Admissions
We are pleased that you are considering applying to the M.S. Program in Psychology at Wake Forest University. Below you will find detailed information about application requirements, review procedures, and resources for international applicants.
How to Apply
All applications are submitted through the Wake Forest University Graduate School.
Application Deadline: January 15. To access the online application and view the Graduate School admissions checklist, please visit:
https://graduate.wfu.edu/admissions-checklist/
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit:
- Completed online application
- Unofficial transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
- Letters of recommendation
- Research statement
- GRE scores (optional)
- TOEFL or IELTS scores (if applicable; see International Applicants below)
Transcripts
- Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded for application review.
- If admitted and you accept the offer, official transcripts will be required prior to orientation.
- Official transcripts must be sent directly to the Graduate School in a sealed institutional envelope and signed across the back flap by the certifying officer.
GRE Information (Optional)
Both the General GRE and the Psychology GRE Subject Test are optional.
We encourage submission of the General GRE, but it is not required.
- GRE School Code: 5885
- TOEFL Code: B994
There are no strict cutoffs for GPA or GRE scores.
For context, recent admitted cohorts have averaged:
- GPA: 3.76
- GRE (Verbal + Quantitative): 315
These are descriptive averages — admission decisions are holistic and based on the full application.
How Applications Are Reviewed
The Psychology Department begins reviewing applications immediately after January 15.
We enroll approximately 10–16 students each year to maintain small cohorts and individualized mentorship.
Admission decisions are based on multiple factors, including:
- Academic performance
- Research experience
- Letters of recommendation
- Writing ability
- Evidence of motivation and research readiness
- Fit with faculty research interests
We do not use strict numerical cutoffs. Instead, we evaluate the overall pattern of preparation and potential for success in a rigorous, research-focused program.
Applicants without a psychology major are welcome to apply. However, students should have foundational preparation in:
- Introductory Psychology
- Research Methods
- Statistics
We do not offer assessments of specific students’ prospects for admission. See the FAQ page for additional discussion of admissions philosophy.
International Applicants
We warmly encourage applications from international students.
Students who did not graduate from a U.S. college or university and whose native language is not English must submit either:
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), or
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
Minimum scores:
- TOEFL:
- 550 (paper-based)
- 213 (computer-based)
- 79–80 (internet-based)
- IELTS: 6.5
For detailed information about visa processes, financial documentation, and international student services, please visit:
https://graduate.wfu.edu/international-students/
STEM Designation
Our M.S. program is STEM-designated under CIP code 42.2799 (“Research and Experimental Psychology, Other”).
This designation may have implications for Optional Practical Training (OPT) eligibility for international students.
Contact Information
Questions About Your Application Status
If you have questions about the completeness of your application, please contact the Graduate School directly:
Graduate School of Arts & Sciences
200 Brookstown Avenue, Suite 305
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Phone: (336) 758-6153
Email:
Website: https://graduate.wfu.edu/
Program-Specific Questions
Dr. R. Michael Furr
Department of Psychology
Wake Forest University
P.O. Box 7778, Reynolda Station
Winston-Salem, NC 27109
Email: