseling Psychology or Applied Human Development will rise to the top of your list for consideration. Before contacting the BU doctoral program director, explore the backgrounds, interest, and research of the program faculty. In crafting an email expressing your interest in applying to the program, consider describing why are you interested in the program and what specific areas of your background and career goals align with the program and faculty you are contacting.

Research Opportunities

Q: Will I be involved in research?
Yes. As you enter the program you will be expected to participate in 20 hours of research per week throughout your time in the doctoral program. There will be times when your weekly hours will be reduced due to serving as a teaching assistant or instructor of record.

Resources

Professional organizations and associations are important sources of clinical, professional, and research resources. The following list may be useful for you as you progress through your training here at BU.

Licensing, Accreditation, and Training

State and Regional

National

PhD in Counseling Psychology & Applied Human Development