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Academic Requirements
| Publish date | 2007-09-17 |
| Available Articles | Full articles without membership |
Before you begin the application process, make sure you have the appropriate academic prerequisites.
If a school’s literature isn’t sufficient to give you an idea of the standards for admission (often the median GPAs and test scores of typical students are higher than the minimums listed), you can contact the department directly.
Coursework/Academic Background
Your academic GPA—along with your standardized test scores (when required)—is generally the most important factor in being accepted into a program. Grades in courses related to a PhD program are often weighed more heavily.
First, determine whether you need a master’s degree. Some doctoral programs will require a master’s degree in the field. Others will require you to complete master’s level courses as part of the PhD program, even if you already have a master’s degree.
If a master’s is not required, but your undergraduate grades are not competitive, doing well in a related master’s program to raise your GPA may give you an edge in the application process. However, the doctoral program into which you are accepted may not allow you to transfer the credits. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the program’s transfer-of-credit policy.
Doctoral programs differ in terms of how many related undergraduate-level courses they expect. If your GPA is acceptable, but you don’t have the requisite background in the field, you can take courses on a non-degree basis before applying. This is also a good way to build relationships with professors who may write recommendations for you.
Admission into online doctoral programs is often not as competitive as campus-based programs. Campus-based programs typically have a limited number of openings for students. Online programs are usually designed to admit all students who meet set admission standards.
Standardized Tests
Not all programs require GREs for admission. Some require them only if your GPA is below a certain level. However, many schools expect not only standard GREs, but GRE subject tests as well. Or, you may be required to take another standardized test, such as the MAT (Miller Analogies Test).
Your performance on the SATs is a general predictor of how well you’ll do on the GREs. However, if it’s been years since you’ve taken a math class, for example, extra review in this area may help increase your score. Take a sample test early to see if you need a review course before taking the test. You can re-take the GREs, but the fact that you’ve taken them more than once is noted.
See Resources for links to more information on taking and preparing for standardized tests.
Language Requirements
Some doctoral programs require fluency in one or even two foreign languages. If the programs that interest you have language requirements, see if you can complete them during the program itself, or if you must take an intensive course before applying.
Source: DiscoverPhD.com
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