Preclinical Psychology Certificate Program
The Preclinical Psychology post-baccalaureate certificate program consists of nine psychology courses required for application to most graduate programs awarding either the doctor of psychology in clinical psychology (PsyD) or the doctor of philosophy in clinical psychology (PhD). While this program meets minimal requirements for application to clinical psychology graduate programs in the Chicago area, students are strongly advised to confirm the admission requirements of the graduate schools in which they are interested before enrolling to ensure that the SPS program will fulfill their needs. Students who need only some of these courses may meet with an advisor to discuss the Advanced Studies in Psychology certificate program or design a customized certificate, or consider courses as a Student-at-large. Please note that these options are not eligible for financial aid.
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About the Preclinical Psychology Certificate Program
- Preclinical Psychology Required Courses
- Transfer Credit Policy for Preclinical Psychology
- Preclinical Psychology Tuition
- Admission for Preclinical Psychology
- Preclinical Psychology Registration Information
- Preclinical Psychology Pre-Health Professional Student Group
- Find out more about the Preclinical Psychology Program
Preclinical Psychology Required Courses
All of the following courses are required:
- PSYCH 110 Introduction to Psychology
- PSYCH 201 Statistical Methods in Psychology
- PSYCH 205 Research Methods in Psychology
- PSYCH 215 Psychology of Personality
- PSYCH 228 Cognitive Psychology
- PSYCH 244 Developmental Psychology (was PSYCH 218)
- PSYCH 303 Psychopathology
- PSYCH 306 Introduction to Clinical Psychology
- PSYCH 369 Psychological Tests & Measures (was PSYCH 375)
In addition to the program requirements, students have the option to take any of the courses offered at SPS to fulfill prerequisites. Elective courses are NOT eligible for financial aid, based upon federal financial aid requirements.
Transfer Credit Policy for Preclinical Psychology
Students in the Preclinical Psychology post-baccalaureate certificate program may transfer up to six semester hours, or nine quarter hours of academic credit. A transcript and grade of B or better are required for transferred courses in the program. Courses audited or taken with the pass/no credit option cannot be applied toward a certificate program. Courses earned for a bachelor's degree at SPS may not be applied retroactively toward certificate requirements. Required courses that have been completed in the past two years by students-at-large may be applied toward the completion of a certificate, subject to the approval of the admissions committee, and provided admission requirements for the program are met. All transfer credit must be approved before a student begins his or her course work at SPS.
Preclinical Psychology Tuition
Post-baccalaureate students at Northwestern's School of Professional Studies pay per course. For more information about financial obligations and tuition, please visit the Tuition page.
Admission for Preclinical Psychology
In addition to completing an online application, you'll also need to submit a few supplemental materials. A list of requirements for admission including application deadlines and tips on how to apply can be found on the Admission page.
Preclinical Psychology Registration Information
Whether you're a first-time registrant or current and returning student, all students register using our online student registration and records systems. Important information about registering for courses at SPS, including registration timelines and adding or dropping courses in which you are already enrolled, can be found on the Registration Information page.
Preclinical Psychology Pre-Health Professional Student Group
Learn how students support one another through forums, resources and social networks on the Preclinical Psychology Pre-Health Professional Student Group page.