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Psychology Certificate Programs
Application Requirements

The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) program provides graduate-level psychology and counseling courses to individuals seeking to meet credentialing requirements or augment their training.

The School of Professional and Applied Psychology offers specialization programs including:

Students will complete 12 graduate credits to earn the certificate for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Professional Counseling.

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Admission Requirements

Psychology Certificate Program admission requirements

Applicants for a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Cognitive Behavior Therapy and/or CAGS in Professional Counseling must have completed a master's degree in psychology, counseling or a related discipline from a regionally-accredited institution with a B average or better. Master's degrees in other specialty areas will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

What are the GPA requirements?

Psychology certificate program applicants must have a 3.0 GPA (B average) or better.

Application Process

How to Apply to PCOM’s psychology certificate programs

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) participates in GradCAS, the centralized application service for graduate study.

Prospective graduate students may submit their application through a secure web server, GradCAS, which is similar to a "common app". In order to connect your general GradCAS application to PCOM, visit the ADD PROGRAM tab, search for Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and select your program of interest from the list. Also, be sure you complete the fourth quadrant of PCOM custom questions and click SUBMIT when completed. Be advised that your full GradCAS application must be e-submitted, completed and verified to be considered for admission to PCOM.

Candidates will select their degree program of interest in the last section of the GradCAS application.

Need help using GradCAS?

GradCAS instructions can be found on the GradCAS Applicant Help Center and the GradCAS Quick Start Guide. Additionally, you may contact GradCAS Customer Service.

Where do I send my college transcripts?

Official college transcripts from all colleges/universities schools attended must be sent directly to:

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Office of Admissions
4170 City Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19131

We will accept electronic transcripts via mail, eScript and/or Parchment Services and National Student Clearinghouse.

Where do I send my letters of recommendation?

Letters of recommendation can be sent through the evaluator portal on GradCAS or directly to PCOM Admissions in PDF format to recommend@pcom.edu. Recommenders can be directed to our "For Recommenders" page for guidance.

What are the next steps?

Once your application has been downloaded from GradCAS, you will be contacted via email with a confirmation of its receipt including reminders of the appropriate steps to complete the application process.

Your application will be processed and assessed by the Faculty Committee on Admissions only after the receipt of:

Official transcript(s) of all undergraduate and graduate course work
Two letters of recommendation
Curriculum vitae or resume
A general autobiographical statement explaining you interest in this academic program as it relates to your career goals (in 500 words or less)
Writing sample, preferably graded

Admissions Process

What happens after I apply to the psychology certificate programs?

The CAGS program utilizes a rolling admissions policy, so applications will be considered throughout the year as they are received. The Admissions Committee screens applications, invites some applicants for an interview, evaluates the applicants and selects new students. Following the completion of the admissions process, each applicant is notified in writing of the Admission Committee's decision, including any conditions that must be satisfied prior to or following enrollment.

Due to COVID-19, we will conduct online interviews only for the 2020-2021 admissions cycle at all PCOM locations.

Background check requirement

In an effort to foster the safety and well-being of the entire campus community, as well as to ensure that students accepted to PCOM will be permitted to perform clerkships/internships required to successfully complete their degree requirements, PCOM requires all first year students to complete a criminal background check prior to matriculation. All students must have their criminal background checks processed through a PCOM vendor of choice. The Admissions Office will send notification of the process after confirmation of enrollment and must have this information on file prior to orientation; students will not be allowed to start classes without this information.

Prior to enrollment, all candidates are required to complete the college's Technical Standards for Admission and Matriculation (PDF).

If you have any questions, please contact us via email at admissions@pcom.edu.