Apply

The deadline to submit your application for the MAPS program is February 1^st for admission consideration for Fall 2026. Pending available space, applications submitted after the deadline may be considered. 

_{McNair Scholars only - the deadline to request a fee waiver is December 5, 2025. Make sure to follow the instructions listed. You must start the application, but do not submit the application until you've received confirmation that the application fee has been waived.}

• Required

  • bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. institution (international applicants see section below)
  • completion of psychology statistics and research methods coursework
  • documentation of English language proficiency for any non-native speaker of English
  • completion of an Abnormal Psychology or Psychopathology course - Clinical Counseling Psychology applicants only

• Preferred

  • minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • a degree in psychology
  • completion of an Introductory Industrial-Organizational Psychology course - Industrial-Organizational Psychology applicants only
• Clinical Counseling applicants please note, per University policy, criminal background checks will be required before enrolling in internships.

• Applicants with a bachelor's degree from outside of the United States should check that their degree is recognized by the University of Minnesota system as equivalent to a bachelor's degree in the United States. Evaluations from World Evaluation Services (WES) do not change these standards and the MAPS Program can not make exceptions.
• For non-native speakers of English, there are additional tests to document your English language proficiency. Learn more about testing option and exemptions on UMN Graduate School's English language proficiency webpage. Minimum scores for the MAPS Program are the same as the UMN Graduate School's minimums.
• If your transcript is not in English, please up load an English translation.
• Additional information about the application process, visa requirements, and other information related to international applicants is available here. If you still have questions about the application process for international students, please contact the graduate school at [email protected].

All application materials should be submitted directly into the Graduate Application System.

• Program Selection - select either:  

  • Psychological Science - Clinical Counseling - Duluth MA
  • Psychological Science - Experimental - Duluth MA
  • Psychological Science - Industrial Organizational - Duluth MA

• Term Selection - 

  • Please select "Fall" of the year you wish to begin. Students are only accepted for Fall admission.

• Transcript

  • Unofficial transcripts or academic records for each institution attended, including partial or incomplete transcripts.
  • There is no need for official transcripts for the initial review of your application. Once admitted, students will receive instructions from the Graduate School on where to send official transcripts.

• Forms

  • Complete biographical information (e.g., contact information), personal background (e.g., residency, military service), employment history in the Graduate Application System.

• Personal Statement (essay format, 1,000 word limit) including:

  • Why you are specifically interested in our MAPS Program and your preferred track.
  • Your long-term professional goals, the routes by which you hope to achieve them, and your reasons for setting these objectives.
  • Your specific research and/or professional interests and how you became interested in this field or research.
  • Activities or experiences that have contributed toward your interest in, preparation for, and/or understanding of this field or research area.
  • Qualities (e.g., takes initiative, scientific curiosity, self-guided inquiry, openness to supervision) or skills you have acquired so far that might help you succeed in the field of psychology (e.g., writing skills, quantitative and data analysis skills, critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, helping skills) as well as thrive in a rigorous graduate program. Note: applicants switching from another discipline are encouraged to reflect on potentially transferable skills when possible.
  • MAPS faculty with whom you would like to work, and an explanation for why you want to work with the particular faculty member(s) you indicate. 

• Diversity of Views and Experiences (DOVE) Statement

  • Diversity of views and experiences is fundamental to the University's mission, and the University's faculty, staff, and students share responsibility for the collective achievement of this goal.
    • Please describe the distinctive perspectives or life experiences, such as successfully overcoming obstacles or hardships, that you would bring to your graduate program. Describe how these perspectives or life experiences could contribute to the education and enhanced perspective of fellow students at the University of Minnesota Duluth.
    • 2-page maximum, single-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins.
    • Optional: for consideration for the DOVE Fellowship, please also complete Prompt #2 (Reflection on GSDO Values, additional 2-page max) of the nomination instructions and submit this prompt response to Graduate Program Coordinator, Becky Blackwood [email protected] and Director of Graduate Studies, Catherine Reich [email protected] prior to the application deadline of February 1st.

• Work Sample

  • Please include a writing sample that demonstrates your ability to succeed in the MAPS Program. Our admissions committee will assess your skills in writing, research, and potential for success in our program. A sample of writing you completed independently is preferred. If submitting a sample that was co-authored, please specify this and which sections of the paper represent your independent contribution. Possibilities include (but are not limited to): a capstone project, an independent research paper or proposal, a published article, a grant proposal.

• Three letters of recommendation

  • Each letter should speak to your potential as a graduate student and professional in psychology.
  • Letters must be submitted electronically (do not mail paper copies). Once you are logged into the online application system, you will be asked to provide the names of your letter-writers and their contact information. Your letter-writers will then be emailed a link to an online rating form that they need to complete and electronically submit.
  • You may also let your letter-writers know we request a letter with a narrative statement to upload in addition to an online form.
  • You can check the progress of your application periodically online to ensure all materials are received before the deadline.

• Curriculum vita (CV)

• Extenuating Circumstances Statement (optional)

  • You may upload a statement if there is something you want to clarify. You can skip this section if there is nothing you want to clarify or explain.

• Application Fee

  • After you have completed the online application, click the "submit" button and follow the credit/debit card payment instructions. After you pay, you will be returned to the online application, where you will click "submit" again. This completes your submission.
  • Qualifying McNair Scholars can request a waiver of the application fee by completing the waiver request form prior to December 6^th, 2025.

Your application will not be reviewed until all of the required materials are submitted successfully. Incomplete applications will not be considered for admission.

• Members of the admissions committees (Clinical Counseling, Experimental, and Industrial Organizational) first review applications. After the application deadline, faculty meet to discuss initial impressions of applicants based on application materials and share rubric ratings.
• The top pool of applicants will be invited to a semi-structured virtual interview (using the Zoom platform). Interview invitations are extended by email to the address you provided on the application.
• Offers of admission are not typically extended until late February or later. If at any point you are holding an offer for admission and need to know the status of your application with the MAPS Program, please reach out to the Director of Graduate Studies.
• Applicants holding offers of admission are asked to respond to the offer no later than April 15^th.