Admission Steps
Forensic Psychology - MA
Admission Requirements
For the 2025-2026 academic year
Fall 2025 quarter (beginning in September)
-
Final submission deadline: January 8, 2025
Final submission deadline: Applicants cannot submit applications after the final submission deadline.
Degrees and GPA Requirements
Bachelors degree: All graduate applicants must hold an earned baccalaureate from a regionally accredited college or university or the recognized equivalent from an international institution.
University GPA requirement: The minimum grade point average for admission consideration for graduate study at the University of Denver must meet one of the following criteria:
-
A cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the baccalaureate degree.
-
A cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree.
-
An earned master’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution or the recognized equivalent from an international institution supersedes the minimum GPA requirement for the baccalaureate.
-
A cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all graduate coursework completed for applicants who have not earned a master’s degree or higher.
Prerequisites
Applicants WITHOUT a psychology background (major or minor), must meet the department's psychology prerequisite prior to matriculation. The psychology prerequisite can be met either through psychology coursework or by obtaining a score of at least 660 or higher on the psychology subject GRE exam. Applicants should state how they plan to meet the psychology prerequisite in their application. For the psychology coursework prerequisite, applicants must complete four (4) psychology courses earning a 'B' or better in these classes from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants offered admission should be aware that all psychology classes must be completed before registration in September.
Additional Standards for Non-Native English Speakers
Official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), C1 Advanced or Duolingo English Test are required of all graduate applicants, regardless of citizenship status, whose native language is not English or who have been educated in countries where English is not the native language. Your TOEFL/IELTS/C1 Advanced/Duolingo English Test scores are valid for two years from the test date.
The minimum TOEFL/IELTS/C1 Advanced/Duolingo English Test score requirements for this degree program are:
-
Minimum TOEFL Score (Internet-based test): 80
-
Minimum IELTS Score: 6.5
-
Minimum C1 Advanced Score: 176
-
Minimum Duolingo English Test Score: 115
Additional Information:
-
Read the English Language Proficiency policy for more details.
-
Read the Required Tests for GTA Eligibility policy for more details.
Additional Standards for International Applicants
Per Student & Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) regulation, international applicants must meet all standards for admission before an I-20 or DS-2019 is issued, [per U.S. Federal Register: 8 CFR § 214.3(k)] or is academically eligible for admission and is admitted [per 22 C.F.R. §62]. Read the Additional Standards For International Applicants policy for more details.
Application Materials
Transcripts
We require a scanned copy of your transcripts from every college or university you have attended. Scanned copies must be clearly legible and sized to print on standard 8½-by-11-inch paper. Transcripts that do not show degrees awarded must also be accompanied by a scanned copy of the diploma or degree certificate. If your academic transcripts were issued in a language other than English, both the original documents and certified English translations are required.
Transcripts and proof of degree documents for postsecondary degrees earned from institutions outside of the United States will be released to a third-party international credential evaluator to assess U.S. education system equivalencies. Beginning July 2023, a non-refundable fee for this service will be required before the application is processed.
Upon admission to the University of Denver, official transcripts will be required from each institution attended.
Letters of Recommendation
Two (2) letters of recommendation are required. Letters should be submitted by recommenders through the online application.
Essays and Statements
Essay Instructions
Please respond to the the following two essay questions and upload in one document to the online application. Please number each essay response. The word limit for both essays combined is 1500 words.
- Essay 1: Describe someone you know who has engaged in behavior of which you disapprove. How has this behavior affected your view of this person? How has your relationship with this person changed? How do you understand your reactions to this person? How might your personal history influence how you react?
- Essay 2: Write about a time you received feedback with which you did not agree.
Résumé Instructions
The résumé (or C.V.) should include work experience, research, and/or volunteer work.
Note
Faculty review completed applications December through early February. We will notify applicants via email with an admissions status update sometime in late January/early February. If invited to interview, interviews will be held online in late February.
For more information about the programs that the Graduate School of Professional Psychology (GSPP) offers, please refer to GSPP's admissions webpage. If you have any questions or concerns regarding admission requirements, deadlines, and late application materials, please contact gsppinfo@xgcr.net or call (303) 871-3736.
Start the Application
Start Your Application
Your submitted materials will be reviewed once all materials and application fees have been received.
Our program can only consider your application for admission if our Office of Graduate Education has received all your online materials and supplemental materials by our application deadline.
Application Fee: $65.00 Application Fee
International Degree Evaluation Fee: $50.00 Evaluation Fee for degrees (bachelor's or higher) earned from institutions outside the United States.
Financial Aid Information
Applicants should complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15. Visit the Office of Financial Aid for additional information.