Rosemead FAQ's

Admissions

When is the application deadline? Can I send one piece at a time?

January 15th; applications received after the January 15 deadline will rarely be considered for the following fall semester. You may send each part of the application separately.
What are the requirements for admission?
1. Possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with an average grade of at least "B" for the junior and senior years, i.e., 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
2. Present an undergraduate program with either a major in psychology or its functional equivalent (30 semester hours of credit in psychology). This should include at least one course in:
  - General (introductory) psychology
  - Statistical methods
  - Experimental psychology
  - Abnormal psychology
  - Theories of personality
  - Learning
  Also strongly recommended are courses in developmental psychology, measurement theory, history of psychology, physiological psychology or a year of biology/zoology. If possible, undergraduate courses in Old and New Testament survey and hermeneutics will strengthen the student's preparation for Rosemead.
3. Submit scores on the GRE General Test.
4. Submit 5 letters of recommendation on forms provided by the school. Three of these are academic references, and two are character references (pastor and personal friend).
5. Consult Rosemead's website at www.rosemead.edu for further information on admissions requirements.
Who should I ask for a reference?
Three things that make a good reference are:
- Someone who knows you well
- Someone in a key position
- Someone who believes you will do well in graduate school
Most applicants use their psychology professors as references; however, if you have been out of school for a while, it may be best to ask an employer or other professional who knows you and your work well.

The pastor's reference does not necessarily have to come from a pastor; any kind of spiritual leader in your local church that knows you well will suffice.
What are the minimum requirements for GPA and the GRE? What scores are considered competitive? How do I sign up?

The minimum requirement for GPA is 3.0; the average GPA of Rosemead students is around a 3.3-3.7. The average GRE score of Rosemead students is around 1150 for PsyD students and 1250 for PhD students. Information regarding testing dates and locations may be obtained at the Educational Testing Service website at www.ets.org.
Can I transfer credits in from another school?

Rosemead will accept up to 30 units of psychology credit and/or up to 14 hours of theology/Bible credit. Classes must be from a regionally accredited institution, and the grade must be a B or above. Students must provide documentation (syllabus, course description) to assure equivalency of course content.
What if I already have a master's degree?

You can transfer in up to 30 units and begin with advanced standing. You can expect to finish the program in 4 years going full-time (3 years of classes & practicum; then a 1-year internship). Students with no transfer credits can finish the program in 5 years going full-time (4 years of classes & practicum; then a 1-year internship).
How can I make my application more competitive?

Along with test scores, GPA and references, let the admissions committee get to know you by constructing well-written and authentic essays. Research experience and other extracurricular involvement in the field of psychology should be noted on the application. Any kind of work or volunteer experience in the human services field will be helpful. Noting involvement in church ministry and activities is also beneficial.
What are the acceptance rates?

Out of about 130 applicants every year, about 35 are accepted (25%) and 20-25 of those decide to attend Rosemead.
When can I expect to hear back regarding acceptance?

After the January 15th deadline the applications are reviewed and selected applicants are interviewed in February and March. Students receive notification of acceptance by the last day in March and have until April 15th to commit to attend.

Degree Programs

Is Rosemead APA accredited?

Yes. Rosemead has been APA accredited since 1980.
What kind of programs do you offer?

Rosemead offers a Psy.D. and Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology.
What is the difference between a Psy.D. and Ph.D.?

The Psy.D. program emphasizes the practice of clinical psychology. Psy.D. students take more lab courses than Ph.D. students and therefore receive more clinical training and experience. The Ph.D. program emphasizes research more and requires students to take more research classes. They generally receive less clinical experience and are more familiar with how to do research. Those with a Ph.D. are generally more apt to teach at the university level.

In addition, Ph.D. students are required to complete a master's thesis and a doctoral dissertation, whereas Psy.D. students are required to complete a doctoral research paper, which is like a very thorough literature review.
Do you have a master's program?

Rosemead does not offer a terminal master's program (a program that terminates in the awarding of a master's degree). The Psy.D. and Ph.D. students are awarded the master's degrees after successful completion of two years of the program and other requirements. Committing to Rosemead is a commitment to obtain a doctoral degree.
Do you offer any specialization tracks?

Students desiring to focus their professional practice on children, couples, or families may take an emphasis in Family-Child Psychology. This emphasis requires completion of certain elective courses in this area of study; students may also write their dissertations or doctoral research papers in a family-child area, spend their yearlong outpatient practicum working with this population at least half of the time, and complete an internship working with this population for at least a third of the time.

Rosemead's main focus in training clinical psychologists, though, is to provide the skills needed for general clinical psychological services. Our students gain experience in a wide variety of clinical services with a wide variety of clientele. Specialization in the field is usually gained after the doctorate, and even after the license is obtained. Our students gain the broad training to be competent therapists; our alumni specialize in many different facets of service.
What are the hallmarks of Rosemead's programs?
- Integration of psychology and Christianity
  You will learn how psychology and Christianity fit together, and how they both address the human condition
- Excellent clinical training
  You will learn how to be a very effective therapist at a school with a great reputation for producing highly qualified professionals
- Emphasis on personal and spiritual growth
  Rosemead believes that a counselor can best help others grow when he or she has experienced and is experiencing growth him or herself; this often occurs in personal and group therapy
- Supportive and encouraging community of students and faculty
  Other Christians who are going through the same growth and learning process, and those who have made it a little further down that road
Will this program prepare me for state licensure?

Rosemead's APA-accredited degree programs and connections with APA-accredited internship sites meet most, if not all, state licensure requirements. The education you receive at Rosemead will also prepare you to take and pass the licensing exams most states require. Check with your state's board of psychology for more specific information.

Miscellaneous

What will a Rosemead degree prepare me to do?

After completing Rosemead's program, you will be a competent, highly trained, professional clinician. With one of the highest internship placement rates in the country, 98% of Rosemead students receive an internship of their choice. Students often go on from Rosemead to work in clinical settings, such as counseling centers and private practices. Some of our alumni serve in the armed forces as psychologists. Other alumni serve missionaries in the field at counseling centers around the world. Some write and speak, and many offer services and education at their local churches. Several of our alumni have held leadership positions in the Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS). Others teach and conduct research at universities.
What is the cost of the program?

Tuition for one semester (9-16 units) at Rosemead is $8,788. Otherwise, classes are $732 per credit hour. There is also a $600 personal growth fee each semester. There is no tuition during the internship year (typically the fifth year of the program), however, there is an internship fee of $1,200/semester during internship.
What is the personal growth fee?

This money is collected in a fund and reimbursed to students to help pay for required training therapy. Any unused portion of this fee will be returned to the student after completing the program.
What financial aid is available?
- Graduate Grant
  Through Biola, up to $2,000/yr (varies based on financial need)
- Church Matching Scholarship
  Biola can match up to $500 that your church donates toward your education
- Stafford Loans
  Up to $8,500/yr subsidized and $10,000 unsubsidized/yr
- Perkins Loan
  Up to $1,000/yr
- Work Study/Student Employment
  The on-campus and off-campus employment offices are great resources to find part-time work
- Rosemead Assistantship (available beginning 2nd year)
  Work as a TA for a stipend
- Rosemead Discretionary Scholarship (available beginning 2nd year)
  Awarded to Rosemead students with demonstrated financial need
What kind of housing is available?

Limited off-campus housing options are available through the Graduate Housing office at Biola (562-944-0351, ext. 5814). Apply early for a better chance at getting in.
What time of day are classes offered?

Classes are offered during the day Monday through Thursday. Fridays are left open for students to schedule practicum experiences.
Do you offer classes during nights/weekends, distance or online classes?

There are no distance or online classes offered. Students are required to be enrolled full-time in the program. Since both faculty and upper division students are likely to be working clinicians, evenings are left available to see clients. Therefore classes scheduled in the evening are very rare. Rosemead's programs are not designed for part-time students, so weekend courses are also very rare.
How much can I work while I am enrolled in school?

It is feasible for a student to work around 15- 20 hours per week while enrolled full-time at Rosemead.
How can I get involved in research?

There are a number of active research teams that students are more than welcome to join. Students can also work with professors to start new research groups. Contact Rosemead for a list of current research groups.
How can I set up a campus visit?

Call Carla Tipton, our campus visit coordinator, at (562) 903-4752.