<p>I know the title may sound a little ridiculous, but is it possible for clinical psych programs to let someone take credits as a non-degree student? I know they are highly competitive programs, and probably won’t just let any Joe Schmoe walk in and take a class or two. I live in NJ, work full-time in a research organization (we get tuition reimbursement, hooray!), so I contacted Rutgers. Their Ph.D. program doesn’t entertain the idea. Still waiting to hear back from the Psy.D. folks…</p>
<p>Background: I received my bachelors just this past May (technically finished all my coursework in December). I went to a top tier university and graduated in the top 10% of my class… but I’m not sure if any schools really care unless I am applying to their graduate programs.</p>
<p>Should I just stick to undergrad classes (meh…)? Any thoughts on good ways to convince the graduate departments? I do want to go on to a clinical psych program in a couple years. Well, at least that’s the current plan.</p>
<p>@ quasinerd</p>
<p>If you want to take a graduate-level course as a non-degree candidate, you may still need to provide test scores, personal statement, statement of purpose, transcripts and recommendations to the admissions office. I know it’s discouraging (why do all of this as a non-degree student when it’s like applying to the actual program as a degree-seeking student?) but some schools enforce this. The grad-level courses will transfer as electives if you go this route. Undergrad classes won’t transfer.</p>
<p>Thanks, tenisghs. Yes, I know some schools do require those things… generally not the GREs, but perhaps transcripts and a recommendation. This isn’t a problem (annoying, but not a big deal). However, I don’t think Rutgers requires any of these, which is nice… if only one of their programs I’m interested in accepted non-degrees! Ah well, I’ll keep trying. Are there any other schools in the area I should be considering? NYU was an option, along with Columbia, but they’re just so much more expensive, and I only get so much money.</p>