Psychology

Frequently Asked Questions

About: Admission and Financial Aid
About: What Happens Once You're Accepted
About: The Program

Admission and Financial Aid

How often are applications accepted for the Psychology program?

Applications are reviewed throughout the year; students are admitted during the Fall (August) and Spring (January) semesters.

What are the admissions requirements?

A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited educational institute, an appropriately certified international educational institution, or select institutions accredited by recognized independent national or professional bodies.

A grade point average (GPA) or at least 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale) during the last two years of undergraduate work and any subsequent graduate study.

Minimum TOEFL scores of 213 (computer version) or 550 (paper version) are required of applicants whose native language is not English or who have not graduated from an institution at which English is the language of instruction.

Medaille College reserves the right to request an interview with the Program Director or Admissions counselor as a part of the application process

What if I do not meet the minimum GPA requirement?

In some cases, the student will be asked to write a letter of explanation regarding their previous academic performance. Students may also be asked to meet with the Program Director. Students on occasion may be admitted on a probationary status.

How do I apply?

You can submit an application, either with our Graduate Online Application or in hard-copy. To obtain a hard-copy application, please call the School of Adult and Graduate Education at (716) 631-1061.

Where do I send my application materials?

Please submit your application materials to
Medaille College – Amherst Campus
30 Wilson Road
Williamsville, NY 14221
Attn: Graduate Admissions

Are photocopies or faxes of any of the application materials acceptable?

Photocopies and faxes are acceptable only as place-holders in the initial application; original documents are required to complete your application.

Whom should I ask to write a letter of recommendation and how long should it be?

Preferably, at least one letter of recommendation should be from a former undergraduate (or graduate) professor with whom you have studied. Other references could include work supervisors or directors or board members of organizations for which you have volunteered, etc. Avoid asking family members or personal friends who have not directly supervised your professional or academic work. The length of the letter should be sufficient to adequately assess your characteristics and abilities to our Admissions Committee.

I have applied for graduate study and would like to know the status of my application?

Please contact the Graduate Admissions Office at (716) 631-1061 for more information.

Do you have a brochure that you send applicants?

Yes, we would be happy to send you printed material. You may call the Graduate Admissions Office at (716) 631-1061 or send an email to gradadmissions@medaille.edu. You can also fill out the online information request form.

When will a decision be made on my application?

Once your application is complete, it will be submitted for review by the Department Chair. It usually takes 2 – 3 weeks to receive an admission decision

I have questions about your program. Can I make an appointment to talk with an admissions counselor?

Yes. We recommend pre-admissions counseling appointments for all of our applicants. Please contact Lisa Liebzeit, the Assistant Director of Admissions for the MA in Psychology program at (716) 631-1061 Ext 2542 or by email at lisa.a.liebzeit@medaille.edu

How will I find out if I’ve been accepted?

Once a determination is made, you will be sent a letter indicating the admission decision.

What are your tuition rates?

Please refer to Tuition and Fees for the current academic year.

How long should a professional/personal goal statement be?

The professional/personal goal statement should be of sufficient length to illustrate your background experience. We recommend that it be at least 1- 2 pages in length, double-spaced.

Can I apply to more than one program at a time?

No, you can only apply to one program at a time. If you need assistance in deciding which program is the best for you, please contact one of our Graduate Admissions Counselors at (716) 631-1061.

Is a deposit required once I am admitted?

Yes, in order to hold your spot in the program, you are required to submit a $100 deposit upon acceptance into the program.

Is the GRE required?

No, GRE scores are not required for admission. Instead, the Admission Committee will make their assessment of each applicant based on the applicant’s undergraduate academic record, letters of recommendation, resume, personal/professional goal statement, and any related experience in the field of study.

What is the deadline for applying to your program?

While the college operates on a rolling admissions policy, we recommend that you submit your application and application documentation as soon as possible as classes fill up quickly

I am currently enrolled in a graduate program or I have attended a graduate school in the past. Will my credits transfer?

All colleges and universities reserve the right to accept or deny transfer credits according to their own policies. The program director will make determination, as part of the admission process.

What are the start dates of your program?

The Master of Arts in Psychology program begins in the fall and spring semester.

Can I defer my admission?

Medaille College does not offer deferrals. Instead, we will withdraw your file and when you are ready to enroll, you will need to contact the School of Adult and Graduate Education requesting to have your file reactivated. At that time you need to pay your deposit (if you have not already) and we will move you towards registration. It is recommended that you begin this process 3 months prior to the date you wish to start.

Will I be considered a full-time student?

Yes, every student in program is considered by financial aid as a full-time student as long as they are registered for at least 6 credit hours.

What Happens Once You're Accepted

Once accepted into the program what do I do next?

Once you receive your acceptance letter you will be notified by the admissions office when to register. The student's first registration is done in person and all subsequent registrations are automatically entered on behalf of the student. They are referred to as “block registrations" Also, it is also important to file your FAFSA application on line at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Once you apply you will be given a pin number within a few days. After you receive your PIN number you will be able to file your Financial Aid application online. This required of all students each academic year. The admissions office will also send you packet of information explaining how to formally establish yourself as a Medaille student. Will I be considered a full-time student?

Yes, every student in program is considered by financial aid as a full-time student as long as they are registered for at least 6 credit hours.

Once accepted, how will I order my textbooks?

Students in the Psychology are given a list of their required textbooks one year in advance. Textbooks can be ordered through MBS Direct. It is important to order through college store because textbooks are bundled and the publisher provides a discount.

How will I register for my classes?

Students are automatically registered through the Registrar's office each semester, because it is a fixed step program, student must take course in the recommended sequence. If a student is forced to with drawl, take a leave of absence or is for some reason (transfer credit) they are not taking a particular course, the student is responsible to drop the course(s) according to the deadlines set by the registrars office. It is your responsibility to ensure that courses you are not taking are dropped before the deadlines to ensure that you will not be held financially liable. The deadlines vary from semester to semester so it is the student responsibility to be cognizant of those deadlines.

What else do I need to know to get started?

It is important that each student obtains a student ID card and a parking pass. The main library is on the main campus at 18 Agassiz Circle. Most students, however utilize the online library which is accessible using your student ID number. We have electronic subscriptions to several professional publications that are easily accessed online. You can access Medaille's library at http://eres.medaille.edu/library/.

Will I be assigned a college e-mail account?

Yes, you will be assigned a college e-mail address. It is important that you establish an online account in order to view your personal student information such as grades, registration and financial aid awards.

The Program

What can you tell me about the professors in the Psychology Program?

The professors who teach in the Psychology program are dedicated and committed to your growth as a person and as a professional. Each professor has extensive clinical experience and/or research experience working with a variety of populations and in a variety of settings.

What is the typical work load for a full-time graduate student?

The work load varies from course to course. Student can expect to spend on average 10-12 hours per week studying. This will of course, vary from student to student.

How are students evaluated in the program?

Students are evaluated through a variety of methods, tests, presentations, group projects, journal entries, class participation, and role-plays.

What is considered a passing grade?

A student must receive a B- or higher in order to pass the course. Students are allowed to reregister for a course they have failed with the next cohort. It is the student's responsibility to contact the program director to make arrangements. Students who fail two courses will be put on academic probation. If the terms of the probation are not met, the student will be asked to leave the program.

Where do I go to receive help writing my resume?

The Career Planning and Placement office will assist you with that process. They will also cerate a file for you, in which you can keep letters of recommendation, a portfolio and other materials related to your credentials.

What do I do if I have a disability?

If you have a documented disability, you must register with the office of Disability Services. They can be reached at (716) 880-2000, ext. 2391. It is your responsibility to initiate contact with them as well as with your professors. As a college, we are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to student with disabilities.

Is there a counseling center for students?

Yes, we have a College Counseling center that is available to all registered Medaille students. The center provides both individual and group counseling, as well as a number resources related to mental health issues. You may contact them at www.medaille.edu/campuslife/counseling/ or call Jeannine Suk to make an appointment at (716) 880-2339.

When do I start an internship?

Student who are in good academic standing are eligible to start internship after they have completed 18 credit hours. The requirement for internship is 180 hours at a site that has been approved by the Program Director.

Who do I contact if I am having trouble finding a internship site?

Dr. Bridget Marinaccio directs the internship program, and she can be reached at (716) 932-2554.

What are the required hours for internship?

The pre-practicum consist of 100 hours (45 contact hours). Once the pre-practicum is completed student are required to complete 600 (240 contact hours), 200 hours in each 3 credit Internship course (MHC 677).

Do I have to complete all of my hours at one internship site?

In some cases it is beneficial to divide your internship hours between to site to maximize your experiences. It solely is dependent on the student's interests, some students choose one placement and other choose two or three.

Does volunteer work count toward internship?

Yes, New York State does allow volunteer hours to count towards internship. Crisis Services offers a training program for individuals who are interested in working in crisis intervention through their 24- hour hotline, rape and domestic violence advocate program, kids crisis hotline and mobile outreach. They can be reached at 716-834-3131. Typically, students complete a 40 hour training program and are asked to make at least 2 twelve hour shift commitments.

What if I am working in the field, can my work experiences count towards my internship hours?

We evaluate work related hours on a case-by case basis. Work-related placements must be approved by the program director (Dr. Marinaccio).

How will I apply for graduation?

You will need to apply for graduation with the Registrar's office during your last semester. The exact dates vary from semester to semester.