The Counseling Psychology doctoral program at the University of Tennessee receives many applications each year and typically selects five full-time students. All applications are reviewed by at least two core counseling faculty members, and those in the top group of approximately 25 applicants are invited to visit the University of Tennessee and participate in our annual applicant visiting day.  Visiting day typically occurs on a Friday and is a day-long program of activities that includes an orientation, question-and-answer period, opportunities to meet the faculty and current graduate students, and a tour of the department and campus. An optional student organized social event follows the visiting day.  Current students in the program volunteer to house applicants in their homes to help defray the expense of the visit, if desired.  Final applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the campus; however, telephone interviews can be arranged.  The deadline for receipt of completed applications is December 1.

The program’s core faculty members meet following visiting day and select applicants to offer admission to the Counseling Psychology Program.  Students are selected for admission based on their research and clinical experiences and potential, letters of recommendation, written personal statements, fit with the Scientist-Practitioner-Advocate Model and with potential mentor, GRE scores (optional), GPA, and impressions from personal interviews.  Students are paired at admission with a mentor.  This allows them to immediately become involved in an active research program and to become quickly acclimated to the program.  Students are encouraged to be part of research teams of other faculty members in addition to their mentor’s team.  Students do not have any difficulty switching to work with a different advisor, if they desire.