How to Apply
The Fall 2026 application cycle is now open.
The Priority Deadline is December 1, 2025
The General Application deadline is January 24, 2026
Students with a bachelor's degree in psychology or a related major and students with a master's degree in psychology or a related major may apply. Students will need to demonstrate their abilities to succeed in a doctoral level program through a cumulative GPA (3.0 or better or an overall graduate school GPA of 3.5 or better at the time of the degree posting), research experience, and experience in the field.
Starting Your PsyD Application
Follow these steps to complete your application for the PsyD in Clinical Psychology program:
1. Start Your Online Application
Begin by completing the Program Information and Personal Information sections. Then continue with the required sections below.
2. Submit Official Transcripts
You must submit official transcripts from:
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All regionally accredited 4-year colleges/universities attended
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Any graduate-level coursework
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Any college/university where the prerequisite courses were completed
How to send transcripts: Use certified e-transcripts if your institution offers this option.
By email:
If a selection list is available, choose California Lutheran University or use clugrad@CalLutheran.edu for direct entry.
By mail:
California Lutheran University
60 W. Olsen Road, #2200
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360-2700
International Applicants:
Submit a sealed, evaluated transcript from an approved evaluation agency. See here for more information.
3. Submit Two Recommendation Forms
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List the names and contact information for two recommenders on the Recommender page of your online application.
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Recommendationsmust come from individuals who know you professionally, academically, or through related volunteer experience—ideally from individuals in supervisory roles. Recommendations from personal relationships (friends, family, therapists, etc.) will not be accepted.
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Cal Lutheran will send the required form directly to your recommenders. Each recommender will have space at the end of the form to add comments and upload their letter.
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Tip: You do not need to wait for recommendations to be received to continue your application.
4. Provide Employment or Volunteer Experience
Include details about relevant employment or volunteer experience in your application. Be sure to highlight positions or activities related to psychology, counseling, or community service.
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Include organization names, positions held, dates, and a brief description of your roles and responsibilities.
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This information helps demonstrate your preparedness for graduate-level study and your commitment to the field.
5. Upload Your Personal Statement Prompts
On the GSOP Supplemental Forms tab, you will submit a short essay for the required prompts.
Students completing essay prompts for their PsyD application should reflect on their personal and professional experiences, articulate their motivation for pursuing a doctoral degree in psychology, and demonstrate their readiness for graduate-level training. These essays help the admission committee assess the applicant's fit, self-awareness, and commitment to the field.
Please note that these essays are weighted heavily in the review process.
- What experiences have prepared you for treating clients as a psychology trainee? Please briefly describe key volunteer or work experiences that have prepared you for clinical training at the doctoral level. Explain how you believe these have prepared you to work with clients.
- What experiences have prepared you for working on an independent research project? Please briefly describe your key experiences and training in research methods, statistics, and professional writing. Explain how you believe these have prepared you to do any of the following: review scientific literature, develop a data collection and analysis plan, collect data, and/or write up the results.
- What is it about California Lutheran University’s PsyD Program, specifically, that you believe will help fulfill your training goals? Please include in your response your understanding of how culture and diversity inform your learning and include specific examples that illustrate your commitment to serving the underserved.
6. Upload Your Resume or CV
Include your most current resume or curriculum vitae. Be sure it aligns with the employment or volunteer information provided.
*Please note that you may submit your application before uploading these documents;
however, your file will remain incomplete until all required documents have been received.
Once your application is submitted, an upload button will be available in the application
portal, allowing you to upload any remaining documents at your convenience.
7. Complete the Pre-Requisite Requirement Form
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Access the form through the GSOP Supplemental Forms tab. You will then indicate the courses you intend to apply toward fulfilling the pre-requisite requirements. Please do not include any courses that do not meet the minimum grade requirement of B– or better.
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Requirements:
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Applicants who hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in psychology:
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Minimum 3 credits of statistics with a grade of B– or better required
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- Applicants who do not hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in psychology:
- Are required to have at least 3 credits of statistics and
- An additional 12 credits of undergraduate or graduate-level psychology courses, all with a grade of B- or better.
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If prerequisite courses were completed at a community college, official transcripts must also be submitted.
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*If you have yet to take or are retaking pre-requisite courses, they may be listed as in progress. In-progress must be completed by the end of Spring 2026. Courses can be taken at the community college level.
8. Submit Your Application and Fee
Complete the remaining sections, sign, and submit your application along with the non-refundable application fee.
Final Steps: Upload Remaining Materials
After you submit your application, log in to your Application Portal to view your Application Checklist items. Here you will be able to upload or complete any remaining required materials. Use the Upload Materials box to attach documents.
GRE scores are not required.
Application Timeline
The PsyD application for Fall 2026 opens on August 1, 2025
Priority Deadline Applicants
- Priority Deadline: December 1, 2025
- Review Period Dec-Jan
- Priority Interviews* are typically held in February
- Decisions are released in late February/early March
- The deposit deadline for admits is April 15
Post Deadline Applicants
- Regular Deadline: January 24, 2026
- Review Period Feb-March
- Interviews* are typically held in late February
- Interviews may be on a space-available basis for top candidates.
- Decisions are released 2-3 weeks after the interview
- The deposit deadline for post-priority applicants is April 15. If admitted after April 15, the deposit deadline will be 2 weeks after the admission date.
Waitlisted Applicants
Students who have been placed on the waitlist for the PsyD Program should hear from the program when space becomes available. Students should expect to hear back during the summer on final waitlist decisions.
*To help you gain a comprehensive understanding of our PsyD program, we require in-person interviews for those invited for an interview. Interview Day gives you the opportunity to explore our Oxnard campus, connect with the dean, the director of clinical training, faculty, and staff, and experience our community firsthand. You'll also take part in two student panels, where you can ask candid questions about the program and the transition to graduate school. This personal approach allows us to guide you through the application process, ensuring you feel supported every step of the way. Applicants invited for an interview who live out of the state or country will have the option for a virtual interview.
Applying as an International Student
In addition to the above application requirements, International Students are required to provide the following:
- Official transcripts and degree certificates or certified true copies in English of all college and university records sent directly from each institution to CLU
- Students are required to complete an official transcript evaluation stating that their degree is equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree. The evaluation must include GPA equivalence and a course-by-course listing, done by a NACES member company. CLU recommends two providers who have offered CLU applicants a streamlined process for obtaining an evaluation. These are IEE and SpanTran.
- Language Proficiency
- Minimum acceptable scores for: Duolingo English Test score: 120; TOEFL score: 88; IELTS score: 6.5; Pearson’s (PTE Academic) score: 58; Completion of ELS 112
- Applicants who earn a bachelor's degree in an English-speaking country may have the proof of English proficiency requirement waived on a case-by-case basis. Please contact International Admission for more information: intladmission@CalLutheran.edu.
- Financial Responsibility Statement or Official Bank Statement
- Copy of Passport