Frequently Asked Questions

1) When is the application deadline?

Admission deadline is April 1, 2013.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their completed applications as soon as possible. Once the cohort has reached its capacity for the term, new applications will be considered for admission for the following year.

2) What is the application fee?

A $40 application fee is a requirement of the admissions process.

3) From whom should the letters of recommendation be?

Letters should be from individuals you believe can speak to your ability to do doctoral level work and/or to contribute to the field of community psychology.

4) What days and times do the classes meet?

Classes meet one night a week from 4-10pm at the Chicago campus.

5) Will there be interviews prior to acceptance to the program?

The faculty interview is conducted in the final stages of the admissions process IF a candidate meets all of the basic requirements for admissions, they will be granted an interview by members of the program’s faculty.

 6) How much does the program cost?

Currently the tuition rate is $744/credit hour. Students who are admitted having already completed a master’s thesis will complete 69 semester hours (SH) of credit; those who are admitted without a thesis will complete 72 SH. Please be advised that the tuition rate is subject to change at any time.

 7) What financial aid is available?

You are encouraged to visit the Student Services portion of the NLU website at http://www.nl.edu/studentservices/finaid/. In addition, eligible students are invited to apply to participate in a Research Assistantship/Teaching Assistantship. In order to qualify, students must be fully admitted to the program and have completed the FAFSA. This is a needs based and highly competitive program with a limited amount of space available. Eligibility is based on the results of the FAFSA. Students may work up to twenty hours per week. August 2012

 8) Is the program APA accredited?

As with many non-clinical degrees, the American Psychological Association does not have any type of accreditation for Community Psychology programs. National Louis University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, 30 N. LaSalle St., Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60606 312/263-0456, and is a participant in the HLC’s Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP).

 9) Who should I contact for more information about the program/application process?

Please contact the Enrollment Advisors for the program:

Lori Markuson-- lori.markuson@nl.edu 312-261-3745

Aggie Hanni-- agnieszka.hanni@nl.edu 312-261-3028

 10) When do classes begin?

The next cohort is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2013.

 11) Will you consider transfer credits?

AFTER a student has been accepted into the program, we would consider transfer courses. However, these courses need to be 600 level courses that cover the material covered in one of the Ph.D. courses. It would be a very rare instance for a student who was not in a Community Psychology doctoral program to have taken courses that would meet these requirements.

 12) What score is needed on the GRE in order to be considered for admissions?

There is not a set cut-off point. We use a formula that considers the Verbal and Quantitative scores of the GRE along with your MA/MS GPA and experience. Applicants will be considered on a competitive basis. These scores will be considered as one aspect of the entire application.

 13) Can the GRE be waived?

No, the GRE requirement will not be waived for any reason.

 14) Where can I obtain more information about the GRE?

Detailed information about the GRE, including sample questions, a test overview, and details on pertaining to the associated testing fees, can be found on the ETS website at www.ets.org/gre in the “Test Takers” section. The website also provides a list of the various test administration sites in Illinois.

 15) I completed my master’s but did not do a thesis, will I have to back track and complete one now even though I completed the master’s years ago?

A master’s thesis is required for admission into the program, however strong applicants will be considered even if they did not complete a thesis. Students who are admitted to the program without a thesis will be required to complete one within the first four terms of the program in order to “advance to candidacy” and continue in the program. A Ph.D. is a research degree; therefore, before you begin your doctoral level research, you need to exhibit an ability to conduct research at a master’s level.

 16) You state that a thesis must be completed, are there specific requirements for the thesis?

Yes, the thesis should demonstrate your ability to conduct empirical research. It should have Methodology and participants. Secondary analysis of data is appropriate; however, literature reviews do NOT meet the “thesis” requirement.

 17) When/How will I be notified if I am accepted into the program?

 Applicants will be notified of acceptance to the program via postal mail upon completion of the admissions process. Applicants should expect an answer four to six weeks after completing the application process.