Clinical Psychology

Mercer University’s Accelerated Special Consideration Programs (ASCP) for Clinical Psychology offer high achieving, first-time students with a Math Index of 980 or higher, enrolled in either the CLAS or the CHP, the opportunity to earn both the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree (BSHS) from the CLAS or the Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree (BSPH) from the CHP and a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree in an eight-year time frame. Students who meet all ASCP criteria will be offered an interview with the PsyD program offered by the College of Health Professions on the Cecil B. Day campus in Atlanta.

To be eligible for an ASCP, students must apply to enter their college (CLAS or CHP) as first-time undergraduate students (transfer students are not eligible for these programs) and adhere to the specific ASCP requirements for the duration of their time at Mercer. Requirements include, but are not limited to:

  1. Completion of the requirements for their bachelor’s degree, with coursework totaling 92 credit hours (CLAS ASCP) or 106 hours (CHP ASCP) by May of year 3; transfer hours are not allowed after high school graduation. With the approval of the CHP Director of Admissions, dual enrollment, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate credit may be used to fulfill program requirements, but cannot count toward the semester hours required in residence by the respective program.
  2. Declaration of a major (Neuroscience or Psychology – CLAS; Public Health – CHP) prior to completion of 60 credit hours of coursework.
  3. Declaration of intent to participate in an ASCP for Clinical Psychology at the end of fall semester, year 2.
  4. Maintenance of a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher for the first 92 credit hours (CLAS) or 106 credit hours (CHP). If accepted, students will adhere to the academic standards of the PsyD program beginning year 4.
  5. Attendance of Macon campus visits by the PsyD program representatives every fall.
  6. Application to the PsyD program no later than October 1 of year 3. Application requires a primary application through PsyCAS that includes a GRE score.
  7. Achievement of a 300 or higher combined GRE score (Verbal and Quantitative scores) and 3.5 minimum Analytical Writing score. The last date to submit updated GRE scores to PsyCAS is November 1 of year 3.
  8. Completion of a successful interview with representatives of the PsyD program during year 3.
  9. Application for May graduation in year 4 from the CLAS to claim the BS in Health Sciences degree (CLAS ASCP) or from the CHP to claim the BS in Public Health degree (CHP ASCP). The PsyD degree will be awarded at the completion of the professional program.