Admissions

Your Path to
Clinical Practice

We select students who combine intellectual rigor with genuine compassion. Our holistic review weighs clinical experience, personal history, and fit with our ACT-rooted training model.

The Application Process

01

Create Your Portal Account

Register at apply.acu.edu. Your portal gives you access to all program-specific requirements, deadlines, and your real-time application checklist.

02

Submit Your Application

Complete academic history, two clinical essays, a personal statement on your relationship with acceptance and change, and three letters of recommendation.

03

Interview Invitation

Shortlisted applicants are invited to an on-campus interview day with faculty and current students. Virtual options are available for international applicants.

04

Orientation

Admitted students attend ACU's immersive two-day orientation — meeting faculty, touring clinical training sites, and beginning the cohort experience before the first day of classes.

Key Deadlines — Fall 2027

PsyD Program
Clinical doctorate — 5 years
December 1, 2026
PhD Program
Research-focused — 6 years
November 15, 2026
MA Clinical Psychology
2-year terminal master's
February 1, 2027
MA Counseling Psychology
Licensure track
February 1, 2027
International Applicants
Additional docs required
November 1, 2026

Ethical Requirements

  • Commitment to the APA Ethics Code
    Familiarity with all 10 sections required before enrollment
  • Informed Consent & Confidentiality Agreement
    Signed declaration of client rights understanding
  • No Dual Relationships Policy
    Written disclosure and agreement upon admission
  • Cultural Humility & Anti-Discrimination Pledge
    Mandatory statement on equitable clinical practice
  • Boundaries in Clinical Practice Acknowledgment
    Understanding of professional boundaries and limits of competence
  • Mandatory Reporting Awareness
    Legal and ethical obligations training completed before practicum
  • Personal Therapy Requirement
    Minimum 20 hours of personal therapy before first clinical placement
  • Ethics Review Clearance
    Required for all applicants with prior research or clinical involvement

Take the First Step Toward Licensure

Our admissions team includes licensed psychologists who understand the path you're on.

Start Your Application Schedule a Campus Visit